bleak

If Mordor experienced winter, I think it would look like this. This is the first of two images that, for me, capture the bleak and not so bleak beauty of winter.

winter’s grip

New Buffalo, Michigan is not exactly known as a winter-get-away-from-it-all kind of destination. Especially if you live in Chicago! It’s about an hour and fifteen minute drive from our home and dear friends allow us to stay in their condo, so it has become our destination to celebrate our anniversary. This image, and the next, were taken on a cold winter day, when the wind was especially angry and simply did not grant you permission to take another step without wondering if your internal temperature would leave you looking like Jack Nicholson at the end of The Shining. When I took this, I thought the sun might win, but the wind, snow, and clouds seemed to lock it away in some cold, celestial prison where they might play with it, impervious to the immeasurable heat and radiation. We loved it…. and had a great time.

the meeting of the gulls

Stumbled upon this high level meeting of the gulls. Among the topics I heard discussed: the problem of high property taxes; the awful smell of sun tan lotion; the dreaded return of sea doos and boats; those darn geese think they own the beach; let’s get that idiot with the camera. That’s when I ran.

lake shore and light

Back to a different shore: here we are again at New Buffalo, MI. It was a particularly beautiful day….. my wife and I enjoyed a walk along Lake Michigan soaking in the sun and marveling at the ocean-like size and scope of the lake. I still prefer salty air, and the unique sound of the ocean waves, but I have to admit, Lake Michigan is beautiful.

lonely boat

Taken on Lake Michigan from the beach at New Buffalo, MI. I think I remember shouting from the shore, “HAVE YOU SEEN THE WHITE WHALE?” 🙂

another marina moment

Here is another moment from our recent trip to New Buffalo, Michigan. I am looking forward to posting some pictures from our time in Montana, in the meantime, I have a few more images that I am working on.