first, thanks to those who offered info on the SBDNL region as it was helpful. I just finished a 5 day shoot in the area and I'm really excited about it. Shot lots of different types of images and I'm looking forward to seeing the results once the film is processed, but assuming no silly technical errors I should have some winners. FYI for those in the area -
Spring has sprung - there is some variation in the greens in the trees, but for the most part everything has budded/leafed whatever. It's obviously been dry up there as some areas that look like they should have been wetlands were dry....
The dunes themselves are not blooming, but the puccoon are not far off at all. Saw lots of Pitcher's thistle (endangered species - tread gently) that will be blooming sometime in the near future. The trillium are just ending, but the fringed polygala and starflower are out and the pink lady slippers were just blooming as the week ended.
Must share one experience - we photographed last Thursday morning in the forest around Otter Lake and were taking 6-10 second exposures with the leaves and ferns dead still. By that evening we were on the Sleeping Bear Dunes photographing a ghost forest and the wind was blowing a good 30-40 mph - a cold front came in and brough the most AMAZING storm clouds over Lake Michigan I've ever seen. Didn't get to shoot them much though because we had to run for cover (which isn't easy in the dunes!). An awesome experience that can't be conveyed in words, but I'll remember it vividly forever. Quite a day.
I'll post some images once I get things developed....
Sounds like you had a great time, CJ and glad to hear it!
You are right...when storm clouds come across Lake Michigan, it certainly is awesome to see, and it can be dangerous when the lightning starts and you're on the beach in the wide open.
I had forgotten about Otter Lake! Did you see any of the Loons there?
Toni - we were watching closely for lightning, fortunately it wasn't anyway around that we could see. We DID have the temp drop 15 degrees in 20 seconds (truly - no exaggeration). It was incredible.
We saw loons on Otter Lake and at several other points - I always enjoy hearing them call....
Yes, the temperature drop when a cold front (which usually brings in a NW wind) moves through at the lakeshore still amazes me after living here for over 25 years!
Good to hear the Loons are still on Otter Lake...thanks, CJ.
Thanks for the story. I had a similar experience in the BWCAW last year - nothing captured on film, but a memory that is still distinct and powerful to this day. As always, I look forward to seeing some of your images. I'm sending out a month and a half's worth of film this week, so I should have some new stuff too.
Discussion
8 repliesfirst, thanks to those who offered info on the SBDNL region as it was helpful. I just finished a 5 day shoot in the area and I'm really excited about it. Shot lots of different types of images and I'm looking forward to seeing the results once the film is processed, but assuming no silly technical errors I should have some winners. FYI for those in the area -
Spring has sprung - there is some variation in the greens in the trees, but for the most part everything has budded/leafed whatever. It's obviously been dry up there as some areas that look like they should have been wetlands were dry....
The dunes themselves are not blooming, but the puccoon are not far off at all. Saw lots of Pitcher's thistle (endangered species - tread gently) that will be blooming sometime in the near future. The trillium are just ending, but the fringed polygala and starflower are out and the pink lady slippers were just blooming as the week ended.
Must share one experience - we photographed last Thursday morning in the forest around Otter Lake and were taking 6-10 second exposures with the leaves and ferns dead still. By that evening we were on the Sleeping Bear Dunes photographing a ghost forest and the wind was blowing a good 30-40 mph - a cold front came in and brough the most AMAZING storm clouds over Lake Michigan I've ever seen. Didn't get to shoot them much though because we had to run for cover (which isn't easy in the dunes!). An awesome experience that can't be conveyed in words, but I'll remember it vividly forever. Quite a day.
I'll post some images once I get things developed....
CJ
You are right...when storm clouds come across Lake Michigan, it certainly is awesome to see, and it can be dangerous when the lightning starts and you're on the beach in the wide open.
I had forgotten about Otter Lake! Did you see any of the Loons there?
We saw loons on Otter Lake and at several other points - I always enjoy hearing them call....
CJ
Good to hear the Loons are still on Otter Lake...thanks, CJ.
Sounds like the trip was successful and I'm looking forward to viewing them.