By Katrina Marland & Michelle Werts

Next week, American Forests Autumn Issue hits our website. Inside, you’ll encounter some of America’s biggest trees, decipher the history that tree rings reveal and discover the hiking, canoeing and birding wonders of Superior National Forest and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCA).

Sparky Stensaas at White Sands National Monument. Credit: ©Sparky Stensaas/sparkyphotos.com

In an American Forests first, we’re giving you a sneak preview of the issue through a web-exclusive interview with featured photographer Sparky Stensaas.

Sparky hails from Minnesota and has had many photography adventures throughout his life — from trekking through minus-20 degree weather for the perfect shot to getting stopped by the police while taking photographs. He’s also the author of five books about the natural history of Minnesota’s North Woods.

Go meet Sparky and come back next week to see more of his beautiful photography in our American Forests piece on Superior National Forest and BWCA.