Minnesota is perhaps one of the greenest States in the United States. Its lakes and mountains make it a perfect place for nature enthusiasts and photographers as well.

If you love landscapes as a subject to your photography, here are some places that you may want to pay a visit on your next trip to Minnesota.

1. The Jay Cooke State Park or Lake Superior State Parks This nature park is situated approximately 10 miles in the southwestern part of Duluth. You can try your luck by trying to capture photos of the following animal species: 46 mammal species (including black bears, Timberwolves and coyotes) 173 bird species 16 reptile species that are non – poisonous

Moreover, if rock formations are your thing, then you might enjoy the slate and greywacke bedrock of the St. Louis River that is adorned with several shale protrusions.

2. Super Hiking Trail (SHT) Do you enjoy mountain climbing as much as you love photography? If you do, then the SHT is for you. If you are up to it, you can enjoy the 244 – mile trail alongside the Lake Superior. While enjoying the hike, you can take snapshots of the lake and some breath taking sights of the trail itself.

3. Voyageurs National Park The name came from the initial French – Canadian tourists who frequent this place via canoes. This national park boasts of 30 or so lakes that are adorned with approximately 1000 islands. Boating, canoeing and fishing are among the activities you can enjoy. Of course, on the way, you can take snapshots of the islands as a souvenir of your trip.

4. Minnehaha (Laughing) Falls This unassuming waterfall can be found in the southeastern part of Minneapolis. However, the Minnehaha Falls is not the only attraction that is “photo” worthy. Tourists and locals alike, have found themselves posing beside the statues of Hiawatha and Minnehaha. Both of which are famous because of Longfellow’s “Song of Hiawatha”.

5. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory If you are looking for a haven in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city, the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory can be your best bet. The park is not only a sanctuary to big cats, other mammals and birds but in its midst, you can also find a Japanese garden where you can take photographs of manicured Zen garden and bonsais. If you are looking for color in your photographs and the flowers and orchids are not enough, you can visit the Enchanted Garden filled with all sorts of butterflies.

I happen to be lucky enough to live in the St. Paul area so my wife and I take our two young children to Como fairly often. It can be difficult to try and capture the images that I see when we are there as a family, so I am scheduling my own excursion to the zoo, and only my camera is invited to go along with me!

Of course those are but a few sites that you can visit. If you plan to stay longer in the area, there are more parks, trails and contemporary attractions that are “picture – worthy”. If in the middle of your “picture – taking” trip, you find the need for some maintenance of your digital camera or DSLR, there are a few shops that sell digital camera parts in Minnesota. You can get your digital camera repair in Minnesota with a quick Google search and a couple phone calls in the Twin Cities, elsewhere you may have to mail in your camera and have it mailed back home to you when the repair is complete.

I hope you enjoy your visit to Minnesota, and happy picture taking!