Glimpse of a Great Blue Heron

I was quick on the draw and was able to capture a Great Blue Heron fly past our deck on Lake Michigan. Isn't it wonderful?

My mom saw him first and pointed in his direction. This handsome fellow chose the wrong section of wetlands and tried to "come home" along our section of beach. From where she was sitting, my mom saw this great blue heron fly in toward our shore and then do a quick about face when he realized that he had the wrong section of beach.

He must have his nest in the natural wetlands farther down the shore. As we both enjoy this beautiful summer weather, I will keep my eye out for this magnificent bird.

Lake Life: The Shores of Lake Michigan

When I say I'm from Michigan, is this what you picture? 

Since moving out to the Pacific Northwest, I've been astounded at how rarely people associate water with Michigan. We have the Great Lakes...we ARE the great lakes. 

Granted, my lake life was only in the summertime, but scenes like this make an impact on a girl. This is my Michigan, where Lake Michigan is so grand that it looks like the ocean.

I have been shopping in Leland and Traverse City and feel drawn to the souvenir items celebrating Michigan. I've seen tiles, stationary, mittens and more. I want them all and though I have resisted so far, I have been pointing out that my birthday is August 20th (wink).

#puremichigan #souvenirs #momentsofdelight #lakegirl

Sunset on Lake Michigan

The sky was so interesting for this sunset! It had every shade from purple and denim blue to apricot, lemon yellow and black.  

This is a late July sky on the 45th parallel overlooking Lake Michigan. We are the Great Lakes state and we aren't kidding. This is just about the same view during the daytime. Magnifique!

Yes, the state of Washington is beautiful, but Michigan is pretty darn gorgeous too. I am lucky that I can spend time in both.

Lake Michigan Magic

It has been a summer of adjustments and this view helped. I have spent most of the summer in Leland with my mom. Thank you for being patient and allowing me time to get my bearings. 

I am about to make a permanent move to Seattle, Washington! I will finally be living in that cute apartment that I started to show you back in March.

I will still have a few responsibilities in Michigan, but essentially I am starting a new life with Dan in the Pacific Northwest. It's a big deal.

P.S. After a hard winter of pounding waves, the "beach" at the cottage has disappeared. On clear days we can see where it went! There is a brand new expansive sand bar out front - can you see the sandy stripe in the water?

Dreamy Sunset on Lake Michigan

A moment of delight: sunset on Lake Michigan.  I was drawn to these clouds, particularly the fact that the sky was periwinkle and apricot.  Some of the clouds appear to be raining, with wafts of texture pulling down.  I was on the phone when the sky looked just like this.  Apparently I was failing to make good conversation and the person on the line said, "What's going on?"  

I confessed. "I'm taking a picture of the sunset and it's hard to hold the phone and set the camera at the same time."  I explained that the sky was too beautiful to miss photographing it.  I promised that she would see this picture in the blog and could decided if my distraction was justified.  What do you think?

Bald Eagle

Delight in America! I took this photo of our national bird, the Bald Eagle, on the beach in front of the cottage on Lake Michigan.  I was easily 200 feet away, but was able to get this photo be using the zoom on my Nikon CoolPix P90  and shooting through a window on the second floor.  What a thrill!

My parents confirmed that we have a pair of bald eagles that nest nearby and that they often see them soaring over the water or sharing a fish on the beach. Up until now, I had only seen them in the sky.

Empire Bluffs Trail

Are you heading north for the Fall color?  If you are headed to the Leelanau Peninsula, I have one more thing you can do to get out in the fresh air.

When I was visiting my friends in Alabama, we talked about northern Michigan a lot.  Melanie and Jon visit family up here every year and they were surprised that I had never been to the Empire Bluffs Trial.  They said that this view of Lake Michigan is their favorite and that a trip "up north" is not complete with out a morning hike out to the bluff (with coffee and muffins?).  Now that I've seen it, I'm sure that a lot of people feel the same way.

You can hike along the Empire Bluffs Trail and stop along the way at bench near the scenic overlook and take in the view (above) of the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes dropping into Lake Michigan.  I stopped here to preserve my ankle, but my husband ventured on and took these two incredible photos.

He wanted me to show you the boardwalk and bench options at the top of the Empire Bluffs Trail, which is 1.5 miles round trip.  The self-guided tour handout says that the lake to the right is called South Bar Lake and that it was once part of Lake Michigan!  Apparently long shore currents deposited a sand bar that eventually separated the water into two lakes.  I know that rivers change their course, but I had never imagined lakes being created from
a sandbar taking hold.

If you make it to this spot, 400 feet above Lake Michigan, breathe in and feel some camaraderie with everyone that holds this view dear.

Northern Michigan Flower Petal Art

This is one of those "scenic views" that means a lot to me.  It is the view from my parent's cottage and I never tire of watching the sun set over Lake Michigan. 

The sloping land on the left is called "Pyramid Point," because the edge is steep and dramatic like the slope of a pyramid.  The land mass to the right is an island called South Manitou (there is also a North Manitou Island out of the frame and farther to the right).

It was this view that prompted me to try my first painting enhanced by real flower petals!

I did a watercolor first and then I glued dried lavender along the shore and folded a piece of geranium petal to represent the sun going down.  Do you like it?  I framed it with a narrow lavender mat and then put my little masterpiece in an antiqued-gold frame. 

It is the perfect touch on my piano and reminds me that I've had a wonderful summer full of sunsets.

Sunset Swim in Lake Michigan

I took this photo many years ago during the "Summer Camp" my parents and I created for their grandchildren, who are my nieces and nephews.  Year after year, we had one week at the lake with just the girls and then one week with the three boys.  I was Head Counselor and it was so much fun.  We did crafts, baked cakes, hiked, painted landscapes, took them golfing, swimming and ended each night feeling that we had squeezed the best out of the day. 

On this particular night, the girls decided to go for a "Sunset Swim" and I am so happy that I had my camera with me at the beach.  I've frozen this moment in time.

For these girls, a moment of delight is floating in a pink inner tube with your cousins.  

Sleeping Bear Dunes - America's Most Beautiful Place 2011

My first reaction was, "Shh...let's keep this our little secret.  Part of the beauty of Leelanau County is that it is not crowded."  But something this spectacular is meant to be shared, right?  You've probably heard by now that Good Morning America has named my part of the world (at least in the Summertime) as America's Most Beautiful Place! 

And it is true, Leelanau County, home to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park in northern Michigan is the most wonderful place I have ever been.  It is beautiful, natural, peaceful - all of these adjectives and more.  These photos were taken by me with a point and shoot camera on a typical day at Sleeping Bear Dunes.  It is a natural setting in which Lake Michigan can look as grand as any ocean.  I spend my summers here and it is my favorite place on earth.  

You can watch footage and hear from Chef Mario Batali in the Good Morning America television piece below. 
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan Voted Good Morning America's 'Most Beautiful Place' - ABC News

I took this photo from an overlook that is 450 feet above Lake Michigan (the world's 4th largest fresh water lake).  Visitors are welcome to explore the dune and climb all the way down to the water, if they so choose.  The trick is climbing up 450 feet of sand.  For every few feet you climb up, you invariably slide back half as much.

Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes is estimated to be about two thousand years old.  It is a wonderful destination for nature lovers, tourists and, of course, photographers.  What a sight!

I know, I know.  Now you want to come to Michigan, right?  Good Morning America has confirmed what I have been saying all along.  This is the most beautiful place in America.

Heat Haze

These "shades of blue & green" are from a favorite day on Lake Michigan when the elements were backwards.

Normally, the air is clear and the water is a bit murky from the action of the waves. On this super calm morning, the water was crystal clear (look at the rocks!), but I could barely pick out the horizon. A heat haze was hanging over the water. It was still and gorgeous.

I hope this moment of delight gives you some room to breathe.

Beach Fire on Lake Michigan

Tonight is the night! The first beach fire of the year and I can't wait. If the wind stays calm, we can sit on the shore of Lake Michigan and watch the sun go down.

Sitting at a beach fire always makes me want to write a screenplay. I can't think of the last time a campfire at sunset was the setting in a movie, can you? I really think that the romantic comedies of today are missing out and I would love to see some honest conversation in front of a crackling fire.

I can see it now...

Whaleback

This weekend we rented a slip in the harbor and kept our boat on Lake Michigan all weekend! Normally, our area of Lake Michigan is quite choppy and a bit more challenging to boat on, but this weekend the water was like glass and we were able to cruise the shoreline each day and relax relax relax.

Remember when I first showed you Whaleback? This is it up close! I have never seen it from this vantage point and loved photographing the sandy shore and rugged pines that grow right down to the water. And look at the water - clear as a bell. We drifted here for a while and ate a picnic lunch of sandwiches and pop. What a glorious September day.

Coastal Living on Lake Michigan

Every time of day has something special to offer when you are living on the water. Early morning beach walks. A picnic lunch after a long swim.

Six o'clock in the evening is another magic time. The sun is still high, but the relaxed feeling of "a day well done" sets in. 

You still have hours before the beach fire and all you can do is give in to the moment.

My dear friend invited a few of us over for wine & appetizers on the patio. It was perfect.

Surely, this is what they mean by Coastal Living.

90 Days of Summer

Are you enjoying the 90 Days of Summer? I have been bouncing between tending the garden, grilling dinners on the deck, watering the herbs (and working on my next book), all while photographing everything in sight.

As a photographer, every moment has a "time stamp" on it. The magnolia, lilacs and peonies are gone now, but the hydrangeas, delphinium and roses are at their peak. I can no longer make fresh strawberry jam (but believe me the freezer is stocked!), but I am looking forward to peach ice cream.

There are so many wonderful festivals, outdoor concerts and "things to do," it makes my head spin. I hope your 90 days of Summer are filled with things you love.

Lake Michigan Beach Fires

I was lucky enough to sit by two beach fires this week. We watched the sun go down and the flames start up. What a delight.

I roasted marshmallows on a stick and indulged in one too many S'mores. Sitting out in the quiet was just so peaceful. And it was all topped off with a sighting of the "Big Dipper." I wish you many starry nights.

Perfect Plans Are No Plans At All

In January/February/March, I always make grand plans in my mind for "Summer." New restaurants I want to try, adventures to have out on the peninsula etc.

But in the end, on a perfect July night like this, I never want to go anywhere. Watching the sun go down with a cup of coffee is what I "want to do" every time.

This photo was taken at 7:26 pm. The sun was still warm, the water was perfectly calm and I just wanted to sit and talk over the day.

As you are organizing your Summer, remember that sometimes the perfect plan is no plan at all.

Calm

A magical view from high atop the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was so quiet. I can only imagine how the smooth gray water looked from the freighter's point of view. To me, Lake Michigan was a massive bolt of wool boucle and the giant freighter, a mere safety pin.

Stone Age

Petoskey stones are unusual gray stones with spots that are the result of ice sheets, bedrock & coral colliding 350 million years ago and fossilizing. Sort of.

Anyway, they can only be found in the northwestern tip of Michigan's lower peninsula, which makes them a local treasure. Spend more than 15 minutes on the beach and someone will propose a "hunt" for petoskey stones. Shown here are my nieces, combing the beach for petoskey stones and looking a lot like the evolution of early man. Welcome to the Stone Age, baby.