scenic michigan

“Above the Forest”

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I love to go to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula at least once a year. Actually I would love to live up there. It’s truly a wonderful place to be.

I’ve traveled all over the UP, but this image is from just on the outskirts of Saint Ignace, which is the first town you come to after you cross the Mackinac Bridge.

It doesn’t matter what time of year I go. I always have to make a visit to Castle Rock. An historic place with a great view of extensive forests and Lake Huron depending on the direction you’re looking in.

For all photographers and historians make sure you take the time to talk with the family that owns and has operated it for so many years. The walls in the gift shop are filled with wonderful historical images from the humble beginnings of Castle Rock and the family that kept it going from the start till the present day.

A definite treat for everyone, not to mention children who need to run off their energy by climbing the many stairs to reach the top!

Enjoy the view!

The Beauty of the Upper Peninsula!
The Beauty of the Upper Peninsula!

“Walking the Dunes”

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To start of you have to understand that most of Michigan is really quite flat. Not many rolling hills, and no real mountains to speak of. Knowing that, I was quite surprised and happily so at the immense size, and height of the sand dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore.
I happened to be there when the weather had changed and the summer crowds had gone. There was quite a rain, and wind storm that day, but it didn’t keep me from climbing as much as possible all around the dunes. That’s what they’re there for!
You can see all the many footprints left behind from other people going up and down the huge dunes. The going up was really steep and pretty good exercise. 😉
Coming down on the other hand was really fast, and could easily end up with a person slip sliding down.
It’s a great place to bring kids though, especially ones that are tired of riding in a car. They can climb off all their energy!! 🙂
If you haven’t been to Michigan, make sure you put it on your list, and put Sleeping Bear Dunes high on your list of places to see, have fun, and catch a great sunrise or sunset too!

"Walking the dunes of Sleeping Bear"
“Walking the dunes of Sleeping Bear”

“Not Afraid to Stand Alone”

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On the shores of Lake Michigan you’ll see Gulls of every kind, just flying around, diving into the water for food, and walking around on the shoreline casually among themselves.
This beautiful Gull made a lovely subject on the beach. Standing alone, and still, at least for a short while. Beautiful color markings on the bird itself combined with the colors of the sand of the beach and the waters of Lake Michigan made for a nice combination.
If anyone knows what type of Gull this one is please feel free to ID it for me! 🙂

A lovely Gull standing alone on the shores of Lake Michigan!
A lovely Gull standing alone on the shores of Lake Michigan!

“Grand Hotel” mono

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The year 2012 was the 125th anniversary of the famous Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island in Michigan. A beautiful and timeless place to stay while on a visit to Mackinac Island.
This image is taken off shore on Lake Huron. I processed this in both color and black and white. I decided to present it in B&W here on the blog.
For anyone who has visited Mackinac Island, or the Grand Hotel, this is a classic shot! Enjoy! 🙂

The wonderful Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island!
The wonderful Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island!

“Lead by the Light”

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Wonderful feel of Autumn

You can certainly tell that fall was in the air when I took this shot! I had just been to the area looking out onto the two lakes described in the previous post.
I wondered off for a short ways down this dirt road, and grabbed a few shots. The strong late afternoon light was as if it was leading me in that direction. This area as I described before was like a small mountain. Completely forest filled and totally uninhabited by humans, except for those that wandered up to look out at the beautiful view or to come to a beautiful, but very secluded grave yard nestled among old and beautiful trees.
I didn’t take any shots of the graveyard itself. It had a private feel to it. I felt as though I would be intruding if I did.
I simply enjoyed the sheer beauty of the dirt road, the autumn color with lovely sunlight, and the wonderful views down below!