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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It's Not a Deer
From a distance Nathan and I thought this was a deer. I don't remember ever seeing a juvenile Sandhill Crane before.
International Space Station and Fireflies
I have been trying to get a good photo of the ISS for some time now. Last night turned out to be my best effort yet.The bright star it almost touches midway through its pass is Arcturus in the constellation Bootes. At the far left is the heart and tail of Scorpius. Saturn is the bright object in the center.The bright star below Saturn is Spica. Mars is the bright object on the edge of the glow from Lansing city lights. The green points of lights along the bottom (in the trees) are fireflies.
This photo was taken in Legg Park.
MSU Sheep Farm
Dark clouds rolled in this afternoon ahead of a cold front. We desperately need rain and it only sprinkled. This is looking east over the MSU Sheep Farm.
Two More Grand Birds
Today may have been my last paddle of the summer on the Grand River. It is so low that I could only go upstream a short distance. I was able to get a couple of bird photos. The first one is a mystery bird. Do you know what it is? And the second one is my favorite, the Prothonotary Warbler. I hope we get a wet spell so the rivers come up and I can continue to paddle.
Looking West
Here is another sunset photo on the south campus of MSU looking over the buildings of the old swine farm.
Sapphire City
This is my entry for the Fred Miranda Weekly Assignment "Steel & Glass". It is taken from the front facade of the Wharton Center For Performing Arts on the campus of Michigan State University.
"The Sapphire City is the capital of the Ozure Isles, in Lake Orizon in the Munchkin Country of Oz. The Sapphire CIty is second only to the Emerald City as the fairest city of Oz. Just as the Emerald City is characterized by its emeralds, so the Sapphire City is dominated by the blue light of its distinctive jewels".
From: htttp://oz.wikia.com
Trellis
This is a trellis walkway covered with Trumpet Vine. It is located between the Biomedical & Physical Sciences Building and the Cyclotron.
Graffiti
This art gallery is under the Red Cedar River Farm Lane bridge. It is a constantly changing work of art with many anonymous contributors. The arches and reflections in the river make it one of my favorite places to visit.
South Campus Dairy Farm
The sky was turning very dark in the north so I decided to hop in the car and take a look around. This is what I found.
Transit of Venus
At 6 PM, when the transit started, it was completely overcast. I was pretty disappointed. It started to clear up a bit around 8:30 so I put the gear in the car and took off to see if I could get some photos. I have never taken a photo of the sun before so I was concerned about harming the camera. I put on a neutral density and a polarizing filter, set the ISO at 100, the shutter speed at 1/8000 and the f/stop at 32. I am quite surprised by the outcome. Here are four pics.
Back on the Grand
I was finally able to get back on the Grand River today. It has been three weeks and I was hoping the river wouldn't be too low. Well, it was about a foot lower than I have ever seen it but I was still able to navigate all the way from Onondaga to Tompkins Road and back again. It took me a little over seven hours. If it gets any lower I won't be able to paddle that far again this summer. I was also hoping that there would still be some nesting birds around. Despite the gusty winds and harsh lighting I was able to take two pretty good photos.
I just can't resist taking a picture of another Prothonotary Warbler. This is a female.
Or another picture of a Tree Swallow. This is a parent getting ready to leave its home in a tree after feeding the little ones.
Bunchberry and Starflower
Here are a couple of wild flowers that I only see up north. The Bunchberry flower, on the left, will soon morph into a bunch of brilliant red berries. The Starflower, on the right, is one of the most delicate blooms I have ever seen. How does that tiny stem hold up the bloom? It makes it look like the flower is floating in space.
Cornus canadensis and Trientalis borealis
Cornus canadensis
Trientalis borealis
Bleeding Hearts
While some may not consider Bleeding Hearts to be a wildflower this shade loving perennial is a cousin to Dutchman's Breeches. I find it difficult to take a decent photo of Bleeding Heart flowers. Depth of field is always a problem. Maybe focusing on a few blooms is the answer.
Mary. Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
Dicentra spectabilis
Pink Lady's Slipper or Moccasin Flower
The Lady's Slipper family has to be my favorite group of wildflowers. It is always a treat to see an "Indian Moccasin Flower" in the spring.
Cypripedium acaule
Mud Lake Outlet
This is the outlet stream of Mud Lake in Presque Isle County. It is a typical Northern Michigan bog. This is one of my favorites and a great place to kayak at least once a year.
