Did you know there is a township in Michigan called California? Yes, it is true. I have been there. It is a small township of approximately 900 residents near the State line of Indiana and Michigan. It has a small town as part of it called ‘Ray’ which sits on both sides of the State line. Mostly a farming community, California was incorporated in 1846. There is not much to see there when you drive through the small township, but the sign below did catch my attention.
Last week when I was traveling to go look at some houses in Three Rivers, Michigan I drove into a winter storm front. The ‘Lake Effect’ snow was starting to come down, and the visibility was becoming more difficult. On one of the roads I was driving on, the traffic slowed down and there was a Amish buggy in one lane. Fortunately I had my camera next to me, and was able to snap this photo. The contrast between the lights on the buggy, and the winter weather was kind of aesthetic in its own peculiar way.
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I often take my camera with me when I travel around the Southwest Michigan countryside, and occasionally a pause to take a photo of something that I think is interesting or fun. Seeing cows is common, but seeing them in a winter setting is somehow peaceful and aesthetic.
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.
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.
Recently I had to take a drive to Nashville, Michigan to look at some houses for a client. The community has a population of around 1600 people, and historically was a milling town for flour and it also had some saw mills. In the 1920′s it was the main railroad stop between Grand Rapids and Jackson, Michigan. Today it is a community that still retains many classic homes, and some residents commute each day to other areas.
Downtown Nashville, Michigan
Railroad tracks have always been a fascination to me. They represent such strength, and power as well as history. Millions of tons of goods and products are transported through America annually by means of Railroad tracks. A setting like this photo in winter kind of represents to me a peaceful serenity, but also a majesty that is unequaled. I took the following photo just East of Marshall one morning earlier this month, right after the New Year. It was a peaceful morning, and the snow had been falling off and on.
Railroads are the backbone of American commerce, and represent a power and beauty in winter. Perhaps it is symbolic of the endurance of freedom in its own way.
There is a certain beauty of a snowy country road in rural areas in winter in Southwest Michigan. I took this photo along one of my recent travels through the area, and thought it presented a sense of solitude in the moment.
Winter often provides a unique sense of solitude along country roads.
I was out driving around last fall and I took this photo of a solitary tree in a field near a farm over near Union City, Michigan. I love to take a moment and capture a good photo when I see it. There is something beautiful and poetic about a tree that grow solitary in a field. You see them all over the countryside, and occasionally I come across one like this that seems to perfect. It is as if they are a pillar of determination to exist where all other trees have failed.
A solitary tree in a field to me represents determination and perseverance.
