IDSP..Honorable Mention..

Yep, if you can find this title further down in the list of photos to the left, this is the one that got Honorable Mention in the Winter Photo Contest at IDSP. After the snow melted and we went back to this spot, I couldn't even find the tree that was so beautiful to me; it had blended back into the barren background of shades of brown, as most trees at the Park seem to do on snowless winter days, tho there is beauty even in those beigy blends. This picture was taken just as a very heavy snowfall was ending.. and it created this incredible sight.. one that passed by far too quickly.

However, for that short moment in time, the snow turned this tree into something truly splendid. We just happened to be there at that particular time and I just happened to have my camera in hand..

Sentinels in Winter, IDSP..

Indiana Dunes State Park is a really beautiful place to visit in Winter.. ANYtime in Winter is good and anywhere in the Park is a new photo opportunity and a scene to ooh and aah about..! Seriously, the place is awesome any time of year, but winter.. with how quiet it is--the summer crowds just a distant memory--is probably my favorite time of year.. especially during or just after a new snowfall. From the grayest days to those of sunshine and sparkling snow, the scenery is always very beautiful. The photo, "Sentinels in Winter" is one that was taken for a photo competition at the Park.. then, I ended up never entering it in their contest. To this day, I know that was a mistake, tho I did get an honorable mention with another photo.. However, it's a shame for it to still be on my computer... just one of many being forgotten as time passes by... so, I went in search of it and thought I'd share it here.. Enjoy!

Smokey & Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, IN

Smokey the Bear was a cutie pie up close.. Those chubby cheeks just make ya wanna pinch 'em, though if you ever get close enough to do that, you'll find those chubby cheeks are a bit..uh..stiff.. Still, we were smiling when we first saw him.. and smiling when he left.. He's a cute character for adults and children alike.. Always fun to run into, for sure!! Btw, he didn't say much, but he posed for the camera and waved and then, in a flash, he was walking down the path again.. on his way to visit more Park visitors.. Ah.. a brief.. and rare treat; we enjoyed it much! :)

Storms Over Lake Michigan..

There are some magnificent storms over Lake Michigan.. Many of them stay out over the Lake and make for impressive viewing from this end of the Lake.. If Chicago disappears from the skyline out over the Lake, it's probably not a good sign, but on the other hand, our weather isn't always affected by what happens there. It's only 50 miles away.. You'd think we'd have the same weather, but we definitely don't. I was in Chicago, visiting with my cousin and sitting on a bench outside the gates of Navy Pier.. the day we got heavy rains here.. I could see the build-up of clouds high up in the atmosphere.. but Chicago got none of the weather that affected this area that day. Kinda nice, as I think of it.. I took the train into Chicago and took it back home... and had great weather that entire day.. never did experience even a drop of rain in either place.. I guess that's called "great timing"!! lol

Sunsets at Indiana Dunes State Park..

There are no two sunsets alike.. especially true at the Dunes State Park in Chesterton, Indiana, where you can watch the sun setting into Lake Michigan.. Some nights you can almost feel it sizzle as it touches water! Each night of the year, the sun sets in a slightly different place, making each sunset a unique experience. If you're close enough to visit the Park, you can start with a sunrise (just as beautiful as sunset), stay to enjoy the park and beach all day and behold a sunset over the water before you head home. It's definitely worth the entrance fee.. $5 in state, $10 out-of-state vehicles.. If you want to come back more often (we visit almost every day and some days, we visit twice or more..) there are season passes for $36 in-state, $48 out-of-state.. If you're traveling this way, stop in.. They have a really nice improved campground here, but I strongly recommend advance reservations, or you'll probably be disappointed, as the place is a very popular destination!! Nature puts on such a beautiful show all year 'round at this end of Lake Michigan.. We never get tired of visiting this beautiful place.. :) http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/6711.htm
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And RAINBOWS.. This one over the east side of Chesterton, Indiana.. Lovely things, rainbows.. and this one was quite spectacular after the rain and just as night was falling..
If there was a pot of gold at the end of this one, I didn't see it... but the rainbow itself was worth plenty! :)
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And BOATERS.. This one passing by just as the sun was setting west of Chicago.. I think that one of the buildings that were outlined on this photo was the John Hancock Building, but wouldn't swear to it.. All I know is that it was a spectacular sunet.. and from what I'm told, a very rare sight. :)
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The Barred Owl..

Barred Owls prefer deep moist forests, wooded swamps, and woodlands near waterways. The average length is 16-25 inches, it's wingspan 38-50 inches.. The Barred Owl is a nocturnal bird that hides in dense foliage during the day, usually high up. May also roost on a branch close to a broad tree-trunk, which is exactly where we first saw this one at the Indiana Dunes State Park. This is a beautiful Owl.. and once he noticed us, he just kept on posing for photos.. :)
I would write more, but instead, I'll give you the link to the really wonderful website, where much of the above information came from.... http://www.owlpagess.com/owls.php?genus=Strix&species=varia .. Enjoy!

Robin Storm..

Wanna read a really interesting webpage with a miriad of very interesting marine news and marine weather information.. http://robinstorm.blogspot.com/ is the place to visit. He takes you from Blue Water to the Great Lakes with all sorts of information and lots of links to some of the coolest websites around. Interested in watching live storm chases as they're happening? He's got a link for that, too.. :) :) :) Rob is a Storm Chaser in his spare time.. Hey, check out the Photos and Webcams..!! Cool stuff here..!!

The First Evening

Tonight, I begin a journey to try to share all that I love and find amazing... through photos. There are so many powerful and incredibly beautiful sights that nature presents.. and so many loving and wonderful components that make up the rest of my life.. it would be a shame not to share some of these moments that make life so worth living. It is with much encouragement from the special man in my life, that my love of photography has grown.. and is because of him that this page exists. I hope you like the photos you see here.