Saturday, June 26, 2010

The Need for Speed

It is time once again for the Bay City River Roar – the annual power boat races on the Saginaw River here in Bay City Michigan.  I took a little stroll along the river this morning to catch a bit of the time trials, and captured a few boats while I was there.

Capturing a high speed subject like these boats was a challenge, but it was a blast!

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Thursday, June 24, 2010

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Sturgeon Point Lighthouse

Here is the last batch of pictures from my weekend trip.  We visited the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse Historical Site.  In addition to the lighthouse, there is an old schoolhouse that was moved to this location.

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Monday, June 21, 2010

Camping at Harrisville State Park

Yesterday I shared some pictures I took over the weekend while camping.  Those pictures were to emphasize the beauty of this state I live in.  Today I am sharing some more shots, focusing more on the camping itself (no pun intended).  I hope you enjoy!

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Our campsite.  We are figuring out all the little tricks to making a successful and fun trip.

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As you can see, the camp was not too crowded.  I am not complaining!

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Ok, not every picture deals specifically with camping.  Here are some nature shots.  Some mushrooms…..

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and a Black Throated Green Warbler,

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Fun on the beach

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Shelby really loves camping!  Especially when the kids drop their smores on the ground.

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A red squirrel, out to cause trouble as usual.

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Cooking apple cobbler in the dutch oven.

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Yum!!!!

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Sunday, June 20, 2010

Why I love Michigan – part 1, Harrisville State Park

Just thought I would show a few of the many reasons I love Michigan:

The Lake Huron shoreline

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Sturgeon Point Lighthouse

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Babbling brooks

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The dwarf lake Iris

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Times are tough in this state that I love, and sometimes it gets a bad rap.  I just wanted to show a few bits of beauty that can be found here.  These pictures were all taken on a camping trip this weekend at Harrisville State Park.

Oh, and did I mention butterflies?

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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

A concert in the park

It was a beautiful Wednesday evening here in Bay City, Michigan, and I went with my family to enjoy a concert in the park.  This concert, which is part of the Bay Arts Council’s Wednesday in the Park Concert Series, was a performance by the Bay Concert Band (featuring my lovely wife in the flute section).

The concert is held in Wenona park, along side the Saginaw River.  This park has just undergone a facelift, and is looking wonderful.

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The park is also the docking site of the schooner Appledore IV.

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There was a pretty good turnout for the show, as people took the opportunity to relax on a warm, but breezy, evening.

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Honoring our flag as the band plays the Star Spangled Banner.

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This concert was the first one conducted by the band’s new director, Mr. Leo Najar.  Mr. Najar is also the director of Bay City’s Bijou Orchestra, another wonderful talent.

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As you can see here, everyone loves a good concert in the park.

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And I do mean everyone!

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Mr. Najar directing the audience as we whistle “Colonel Bogey March” (Thanks Leo, now I will be whistling that song for a week!)

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During intermission, we were entertained by the Delta Flute Choir, again featuring my wife.

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Mr. Najar called on the audience for some help.  Here are the assistants he recruited to help direct the Stars and Stripes Forever.

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And so the sun sets on a wonderful evening in beautiful downtown Bay City.  Great music, great friends, it just doesn’t get any better than this.

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Saturday, June 5, 2010

Bay City State Park

I took an early morning trip to the State Park, to try out some new equipment today.  I am still learning to use my new lens, but I did get  few good shots.  Enjoy!

My favorite of the day – a Great Blue Heron hiding in the reeds by the pond:

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This little chipmunk made a Ninja drop off a bush and almost landed on my foot.  He is a bit blurry, but not too bad:

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Squirrel in silhouette:

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Two egrets in flight:

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And just to show that I do take pictures of something besides wildlife, here is a fungus on a tree trunk:

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Thursday, June 3, 2010

A walk in the woods

Recently I found myself in a woodland setting, taking a hike down a trail.  It is good to get out of the city, and enjoy nature.   The trail worked its way down the hill to the the South Branch River.

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In the mud along the bank, I spotted some small animal tracks.  Unfortunately, I never saw who made them.

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There were a great number of insects flying around, including a variety of damselflies.  There were a number of different colors, and they never seemed to stay still long enough to take their picture.  This one had an especially nice green color.

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Turning back up towards camp, some ferns were spotted hiding in the shadows.  The sunlight was just brushing them, giving them an eerie look.

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I saw some very interesting sights along the trail, but perhaps none more that this – a chair sitting next to the trail.  I have no idea who put it there, or why.  But there it sits.

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In addition to all of the damselflies, a few dragonflies were also seen.  This one was nice enough to land on the ground long enough for a picture.

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The trail left the hardwood and entered a pine plantation, where I found this beautiful Lady slipper orchid.  Actually, I almost stepped on it.  Fortunately I stopped looking for birds long enough to look down!

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