Tuesday, March 31, 2009
One more of the photographer
One of my favorite shots of late is trying to get a shot of myself in the window or mirror or whatever. Anyways, this is at Sleeping Bear Dunes. The submarine on the hat is the submarine that figures in Run Silent Run Deep as it was the submarine that the author served on for a while.
Wildlife Photography
As I was going up north, I ran across quite a bit of wildlife. Sadly, my biggest lens goes up to 300mm and therefore couldn't get close enough. However, it wasn't too bad after I cropped the pictures.
Anyways...
Saw a pair of swans. Not sure what variety swan though.
One of the swans as he was swimming alone.
A loon in flight. Sadly, I couldn't get it in the water for the classic view.
Some ducks in flight.
Ducks as they are taking off. For some reason, I love this shot.
A deer standing on the road looking at the crazy human pointing something at him.
Another deer.
Anyways...
Saw a pair of swans. Not sure what variety swan though.
One of the swans as he was swimming alone.
A loon in flight. Sadly, I couldn't get it in the water for the classic view.
Some ducks in flight.
Ducks as they are taking off. For some reason, I love this shot.
A deer standing on the road looking at the crazy human pointing something at him.
Another deer.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Point Betsie Lighthouse
The Point Betsie is located near Frankfort, Michigan and is just south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was built in 1858. It is one of my favorite lighthouses in the state.
This is it's original paint scheme. They are in the process of restoring it.
The Fresnel lens was removed at some point it will be displayed at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.
The tower sits atop a sand dune and is 38ft high.
Not the best view but you can get an idea of the building.
This is it's original paint scheme. They are in the process of restoring it.
The Fresnel lens was removed at some point it will be displayed at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.
The tower sits atop a sand dune and is 38ft high.
Not the best view but you can get an idea of the building.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The Frankfort Lighthouse
Frankfort is on the western side of Michigan and sits off Lake Michigan. It used to be a point for ferries to go over to Wisconsin but I'm not sure that happens anymore. This lighthouse is out in the harbor.
The original was built in 1873. This one was built in 1932 after the original lighthouse was added to a two story structure.
This is the lighthouse. As you can see there is still a bit of ice up there. It was pretty cold to boot.
This is a beacon I believe.
Just a view of the channel with both structures to the side.
The original was built in 1873. This one was built in 1932 after the original lighthouse was added to a two story structure.
This is the lighthouse. As you can see there is still a bit of ice up there. It was pretty cold to boot.
This is a beacon I believe.
Just a view of the channel with both structures to the side.
My Favorite Roadsign
Decided to go up around Frankfort and Traverse City yesterday. On some of the highways around there you have passing lanes. As a result you see these signs.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Random Ann Arbor Pictures
After raining all day, it turned out to be a nice evening, so I decided to take myself and the Canon over to Ann Arbor. Sadly, it was getting close to sunset so I didn't have too much time for too many pictures but I got enough.
I ended up parking at the top of the parking structure and was treated to this view of the Bell Tower. I thought it ended up being a pretty decent shot.
This is the interior of Nickel's Arcade which is sort of a mall that's been around since the 1910's. It is mostly upper scale shops. With better lighting, some of the shops will be part of a photoshoot.
This is the West Engineering building which is at the South Eastern part of the Diag. I love the cupolas at the top. The arch itself is pretty cool too.
A closeup shot of one of the cupolas.
Looking west on S. University.
I had a burrito at Panchero's. As I was finishing my dinner, I looked up and noticed the reflections of the ceiling decorations on the window. So I decided to snap this shot.
This is the Block M at the center of the Diag. Legend has it that you are not supposed to step on the M. Back when I was in school, I played a game that was called a MUD (which is a text advernture type game but multi-user) which was set in Ann Arbor. If you stepped on this M, the Boogeyman would appear.
Just off to the side of the Diag is a greenhouse. This was done in the frosting on the windows and with the light, I thought it looked pretty cool.
I ended up parking at the top of the parking structure and was treated to this view of the Bell Tower. I thought it ended up being a pretty decent shot.
This is the interior of Nickel's Arcade which is sort of a mall that's been around since the 1910's. It is mostly upper scale shops. With better lighting, some of the shops will be part of a photoshoot.
This is the West Engineering building which is at the South Eastern part of the Diag. I love the cupolas at the top. The arch itself is pretty cool too.
A closeup shot of one of the cupolas.
Looking west on S. University.
I had a burrito at Panchero's. As I was finishing my dinner, I looked up and noticed the reflections of the ceiling decorations on the window. So I decided to snap this shot.
This is the Block M at the center of the Diag. Legend has it that you are not supposed to step on the M. Back when I was in school, I played a game that was called a MUD (which is a text advernture type game but multi-user) which was set in Ann Arbor. If you stepped on this M, the Boogeyman would appear.
Just off to the side of the Diag is a greenhouse. This was done in the frosting on the windows and with the light, I thought it looked pretty cool.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Gallup Park - Ann Arbor, MI
The weather is finally getting nice, so I decided to take myself and the camera to the park. Unfortunately, the temperature started to drop like a rock and it got cold. But I was able to get some pictures of ducks, geese and swans. I was happy since they can often be a pain to get.
Normally I don't get a shot like this. By the time I have the camera ready they are long gone and their quacks sound like laughing. The ducks at Gallup are a little tamer because idiots feed them.
Another shot I don't normally get.
I love this camera. The clarity on some of the pictures is amazing.
Gallup has a few swans that hang out there. It's always nice to get a picture of them.
Another shot that I like.
The geese are annoying but they do look cool.
Normally I don't get a shot like this. By the time I have the camera ready they are long gone and their quacks sound like laughing. The ducks at Gallup are a little tamer because idiots feed them.
Another shot I don't normally get.
I love this camera. The clarity on some of the pictures is amazing.
Gallup has a few swans that hang out there. It's always nice to get a picture of them.
Another shot that I like.
The geese are annoying but they do look cool.
And this picture reminds of someone contemplating his future.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Saint Mary's Pro-Cathedral - Sault Ste. Marie
Another interesting building in Sault Ste. Marie was Saint Mary's Pro-Cathedral. I apologize for the poor pictures. The sun was right behind the building and I'm still figuring out some of the settings on my camera. Anyways.
This text is from the State Historical Marker in front of the Cathedral:
In 1853, Pope Pius IX separated the Upper Peninsula from the Diocese of Detroit and established a vicariate apostolic. Reverend Frederic Baraga, a missionary from L'Anse, became vicar apostolic and made St. Mary's Church his headquarters. In 1857 the vicariate became a diocese, Baraga was named "Bishop of the Sault" and the log cabin known as St. Mary's became a cathedral. With the onset of mining, settlements sprang up in the western Upper Peninsula. Faced with the task of serving these remote parishes, Bishop Baraga obtained the pope's permission to move the seat to the diocese to Marquette. In May 1866, Baraga left St. Mary's and the parish became the pro-cathedral parish. In 1881 the present Gothic Revival-style church, designed by Joseph Connolly of Toronto, was erected.
A shot of the front of the church. It is a pretty impressive looking church and this picture really doesn't do it justice.
Looking up the steeple. This probably give you more of an idea of the impressiveness.
This text is from the State Historical Marker in front of the Cathedral:
In 1853, Pope Pius IX separated the Upper Peninsula from the Diocese of Detroit and established a vicariate apostolic. Reverend Frederic Baraga, a missionary from L'Anse, became vicar apostolic and made St. Mary's Church his headquarters. In 1857 the vicariate became a diocese, Baraga was named "Bishop of the Sault" and the log cabin known as St. Mary's became a cathedral. With the onset of mining, settlements sprang up in the western Upper Peninsula. Faced with the task of serving these remote parishes, Bishop Baraga obtained the pope's permission to move the seat to the diocese to Marquette. In May 1866, Baraga left St. Mary's and the parish became the pro-cathedral parish. In 1881 the present Gothic Revival-style church, designed by Joseph Connolly of Toronto, was erected.
A shot of the front of the church. It is a pretty impressive looking church and this picture really doesn't do it justice.
Looking up the steeple. This probably give you more of an idea of the impressiveness.
Tahquanemon Falls In the Winter
I've been up to Tahquanemon Falls many times before but I've never been there in the winter. It was a pretty cool experience. There was still quite a bit of snow there (some of it was up to the top of the trash cans). It was also pretty nice because there weren't that many people around.
The nice overall shot of the Falls. The almost classic shot.
Another shot. You can see the snow.
Another classic shot.
Some of the icicles. Notice the greenish color.
A nice accumulation of ice.
The mist hovering above the falls was pretty cool too.
I was surprised to see that the observation deck was clear. I love this shot of the Falls.
The river.
Another pattern from accumulation of ice. Almost looks like a dog.
Two more shots from the deck.
Some shots as I was leaving.
The nice overall shot of the Falls. The almost classic shot.
Another shot. You can see the snow.
Another classic shot.
Some of the icicles. Notice the greenish color.
A nice accumulation of ice.
The mist hovering above the falls was pretty cool too.
I was surprised to see that the observation deck was clear. I love this shot of the Falls.
The river.
Another pattern from accumulation of ice. Almost looks like a dog.
Two more shots from the deck.
Some shots as I was leaving.
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