Jim Richardson (aka Lake Superior Aquaman)
Is it cruel to post summer swim footage in the depths of winter?
On those summer days when the water is clear and warm, Lake Superior becomes the greatest swimming pool in the world. Remember, summer is coming back in just a few months!
Brief Summer Swim Shot
Been waiting to post this for deep winter: a few seconds of crystal clear underwater summertime Lake Superior.
Floating Dead Rabbit
As seen in “Diving the Condos” video, I found a dead rabbit in a Lake Superior tidepool. Three days later, 200 yards away, I stumbled upon what must have been the same rabbit, worse for wear…
Canoe Paddle to the Cave with Jeff’s Crazy Dog
Waning days of summer, early September
Diving the Condos, Early September
Duluth has a stretch of Lakewalk with condos plopped down on it. I am used to diving farther up the shore a ways, but took the day to dive in front of the condos to see what was down there. This was early September, a weekend morning, the last truly great dive day of the summer: warm air, warm water, excellent visibility, and blue skies. I spent several hours in the water in a state of bliss. For a while there was the gentlest of currents and I just let it sweep me up the shore. As soon as I got out the weather turned — I had caught the last of these perfect conditions. This is my favorite form of recreation in this northernmost beach town. Here is what I saw. I wasn’t setting any depth records, average depth 10 feet or so but so fulfilling. Thanks for watching.
Cthonic Bedrock and Devonian Boulders
Patrolling Lake Superior’s Cthonic bedrock formations and Devonian boulders. Basaltic rock is dried lava sheets that decay into shelves littered with boulders at the edges. That is what we see here. Max depth 20 feet give or take a couple. Water has been cloudy this year due to rain, but finally cleared up enough here at the end of the summer to get this footage at one of my fave freediving spots.
Dead Fish of the Northland
Video compilation of the dead fish I’ve seen.
Low Viz at the Ledges
The consistent rain this summer has made for a cloudy lake. Poor visibility obviates more adventuresome diving than this, so here I am in familiar territory, sticking close to shore in the crenulated shallows of the Ledges.
Think of the Children!!
The Duluth alligator menace continues unabated as this exclusive footage shows
Duluth Alligator Stew
200 c. flour
100 c. bacon drippings
200 lg. onions
500 lbs. alligator
Season to taste
400 pods garlic
600 beef bouillon cubes
500 qts. Lake Superior water
Fresh parsley
Wild mushrooms
Combine flour and bacon drippings; brown until dark. Add water, onions, garlic, bouillon, and seasoning. Cook for 1 hour. Clean fat from alligator. Cut in bite size pieces. Put in gravy and cook in another hour. Add mushrooms and cook, uncovered, in another 30 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over rice. Feeds approx. 85,000.
[Adapted from cooks.com.]
Duluth Alligator Conspiracy #CrookedEmily
Footage sent to the Duluth News-Tribune and leaked here in the wake of Jim Richardson’s disappearance.
Underwater Optics Slideshow
Some early underwater photography experiments, Lake Superior 2012. Pictures taken with a Kodak Playsport.
Kids Rolling Things Down a Hill
Hillside
Call for Duluth Alligator Attack Video Testimonials
Since I don’t appreciate the sass I am getting from the Mayoralty on this issue, I would like to issue a call for citizen video testimonials. Have you been attacked by an alligator in the Duluth city limits? Tell your story on PDD. Let’s MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD.
Where is the Leadership?
I will remind Mayor Larson that alligator attacks have been recorded in Duluth since at least 2011 as documented here. Just because she claims she didn’t see one on the beach yesterday doesn’t mean they aren’t out there ATTACKING INNOCENT CONSTITUENTS. It goes without saying that it will be hard to get re-elected if you are eaten by an alligator.
“Alluvial”
My contribution to the collaborative “Alluvial” photo project. Brainchild of Duluth artist Tina Fox, two local photographers (Leah Beltz and myself) took photos of her in different natural settings in different seasons. “Nature is my church.”
Duluth Mayor Larson MIA on Alligator Attacks
A plea for action. After all that Mayor Ness did to keep Lake Superior shark-free, now is the time for the Larson administration to finally step up and tackle the growing alligator problem. We demand RESULTS.