This flight was conducted today to study the freeze patterns of the Mississippi River in St.Cloud. Unfortunately conditions were very difficult for flight and photo options were limited. At 30 Minutes before nightfall, the flight was brief in 25mph winds gusting to 30mph from the NW. It was 19 degrees F and snowing. Note the open water to the North below the Sauk Rapids and directly South of the train bridge.  Check this link for Flight Flash photos of the spring thaw last March. >>> http://flightflash.com/2010/03 <<<

 A light snowfall dusted the campus of SCSU today. This flight was made at 4pm with a steady NW wind and 22 degrees F.  Note the open water of the Mississippi River behind SCSU, within 4 days it had frozen over during the Thanksgiving Day cold snap! (Click on photo for an enlarged view.)

When we discovered this field of pumpkins East of St.Cloud last week, I couldn’t resist coming back to get an aerial view.

It’s interesting to note the darker patches in the plowed field. The tractor had passed over these areas only minutes before I flew.