Listen. There is a Word for This

In 2021 I was given a 3 week art residency with the St. Croix Watershed Research Center that is part of the Science Museum of Minnesota. The residency included a cabin on a bank 30 feet up from the lapping waves of the St. Croix River.  From 5am til midnight some days, I photographed the forests and the river.  It was a magical, magical time for me being in a white pine forest like where I grew up. I recommend this residency.

Much thanks to the Research Center and Science Museum!

Much thanks to Sony Cameras for lending me an AR7iv with 4 lenses to use for the project!! 

What if Its the Holiest Image You have of Yourself

What if It's the Holiest Image You have of Yourself?

She Said the Biggest Cliche in Photography is "Sunrise and Sunset"

The Heart is the Source of Memories

How Wind Caresses the Night

Where Nothing is Retroactive

Consistently This. Beholding That.

The Tone of Silent Weeping

Having It All On the Line

How I Let the Water Take ME

Parallels

Midnight Blue

Revival

Slow Morning

When Morning Smells of Blue

Anatomy Lessons of Blue

When the Sky is Unbroken

Dwelling in Darkness

Along the Edge of the Forest When Small Animals Sleep

At the Heart of It

No One Can Say It Better than the Wind Singing with White Pines

No One Can Say It Better thank the Wind Singing with White Pines

Green Symphonies

St. Croix Watershed Landscapes

Fine Art

Portfolio

Likely Stories welcomes Sandy Swanson, our newest photographer.
"Ice Fishing in Water"
Photographed Dec. 28, 2024.
Lake St. Croix which is a stretch of the St. Croix River between I-94 and Afton.
As the St. Croix River gets warmer due warmer springs, drier summers and warmer winters, it creates a recipe for algae.

@st.croix_river @st.croix.360 
#waterislife #fishinglife 
#mnfishing @sciencemuseummn 
@wildriversconservancy @stcroixresearchstation 
@stcroixvalleymag 
#mnfishing #icefishing 
#icefishingnation #icefishinglife
#climatechange
@likelystories_

"Length of a Sigh"
From "The Irises" series that began out of frustration with photographing flowers. I wanted to do something else with the flowers but I didn't know what that was....I happened to walk by my bookshelf & picked out Hiro's book "Fighting Fish, Fighting Birds". As I was scrolling pages of the Betas, I thought how can I photograph and edit these flowers - irises and dahlias - to capture their personalities as Hiro did with the Betas? 
This is one of the first edits when I began exploring the idea of personalities...
I might have had some kinda idea of Hiro and Pollack...
Most of the irises were photographed at the Arb.

@mn_arb @mnartists @mn_creativegroup @mn_artisan_market 
@tihanydesign @irises
@tangletowngardens 
@bachmansweddings #bachmans #motherearthgardens 
#iris #irises 
mn-arb

Its Like That, Isn't It
Sunflowers from the George Floyd Memorial Garden Series/Sunflower series.

@george__floyd_official @38thandchicagogfs 
#sunflower #sunflowers 
#petals #flowersoftheday 
#flowersofig #flowersoftheworld 
#mnartists #sunlight 
#sunlight_art

Dreams 1 2 3: Monet & O'Keefe Run Wild Through His Garden

Sunflowers from the George Floyd Memorial Garden, North Minneapolis.
Comments welcome.

@stcroixvalleymag @mn_arb 
#sunflowers #petals #color #monet #okeefe #georgiaokeefe #garden #wildrun #wildgardens #blossoms

From MCEA 
"Investing in Minnesota will have a significant impact. If the Midwest were a country, it would be the fifth largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world; advancing climate solutions here is critical to the nation’s success. And Minnesota has proven to be a leader in the Midwest for its aggressive plans to reduce emissions, most recently with our 100% Carbon-Free Standard passed in 2023.
 
MCEA is committed to holding our regulators to the bold vision of climate justice and carbon-free electricity in our new state laws. Together, we can lead the nation in courageous climate action that benefits Minnesotans and our country as we model what it looks like to build a thriving future."

We are progressing!! (Photo from St. Croix Valley near Scandia)

@sciencemuseummn @wildriversconservancy @stcroixresearchstation @stcroixvalleymag #climatechange 
#climatechallenge @mcea
#mnartist #moonrise #bw

Angels Voices Changing
climate change work from the likely stories project.

@sciencemuseummn @wildriversconservancy @zenfolio @dxolabs #waterislife #climatechange #climatechangeisreal #earthjustice 
#noplanetb #gretathunberg 
#playwithfire

Ghost Story
new work from the Lily gaardens at Katherine Roepke and Dr. Leo Fuirtch's home.
“You touched me in places so deep
I wanted to ignore you.”
― Adrienne Rich, The School Among the Ruins

#lily #lilies #katherineroepke #garden #petalks #blossoms #whitelily #ghost #ghoststory #pollinate #minneapolis

"only the creator can make a tree"
While climate change is adversely affecting aspen, paper birch and black spruce, it is much more suitable for eastern white pine, sugar maple and red maple.-Mary Hoff for the MN DNR.
--from the Likely Stories project.
(we're inviting photographers who are documenting or interested in documenting climate changes in the st croix valley, to work with us as guest photographers. DM for more info)
©cynthia dickinson

#sciencemuseumofminnesota #wildriversconservancy #stcroixriver #stcroixvalley #stillwatermn #washingtoncountymn #williamobrienstatepark

Its been a very very long summer and fall. My body stopped cooperating with me. Asthma kept me from walking anywhere. Including in the grocery store. My back issues are just as bad and I broke a humorus which is keeping me completely out of commission.
I apologize to you all for my lack of communication. Between a broken body and the depression that came with it, I have been way out of the ball park.
I'm finally doing some new work with old images as I havent been able to hold a camera.
This one is from my Iris Series.
Comments welcome.

#iris #garden #flowers #mn_arb #mnlandscapearboretum 
#petals #blossoms

Ostrich Ferns
St. Croix Watershed
©cynthia lenhart dunn dickinson 

Climate affects the forest floor in many ways. Decomposition rates alter thus soil moisture levels change. Erosion risks rise. Orgqanic matter is reduced. Nutrients change. Wildfire risk increases. Species change. Carbon storage is altered.
Its not a doomsday tho. We do have the options of working towards stabilizing forest environments. Many people, agencies and groups are working in the St. Croix Watershed to build resilience. 

@sciencemuseummn @stcroixresearchstation 
@stcroixvalleymag 
#stcroixvalley #ferns
#fernsofig #ostrichfern
#forestfloor #green
#naturephotography

Drought
©cynthia lenhart dunn dickinson 
Most of us know drought damages the river envirnment. Animals, fish, aquatic plants, insects, mullusks become stressed. Algae blooms happen. Less oxygen in the water and we see fish kills. Navigating the rivers and lakes becomes difficult, at times dangerous.
Drought does have its benefits. 
Run off is much less which means less sediment and unwanted nutrients. Riverbanks and shorelines have a chance to grow new willows and plants that stablize the sediment. Scientists monitoring the water can see how limiting phosphorus is working.
Building resilience to our changing climate helps if we do things:
"Planting and maintaining trees, especially along streams to help shade the water and keep it cool
Storing more water on the land by creating rain gardens and retention areas, to prevent damaging runoff
Planting native vegetation along streams to help filter runoff and prevent erosion
Lowering our carbon footprint to help stave off the worst effects of climate change"
-MN Pollution Control Agency "Rivers during droughts"

@sciencemuseummn @stcroixresearchstation @stcroixvalleymag @st.croix.360 @wildriversconservancy @zenfolio 
@praxis_gallery 
#waterislife #climatechange #mnartists #stcroixnationalscenicriverway 
#stcroixriver #stcroixvalley #mnfishing

Wind. Rain. Storm.
©cynthia dickinson 
from the Likely Stories project

Climate adaptation. Exactly what is it?
The St. Croix National Parkway staff and partners have defined it this way:
"Climate change threatens the cultural and natural resources that the Park is known for, which has prompted the Park to consider actions for climate change adaptation. Adaptation is an adjustment in natural or human systems that moderates harm or seeks out beneficial opportunities in response to change. Adaptation may include social, economic, or ecological responses, such as adapting the location, structure, or function of Park facilities in anticipation of extreme weather. It is important to closely monitor cultural and natural resources and identify those that are most at risk to climate change impacts."
-from St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Limate Action Plan

@sciencemuseummn @stcroixresearchstation @zenfolio @praxis_gallery #stcroixvalley #stcroixmagazine #waterislife #mnartists #climatechangeisreal 
#storms #climateadaptation 
#stcroixnationalscenicriverway @wildriversconservancy

After the Storm
©cynthia lenhart dunn dickinson 

There are 12 freshwater National Parks in the US. The St. Croix National Scenic Riverways is one of them.
 From 2021 -2023 it was part of national research project examing algae & what toxic chmicals were being produced. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)were found in the river which is concernng as its toxicty causes illness in people and kills animals. 
There are 3 different toxins produced: skin toxins, liver toxins and neurotoxins.
In 2024, beaches in the lower St. Croix were closed due to blooms. If fertilizers and septic tank run-offs are controlled i t will greatly reduce the blooming.

@sciencemuseummn @stcroixresearchstation @zenfolio @praxis_gallery @wildriversconservancy #bluegreenalgae #cyanobacteria 
#waterislife #exploremn #stcroixvalley #stillwatermn 
#stcroixriver #stcroixriverassociation

River Fog
©cynthia dickinson

St. Croix River fog and oaks. Oaks are affected by too much water or not enough water. One saturated the soil and suffacates roots. The other dries them out. Both affect their chemical defenses to fight off pests - in particular the chestnut borer. 
- Brian Schwingle, DNR forest health coordinator

@sciencemuseummn @wildriversconservancy @zenfolio @stcroixresearchstation #stcroixvalley #stcroixmagazine #stcroixnationalscenicriverway 
#forests #oak #minnesota

Young Maple in the St. Croix Watershed
©dickinson

In Minnesota, forest management uses assisted migration when replanting. Rather than seedlings from local forests, seedling planted are sometimes from as far south as 100 miles. The hope is that are forests are more resilient to climate change.

@sciencemuseummn @wildriversconservancy @zenfolio @praxis_gallery #mndr @stcroixresearchstation #maple #mapletrees #minnesota
#forests

Every Fog is a Getaway

For 12 millennials the St Croix Watershed has shared its resources, generously, with many diverse cultures and their people.
Since 1839 when the Marine Lumber Company cut its first white pine, the Watershed began taking what has become the decline of those resources.
Likely Stories is a group of 9 photographers documenting ways climate adaptations in the Watershed by both nature and the people assisting it's health.
We hope your curiosity will follow us - LikelyStories_ (IG)
and link to the webpage in my bio.

#waterislife #stcroixriver #mnartists #mnexplore #exploreminnesota #stcroixriver 
@st.croix.360 @stcroixresearchstation 
@sciencemuseummn @zenfolio 
@praxis_gallery @wildriversconservancy

Of the 3 species of birch you find in the St. Crroix Watershed - Paper (White), River and Yellow - two are adapting well to climates changes . Yellow and River Birches.
Need to figure out which ones to replace those Ash trees? 
UofMN Extension has info for you.
Pieces of Resistence
©cynthia lenhart dunn dickinson

@sciencemuseummn @stcroixresearchstation @wildriversconservancy @zenfolio 
@praxis_gallery @minnesotadnr 
#minnesotaexposure #exploreminnesota #mnartists
#stcroixnationalscenicriverway 
#birch #birchtree #riverbirch #yellowbirch #stcroixriver @st.croix.360

"Once Upon an Island Forest", the first image is a small island on the St. Croix River in its watershed near Marine-on-the-St. Croix, MN just south of O'Brien State Park. It’s part of a series from a project "Likely Stories: A Photographic Journey through Climate Adaptations in the St. Croix Watershed" I lead with a small group of photographers. There are 127 lakes, 152,000 acres of wetlands and more than 1,000 miles of rivers, streams and ditches we are photographing, videotaping and capturing with words.
I like to say there are 8 million stories in the other naked city because if you climb into social media we are inundated with landscapes, wildlife, autumn colors, kayaks, canoes, fishing photos. So, when I photograph and edit, I'm looking to connect with and connect you to those ancient, primal, ancestral spirits....the unexpected alchemy lingering below the surface of the Instagram Shuffle we've learned to walk through so many areas of our lives. Hopefully, my images stop that shuffle for a few minutes.
For me, color is primarily the first consideration when I edit. Like a fantastic plate of beautiful food, it is what draws us into images first. 
I try to remember this quote by Alexey Brodivitch, long time photographer, designer, teacher and art director of Harper's Bazaar "If you look through the viewfinder and you see something you've seen before, don't bother to click the shutter."
Likely Stories is a partnership with the @sciencemuseummn & @stcr , @zenfolio , @praxis_gallery Gallery & Photographic Arts Center and an affiliate of @Wild Rivers Conservancy.
We are currently looking for partnerships and affiliations with other agencies, museums, galleries and corporations.
If you are a photographer who is interested in conservation in the watershed, its adaptations to climate change by the environment itself and those folks helping it adapt, please contact us via dm to me or on our contact info page at Likely Stories on my website --
cynthiadickinson dot com. 
We have a few more openings for photographers with portfolios. to join us.
Emerging photographers encouraged!!!!

@mnartists @weismanartmuseum @springboardarts @minnesotadnr 
@sustainablestillwatermn

Odessy
©cynthia lenhart dunn dickinson

Did you know Stillwater MN and Hudson WI are BIRD Cities?
They make concerted efforts to help bird not only live and thrive in the area but also migrate.
Lights out in August is one effort to assist our birds because their importance in our environment is seed dispersal, pollination, rat & mouse control, and don't forget mosquitoes!
For more info check out Sustainable Stillwater & Bird City Wisconsin.
Be Kind to your environment. Your life actually depends on it.

@sustainablestillwatermn @hudson_wi @audubonsociety 
@minneapolisaudubon 
@americanbirdingassociation 
@wildriversconservancy @sciencemuseummn @stcroixresearchstation @stcroixvalleymag @mnartists 
#birding #birdphotography 
#wildriverstatepark #birdsonearth 
#birdsofprey

Imagine a person that sees the land in front of them as a multitude of sacred deities rather than the grass needs mowing,.
"Every Petal is a Prayer"
©cynthia lenhart dunn dickinson 
lilies from @mn_arb 
@mnartists @sciencemuseummn 
@wildriversconservancy @exploreminnesota @minnesotaexposure #lilies
#flowersoftheday #flowersofinsta 
#shamanism

Another Coyote day
"There are no truths, Coyote, only stories." -Thomas King, Green Grass Running Water
Today i'm collecting stories about water. Care to share one of yours?

@sciencemuseummn @wildriversconservancy @minnesotadnr @exploreminnesota 
@minnesotaexposure @stcroixresearchstation 
@stcroix360 @waterislife 
#stcroixriver #scandiamn #marineonthestcroix #rivers

(its a Coyote day. Bet you didn't know my nick is Coyote. Really. It is. and one of my favorite books is Green Grass, Running Water.)

Wait, wait," says Coyote. "When's my turn?"
"Coyotes don't get a turn," I says.
"In a democracy, everyone gets a turn," says Coyote.
"Nonsense," I says. "In a democracy, only people who can afford it get a turn."

-Thomas King, Green Grass Running Water

#upperbaptismriver #baptismriver
#coyotestories #coyote #trickster
#thomasking #greengrassrunningwater
#democracy @democracynow

Did you know that regional temperatures since the 1970's have only risen 2 degrees?
Damages to environment are now severe. Fires are out of control.
Its like the earth is experiencing the worst sunburn you've ever suffered.

@climategenorg @climate_change__2024 
@mnartists
#forestfires #smoke #redsky
#redmoon #orangemoon
#resist

One of the easiest ways to combat climate changes is to VOTE for people who commit to & follow thru on environmental issues.

"We Carry Stories"
St. Croix River Island near Marine on the St. Croix-from the Likely Stories Project - link in my bio
©cynthia dickinson

@wildriversconservancy 
@sciencemuseummn 
@mnartists @stcroixrivercruises 
@st.croix_river @waterislife 
@minnesotadnr @mnexposure 
@exploreminnesota #riversoflife
#stcroixvalley #minnesota #wisconsin #livelovelaugh 
@sciencemuseummn

does the forest belong to you? 
or do you belong to the forest? 
or do you belong to each other?
Once Upon an Island Forest
©cynthia dickinson 

@sciencemuseummn @wildriversconservancy @minnesotadnr @dnrminnesota 
@mnartists @zenfolio 
@waterislife #scandia #stcroixriver
@sustainablestillwatermn #waterislife 
#stcroixvalley #nature #bestsunrise
#fog #forestphotography

“He wanted to walk until he recognized himself again.”
― Leslie Marmon Silko, Ceremony

How Wind Caresses the Light
©cynthia dickinson 
St. Croix Valley Moonrise
(for prices and sizes, DM please) 

@sciencemuseummn 
@wildriversconservancy 
@minnesotadnr 
@sustainablestillwater
@praxis_gallery 
#moonlight #stcroixriver 
#lesliemarmonsilko 
#ceremony #findingoneself 
#minnesota #mnartists
#wwaterislife 
@weismanartmuseum

The St. Croix River at its deepest is 70-100 feet and that place is a mile from the St. Croix Falls hydroelectric dam. 
-St. Croix National Riverway website, Natural Features
The Persistence of Light
©cynthia lenhart dunn dickinson 
(dm me for pricing and sizes)

@sciencemuseummn @stcroixresearchstation @wildriversconservancy 
@stcroixvalleymag @sustainablestillwatermn 
#marineonstcroix #scandiamn 
#stcroixfalls #riversoftheworld 
#stcroixriver #sunrisesunset
#livelifetothefullest #waterislife
#blue

“Gaston was not only a fierce lover, with endless wisdom and imagination, but he was also, perhaps, the first man in the history of the species who had made an emergency landing and had come close to killing himself and his sweetheart simply to make love in a field of violets.”
― Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude

Its Simply a Matter of So It Is
cynthia dickinson

from Katherine and Leo's Garden of Lilies

@roepkepr @mn_arb @mnartists 
#flowersoftheday #gabrielgarciamarquez #gabrielgarcíamárquez #love #lovequotes #loveislove #lovequotesforher #nature #blue
#lilies #liliesofthefield #blueflower

While climate change is adversely affecting aspen, paper birch and black spruce, it is much more suitable for eastern white pine, sugar maple and red maple.-Mary Hoff for the MN DNR.
White Pine in the St. Croix Watershed
©cynthia lenhart dunn dickinson 
Thanks to the @sciencemuseummn @stcroixresearchstation @minnesotadnr @wildriversconservancy @stcroixnationalscenicriverway
#stcroixriver #stcroixvalley
#likelystories #climatechange
#waterislife

No one can be free who has a thousand ancestors.
-L.M. Montgomery, "Emily Climbs"

Carrying the Bones of Our Ancestors
©cynthia dickinson

@weismanartmuseum @fotonostrum @juliacameronawards #flowers
#nudes #iris #pinkpetals #colorphotography

Home

Cynthia Dickinson is an art photographer located in Edina, Minnesota. During the years she has been photographing, she has won numerous awards for her work.

Cynthia Dickinson Photography is the leader in moment capturing

Cynthia Dickinson Photography portfolio website

Likely Stories

Resources

Cynthia Dickinson Photography New Page The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography New Page page

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Climate Change in the St. Croix Watershed, MN The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Climate Change in the St. Croix Watershed, MN page

Cynthia Dickinson Photography St. Croix Watershed The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography St. Croix Watershed page

The Irises

Cynthia Dickinson Photography The Irises The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography The Irises page

Roepke & Furcht Gardens

Here & Beyond

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Here & Beyond The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Here & Beyond page

Land

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Land The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Land page

Tribes

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Tribes The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Tribes page

Places We Inhabit

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Places We Inhabit The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Places We Inhabit page

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Portfolio The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Portfolio page

Projects

Climate Change

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Climate Change The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Climate Change page

Flora

Sunflowers

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Sunflowers The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Sunflowers page

Trees

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Trees The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Trees page

Engagements of War

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Gaza 2023-2024 The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Gaza 2023-2024 page

Cynthia Dickinson Photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Projects The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Projects page

Awards & Exhibits

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Award & Exhibit Photographs The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Award & Exhibit Photographs page

Blog

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Blog The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Blog page

Services

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Services The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Services page

Info

About

Cynthia Dickinson Photography About The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography About page

Contact

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Contact The best professional in photography

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Contact page

Deals You Might Like

Cynthia Dickinson Photography Deals You Might Like The best professional in photography

St. Croix Watershed Landscapes

#cynthdickinson