Soon Spring will be upon us in Southwest Michigan, so I thought I would take a moment to share some of my own photos on the favorite flowers I look forward to in the Spring:
Tulips make the Spring in Southwest Michigan!
Dandelions up close are a wonder of natural artistry
Even geese like Dandelions…
Although as of this writing, it is too early in the year for dogwood trees to bloom, I thought I would share some photos of one I captured last season. The dogwood tree has a unique
A Dogwood bloom.
flower that has always captured my attention. It is hard to overlook in a forest when one is going for a nature walk.
The dogwood tree is classified as Cornus Florida. Its dense wood has been used for a variety of small hand made items from dulcimers to laminated tennis rackets and walking canes. The bark is sometimes used in combating malaria, as it is rich in tannin. It has also been used for larger items such as basket for pressing fruit and wine.
Ultimately, however, I merely love coming across one when it is in full bloom in a quiet forest, and taking time to admire its beauty.
Dogwoods blooming in a Southwest Michigan forest.
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The symmetry of some of these rural country roads in winter captures my eye as a photographer. I took this photo when I was in a rural area a few weeks ago, and I thought the rise and fall of the unpaved road and the alignment of trees was quite beautiful. I thought I would share it on my blog today.
The beauty of a rural road in Michigan.
I drove by a city park near downtown Battle Creek recently, and was amazed at all of the ducks still swimming in the icy pond. I guess I had an idea they all flew south for the winter, but I guess that is not the case. They all seemed to be enjoying the water, and standing on the ice did not seem an inconvenience to them. Looking at this photo, it seems kind of strange to see the contrast of the ice and water with its perfect transition.
This is a photo I took recently of the remains of a tree one morning in Dowling, Michigan. I thought it was a nice contrast against the morning sky, and somewhat symbolizes the concept of ‘endurance through all time’. This tree has faced infestation, cutting of its limbs, and possibly storm damage, etc. It still tries to grow again with new sprigs. It is standing and enduring despite all efforts to destroy it.
Standing and enduring against the odds.
There is nothing that quite matches the stare of a bull looking at your camera as you take his picture. I was out in the countryside near Dowling, Michigan recently and took this photo of a bull in a field. Yes there was snow on the ground, but it did not deter him from dining on the grass.
Our community of Battle Creek, Michigan has long had a love of Balloons. There are many events during the summer, and the city even hosted an international competition last year. I attended a ‘Balloon Illume’ a few years ago as part of the Battle Creek Field of Flight, and shot the following video and thought I would share it today:
In Southwest Michigan, we have a lot of beautiful little villages and towns. A few weeks ago I was driving through the Village of Tekonsha, which is Calhoun County. I was there to photograph some property for a client, but could not help but stop and take the following photo of this classic home with the town water tower in the back drop. Tekonsha only has a population of just above 700 people that live there, but the homes in the area are quite traditional and classic.
Tekonsha, Michigan
Fort Custer Recreation area lies between Augusta, Michigan in Kalamazoo County and 
Battle Creek, in Calhoun County. The park originally was property owned by the military and used as a training area during World War II, and later deeded over to the State of Michigan to become a park. Today it offers a series of trails for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding. It has a few lakes, and a great deal of hills through wooded forests for the perfect getaway. There is also a camping area and places for fishing and canoeing.
It is one of the places I like to go to and take photos when I can, just because it is so close by. I prefer mostly to hike the trails, although I do sometimes take my mountain bike there for a ride. It is a great place to experience some solitude and peaceful settings in nature.
Sometimes driving around in small communities, one comes across a Church sign that is interesting and heart warming, even on a cold winter morning. I was out in Nashville, Michigan a few days ago and came across this one posted outside the United Methodist Church. I thought I would share it.
