Carrying a poppy…

he passes through the quarrel.  Kobayashi Issa 

 

 

 

 

THE ALOHA

 It was another early morning ride to Glen Haven to walk the beach.  The sky was still washed in gold from the sunrise an hour before.   I returned by the path next to the Aloha, the historic  tugboat on display across from the Cannery.  Build in 1937, the classic  “turtle back” gill net fishing boat worked Lake Michigan until the mid-1980s.  It had been temporarily moored at Frankfort when it split a seam and sank in the harbor.  In 2013, The National Park Service funded its recovery, restoration, and transportation to Glen Haven.  I sure hope those days of financial support for preserving our Lakeshore history aren’t over.

 

 

SHOWY IRISES

 I’m not much of a close-up photographer, except when it comes to flowers.  I’m especially drawn to irises with their variety of colors, frilly lobes, and fuzzy beards.

 

 

  

 

 

GRAZING IN THE GRASS

 In wandering the countryside, I saw many cows and horses feasting on the green grasses that have appeared recently.  As I stopped to take pictures at one farm, this small pinto galloped toward my car.  Its beautiful thick mane flew as it ran.  It stopped at the fence and watched me snapping away, probably more interested in the white dog hanging out the car window than me.

 

 

THE MILL POND AT SLEEPING BEAR

Located near the base of the Dune Climb, the Mill Pond is a natural habitat for various wildlife and birds.  The small lake is larger than it looks and its backside stretches to the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.  I arrived just after sunrise on Monday morning and watched a Sandhill Crane preening.  Along the roadway, a few narcissus daffodils were still in bloom.  As I was the lone visitor, the only sound filling the air was birdsong.  A group of Cedar Waxwings serenaded from a nearby tree.  Two Trumpeter Swans floated among emerging lily pads.  They surprised me when they took to the sky but I imagine the pond was just their migration stopover as they headed back to their Alaskan home.  Ahhh, what a relaxing and peaceful start to my day.

 

 

 

  

PURPLE FLOWERS OF ALL SHADES ARE POPPING