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…
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.
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.
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.
Recently just following the holiday season in January, I was driving through downtown Battle Creek and saw that in Mill Race Park there were some ice sculptures on display. I did not get some current photos of the ones from this year, but I thought I would share one of the photos from a prior year here. This is a special thing about Michigan that I love in the winter is the outdoor display of ice sculptures. It kind of says, ‘Yes, it is cold, but we are having fun anyway.’
Ice sculptures are a fun part of winter!
Walking through the Kellogg Forest one approaches through the covered bridge over a creek. The forest is a great place to take a walk, and experience some solitude in the spring, summer and fall.
I took this photo a few months ago when driving through downtown Battle Creek, Michigan. The sun was setting near downtown, and I though it appropriate to post this on my blog as we near the end of 2012.
Sunset in Battle Creek, Michigan
