tenthreeleader's photostream  

The copper and steel statue above the south (main) entry to the Minnesota State Capitol is known as "The Quadriga", or "The Four Horses".

The work depicts four horses pulling a cart with two women and a man. Installed in 1906, the statue was commissioned by architect Cass Gilbert.

David Chester French, who sculpted the world-famous statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial, was involved in this project along with Edward Potter, who sculpted the horses.

According to the Hennepin County Library: "The statue is symbolic of the progress of the state. The man atop the cart represents prosperity. The two women holding the reigns represent civilization and directing nature for the progress of the state; each of the horses represents a natural phenomenon: wind, water, fire, and earth. Each figure is 8 to 10 feet tall, and the entire statue is covered with a layer of gold leaf which is reapplied every 20-30 years."

Taken 16 February 16 2012 on a beautiful afternoon in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Looking straight up from the south steps of the Minnesota State Capitol, I was presented with a fun contrast and one of my favorite things to shoot - an architectural abstract. Enjoy!

Taken 16 February 2012 in St. Paul, MN.

Proctor High School's Kyle Dumas celebrates scoring a game-winning goal in a hockey game against Duluth Denfeld.

Taken 11 February 2012 at the Heritage Hockey Center, Duluth, MN.

Been down with another head cold for the last few days but am up and around this weekend.

Here Duluth Denfeld's Cade McDonald winds up for a slap shot on a power play against Proctor.

Taken 11 February 2012 at the Heritage Hockey Center, Duluth, MN.

Sometimes I get decent shots from moving vehicles. While getting a ride to work last week I got this image of the sun rising over Lake Superior as seen from just over the top of Duluth's Thompson Hill, a 2.5 mile long 6 percent grade that has a significant effect on local weather as well as providing a commanding view of one of the most beautiful places you'll ever see at sunrise.