Root River Winter Hues

Brilliant winter sunsets – original photography by Craig Johnson

By Craig Johnson, January 6, 2026

Leafless tree branches stand in silhouette along a dark hillside beneath a vibrant winter sunset sky, with layered pink, coral and purple clouds glowing near the horizon.

ROOT RIVER VALLEY, HOUSTON COUNTY — While December qualifies as the darkest month in Southeast Minnesota, its days can still brighten one’s spirits, as captured in this winter photo gallery by Rushford photographer Craig Johnson.

Our “shortest days” of the year – technically, those with the fewest hours of sunlight – occur either side of the winter solstice, typically December 21. But as these photos exhibit, even with less than 7 hours of daily sunlight, these dark days have the ability to shine.

As daylight sluggishly lengthens in these cold early weeks of January, we trust you’ll find some warmth in this series of Houston County December sunsets (taken just east of Rushford) – enjoy!

Silhouetted leafless trees stand against a streaked purple and indigo sky at dusk, with pale light shining through clouds just above the tree line. A narrow stream reflects deep orange and pink sunset light as it winds through snow-covered banks and dark, leafless trees, with wooded hills silhouetted beneath a winter sky. Bare tree branches frame a dark, wooded hill silhouetted against a vivid winter sunset sky filled with red, orange and purple clouds fading into blue. Leafless tree branches stand in silhouette against a vibrant winter sunset sky, with layered pink, coral and purple clouds glowing near the horizon.

Help us grow our Community Photo Gallery with your photos that ‘tell a story’ – photos of your life, your community and the Root River region as you know it. Learn how on our Share a Story page. We want to hear from YOU!

For more featured photos, visit our Photo Gallery page.

Contributor

Craig Johnson

When not otherwise drumming with area musicians or assisting customers at Rushford’s Ace Hardware, Craig Johnson’s photographer’s eye focuses on the region’s picturesque scenery and its sports teams. Look for his work in a variety of regional publications.