Twin Cities Drone Aerial Sunrise Sunset Night Views

This page post is focused on twin cities drone aerial sunrise sunset night views including still photography along with videos. Most of the aerial sunrise sunset night views are from around the twin cities metro area there are a few from around Minnesota, Western Wisconsin and North Dakota.

Drone Aerial Pictures Over Stillwater 2025 World Snow Celebration World Snow Sculpting Competition

2025 World Snow Sculpting Day 1 Drone Video

2025 World Snow Sculpting Day 2 Drone Video

2025 World Snow Sculpting Day 4 Drone Video

Winter Sunrise Stillwater Minnesota Video

Pictures Over Stillwater Light Up Stillwater Stillwater Lights
New for 2021 northside of Stillwater Lift Bridge Lit Up
Pictures Over Stillwater St Croix River Valley Evening

Hyperlapse time lapse downtown Stillwater Minnesota


Ice Maze From Construction Until Gone


Winter Week In Stillwater Minnesota Aerial Views
zephyr theatre ice palace ice maze downtown stillwater minnesota ice castle winterfestAerial Night View Ice Maze Stillwater Zephyr Theatre

Zephyr Theatre Stillwater Minnesota Ice Palace Maze Ice Maze


Wintertime in Stillwater Minnesota Holiday Lights

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Flying unmanned air systems (UAS), also known as unmanned air vehicles (UAV), aka Drones early morning and evening as well as night, has many challenges and opportunities.

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The opportunities include capturing sunrise and sunsets from different vantage points in some cases when the air is calmer, clearer, and with fewer clouds. Likewise, there is less traffic (people, vehicles, and birds, or at least sometimes) than in the daytime, and, if configured properly, you can see your aircraft further. On the other hand, challenges include not seeing everything in the dark, other drones in the area that are not properly lit, or authorized to be in the airspace.

A challenge for hobby/recreational flyers who are not looking to go out and take photos and then sell them is getting night access to controlled airspace. For hobby and recreational drone operators whose intent is to go out and capture photos or videos to post and sell or promote, you should get your FAA part 107 certificate and then your daylight waiver. If you are already part 107, take the next step and get a daylight waiver so you can fly at night.

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On the other hand, if you are looking to hire or have somebody do night time drone photos or videos, engage with a professional who is FAA Part 107.29 (daylight waiver), as well as MnDOT Aeronautics licensed, registered, insured and experienced. The key for nighttime, early morning, and evening drone flying is mitigating risk, being prepared, flying smart, and safe.

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A couple of other tips and reminders include the night is considered the time from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Maintain situational awareness of your drone’s altitude, direction, where it is, and where it is going while maintaining a visual line of sight (e.g., not staring at your phone). Another tip is to have high visibility lights that can be seen from several miles away. The lights help you see your drone and for others to see it (if they are watching). When you are going to fly at night, or even early morning or evening, get to know the area ahead of time while it is light out, where are trees, powerlines, and other obstacles.

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The reason I mention the above is that having an FAA part 107.29 daylight waiver as well as being MnDOT licensed drone operator is to demystify and provide insight into night drone flying. If you want to know more about night drone operations or how to get your daylight waiver as well as airspace authorizations and related topics, get in touch with us.

St Croix Crossing Moon Rise

Its Sale Time, Black Friday Before and Beyond

It’s here, Our Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Sunday Savings, Cyber Monday, Townie Tuesday, Wednesday Wall of Savings and, Thank You Thursday sale is going on now. We have stock images from around, on the ground and above the Stillwater, St Croix River Valley, Western Wisconsin, Twin Cities and adjacent areas. Browse, Shop, Buy and enjoy savings of 30% (or more) on Prints, Mounts and Wall Art including Metal prints from Tuesday November 24 through Tuesday December 1, 2020 at our online store (here).

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Above, early November fall colors downtown Stillwater Minnesota with call waters of the St Croix river reflections of old and new bridges. Below sunrise downtown St. Paul Minnesota.

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Late Fall Downtown Stillwater Lights Sunset Night Flight Views

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Stillwater Friday Night Lights

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Downtown Stillwater Sunset Opera On The River (view more here)

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Washington County Fair Ground Sunset Views

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Night View Washington County Fair

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Stillwater Fireworks View From Wisconsin (view more here)

Downtown Minneapolis Skyline Sunset
Downtown Minneapolis Skyline Sunset

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Downtown Stillwater February Sunset Stillwater Lights #stillwaterlights

 

Stillwater St Croix River Valley Fireworks

Stillwater Lights Light Up Stillwater Minnesota #homefortheholidays #wssc

Wrap Up

Visit our Gallery page to view additional related content (still images and video). Also visit and like (thanks in advance) our Instagram.com/PicturesOverStillwater page, as well as our Facebook.com/PicturesOverStillwater page (includes interactive 360 panoramic views).

buy prints digital downloads wall art

Browse, shop and buy print, digital downloads, wall art, and other items by clicking here to access our online SmugMug store.

In addition to our SmugMug online store, we also have a FineArtAmerica site where you can shop, buy prints, puzzles, wall art and other items.


Pictures Over Stillwater Minnesota Twin Cities Images Available For Marketing Mailings

Pictures Over Stillwater Zephyr Theatre Moma Mia
Stillwater Zephyr Theatre Opening Night Mama Mia Outdoors

Need an still photograph digital image or video B Roll for your upcoming bulk mailing (physical or email), website, social media, event, marketing or other content and creative services needs?

buy prints digital downloads wall art

Browse, shop and buy print, digital downloads, wall art, and other items by clicking here to access our online SmugMug store.

In addition to our SmugMug online store, we also have a FineArtAmerica site where you can shop, buy prints, puzzles, wall art and other items.


What if you don’t see what you are looking for? Give a call or send an email telling us what you are looking for as we may have it in our archives, or discuss other options including custom services.

Looking for some new image content for your site, blog, office or other venue?

Click here to visit out online store, or, give us a call for your custom needs.

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How about dressing up your business cards and other collateral with images from around Stillwater, Hudson, and greater St. Croix River Valley along with Twin Cities metro area? Click here to visit our online store, or give us a call to discuss your specific needs.

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At Pictures Over Stillwater we have a large collection of stock still image photographs and video footage available for sale and license.

We also can produce custom content to meet your specific requirements. Give us a call or email to discuss your specific needs.

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Our images are via FAA Part 107 certified and MnDOT aerial photography and UAV / Drone licensed pilots thus are safe for commercial including non-profit, as well as print or electronic media use.

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Also check out our post cards and prints of aerial images for sale at Smith + Trade Mercantile downtown Stillwater, along with visit our virtual online store here, or contact us for your specific needs including custom content (photos and video). www.picturesoverstillwater.com also like us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Wrap Up and Where to Learn More

Visit our Gallery page to view additional related content (still images and video). Visit and like (thanks in advance) our Instagram.com/PicturesOverStillwater page, as well as our Facebook.com/PicturesOverStillwater page (includes interactive 360 panoramic views).

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Pictures Over Stillwater Drone School

Pictures Over Stillwater drone school are held at various education venues presenting UAV UAS Drone related topics. These safety and awareness education and outreach activities include introduction, basic, beyond the basics, as well as advanced topics such as aerial photography videography, among others topics.

Education and awareness sessions range from large adult community education, high school, individual custom training along with STEM programs  around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area and online. Click here to learn more about Drone Education and upcoming events.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

Drone Day

Pictures Over Stillwater drone school are held at various education venues presenting UAV UAS Drone related topics. These safety and awareness education and outreach activities include introduction, basic, beyond the basics, as well as advanced topics such as aerial photography videography, among others topics.

Education and awareness sessions range from large adult community education, high school, individual custom training along with STEM programs  around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area and online. Click here to learn more about Drone Education and upcoming events.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

UAS UAV sUAS sUAV Drone Safety Fundamental Regulations

UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Drone Safety Fundamental Regulations

The following is information about UAS UAV sUAS sUAV Drone Safety Fundamental Regulations. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Small UAV (sUAV), Small UAS (sUAS) also known as “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities. Drones are used by recreational hobbyist, commercial, non-profit, government, and public safety agencies among others.

In the United States, once your drone takes flight leaving the ground it is considered to be in the National Air Space (NAS) which is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Some considerations when flying a drone recreational for fun as a hobbyist, or as a commercial (e.g. part 107), or for other purposes is where your feet are on the ground, and where in the air is your drone.

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Common Drone Safety Questions

Q: Why are there so many rules, regulations and restrictions for drones?
A: For Safety

Q: What is the difference between recreational hobbyist and commercial?
A: Hobby recreational drone operators are flying just for fun, not for commercial or any benefit to self or from others (monetary or other benefit).

Q: Who has to register drones with the FAA?
A: For hobby recreational drone operators 13 years and older with drones weighing less than 55 lbs and greater .55lbs  you have to register via FAA DroneZone website (here is the link). Cost is $5 for three years and you can register multiple drones with your account number. Note that drones registered for hobby recreational can not be flown for part 107. Also note that registration number needs to be clearly visible on the outside of the aircraft (drone).

For commercial part 107 operators if your drone weighs less than 55 lbs (including less than .55lbs) you have to register via FAA DroneZone website  (here is the link). Cost is $5 for three years per aircraft (each drone requires a unique registration number). Note that drones registered for commercial part 107 can be flown as recreational. Also note that registration number needs to be clearly visible on the outside of the aircraft (drone).

Q: What if your drone weighs 55 lbs or more?
A: For drones weighing more than 55 lbs, or, you want to qualify for sUAS operations outside the US, you hold title to an aircraft/drone in trust, the sUAS owner uses a voting trust to meet U.S. Citizenship requirements use this FAA link for registration.

Q: What are the recreational hobby rules:
A: Check your local regulations for any restrictions on where you can legally fly drones outdoors among other rules. FAA recreational drone rules (e.g. 44809) are found here.

You Are Responsible For Knowing The Rules

Recreational drone operators should also be aware and know that if they intentionally violate safety regulations, and/or operate a drone in a reckless, or careless manner, they could be liable for civil and/or criminal penalties. In addition to knowing the FAA regulations, also know what your local restrictions and rules are. Saying that you did not know the rules is not a viable excuse, you as the drone operator are responsible for knowing where and how to fly safely.

✓ Register your drone with its registration number visible on outside of aircraft and carry proof of registration with your.
✓ Fly only for recreational purposes.
✓ When flying, keep your drone at or below 400 feet above the ground when in uncontrolled airspace (e.g. Class G).

Note that recreational flyers are not allowed to fly above 400′ by combing the height of a man made structure plus 400′ when within 400′ of the structure (this is something that part 107 operators can do).

✓ Obtain authorization before flying in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D and E) via Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and/or DroneZone.

NOTE: Flying drones in certain airspace is not allowed. Classes of airspace and flying restrictions can be found on our B4UFLY app.

Also note that some federal, state, county and local parks as well as other locations have regulations on flying from (take off, landing) their land or waters. Know where your feet will be on the ground and aircraft in the air.

✓ Keep your drone aircraft (drone) within Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS), or within VLOS of an Visual Observer (VO) who is physically next to you to, and in direct communications with you.

Hint, if you or your VO can no longer visually see the drone without using displays, its out of VLOS, and your are flying Beyond VLOS (BVLOS).

✓ Unless your drone has lighting that allows you to know where it is, its direction and orientation, do not fly at night.
✓ Give way to and do not interfere with manned aircraft.
✓ Do not fly over a person or crowd of people or over a moving vehicle.
✓ Never interfere with emergency response activities including accident response, law enforcement activities, fire fighting, hurricane recovery efforts among others.
✓ Dont fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
✓ Dont operate your drone in a careless or reckless manner.

Drone School What To Consider When Buying a Drone

Q: Is there a training test for recreational hobby drone flyers?
A: Not yet, its in the works, visit the FAA recreational website to learn more.

Q: What are the categories of drone operators?
A: Part 107 commercial, 44809  recreational hobbyist.

Q: If you do not get any money to fly a drone, are you still commercial?
A: It comes down to your intent to fly, and benefit (not just money) to you. If you are are flying a drone with intention to just have fun and not do things on behalf of others (even if you do not get paid) or that benefits you in any way, then you do not have to be commercial part 107. Put another way, if you operate a drone within the carve out exceptions for hobby recreational, then you do not have to be part 107. However if you go outside the regulations for hobby recreational, then you would fall under part 107 regulations and need to be part 107 certified. Note that in Minnesota you also need to be licensed by MnDoT (also aircraft/drones registered with them) to perform drone activities on behalf of others.

Q: If Im not getting paid, just taking some photos or video for a friends business, club, association, church group or as a volunteer at a non profit to help with their fund raising or website do I need to be part 107?
A: Yup

Q: If Im just taking photos and using a drone for my own recreation activity, not doing things for others, may be sharing my photos however not selling them, or benefiting someone, do I need to be part 107?
A: Probably not, it comes down to what is/was your intent and derived benefit.

Q: If I am not going to fly drones for commercial, why get a part 107?
A: Additional experience, get access to additional airspace among other things

Q: How much money can you make flying drones?
A: Like many things it depends, keep in mind your costs of equipment, spare batteries, apps, licenses, registration, insurance among other costs will impact what your earnings will be.

Q: How far can your drones fly?
A: As far as I can maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) on them

Q: Drones are fully automated, why learn how to manually fly them?
A: Its not if, rather when technology fails, or when you get into a situation where knowing how to fly and land manually become important. For example when an automated flight app encounters poor or loses GPS coverage and requires a manual or assisted landing.

Q: Can FPV drones be flown outside?
A: Yes, absolutely, however they require at least one other person adjacent to the FPV pilot operator functioning as a Visual Observer (VO) maintaining a direct visual line of sight on the drone, as well as following other FAA drone, uas, uav regulations.

Q: Have you ever flown FPV, what do you think about them?
A: Yes, I think they are great for those who like the FPV gaming experience, virtual reality and action type things. Keep in mind if you are going to fly FPV outdoors you will need to have a Visual Observer (VO) standing next to you watching the aircraft (drone).

Q: Whats different from flying indoors vs outside?
A: Besides obstacles, biggest difference is you may have poor to no GPS coverage that can impact automated flight modes, in other words, you want to practice your heads up and stick flying skills (or learn to fly FPV).

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Pictures Over Stillwater drone school are held at various education venues presenting UAV UAS Drone related topics. These safety and awareness education and outreach activities include introduction, basic, beyond the basics, as well as advanced topics such as aerial photography videography, among others topics.

Education and awareness sessions range from large adult community education, high school, individual custom training along with STEM programs  around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area and online. Click here to learn more about Drone Education and upcoming events.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

Early March Morning Lake Elmo Aero Airplane Ride Sightseeing

Early March Morning Lake Elmo Aero Airplane Ride Sightseeing

Collection of images (still and video) from recent Early March Morning Lake Elmo Aero Airplane Ride sightseeing trip.

Series of 360 interactive immersive videos from sightseeing flight.

Our sightseeing trip started at Lake Elmo Airport taking off on Runway 4 (one of if not the shortest paved runways in Minnesota) and cruising over east metro above Lake Elmo, Oakdale, Maplewood and on into Downtown St. Paul Airport (Holmand field) where we do a touch and go.

From there we head southeast out over Woodbury before turning east towards Afton and crossing the St. Croix River south of Hudson Wisconsin.

We follow the St. Croix River north passing over Hudson, North Hudson, St. Joe and Houlton turning southwest west of Somerset Wisconsin.

We then head south along the St. Croix river on the Minnesota side passing above Stillwater before wrapping up our morning flight back at Lake Elmo Airport.

Big thank you to Lake Elmo Aero (www.lakeelmoaero.com) and pilot Jon Adsit for a fantastic flight experience. You can get in touch with Lake Elmo Aero via info@lakeelmoaero.com and 651-777-1399 as well as via CTAF/Unicom: 122.8

2019 Summer Open House Lake Elmo Aero at Lake Elmo Airport

K21D Lake Elmo Airport June 14 2019 pictures over stillwater mn
Check out some images from summer 2019 Lake Elmo Aero open house

Wrap Up and Where to Learn More

Visit our Gallery page to view additional related content (still images and video). Visit and like (thanks in advance) our Instagram.com/PicturesOverStillwater page, as well as our Facebook.com/PicturesOverStillwater page (includes interactive 360 panoramic views).

Pictures Over Stillwater aerial photography video drone uas uav services

buy prints digital downloads wall art

Browse, shop and buy print, digital downloads, wall art, and other items by clicking here to access our online SmugMug store.

In addition to our SmugMug online store, we also have a FineArtAmerica site where you can shop, buy prints, puzzles, wall art and other items.


Pictures Over Stillwater Drones Community Education Classes

Pictures Over Stillwater drone school are held at various education venues presenting UAV UAS Drone related topics. These safety and awareness education and outreach activities include introduction, basic, beyond the basics, as well as advanced topics such as aerial photography videography, among others topics.

Education and awareness sessions range from large adult community education, high school, individual custom training along with STEM programs  around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area and online. Click here to learn more about Drone Education and upcoming events.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

FAA National Drone Safety Awareness Week 2019 Aerial Photography Video Business

UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Note that Minnesota in addition to FAA Part 107 certification requires an additional licenses from Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDoT) Aeronautics for commercial drone operators doing work for others. Pictures Over Stillwater is FAA Part 107 certified including Operating Over People (OOP ) and Operating Over Moving Vehicles (OOMV) waivers and various airspace authorizations as well as registered aircraft. In addition to meeting FAA requirements, Pictures Over Stillwater is also licensed by MNDoT for drone operations including aerial photography, videography and imaging for construction progress reporting, real estate, event coverage, and other  commercial work activity in the state of Minnesota.

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

Drones Community Education Classes

UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources