Pixie Sternquist of Alexandria sees much of the outdoors through the dimensions of her iPhone screen. Her photo hobby gets her out, she said, and also has changed her view of the natural world.
"I have a much deeper appreciation for the seasons," she said. "That's for sure."
That aesthetic comes through again and again in the Instagrams on her page (@pixstern) and those she's tagged with #STdothis for the Star Tribune. Sternquist in places has raised her photos to the level of artwork by her use of color and photo application tools.
There is an iconic red umbrella that pops up again and again. Set against the paleness of a winter landscape, the color — and photos — are striking.
Sternquist made her way north to Lake Carlos State Park for some of the photographs. Why the umbrella use? "That's because we have no color in the winter time," she said. "I like to have a little bit of color in what I'm doing."
Sternquist, 60, said her photographic pursuits took hold when she started an Instagram account to follow her children — and her nine grandchildren. "I don't consider myself a photographer," she said.
Many of her hundreds of followers would beg to differ. Her children have been exceedingly supportive. "I got on for them, and now they are watching me," Sternquist said.
Sternquist is excited about spring and its photo possibilities. "I am really looking forward to that, the greenery and the leaves popping on the trees."
