LAKE ELMO PARK RESERVE

 

We did a lot of story telling on my trip last week to visit friends Phil and Patricia in Minnesota.  We also shared time outdoors hiking and taking pictures.  I’d hoped to see the osprey Phil had photographed in the winter at Lake Elmo Park Reserve, a 2000 acre park of hills, prairie, woods, birds, more hills, trails, and wildlife.  Near the end of our hike, we were rewarded with seeing two osprey on their nest.  It was my first time photographing these huge raptors and they were amazing to watch.  We wondered whether there were babies in the nest but couldn’t tell.  It was a memory I’ll cherish.

TRAVERSE CITY AFTER SUNSET

 

I just returned from a wonderful trip to Minnesota to visit my dear friends Phil and Patricia. I took thousands of pictures, some of which I'll share with you next week after I've had the chance to go through them. Meanwhile take a look at these nighttime photos. 

COLTS ARRIVE

 

About ten days ago I spotted two young Sandhill Crane colts with their parents.  It’s unusual for both chicks to survive so I felt pretty lucky.  I’ve been out photographing them every day through rain, in fields where only their heads showed, and then in the open a few times.  I’m guesstimating they are about 3-4 weeks old from their size, feather development, and inability to fly.  It’s always a delight to see these gawky-looking youngsters.

WEST BAY SUNSET

 The sky began to clear Friday evening and I headed out to catch the sunset.  I was late deciding this, so I went to Sunset Park for the first time.  Located between the Delamar Hotel and NMC’s Great Lakes Campus on Front Street, I had to navigate the road construction to get there.  The park was pretty with a large beach and grassy area.  Because we are near the solstice, when the sun is farthest north, I hoped for a sunset over open water.  But the northwest tilt of the land at the base of the bay made the sun set over southern Leelanau Peninsula instead.  And that was as good as it would get from Sunset Park.  Still, a pretty sunset with lots of folks enjoying it too.  

EAST BAY SUNRISE

 

One of the “perks” of waking up too early is being able to catch the sunrise.  So at 5:30, after already being up an hour, Gracie and I headed to East Bay Park.  I do love the peacefulness of the early morning.  No traffic, waves calmly lapping at the shoreline, lots of ducks and geese preening on the beach.  As the minutes ticked away, the sun brightened the sky and the streaky clouds made for an interesting dawn.  I could hardly believe it when multiple rooster crows broke the silence…in the city.  I can always nap later.

SPRING’S LUSH LEAFY SCENES

 

STORM COMING IN

 

A recent windy day sent me to Empire to watch a storm come across the lake.  I couldn’t believe how much the wind kicked up the sand around the dunes.  A freighter was even taking refuge in Sleeping Bear Bay.