"Lake Superior Steam Devils"

Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge is graced by a backdrop of Lake Superior steam devils at sunrise.

The Aerial Lift Bridge serves as the gateway to steamy Lake Superior on this frigid morning in Duluth. In the winter, when the lake temperature is much warmer than the air temperature, the rising warm air condenses after passing the dew point, and the evaporation creates steam clouds. They are also known as steam devils or sea smoke. I enjoy watching the steam devils gracefully glide across the dance floor of Lake Superior. It is an incredible sight at sunrise, and is worth braving the extreme temperatures to witness. Duluth was nearly 10 degrees below zero at the time of this photograph.