Derek Montgomery Photography >> Blog » Duluth

Stormy Duluth

DRock — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 03:26:25 +0000

While driving to pick up ice cream tonight, I noticed some crazy looking clouds over Lake Superior. I decided to run back home and get my complete assortment of cameras and lenses and capture the developing weather. It appears most of the bad weather will stay south of Duluth, but it did make me wonder if I needed to be on the lookout for any severe weather. After watching Twister the night before, I now wasn't sure if that was a sign of things to come or just an opportunity to watch the awful acting by Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton. Judging by Duluth's tornado history, I'd say its the latter. Enjoy.

Krystal + Travis :: Duluth, MN Wedding Photography

DRock — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 14:57:34 +0000

Warm weather has eluded Duluth this year much like a World Series has eluded the Cubs. OK, maybe not that long or depressing, but the nice days have been few and far between. Krystal and Travis picked one of those few and far between days to have their wedding at Spirit Mountain in Duluth. The ski hill overlooks the city, harbor and Lake Superior and is one of the most scenic locations for a wedding along the North Shore. Aside from a little wind, it might be what you call one of those perfect Duluth days.

Frozen Four Semifinals :: UMD vs. Notre Dame

DRock — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:02:11 +0000

Growing up, I didn't know much about hockey other than what I read about the hockey cards I collected in Beckett Hockey Monthly. My favorite player was Brett Hull and I couldn't get my hands on enough Eric Lindros and Pavel Bure cards. I watched the occasional hockey game on television, had a University of Wisconsin hockey jersey in elementary school and attempted to skate once when I was seven. That's what I knew about hockey after growing up in a western Wisconsin town focused on wrestling during the winter months.

My favorite hockey player and former UMD Bulldog, Brett Hull.

So it would seem like a snowball's chance in hell that I would end up living in a hockey crazed town shooting dozens of games a year and slowly, but surely figuring out why everyone is so crazy about this sport. I'll admit it's hard for me to really get into any sport that I can't directly participate in. I don't know how to skate and the next closest thing that I can get involved in, Broomball, isn't quite the same. Despite all this, I've been keenly watching this year's University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team. They started the season on a tear earning the top ranking in D1 college hockey back in November before fading a bit in the second half, but they got hot at the right time.

After dispatching Union 2-0 in the first round of the NCAA tournament, the Bulldogs faced top seed Yale for a spot in the Frozen Four and outgunned the lesser Bulldogs 5-3 to advance to their first Frozen Four since the 2003-04 season. Not since the 1983-84 season have the Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA finals and that is the only time in school history they've done that. I'm sure UMD fans haven't forgotten that game either. The Bulldogs lost a 5-4 decision in four overtimes to Bowling Green. Ouch.

This year UMD will face Michigan in the finals. Winners of nine NCAA hockey championships, the Wolverines will be looking to push that number to double digits. However, UMD will be looking to bring home their first ever NCAA hockey championship. If that happens, in this city obsessed with hockey, it would truly be a momentous occasion. Think rioting in Detroit after the Pistons won their NBA title, but instead replace the fire with Mojakka and people starting the fires with Duluthians singing "We Didn't Start the Fire..." Ok so there is not going to be any rioting here, but if they can repeat a performance like the one illustrated in the photos below, Duluth is going to be a happy place for quite some time.

UMD goaltender Kenny Reiter (right) and Wade Bergman (left) watch a puck Reiter deflected sail over the head of Notre Dame's David Gerths Thursday evening during an NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

UMD goaltender Kenny Reiter deflects a Notre Dame shot Thursday afternoon in the NCAA semifinals at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

UMD players line up during the playing of the national anthem before their NCAA semifinal game against Notre Dame.

UMD students Matt Morris (left) and Andy Fondrick (right) cheer on the Bulldogs during introductions before the start of their NCAA semifinal hockey game against Notre Dame Thursday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Fondrick is a freshman at UMD while Morris is a junior.

UMD's Kenny Reiter watches Notre Dame players celebrate after they scored a first period goal Thursday evening during an NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

UMD's Justin Fontaine (right) couldn't get his shot past Notre Dame goaltender Mike Johnson (2nd from right) Thursday evening during an NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. UMD's Jack Connolly (2nd from left) couldn't put the rebound in while being defended by Notre Dame's Stephen Johns (left, 28).

UMD goaltender Kenny Reiter looks around during a break in action.

UMD's Kyle Schmidt (right) celebrates his first period goal in front of Notre Dame's Kevin Lind (center, 25) and goaltender Mike Johnson (25) Thursday evening during an NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. Schmidt's goal tied the score at 2-2.

UMD's Kyle Schmidt (left, 7) celebrates his goal with teammates Thursday afternoon during an NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

UMD goaltender Kenny Reiter (left) blocks a shot from Notre Dame's Ben Ryan (2nd from left) while being defended by Justin Faulk (25) and J.T. Brown (right, 23) Thursday evening during an NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

UMD's Kenny Reiter was beat by Notre Dame's Calle Ridderwall in the third period to cut the score to 4-3 in favor of UMD.

UMD's Trent Palm (right) battles Notre Dame's Nick Larson (left) for the puck Thursday afternoon during an NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

UMD players celebrate with Mike Connolly (center) after his first period goal put the Bulldogs up 3-2 over Notre Dame Thursday afternoon during an NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

UMD's Brady Lamb (bottom) and Notre Dame's Riley Sheahan (top) got tangled up on the ice during their NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

UMD's Kyle Schmidt (top, 7) and J.T. Brown (bottom, 23) pursue Notre Dame's Riley Sheahan (middle, 4) Thursday evening during an NCAA semifinal hockey game at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

LEFT: UMD's J.T. Brown celebrates his first period goal against Notre Dame during an NCAA semifinal hockey game Thursday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. RIGHT: UMD's Jack Connolly (left) celebrates his second period goal with teammate Justin Fontaine (right) to put UMD up 4-2.

UMD's Justin Faulk (right) kept the puck away from goaltender Kenny Reiter (left) and from Notre Dame's Nick Larson (center, on ice) during an NCAA semifinal hockey game Thursday afternoon at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

TOP: A UMD fan reacts after the Bulldogs went up 4-2 against Notre Dame. BOTTOM: A UMD fan reacts after Notre Dame cut the lead to 4-3 shortly into the third period.

UMD players Justin Fontaine (37), Kenny Reiter (35) and Mike Connolly (22) celebrate their 4-3 victory NCAA semifinal victory over Notre Dame with team manager Dale Haagenson Thursday evening at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.

Hey you guys!! Holy Mary Mother of God, Look at that… the tall ships are coming!!!

DRock — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 06:19:35 +0000

A couple of weekends ago, an armada of tall ships descended upon Duluth for the Tall Ships Duluth festival. I photographed their arrival for the Duluth News Tribune and Minnesota Public Radio. Throughout their time here, I could not stop thinking of various "Goonies" phrases. The two that came to mind the most were Sloth's infamous "Hey you guys!!!" and the Sheriff remarking "Holy Mary Mother of God, Look at that..." at the end of the movie when One-Eyed Willie's ship finally finds the open sea.

The event was a big deal for the city. Two years ago, three tall ships came to Duluth and so did an estimated 125,000 people to see them. Many waited hours in line to get a tour and if you weren't in line by 10 a.m., chances are you weren't getting on the ship. At one point, the line to tour the ships stretched over a mile. The problem was much less of an issue this year since there were nine ships instead of three.

During their five days in Duluth, they were the talk of the town. Whether it was the traffic, the crowds in Canal Park or the constant reminders of one of cinema's greatest movies of all time in the Goonies, the tall ships left an impression on everyone.

The U.S. Brig Niagara sails through the Duluth ship canal toward the Aerial Lift Bridge during the start of the Tall Ships Duluth festival.

James Smith reaches for some oil to apply to the Pride of Baltimore's mast while the entire crew performed general maintenance on the ship ahead of Duluth, Minnesota's tall ships festival. The ship was docked at Loon's Foot Landing in Superior, Wisc.

Chief Mate Alan Morse sands near the bow of the Pride of Baltimore II while it was docked at Loon's Foot Landing in Superior, Wisc.

People get out their cameras and photograph the Pride of Baltimore II as it sails through the Duluth ship canal toward the Aerial LIft Bridge.

The U.S. Brig Niagara approaches the Aerial Lift Bridge through the Duluth ship canal during the start of the Tall Ships Duluth festival.

People line the roof of the Paulucci Building before the start of the Tall Ships Duluth festival.

The U.S. Brig Niagara approaches the Duluth ship canal on its way toward the Aerial Lift Bridge during the start of the Tall Ships Duluth festival.

Helicopters fly by the U.S. Brig Niagara during its entry under the Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth, Minn.

The HMS Bounty sails under the Aerial Lift Bridge during the start of the Tall Ships Duluth festival. The HMS Bounty was in the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead's Man Chest."

Lili Carranza (left) uses her brother Jack Carranza (right) as a prop for taking a photo of the approaching HMS Bounty as it neared the Aerial Lift Bridge during the start of the Tall Ships Duluth festival.

Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge can be seen behind the sails and masts of the U.S. Brig Niagara during the Tall Ships Duluth festival in Duluth, Minn.

Katie & Mike :: Two Harbors, MN Wedding Photography

DRock — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:32:57 +0000

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of shooting Katie and Mike's wedding at Superior Shores, which is just north of Two Harbors. This had to be one of the prettiest lakeside resorts I have seen since I moved up here three years ago. This couple knows how to pick out the scenic spots. Back at the beginning of the year, I photographed their engagement pictures at Katie's parent's cabin on Lake Superior near Silver Bay. The more I spend time around Lake Superior, the more I would love to have a home where you can wake up and see the lake. In the meantime, I'll continue to enjoy spending time on the lake at places like Superior Shores and with people like Katie and Mike. Congrats to Katie and Mike!!