No Lifeguard on Duty
What can I say?
Evening Sun
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Early Evening Sun
Driving home from St. Joseph, Michigan, I stopped by the Lake Michigan shore to view the lake from Shoreham, Michigan. The low angle of the sun created a beautiful glow in the snow, and great shadows as well.
Early Evening Sun
Driving home from St. Joseph, Michigan, I stopped by the Lake Michigan shore to view the lake from Shoreham, Michigan. The low angle of the sun created a beautiful glow in the snow, and great shadows as well.
Montrose Harbor
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Montrose Harbor, Chicago, IL
A cold, overcast afternoon doesn't necessarily mean that people will avoid the Chicago lakefront. I was spotted as I snapped this photo, by the person walking out onto the pier, and by several fishermen in the area. This part of the lake isn't frozen solid like the east shore, so fishermen can still enjoy themselves in February.
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Fishermen At Montrose Harbor
Montrose Harbor, Chicago, IL
A cold, overcast afternoon doesn't necessarily mean that people will avoid the Chicago lakefront. I was spotted as I snapped this photo, by the person walking out onto the pier, and by several fishermen in the area. This part of the lake isn't frozen solid like the east shore, so fishermen can still enjoy themselves in February.
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Fishermen At Montrose Harbor
St. Joseph Lighthouse
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Outer Range Light
A winter visit to the St. Joseph, Michigan lighthouse is always interesting. The past few years have seen an increase in the ice out on Lake Michigan on the Indiana and Michigan shorelines - so much so, that for weeks this year, water could not be seen with the naked eye. A slight thaw in early February has turned some of the lake back into water.
A trek out past the inner range light was a bit hazardous, but well worth the trip. Judging by the footprints, I was the second person to venture out to the outer light in weeks. The ice and snow covered path was only about 14 inches wide, with the lighthouse base on one side, and the frozen lake eight feet below on the other side.
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Inner Range Light as Seen from the Outer Light.
The photo above shows the path from shore. It was certainly a glorious day to be out in nature.
Outer Range Light
A winter visit to the St. Joseph, Michigan lighthouse is always interesting. The past few years have seen an increase in the ice out on Lake Michigan on the Indiana and Michigan shorelines - so much so, that for weeks this year, water could not be seen with the naked eye. A slight thaw in early February has turned some of the lake back into water.
A trek out past the inner range light was a bit hazardous, but well worth the trip. Judging by the footprints, I was the second person to venture out to the outer light in weeks. The ice and snow covered path was only about 14 inches wide, with the lighthouse base on one side, and the frozen lake eight feet below on the other side.
click to enlarge
Inner Range Light as Seen from the Outer Light.
The photo above shows the path from shore. It was certainly a glorious day to be out in nature.
Anatomy of a Snowflake
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Snowflake
I've been wanting to capture snowflakes for a while, and finally managed to rig up a system to allow me to bring snowflakes inside to photograph under hot lights. I can keep them frozen for about 5 minutes - usually enough time to photograph them.
They are truly amazing to view up close - and I've yet to see two of the same!
click to enlarge
These photos are not digitally zoomed in or cropped, so that is the actual image from the camera's sensor.
Snowflake
I've been wanting to capture snowflakes for a while, and finally managed to rig up a system to allow me to bring snowflakes inside to photograph under hot lights. I can keep them frozen for about 5 minutes - usually enough time to photograph them.
They are truly amazing to view up close - and I've yet to see two of the same!
click to enlarge
These photos are not digitally zoomed in or cropped, so that is the actual image from the camera's sensor.
On Fire
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Sunset from Michigan City
On a clear day, you can see the Chicago Skyline from Michigan City, Indiana, and last weekend was no exception. If you look at the image above, between the lighthouse and the harbor beacon, you'll see some familiar buildings over 30 miles across frozen Lake Michigan.
The sky appeared to be on fire, but only near the horizon, as the sun set behind the lighthouse catwalk on this cold winter day.
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Sunset from Michigan City
On a clear day, you can see the Chicago Skyline from Michigan City, Indiana, and last weekend was no exception. If you look at the image above, between the lighthouse and the harbor beacon, you'll see some familiar buildings over 30 miles across frozen Lake Michigan.
The sky appeared to be on fire, but only near the horizon, as the sun set behind the lighthouse catwalk on this cold winter day.
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Vivid Winter Sky
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Michigan City, Indiana Lighthouse
Winter often provides lots of contrasts - colors, as well as objects. It still surprises me to see a lighthouse in a spot where water cannot be seen. Of course, the water is frozen here on Lake Michigan, but even standing on the top of the catwalk (don't tell anyone), I couldn't see water. I guess that's at least 4 miles off shore - solid flow ice.
The white ice provided a great contrast to the deep blue sky that surrounded the lighthouse, making it look a lot more like the arctic than the dunes.
You've got to be careful while walking out to this lighthouse; before the lake froze over, it splashed up onto the pier, creating a solid ice surface. I'm not sure if falling onto the flow ice would hold my weight or not, but I'm not going to test it!
Michigan City, Indiana Lighthouse
Winter often provides lots of contrasts - colors, as well as objects. It still surprises me to see a lighthouse in a spot where water cannot be seen. Of course, the water is frozen here on Lake Michigan, but even standing on the top of the catwalk (don't tell anyone), I couldn't see water. I guess that's at least 4 miles off shore - solid flow ice.
The white ice provided a great contrast to the deep blue sky that surrounded the lighthouse, making it look a lot more like the arctic than the dunes.
You've got to be careful while walking out to this lighthouse; before the lake froze over, it splashed up onto the pier, creating a solid ice surface. I'm not sure if falling onto the flow ice would hold my weight or not, but I'm not going to test it!
click to enlarge
French Canyon Panoramic View
One of the more difficult canyons to navigate in the winter at Starved Rock State Park is French Canyon. It's also one of the closest to the lodge. A narrow approach leads you into the canyon, with steep drop offs on one side - not a place to walk when there's ice. Once you get to the bottom, the short hike to the canyon head is also slick - ice covered rock - basically the path is the shallow stream.
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Looking Up
While at the botton of the narrow canyon, you can't help but look toward the sky, and at the trees that hang over, preventing most of the sunlight from entering.
Certainly a canyon to explore in all seasons, but in winter, I think, it's the most dramatic.
French Canyon Panoramic View
One of the more difficult canyons to navigate in the winter at Starved Rock State Park is French Canyon. It's also one of the closest to the lodge. A narrow approach leads you into the canyon, with steep drop offs on one side - not a place to walk when there's ice. Once you get to the bottom, the short hike to the canyon head is also slick - ice covered rock - basically the path is the shallow stream.
click to enlarge
Looking Up
While at the botton of the narrow canyon, you can't help but look toward the sky, and at the trees that hang over, preventing most of the sunlight from entering.
Certainly a canyon to explore in all seasons, but in winter, I think, it's the most dramatic.
It Only Looks Warm....
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An Outcropping of Rock
Starved Rock State Park
Even if you don't visit the Illinois River, the butte named Starved Rock, or any of the 16 canyons, there are still wonderful things to see while hiking through Starved Rock State Park.
The exposed rock and sunlight give a warm contrast to the cold, snowy winter landscape.
An Outcropping of Rock
Starved Rock State Park
Even if you don't visit the Illinois River, the butte named Starved Rock, or any of the 16 canyons, there are still wonderful things to see while hiking through Starved Rock State Park.
The exposed rock and sunlight give a warm contrast to the cold, snowy winter landscape.
Two Weeks Later....
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Lake Falls Frozen
What a difference two weeks of cold weather makes! Lake Falls at Matthiessen State Park is totally frozen. If you look closely, you'll see lots of intricate detail in the ice, and if you're there in person, you can see the waterfall through the "ice tube" at the top of the falls.
Here's what the falls looked like two weeks ago:
http://lapstrake.blogspot.com/2009/01/lake-falls-matthiessen-state-park.html#links
Lake Falls Frozen
What a difference two weeks of cold weather makes! Lake Falls at Matthiessen State Park is totally frozen. If you look closely, you'll see lots of intricate detail in the ice, and if you're there in person, you can see the waterfall through the "ice tube" at the top of the falls.
Here's what the falls looked like two weeks ago:
http://lapstrake.blogspot.com/2009/01/lake-falls-matthiessen-state-park.html#links
Ice Falls
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Beneath Tonty Falls
Starved Rock
Each winter the many waterfalls located in the canyons of Starved Rock freeze solid, creating intricate ice sculptures. Some tower 80 feet in height and 30 feet in width, all are spectacular.
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Next to Tonty Falls
Visiting some of these canyons in winter will require a strenuous hike of 3 or more miles one way, in ice and snow along paths with long drops next to them - still it's worth the trip.
Beneath Tonty Falls
Starved Rock
Each winter the many waterfalls located in the canyons of Starved Rock freeze solid, creating intricate ice sculptures. Some tower 80 feet in height and 30 feet in width, all are spectacular.
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Next to Tonty Falls
Visiting some of these canyons in winter will require a strenuous hike of 3 or more miles one way, in ice and snow along paths with long drops next to them - still it's worth the trip.
Waterfall Climbing
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Ice Climbers in Wildcat Canyon
The canyons at Starved Rock State Park are beautiful in any season, but winter transforms them into playgrounds for the adventurer. At the head of Wildcat Canyon is an 80 foot waterfall that freezes each winter. This is one of the many frozen waterfalls at Starved Rock that can be climbed.
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Ice Climbing Group
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Climber Nearing the Top
These climbers spent hours in the canyon preparing for and executing their climbs. The climber is secured to a harness that runs to the top of the falls and back down to two men handling the ropes in the event the climber falls. Once he made it to the top, he signaled and let go of the ice, he was then slowly lowered to the ground.
Ice Climbers in Wildcat Canyon
The canyons at Starved Rock State Park are beautiful in any season, but winter transforms them into playgrounds for the adventurer. At the head of Wildcat Canyon is an 80 foot waterfall that freezes each winter. This is one of the many frozen waterfalls at Starved Rock that can be climbed.
click to enlarge
Ice Climbing Group
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Climber Nearing the Top
These climbers spent hours in the canyon preparing for and executing their climbs. The climber is secured to a harness that runs to the top of the falls and back down to two men handling the ropes in the event the climber falls. Once he made it to the top, he signaled and let go of the ice, he was then slowly lowered to the ground.
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!
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.
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.
click to enlarge
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.
click to enlarge
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.
click to enlarge
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.
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