Photo Bloghttp://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/en-US2010-09-03T11:08:11ZSquarespace Site Server v5.11.5 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Raging Waterfall...http://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/7/26/raging-waterfall.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-07-26T15:36:23ZNormally this type of shot would require a tripod.  By adjusting the shutter speed, the camera can turn the rushing water into a smooth flow.  Any movement of the camera when the lens is open ends in a blurry image and worthless picture.  Shooting on the fly, I didn't have a tripod, so I was forced to improvise.  By placing the camera between a couple of large rocks, I did my best to hold steady for the "artisic shot."  Looking at it now, I am pretty impressed with the turnout.  This is my first attempt at the smooth look to flowing water, so I guess I can cross that off my list of pictures to gather.  Hope you like it!

Travis Frank - travis@mnbound.com

]]>Bass Jiggin'http://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/7/23/bass-jiggin.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-07-23T17:00:57Z

I like to find interesting still shots to capture the movements on the water.  This wasn't the largest bass in the world, but he sure attacked the bass jig.  Before the angler could unhook it I snuck in for a quick shot.  There is something cool about the colors of the jig and the largemouth bass that eat them.  I haven't quite put my finger on it, but when I fish bass on jigs, the bass always crush it and leave me with a feeling that I really tricked the big one into biting.  Nothing beats bass fishing with a bass jig!

Travis Frank - Travis@mnbound.com

]]>Just Another Sunset!http://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/7/22/just-another-sunset.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-07-22T20:09:06Z

Just another ordinary sunset on the lake.  NOT!  It seems that no two sunrise or sunsets can ever be the same.  Fortunately, I am lucky enough to watch many of them.  The other evening I spent some time on the water and wouldn't you know, the sun brought out its magical colors once again.  It never gets old to see, which is why it never gets old for me to share.  Livin' in the land of 10,000 lakes is a blessing when you get to stop, think and enjoy the creations of our God given blessings.  Pretty cool stuff!

Travis Frank - Travis@mnbound.com

]]>MN Muskie Opener Sunrise!http://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/6/24/mn-muskie-opener-sunrise.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-06-24T12:37:08ZThis picture is long overdue for me to chat about.  I took this shot on the opening day of the Minnesota muskie fishing season.  Joining me was Young Ben and we both put our fishing sticks away for a bit and jumped for the camera.  I've watched the sun rise thousands of times from the lake, but rarely have the colors shown such beauty.  I'm pretty sure there were thousands of hard-core muskie nuts that saw the same thing that morning, and I wouldn't be surprised if they softened their hearts long enough to take a photo too.  I swear if there weren't trees in the background, you wouldn't have been able to tell where the sky ended and the water began.  Simply spectacular.  Thank you God for sharing this wonderful prize with us early rising muskie dudes!

]]>Blonde Phase Mallardhttp://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/6/23/blonde-phase-mallard.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-06-23T15:46:48ZHave you ever seen this duck before?  It's called a blonde phased mallard.  Not to be mistaken for an albino duck, this is a very rare find.  At least that is what I am told.  I got a tip from a buddy and sure enough it was there when we arrived.  I'd be lying if I told you that I had to trek far and deep into the wilderness to find this pretty lady.  Truth be told, she was hanging out in the park with a bunch of other feathered friends.  Only difference was that she was as white as can be.  I have also learned that this phase only occurs in the female, otherwise known as a hen.  If you look closely you'll see that her eye has no red in it all.  I'm no duck expert, but I believe albino critters typically have red eyes.  So there you have it, now you can tell your friends you've seen a blonde duck.  Cool Beans!

]]>Boundary Waters Shine!http://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/6/22/boundary-waters-shine.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-06-22T13:50:06ZIt's no secret that the BWCA in northern Minnesota yields a few spectacular photo opportunities for every visitor.  After a day of clouds, the sun poked its head out of the clouds just before it set.  While a normal sunset would find my lens facing the setting sun, this caught my eye when I turned around.  The darkness of the clouds and the brightness of the setting sun shining on these trees made it the perfect contrast.  I guess I'll have to turn around more often to see what the sun is doing next time, or I'll just have to stay in the Boundary Waters and never return.  Ooooh, that would be a sweet idea!

]]>Walleye Gold...http://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/5/19/walleye-gold.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-05-19T18:14:24ZIt's not too often that I get worked up over a picture.  Ok, well not enough that I am willing to admit it anyway.  I took this picture yesterday morning and I am still giddy with excitement.  I think the glow of the morning sun and the focus, angle and colors of this photo make it one of my favorite to date.  You may or may not agree, but when I look at it, I'm actually surprised that I took this picture.  I don't feel that I have the an "eye" for the shot like some people do, so it usually leads me to take several shots of one particular picture.  This time, I only took two, and I got what I wanted on picture number one, and erased number two.  I'm just so excited that I have to share it.  I feel that I finally hit the nail on the coffin for my perfect walleye release shot.  The low angle of the sun, the water dripping and the size of this above average walleye made it perfect in my mind.  I hope you enjoy it too!

]]>Goose, Geese, Gosling...Whatever You Call 'Em!http://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/5/14/goose-geese-goslingwhatever-you-call-em.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-05-14T15:57:59ZThis past Mother's day my family and I spent some time in the great outdoors.  Giving thanks to the one that brought us life, My sister and I surprised our mom and took her to her favorite place.  The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.  There we visited her favorite hide-outs around the property and took in all the sights and sounds from the blossoming plants.  While I took several cool pictures, I will try to save face and only share the ones that are slightly manly.  Sorry, no flower shots are going to make the cut.  This photo was the first family of gosslings that I have seen this year.  It just so happened that they let me come close enough for some cool shots.  I took a bunch, but this one is my favorite, plus I feel a family portrait is proper for the one Sunday a year known as Mother's Day.

Happy Mothers Day Mom!

]]>Morel Mushroomhttp://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/5/6/morel-mushroom.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-05-06T17:21:54ZI've been bitten by another bug.  This time it's the morel mushroom addiction that is consuming all of my time.  Heck, I almost forgot that I have a boat wishing it were in the water.  I've been so busy hunting mushrooms that I have forgotten about almost all else.  But, it's been for good reason.  I've found the mother load!  Right now many of you are probably thinking..."hmmm, I wonder if he'll give me a few"...well, haha, think again.  These tasty devils are only around for a few days each year, and it will be over soon, if it isn't already.  In my hastiness to grab as many as possible the last few days, I have forgotten to take a moment to snap a few photos.  Yesterday I wrapped the camera around my neck and as luck would have it, I found the largest mushroom of the season.  This honker was huge, and posed for a few perfect photos.  P.S. if you want some of my extra shrooms, you have to act quick, dishing out my surplus at record speeds....

]]>Topwater in Action...http://www.mnbound.com/photo-blog/2010/4/23/topwater-in-action.htmlMN Bound Editor2010-04-23T18:15:00ZLast night I took a few baits to the lake for some action.  Not in an attempt to catch a fish, but rather to catch the perfect pictures for a new project I am working on.  I am currently helping out a friend get his website up and rolling, and my goal was to get a few high quality shots of his lures in action.  I will show you the finished product when I launch the site, but for now, I can share a favorite shot from last night on the water.  This is a topwater prop-style muskie bait moving across the surface.  I'd say it looks tasty!

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