The biggest disappointment this winter has been not seeing a single Snowy Owl, especially since I’ve been photographing them every year since 2011. I’m not sure whether the dearth is caused by warmer winters or the growth in the Chum’s Corner area where their natural habitats are being destroyed. So, to get my 2024 Snowy Owl fix, I grabbed some favorites from my catalogue. It’s always their eyes that draw me in.
We all know the arts are alive Up North. I got to experience some of that as I wandered through downtown Traverse City and took in all the beautiful murals.
I’m drawn to those red berries that stay on trees during the snowy months. Actually, any red brightens the winter landscapes.
He said we were having an early spring. Then we got dumped on with another snowstorm. Ah, but who’s really the fool to think spring would come to Northern Michigan in February.
I woke from my afternoon snooze knowing something was different. My study was bathed in light. I immediately headed to nearby Old Mission hoping for some sunny vistas over water. But the best I got were some strips of blue sky among the clouds, soon turning to all clouds with some brightness at the horizon. Still, I was happy to be outdoors enjoying the brief burst of sunshine.
One of my nearby sites for seeing waterfowl is at the South YMCA pond. It’s more intimate than Medalie Park or Logan’s Landing. Now that the pond is thawing, geese and ducks are returning. But my favorite residents are the pair of mute swans who make the wetland their home. It’ll be fun to watch them build their nest, incubate eggs, and raise cygnets as the spring progresses.
From sunshine to pea soup, what a difference a day makes. But as Michiganders, we’ve learned not to expect the expected. These foggy images were shot along M-22 on my way to Northport.
The groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, forecast an early spring and I wonder if this beautiful sunrise on Friday morning was just the beginning. Whatever happens, the sun sure felt great, even if it was only 28 degrees.
It’s been a challenging winter for photography. Many beautiful landscape scenes I’ve taken pictures of were never fully covered in snow. And I can’t remember a winter where I didn’t see at least one Snowy Owl. Not this year. But I was drawn to these frozen wetlands, mostly from the hint of sepia that reminded me of pictures from a bygone era.
