Duluth, Minnesota, March 16, 2005 -

The photo of Twin Falls in Cornucopia, Wisconsin, evokes a mystical aura rising from  basin waters. For Mike Mikulich, his photo has proved to be more valuable than mystical. He has won the Grand Prize in Lake Superior Magazine’s annual Lake Superior Photo Contest. His photography is combined with technical skills that enlighten viewers to the emotion that attracted the photographer. Mikulick receives this year’s top award of a $250 prize that includes a regional travel package.

The 155 photographers who sent more than 1,000 images to the 10th annual Lake Superior Photo Contest revealed astonishing, magical moments around the Big Lake.

The hikers in the Cover Prize image by Mike Rosen seem to walk in an “enchanted” forest near Cloquet, Minnesota. In many ways, the same magic resides in the First Place and Second Place winners.

Photographer Mark H. Jensen with his Sand Point in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan, framed a gathering storm, the stunning green water and the debris from storms past - that gnarled driftwood - into a composition conjuring both calm and foreboding. His First Place win receives a $100 package including a Lake Superior Collection gift certificate.

Seizing with clarity a fleeting scene, photographer Bridget Levin catches the casual stroll of a lake family across a dock in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Who wouldn’t envy this close encounter of an otter kind? This Second Place winner earns a $50 prize package that includes a year’s subscription and a 2006 calendar.

There were five Honorable Mention awards, given to Margaret Arko, New Prague, Minnesota; Donna Borgman, Holland, Michigan; Peter Fergus-Moore of Thunder Bay, Ontario; Robert Seasor of Bergland, Michigan; Jenifer Selwa, Femont, Michigan; Larry Swanson, Scandia, Minnesota, and Darrell Tangen of Savage, Minnesota.

The April/May 2005 issue of Lake Superior Magazine containing the prize winning entries is available at better magazine and book stores across the country or from the publisher at 1-888-BIG LAKE (888-244-5253). Images of the winners can be viewed at the magazine’s website: www.lakesuperior.com.

View Winning Pictures