Saturday, December 26, 2015

2015 Year in Review

2015 was a great year for boat watching through the harborcams.
Just a reminder of some of the views from those long summer days.
Happy Boat Watching!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Friday, December 11, 2015

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Bentleyville 2015 Tour of Light Vitual Tour

Billed as America’s Largest Free Walk Through Lighting Display, Bentleyville invites guests to stroll under the glow of over 4 million lights in a 20-acre park situated on the shores of Lake Superior, while enjoying complimentary hot cocoa, cookies, popcorn and roasted marshmallows!

Paul R Tregurtha arrived Duluth 12/07/2015

The Paul R Tregurtha arrived Duluth tonight as Bentleyville lit up.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

Thursday, November 26, 2015

Friday, November 20, 2015

NOTE: Website move!

During the upcoming website move, duluthharborcam may be off for 24 to 48 hours before the internet reestablishes connections.

However, during that time, the old site will still be up at: duluthharborcam.blogspot.com

Please make a note of this link.

Safe Shelter

West winds on Lake Superior in excess of 50MPH have forced ships to take shelter in Whitefish Bay until later today when the winds decrease.

James R Barker departed Duluth 11/20/2015

James R Barker departed Duluth at 6:30 this morning.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

New website!

I have decided to build a new duluthharborcam.com website to better organize posts, comments, and cameras.

This process will take a few weeks, but should be a better site in the end.

All I can say is, expect some glitches as we move forward,  winter is a good time to do this.

Den

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Bentleyville Lights Sneak Preview!

For those of you waiting for the beautiful lights of Bentleyville to light up Bayfront Park, there will be a practice run this evening and a private event tomorrow allowing you to view the lights.
The fog should be cleared by then!

Officially, Bentleyville opens Saturday!

Bentleyville 2014

Cornelia News!

The Duluth News this morning had a report on the Cornelia;
http://www3.forumnewspaper.com/olive/Tablet/DNT/SharedArticle.aspx?href=DNT%2F2015%2F11%2F18&id=Ar00703

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Approaching Storm Front

A powerful storm will enter the region tomorrow with very high winds, rain, and snow.
This map shows the intensity of the winds.
You can view this map at: http://hint.fm/wind/


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Philip R Clarke arrived Duluth 11/10/2015

Philip R Clarke arrived Duluth at 19:30 today.

Edmund Fitzgerald Commemorative Beacon Lighting

The lighting of the beacon at Split Rock Lighthouse this evening commemorates the sinking of the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald and the loss of her 29 crew members  40 years ago today. The lighting also remembers all lives lost in Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Superior Calm - 40 years after the Edmund Fitgerald Sinking

40 years ago Lake Superior experienced one of the most powerful storms in recorded history.
Today's placid view shows another side to the big lake.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Camera Status!

Wednesday - 11/4/2015 -  06:46AM - Most mobile streaming issues have been resolved.

Wednesday - 11/4/2015 -  06:30AM - Mobile browsers are still not working at this time. I am waiting for a reply from Angelcam.

Sorry, we have temporarily lost the feed to mobile device.  Should be back ASAP -- streaming company has been notified.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Android Phone issues!

There are some folks who cannot see the cameras on their Android phones.

The problem is usually caused by a default Samsung browser. Please download any browser from Google Play. There are lot's of browser options for free that include the ability to read Flash.

Try several until you find one that works.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

James R Barker arrived Duluth 10/27/2015

James R Barker arrived Duluth today at 14:00

Sound Control Installed!

The engineers at the streaming company (Angelcam) have installed a sound control option for the streaming players. For the cameras that have sound enabled that is.

Monday, October 26, 2015

Wagon Train

Android Phone issues with streaming

Please install a chrome browser or basically any browser from google play if possible. Usually the problem is caused the ability to support flash.

Camera Volume Control - Update

FYI,

The engineers at the camera streaming company are working on a volume control option for the viewer.
Could be ready later today!

Den

Friday, October 23, 2015

Thursday, October 22, 2015

History - Tiffany Window (Three Ships)

Duluth has always had a deep nautical heritage. There are many displays of this with one of them being the Tiffany stained glass windows in the First Presbyterian Church located in the heart of Duluth. Build in 1869, the building is a display of craftsmanship and beauty established long ago.

Mariners have always relied on God in the storms of the sea and the storms of life.



Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Waves and Wind!

While the waves were a nice size (4-6Ft) yesterday, once the Gales of November arrive in a few weeks, it is not unusual to have twice that size.  This photo from last November is a good example of what to expect.

One of the unusual phenomena that occurs during the worst storms is that people love to flock to the lake shore to experience the power of Lake Superior as soon as they hear on the radio to stay away.

Go figure! I thinks it's built into everyone!

Paul R Tregurtha arrived Duluth 10/21/2015

Paul R Tregurtha arrived Duluth at 14:00 Wednesday

American Integrity departed Duluth 10/20/2015

American Integrity departed Duluth at 17:00 in high waves.

Monday, October 19, 2015

Hon. James L. Oberstar arrived Duluth 10/19/15

Hon. James L. Oberstar arrived Duluth at 16:20 today.

Brant arrived Duluth 10/19/2015

Brant arrived Duluth at 11:00 this morning to load grain.

Camera Status!

I have done a reset on all the cameras and they all appear to be functioning normal.  Please report any issues and I will check it out.
Thanks for your patience last week when I was gone to sea!

I will start posting new boat videos today.

Den

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Light Transitions - Duluth Lakewalk

The transition from day to night takes about an hour this time of year. The Duluth Lakewalk is one of those special places where water, light, earth, wildlife, and weather come together to make a stunning scene. This 400 image timelapse captures the mood as night falls across the landscape. 
Duluth MN Lakewalk.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Light Transition - Blatnik Bridge

The John A. Blatnik Bridge carries Interstate I-35 and U.S. Highway 53 over the Saint Louis Bay. The bridge is a mile and a half long and rises up nearly 120 feet above the water. It was dedicated on December 2, 1961, and was renamed for Congressman John Blatnik on September 24, 1971. The bridge replaced the nearby Interstate Bridge also pictured here which was a swinging toll bridge that carried both automobile and rail traffic. The Interstate Bridge is now used as a fishing pier. .

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Autumn Colors

In case you don't get up the North Shore to look at the fall colors, here is a 6 min video that I took while driving down Heartbreak Hill Road, one of the inland trails near Tofte.

In order to get stable video, I took the props of Skeeter (one of the drones) and held him up through the cars sunroof while we drove down the road.

Enjoy the colors and turn up your volume: music is by Mary Beth Carlson - marybethcarlson.com



Heartbreak Hill Road Fall Color Tour from Dennis O'Hara on Vimeo.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Light Transitions - Duluth's Minnesota Slip

Autumn sunsets are long and colorful. Here, 450 images taken over an hour captures the ever changing colors of a fading day.

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Monday, September 28, 2015

Tonight's moonrise was another heavenly wonder.




Kaye E Barker arrived Duluth at 16:40

A painters pole helps get an elevated view of the Kaye E Barker as she rolled into the Duluth Shipping Canal this afternoon.
Kaye E Barker

Timelapse of Full Moon

This video is a time-lapse of 657 images taken over 90 minutes last evening.

Moonbeams, Boats and Bridges -- It doesn't get any better then this

As the Full Moon tracked across the sky towards an eclipse, it's reflective beam highlighted another "Superior" evening  in Duluth.


Paul R Tregurtha

Paul R Tregurtha

Federal Mattawa
Lunar Eclipse



Saturday, September 26, 2015

Harbor History -Duluth Fog Horn


Listen to the old horn!

 Story contributed by Zenith City Online
by This Day

On this day in Duluth in 2006,  members of Duluth’s TOOT (“ReTurn Our Old Tone”), who had purchased Duluth’s old fog horn, dismantled the horn. Duluth had relied on a fog horn from 1885 to until the 1970s—some folks loved it, others hated it. The 1885 signal was updated with steam-powered whistles in 1901, locomotive […]
The diaphone fog whistle as it appeared inside the South Pier Lighthouse. (Image: X-comm.)

Friday, September 25, 2015

History - Grand Island East Channel Light

Grand Island East Channel Light
by Terry Pepper
Location: Southeast tip of Grand Island, Michigan (north of Munising off Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, see map below.) Year Built: 1867 Cost: $16,000 (about $255,000 today) Original Lens: Oil-fired steamer lens with a 49-foot focal plane. First Exhibited: August 15, 1868 Second Lens: Fixed white Fifth Order Fresnel lens (1869, range 13.25 miles) Fog Signal: None […]

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

After the Rain!

After heavy rain for several hours, the creeks around Duluth overflowed with runoff.  A spectacular site as water cascaded down the 600 ft drop from the top of the hill to Lake Superior and the bay.
Here, the water flows down Miller Creek in Lincoln Park.
Miller Creek

Before the Rain!

As rain clouds moved into the region this morning, there was a brief time to capture the sunrise. Here the Federal Asahi waits at anchored outside the Duluth Shipping Can for it's turn to load grain.
Federal Asahi

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Paul R Tregurtha arrived Duluth 09/22/2015

Paul R Tregurtha arrived Duluth at 10:00 this morning.

New Camera Update!

Unfortunately, I was informed that the new location for a camera was denied by the legal folks who had the final say on being able to put a public camera in the location that I thought was a sure thing.

Needless to say, I am very disappointed, first that I was looking forward to the new view, and second that I have collected donations from 77 great boatwatchers over the weekend.

All I can say is that I apologize for assuming the camera was a go and will be offering refunds to those who contributed.  Please email me for a refund at denny.ohara@gmail.com.

If there is any money left from the donated money, I will keep in a New Camera Fund and us it in the next opportunity.

Once again, you generosity is amazing and appreciated, sorry it didn't work out this time, but, I'm sure there will be more options in the future.

Best Regards,
Den




Monday, September 21, 2015

James R Barker arrived Duluth 09/21/2015

James R Barker arrived Duluth at 18:00 today.
The James R Barker has the best horn on the Great Lakes.
Take a listen and see if you don't agree.




Friday, September 18, 2015

Whitefish Bay arrived Duluth

The Whitefish Bay arrived this evening under the Teal colored Lift Bridge.
The bridge was lit teal in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness.
http://www.charleneslight.org/

NEWS! Hot Air Balloon Fest

There will be a lot of hot air at Bayfront Park this weekend and it's not even the politicians.

Don't forget to watch the Bayfront and Harbor Patrol cams this evening from 18-20 as the incredible hot air balloons will all be inflated at the same time (weather pending).

The big "Moon Glow" event will be at 19:35.
More info

Also, the Lift Bridge will be lit in teal color in honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.
More info

Kaye E Barker arrived Duluth 09/18/2015

Kaye E Barker arrived Duluth at 07:00 this morning

First Light - Hon. James L. Oberstar arrived Duluth 09/18/2015

Hon. James L. Oberstar arrived Duluth at 06:00 this morning.
Hon. James L. Oberstar
Try viewing "Full Screen" -- uploaded in HD.

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

News--- Balloon Fest at Bayfront Park this weekend!

All eyes will be on Bayfront Park this weekend for the Hot Air Balloon Fest.  Should be exciting to watch if the weather allows them to inflate.  Starts friday Afternoon.
More info: 2015 Balloon Fest


Lee A Tregurtha arrived Duluth 09/14/2015

Lee A Tregurtha arrived Duluth at 18:40 Monday evening.
Skeeter video'd the last segment.
Lee A Tregurtha - Skeeter

Monday, September 14, 2015

Nautical History: September 14, 1915: The Onoko Sinks in Lake Superior

September 14, 1915: The Onoko Sinks in Lake Superior - Zenith City Online
On this day on Lake Superior in 1915 the freighter Onoko, a thirty-three year veteran of the great lakes, sank nine miles off Knife Island, about sixteen miles from Duluth. At roughly 10:30 a.m. the ship’s engineer noticed a leak below the engines. The water quickly drowned the engine fires and the captain recognized the […]

HHL Nile arrived Duluth 9/13/2015

HHL Nile arrived Duluth at 15:00 to load grain.
HHL Nile

Just another Superior Sunrise

The sunrise from Canal Park this morning was particularly beautiful.
Enjoy!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Wisconsin Point Lighthouse

Built in 1910, the Wisconsin Point Lighthouse has stood it's ground for more then 100 years.  Because of its location, this lighthouse seldom gets a close look.
This is what the little photocopters are good at.
Music by: Mary Beth Carlson - marybethcarlson.com
More Info: http://www.terrypepper.com/lights/superior/wiscpoint/wiscpoint.htm

Friday, September 11, 2015

Wisconsin Point Lighthouse

Skeeter (the 2nd little photocopter) flew out to the Wisconsin Point Lighthouse today on his firsts over-water test flight. All system normal.
Read more about the lighthouse HERE.

Kaye E Barker arrived Duluth 09/10/2015

Kaye E Barker arrived Duluth at 21:30 last evening.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Sunday, September 6, 2015

Harbor History; September 6, 1905: Superior arrives in Superior

On this day across the bay in 1905, the steamer Superior, captained by Donald Gillis, arrived for the first time in the city she was named for. She steamed to Elevator K at Superior’s East End and took on a partial load of grain; the next day the rest of the vessel was loaded with […]
The steamer Superior. (Image: Great Lakes Vessel Index.)

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Harbor History -September 5, 1870: The Ishpeming Starts Carving a Canal

Story provided by: : Zenith City Online
On this day in Duluth in 1870, the dredging tug Ishpeming, owned by W. W. Williams & Co. and piloted by Major John Upham, bit into Minnesota Point along a dirt roadway platted as Portage Street, which followed the same path local Ojibwe called Onigamiinsing or “Little Portage,” the very trail thought to be taken […]
The dredging tug Ishpeming and a barge docked along Minnesota Point near wear the tug cut the Duluth Ship Canal. (Image: Lake Superior Maritime Collection.)

Federal Weser departed Duluth 09/04/2015

Federal Weser departed Duluth at 22:00 last evening

Friday, September 4, 2015

St. Clair departed Duluth 09/04/15

St. Clair departed Duluth at 15:00 this afternoon.

Harbor History - The Fire Tug William A. McGonagle

Our Great Lakes Namesake Vessel for September is the fire tug William A. McGonagle, named for William Albert McGonagle, who came to Duluth in 1882 to work as an assistant engineer on the Duluth & Iron Range Railroad and twenty years later he became the president of the Duluth, Missabe & Northern Railway. Those two […] Read more of this post
The fire tug William A. McGonagle as seen in a lithographic postcard made between 1915 and 1925.
(Image: Zenith City Press)

Harbor History - September 4, 1913: Aerial Bridge Out of Commission

On this day in Duluth in 1913, a cable that pulled the Duluth Aerial Transfer Bridge’s gondola car snapped, disabling the ferry bridge stranding the car—and passengers—above the North Pier of the Duluth Ship Canal. Passengers had to descend the car using a ladder; there were no teams or automobiles on the ferry car. Vehicles […] Read more of this post  
Duluth’s Aerial transfer Bridge, predecessor to the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge. (Image: Duluth Public Library.)

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

CGC Alder arrived Duluth 09/01/2015

CGC Alder arrived Duluth at 14:00 today.
Alder - March 2014 - Ahhh-Winter right around the corner!
This video is for John from Vero Beach Fl who's son is serving on the Alder.


Nautical History - September 1, 1905: Four ships lost in Lake Superior gale

Post from: Zenith City Online
On this day on Lake Superior in 1905, four vessels steaming from Duluth and Superior wrecked in a late summer gale. The Sevona left Superior’s Allouez ore docks headed for a port on Lake Erie when the storm struck here near the Apostle Island. The Sevona struck the shoals between Sand and York Islands when […]Read more of this post


Pale Blue Morning!

The Sea Bear (Pilot Boat) cruises back towards the Duluth Shipping Canal followed by the arrival of the Indiana Harbor.

The Bear dropped off a Boat Pilot at the Nordana Emilie (Ant) prior to it entering port.

Nordana Emilie arrived Duluth 09/01/2015

Nordana Emilie arrived Duluth at 07:45 this morning.