With temperatures at 14 below zero, hot water instantly turns into steam, ice and snow when thrown into the air. It took about 12 tries to capture this last night, but the kids enjoyed watching it!
Instant Snow
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With temperatures at 14 below zero, hot water instantly turns into steam, ice and snow when thrown into the air. It took about 12 tries to capture this last night, but the kids enjoyed watching it!
With temperatures at 14 below zero, hot water instantly turns into steam, ice and snow when thrown into the air. It took about 12 tries to capture this last night, but the kids enjoyed watching it!
Lighthouse Map
Here's a handy map of some of the lighthouses I've visited and photographed over the past year or so.
It's interactive, so click on the map to view or choose "view larger map" to view full size. Each push pin has information and photos of the lighthouses.
Click here to go to the main map page
View Larger Map
It's interactive, so click on the map to view or choose "view larger map" to view full size. Each push pin has information and photos of the lighthouses.
Click here to go to the main map page
View Larger Map
See, I'm not the only one!
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South Haven, Michigan Lighthouse
Cold weather, wind, ice and snow keep most people away from beaches and Lake Michigan. But there are a few of us who want to visit these places when they're covered in ice and snow. This couple wandered out onto the icy pier at South Haven, Michigan to get a closer view of the ice around the lighthouse.
Not much this year, but last year was incredible. I'm hoping for some additional ice this year.
click to enlarge
South Haven, Michigan Lighthouse
Cold weather, wind, ice and snow keep most people away from beaches and Lake Michigan. But there are a few of us who want to visit these places when they're covered in ice and snow. This couple wandered out onto the icy pier at South Haven, Michigan to get a closer view of the ice around the lighthouse.
Not much this year, but last year was incredible. I'm hoping for some additional ice this year.
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Ice Locked Harbor
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Michigan City Lighthouse
Winter has locked-in the Michigan City Harbor with ice as far as the eye can see. The piers and lighthouse can still be seen over the 15 foot tall piles of ice stacked by the waves of Lake Michigan.
Michigan City Lighthouse
Winter has locked-in the Michigan City Harbor with ice as far as the eye can see. The piers and lighthouse can still be seen over the 15 foot tall piles of ice stacked by the waves of Lake Michigan.
What a Difference a Day Makes
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Lake Michigan, Saturday
Visited Mt. Baldy on Saturday, to see the dunes and Lake Michigan in the winter. The snow was a bit more intense in Michigan City along the lakeshore, so instead of about 6 inches, there was at least of foot of snow on the ground and it was still falling steady. As we arrived, two park rangers informed us that they were going to close the park shortly, so we were only able to walk to the lake and back before we had to leave.
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Lake Michigan, Sunday
We decided to drive out on Sunday as well. The snow stopped and the skies were a bit more pleasant, allowing us to get to the lake and continue on for about a mile or so along the frozen beach. It was well worth the effort of walking through the high drifts - the lake was full of shelf ice, and flow ice. Chris and I were the only two people for miles around, when we stopped we'd listen for noise and only hear the ice bumping into the shore - a very odd sound for the dunes.
Lake Michigan, Saturday
Visited Mt. Baldy on Saturday, to see the dunes and Lake Michigan in the winter. The snow was a bit more intense in Michigan City along the lakeshore, so instead of about 6 inches, there was at least of foot of snow on the ground and it was still falling steady. As we arrived, two park rangers informed us that they were going to close the park shortly, so we were only able to walk to the lake and back before we had to leave.
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Lake Michigan, Sunday
We decided to drive out on Sunday as well. The snow stopped and the skies were a bit more pleasant, allowing us to get to the lake and continue on for about a mile or so along the frozen beach. It was well worth the effort of walking through the high drifts - the lake was full of shelf ice, and flow ice. Chris and I were the only two people for miles around, when we stopped we'd listen for noise and only hear the ice bumping into the shore - a very odd sound for the dunes.
Getting Up Close
Macro photography is a world apart from landscape or portrait photography. So many things are different when getting close up. Getting an entire subject in focus is sometimes impossible due to the shallow depth of field and magnification.
Using some techniques I've tried in the past, I decided to get up close to some familiar objects to see how the camera would capture them. These photos were not cropped or magnified artificially.
click to enlarge
A tiny seashell on top of a penny.
The blob on the tip of the seashell is a minute grain of sand that I could not even see until I looked at the photo. To give you an idea of how close this is, the shell is about as long as a penny.
This piece of coral was taken with a normal 18-55 mm lens. The penny is for size reference.
click to enlarge
By attaching a reverse ring to the camera, I was able to install the same lens backwards. It's a bit cumbersome since all of the controls for aperture and focus are in the camera and do not function when set up this way, but with a copy stand, lots of light and a little finesse it works.
Here I used the widest mode of the lens (installed backwards) to pull out some detail in the coral. Note the penny for size.
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Getting a bit closer still, much more detail can be seen.
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Finally, as close as I could get with the set up I had. The coral polyp, or round feature in the coral, is 2mm in diameter, so being able to fill up the frame with something that small isn't too bad!
click to enlarge
Using some techniques I've tried in the past, I decided to get up close to some familiar objects to see how the camera would capture them. These photos were not cropped or magnified artificially.
click to enlarge
A tiny seashell on top of a penny.
The blob on the tip of the seashell is a minute grain of sand that I could not even see until I looked at the photo. To give you an idea of how close this is, the shell is about as long as a penny.
This piece of coral was taken with a normal 18-55 mm lens. The penny is for size reference.
click to enlarge
By attaching a reverse ring to the camera, I was able to install the same lens backwards. It's a bit cumbersome since all of the controls for aperture and focus are in the camera and do not function when set up this way, but with a copy stand, lots of light and a little finesse it works.
Here I used the widest mode of the lens (installed backwards) to pull out some detail in the coral. Note the penny for size.
click to enlarge
Getting a bit closer still, much more detail can be seen.
click to enlarge
Finally, as close as I could get with the set up I had. The coral polyp, or round feature in the coral, is 2mm in diameter, so being able to fill up the frame with something that small isn't too bad!
click to enlarge
High Surf
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Waves in Channel
South Haven, Michigan
The winds created 6 to 10 foot waves along the shore of South Haven, Michigan last week, driving the waves into the Black River, seen in the photo above between the lighthouse pier and the north beacon pier. Ice on the river was broken up and pushed inland until the waves subsided.
Many waves washed over the top of the pier- which is quite high off of the water's surface in calm weather. Now we can see why they have catwalks leading to the lighthouses on the Great Lakes.
Waves in Channel
South Haven, Michigan
The winds created 6 to 10 foot waves along the shore of South Haven, Michigan last week, driving the waves into the Black River, seen in the photo above between the lighthouse pier and the north beacon pier. Ice on the river was broken up and pushed inland until the waves subsided.
Many waves washed over the top of the pier- which is quite high off of the water's surface in calm weather. Now we can see why they have catwalks leading to the lighthouses on the Great Lakes.
In Between Shots
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Chris and Mike at Giant's Bath Falls
After shooting for about an hour, Chris and Mike rested along the canyon wall, next to the falls into Giant's Bath at Matthiessen State Park. Chris was learning the manual features of his camera and very quickly got great results of Lake Falls. He also brought a tripod with him so his long exposure shots were clear.
In the photo above, they stayed still for the entire 10 second exposure! That's a miracle in itself...
Chris and Mike at Giant's Bath Falls
After shooting for about an hour, Chris and Mike rested along the canyon wall, next to the falls into Giant's Bath at Matthiessen State Park. Chris was learning the manual features of his camera and very quickly got great results of Lake Falls. He also brought a tripod with him so his long exposure shots were clear.
In the photo above, they stayed still for the entire 10 second exposure! That's a miracle in itself...
Lake Falls - Matthiessen State Park
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Lake Falls
Lake Falls is a 45 foot tall waterfall at the beginning of the upper dells area of Matthiessen State Park. The canyon is approximately a mile long and in this area is about 50 - 75 feet across, so it's very difficult to capture the entire scene with one 18mm lens, so this image is a combination of three separate, portrait oriented images stitched together.
Lake Falls is great in every season, but I'll be back soon when it's covered in ice.
Lake Falls
Lake Falls is a 45 foot tall waterfall at the beginning of the upper dells area of Matthiessen State Park. The canyon is approximately a mile long and in this area is about 50 - 75 feet across, so it's very difficult to capture the entire scene with one 18mm lens, so this image is a combination of three separate, portrait oriented images stitched together.
Lake Falls is great in every season, but I'll be back soon when it's covered in ice.
Wind Point Lighthouse - Winter
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Wind Point Lighthouse
Wind Point Lighthouse is a very well preserved light that is still used as a beacon today. The historic keepers quarters is now the town hall and police department offices, and the grounds are well maintained and open year-round.
The 108 foot tall tower has a third order Fresnel lens, and was built in 1880.
Wind Point Lighthouse
Wind Point Lighthouse is a very well preserved light that is still used as a beacon today. The historic keepers quarters is now the town hall and police department offices, and the grounds are well maintained and open year-round.
The 108 foot tall tower has a third order Fresnel lens, and was built in 1880.
Wind Point
click to enlarge
Wind Point, Wisconsin
A beautiful day for a trip to Wind Point, Wisconsin to see Lake Michigan and the Wind Point Lighthouse. The temperatures were in the 30's, and the sun was shining, so it was a pleasant walk along the frozen beach. Ever mindful of shelf ice, we didn't venture off of the sand and rocks.
Wind Point, Wisconsin
A beautiful day for a trip to Wind Point, Wisconsin to see Lake Michigan and the Wind Point Lighthouse. The temperatures were in the 30's, and the sun was shining, so it was a pleasant walk along the frozen beach. Ever mindful of shelf ice, we didn't venture off of the sand and rocks.
High Winds
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High Winds at St. Joseph, Michigan
High winds send waves crashing into the lighthouse at St. Joseph, Michigan.
High Winds at St. Joseph, Michigan
High winds send waves crashing into the lighthouse at St. Joseph, Michigan.
South Haven
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High Winds at South Haven
High winds, water and a lighthouse -- a perfect combination. 45 mph winds churned up Lake Michigan last Sunday making for some dramatic splashes along the lighthouse and pier in South Haven, Michigan. The 35 foot tall tower was dwarfed by splashes reaching 50 feet in height.
In a few more days, this lighthouse should be covered in ice.
I'll head back.
High Winds at South Haven
High winds, water and a lighthouse -- a perfect combination. 45 mph winds churned up Lake Michigan last Sunday making for some dramatic splashes along the lighthouse and pier in South Haven, Michigan. The 35 foot tall tower was dwarfed by splashes reaching 50 feet in height.
In a few more days, this lighthouse should be covered in ice.
I'll head back.
Icing Up
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Outer Light
St. Joseph, Michigan
The waves and spray are beginning the process of icing up the lighthouse and pier marking the entrance to the St. Joseph River at Lake Michigan. The 45 MPH winds created waves at least 10 feet high, and splashes up to 50 feet high.
Even though the ice thawed from the lighthouse over the weekend, there was still plenty of shelf ice along the shore. This photographer wandered right out onto the ice to get some photos:
Here's why this is dangerous:
He's standing on about 25 feet of ice (who knows how much is below the surface), but it's full of air pockets and could be paper thin anywhere. He was very lucky - I'll bet he thought he was on the shore. Shelf ice is deadly, and should be avoided at all cost.
Outer Light
St. Joseph, Michigan
The waves and spray are beginning the process of icing up the lighthouse and pier marking the entrance to the St. Joseph River at Lake Michigan. The 45 MPH winds created waves at least 10 feet high, and splashes up to 50 feet high.
Even though the ice thawed from the lighthouse over the weekend, there was still plenty of shelf ice along the shore. This photographer wandered right out onto the ice to get some photos:
Here's why this is dangerous:
He's standing on about 25 feet of ice (who knows how much is below the surface), but it's full of air pockets and could be paper thin anywhere. He was very lucky - I'll bet he thought he was on the shore. Shelf ice is deadly, and should be avoided at all cost.
Winter Along Lake Michigan
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St. Joseph, Michigan Lighthouse
Waves crash over the rail of the St. Joseph, Michigan Lighthouse pier. Driven by winds in excess of 45 MPH, and 30 degree air temperatures, the water quickly froze on every surface it touched. I've seen this lighthouse covered with much, much more ice, but since the thaw a couple of days ago, the process needs to start over again.
I got drenched by another wave just after this photo was taken. I managed to keep the camera pretty dry, but I can't say the same for me. I was as wet as if I jumped into the lake up to my waist - and let me tell you Lake Michigan is cold this time of year. Needless to say, it was a long, wet drive home.
St. Joseph, Michigan Lighthouse
Waves crash over the rail of the St. Joseph, Michigan Lighthouse pier. Driven by winds in excess of 45 MPH, and 30 degree air temperatures, the water quickly froze on every surface it touched. I've seen this lighthouse covered with much, much more ice, but since the thaw a couple of days ago, the process needs to start over again.
I got drenched by another wave just after this photo was taken. I managed to keep the camera pretty dry, but I can't say the same for me. I was as wet as if I jumped into the lake up to my waist - and let me tell you Lake Michigan is cold this time of year. Needless to say, it was a long, wet drive home.
Cold
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A Cold December Morning on the River
A hike on a minus 2 degree morning along the Kankakee River yielded a bit more than cold hands. The mist from the warmer river created hoarfrost along the banks, turning the landscape into a winter wonderland. Couple that with the ice storm two days earlier, and the hike got much more interesting.
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A Cold December Morning on the River
A hike on a minus 2 degree morning along the Kankakee River yielded a bit more than cold hands. The mist from the warmer river created hoarfrost along the banks, turning the landscape into a winter wonderland. Couple that with the ice storm two days earlier, and the hike got much more interesting.
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The Ice Storm
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Iced Branches
The storm just before Christmas this year layered everything with about 3/4 inch of ice - more in some places. While dangerous and difficult to navigate, it made some beautiful scenery once the sun returned.
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Dripping Crabapples
I love how the color from the tiny crabapples has gone into the icicles hanging below.
Iced Branches
The storm just before Christmas this year layered everything with about 3/4 inch of ice - more in some places. While dangerous and difficult to navigate, it made some beautiful scenery once the sun returned.
click to enlarge
Dripping Crabapples
I love how the color from the tiny crabapples has gone into the icicles hanging below.
Ice Along Rock Creek
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Ice on Rock Creek
Minus 2 degree temperatures and sunlight made for some interesting hiking along Rock Creek inside the Kankakee State Park near bourbonnais, IL. The roads were closed inside the park, so I was asked to leave by the park employees, but they allowed me to walk back after I parked the car elsewhere.
Ice on Rock Creek
Minus 2 degree temperatures and sunlight made for some interesting hiking along Rock Creek inside the Kankakee State Park near bourbonnais, IL. The roads were closed inside the park, so I was asked to leave by the park employees, but they allowed me to walk back after I parked the car elsewhere.
Nutcrackers
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Bell Ringer Nutcracker
Green Nutcracker
After years of talking about it, I finally decided to make some nutcrackers.
They started out as oak 4x4s , so I turned them on my lathe. Each is different, but the bodies and heads are a very similar shape.
After turning them, I needed to make the notch for the lever and mouth, so I had to cut the head portion off to access the top of the body.
No easy task to get that even, and it was really difficult to get the notch straight.
Bell Ringer Nutcracker
Green Nutcracker
After years of talking about it, I finally decided to make some nutcrackers.
They started out as oak 4x4s , so I turned them on my lathe. Each is different, but the bodies and heads are a very similar shape.
After turning them, I needed to make the notch for the lever and mouth, so I had to cut the head portion off to access the top of the body.
No easy task to get that even, and it was really difficult to get the notch straight.
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