Midway after dark

from flickr user waiting line (Ren)
The photographer captures the Mighty Midway of the Minnesota State Fair after dark and show us The Zipper and the ferris wheel in all of their lit-up glory.

Ostrich

from flickr user Pr@veen Shettigar
The photographer says: Taken at Como Zoo in Saint Paul. One Stubborn Ostrich. I stood there for a long time but he wouldn't look me in the eye!

Cheer Up Farm

from flickr user krissos.photography
A foggy sunrise greets this farm near Waconia, MN.

Spun People

from flickr user leakylightbucket
One of the rides at the Minnesota State Fair's Mighty Midway. The Minnesota State Fair runs through Labor Day.

Look Up at the Midway

from flickr user Krenda Frushour
The photographer says: Part of the fun of the Minnesota State Fair is the rides. Even if you don't actually go on the rides, a stroll down the midway is worth the trip. I remember romantic nights, holding hands with a new boyfriend with the gleam of the lights all around. In this photo, obviously it is daytime. I'm with my kids at the Minnesota State Fair & we are looking up at the colorful gondolas above.

Alley Cat

from flickr user tbone_sandwich
This possibly homeless but apparently happy cat is seen resting in what appears to be a gritty residential area. Or maybe it just feels gritty due to the depth of field in the photo and its digital noise. This cat photo definitely conveys the feeling of homelessness in Minnesota's feline community.

Looking up Marquette Avenue

from flickr user tom clearwood
This intrepid photographer captured some of the Minneapolis skyline's iconic buildings from the middle of Marquette Avenue. He obviously wasn't run down by a Metro Transit bus as this photo was posted and is now shared here for more to enjoy.

The Minnesota State Fair Mascot

from flickr user Kari Brown Photography
It's Fairborn, the official Minnesota State Fair Mascot and he'll be surrounded by tens of thousands of Minnesotans each and every day beginning this Thursday and continuing for twelve days through Labor Day as people check out animals, rides, grandstand entertainment and eat all kinds of disgusting "food" on a stick. And I'll be there for opening day. See if you can find me.

The Delano chicken

from flickr user katiebug455
In front of this BP gas station and convenience store in Delano, MN stands this large fiberglass chicken. I have a feeling that there has to be a story behind something this random. If you know anything about this giant fiberglass chicken, please share.

Sunset on Turtle Lake

from flickr user priyaswtc
A stunning sunset over Shoreview's Turtle Lake filled with blacks, yellows and oranges that seems to evoke feelings of autumn.

Hastings Rail Bridge

from flickr user Doug Wallick
One of only three lift bridges spanning the Mississippi River, this railroad bridge in Hastings, MN was built fairly recently -- in 1981.

Levee Park Flower Baskets

from flickr user Tim Alms
Clouds blocked the actual sunset but the sky was gorgeous just after.

If I'm not mistaken, this vivid photo was likely taken in Red Wing, MN.

Russian Orthodox Church (circa 1918)

from flickr user NorthernMinnesotaPhoto
The Church built in 1918 by the Russian Immigrants that settled this area [Brambel, MN] in the early 1900's. Heated by a wood stove in the corner and decorated with truly beautiful handcrafted workmanship.

A Perfect Minnesota Summer Day

from flickr user djsime
Taken at Myre Big Island State Park [in Albert Lea, MN] on a perfect summer day in Minnesota!

Romocky Cheddar Bratz & Dogs

from flickr user Bebertz
A vendor (with excellent prices - only $3.00 for an old fashioned wiener) at the Minneapolis Farmer's Market with his nicely decked-out food cart. Seems like a nice enough place to pick up a hot dog or cheddar brat.

Wabasha Sunset

from flickr user The Cleveland Kid
Nothing beats a sunset -- especially one taken across the Mississippi River.

Job 99 Saint Paul, MN

from flickr user dkwarc1751
The photographer says: Today Minnesota Commercial ran their first sand train from their yard at St. Anthony to BNSF's Bluff Yard where they handed it off. The sound of four elder GE's barking and smoking was quite impressive as they tried to gain speed down the Midway Sub.

Minn State Patrol Plymouth Fury

from flickr user pmp205
Sure, this Minnesota State patrol car, a Plymouth Fury, is merely a replica of those which once patrolled the highways of the northstar state but this car is a beast. It looks like something that may have once chased Burt Reynolds' "The Bandit". I'm already growing a nice 70s mustache just by looking at this photo.

“Dancing with Death” — Minnesota Fringe Festival

from flickr user Tony Webster
Smiling Lune presents "Dancing with Death" at Intermedia Arts in Minneapolis.

Lost Cowgirl

from flickr user Alix Rae
A beautiful and stark black and white photo that is full of emotion, in part due to the look of sadness on the model's face. Well done.

Supercell over Lake Superior

from flickr user Boreal Bird
The photographer says: Just one more (I promise, I think!) to add to my 'Superior Supercell' series. I reworked the original b/w version that I had previously posted, and am significantly happier with this.

By the way, for those not familiar with this type of ship - it's a lake freighter (known in the Great Lakes as a "laker") and is an impressive ~ 1000 feet / 300 meters long. Just to give more perspective if needed.

The lights of Duluth

from flickr user mdlanglais
Framed by trees, this photo of the lights along Duluth, Minnesota's Lake Superior shoreline is striking because of the orange glow of the sky and that arc of light (probably from an airplane taking off) in the lower left corner of the photo.

Bean Me Up

from flickr user mazzmn
The soybean fields of Minnesota shone a dark green under the rather moody summer clouds as rays of sun poked through the cloud cover.

Kawishiwi River - Ely, MN

from flickr user brittneyk26
When people think of Minnesota they often times think of towering trees, clear and crisp water and blue skies. However, when people think of the waters of Minnesota they don't usually think of the state's numerous rivers such as this one -- the Kawishiwi River near Ely, MN.

Wrigley's Spearmint Gum Ghost Sign

from flickr user rubey-kay
Before billboards, companies would make use of the sides of buildings -- most often brick buildings -- to advertise their products. This ghost sign for Wrigley's Spearmint Gum is still somewhat visible on the side of a downtown Mankato, Minnesota (home of the Minnesota Vikings training camp) business. I believe it is located on Mankato's Riverfront Drive and I'm fairly certain I saw it on our way to Chipotle during our trek home from a friend's cabin.

Minnesota storm clouds

from flickr user NVJ
The photographer says: A stacked shelf(?) cloud. I was on my way home from work and had a hard time not looking at this storm system.

Midwest tomato fest

from flickr user Darshy
You say to - mah- to, I say to-may-to; once I get to throw one in yo face! With bits and pieces of tomatoes in every orifice, these participants in the first ever Midwest Tomato Fest held at Afton Alps.

Rosen's Sports Sunday Crew

from flickr user aaron.goodyear
Vikings Training Camp, Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN