Welcome to My Michigan (The Mitten)
I took a fifteen year break from photography to spend as much time as possible with my family. Now that the kids are out of school and I find myself with more free time I have decided to join the digital age and pick up where I left off.
For me photography is a labor of love. It helps me see everything in a new light and a new way. Everyday events become forever memories. Insects, flowers, animals and birds become magical and mystical. My eyes see a whole new world around me, sometimes alien but always beautiful. This is what I love to do, winter, spring, summer and fall, immersed in the great out of doors with a camera in my hand.
Come and join me on my expeditions. And just maybe, like many others, you will come away "Smitten by the Mitten".
Thank you for stopping by.
Jim
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A Real Jewel
Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis, also known as Spotted Touch-me-not is a beautiful late summer flower. It is an important nectar plant for hummingbirds. The leaves and the juice from the stems can relieve the sting from Poison Ivy or Stinging Nettle. Poultices and salves made from Jewelweed are a folk remedy for bruises, burns, cuts, eczema, insect bites, sores, sprains and warts. The dry seeds will "pop" when touched giving it the common name of Touch-me-not.
Chicory Dickory Dock
This is the Common Chicory, Cichorium intybus. I love the blue of this flower. Did you know that the flowers open and close at the exact same time every day! The leaves can be used in food (endive) and the tap root can be roasted and used as a caffeine free coffee substitute.
Wild Sunflower
"Keep your face to the sunshine
and you cannot see the shadow.
It's what sunflowers do."
by Helen Keller
Bottled Orchids
One of my favorite places to eat in the Okemos area is Thai Princess. They have these beautiful bottled orchids decorating the walls. Oh yes, and they have wonderfully delicious meals. My favorite is Peanut Curry with tofu.
At One With
I love kayaking. It gets me down to a level where I get an entirely different perspective of the world around me. I like to think that I see the "water world" as the wild things see it. It helps me to become at one with nature which I think improves my photography. This is an IR converted photo of the "boggy" end of a Northern Michigan lake.
Ghost Boat
The water in in this small Northern Michigan lake is crystal clear. It's fun to photograph stumps and old wooden boats that have been left behind and can be easily seen on the lake bottom.
Troll Hole
I photographed my first troll today! I found this lovely dwelling while traveling the back roads of Northern Michigan. I feel very lucky.
Blue
These Clintonia borealis (Blue-bead) were just begging to have their photograph taken.
Almost Full
It is hard to resist taking a picture of the moon when you are outside sitting by a campfire and you can see your shadow.
Pesky Deer Fly
Thirty seconds earlier this little pest was driving me crazy, flying around my head, biting me on the ear.... looks like it won't be bothering me any more.
