by Deanna
White River Lighthouse
This had to be one of the hottest and muggiest summers we have had in a long time, but I didn't let that stop me from enjoying my travels these past few months. If you know me at all, you know that I love to travel, finding new vistas with camera in hand. I took quite a few trips since spring...Texas, Dayton, OH, Southern California, Michigan (twice), and Galena, IL. They were all fun and memorable trips, visiting family for some, visiting friends for some. The one that was a standout for me was my most recent trip to Michigan with a group of fellow photographers (many I did not know) to photograph the lighthouses on the shores of Lake Michigan.
St Joe Lighthouse
Our two instructors and leaders were part of the "Out of Chicago" Photography event I attended in June. Chris and Tony led the way from Tuesday thru Friday morning as we wound our way up the coast, stopping at various lighthouses and shooting at dawn and dusk. You know that"magic hour" that begins about 1/2 hour before the sun sets or rises and 1/2 hour after the rising or the setting of the sun. Don't ever leave a sunset as soon as the sun sets, the most beautiful time is that 1/2 hour after when the lights and the sky are the absolute most stunning. The first stop we made during the middle of the day was in St. Joseph, MI where we met for the 1st time. It was hot and humid making me crabby. Sometimes I am defined by the weather, in fact I know I am. I am crabby when it is really humid, sad/depressed when the sun doesn't shine for awhile, happy when the sun shines and a light breeze blows. Does anyone else feel that way, or is it just me? Thank goodness a cool front moved in and it was pleasant the rest of the trip.
South Haven Lighthouse
South Haven at dark
We moved on up the coast to South Haven and we were blessed with a beautiful sunset. Arriving when the sun was still bright and staying until dark immersed in the changing colors in the sky.
The next morning we arrived at the White River Lighthouse (see above) just as the sun was rising, again beautiful morning, stunning skies.
It must be good fishin' in Lake Michigan, we witnessed many a fisherman heading out in the early morning bringing back (believe it or not) Salmon.
After breakfast and check-out we again headed north, this time stopping at the Muskegon Lighthouse. Loved the red against the blue of the lake and those white rocks made this a very American red, white and blue scene.
Muskegon Lighthouse
Next stop, Little Sable Lighthouse for another evening of terrific weather and stunning sky-scapes.
The next morning, again bright and early we drove to Big Sable Lighthouse and then walked a mile on a sandy drive to my favorite lighthouse of the trip. I wasn't crazy about walking a mile on sand, but it was so worth it. But....before we even began our walk, it started raining, not a hard rain, softly in turn it created this.....a stunning double rainbow over Lake Michigan.
Big Sable Lighthouse
The following morning we had lovely, pink skies. There is an old maritime way of gauging the weather, pink sky at night sailors delight, pink sky in the morning, sailors warning. But in this case I don't believe it was true. We left shortly after breakfast to return home, the sun was shining brightly with no threats of weather warnings..
Frankfort Lighthouse
This is the 2nd photography trip I have made this year, first to Texas and now this one to Michigan. I highly recommend an opportunity to enjoy the company of other passionate photographers, learn more about your camera and adjusting exposures to different lighting situations, pick up tips on composition, and not have your non-camera friends, spouses or partners tapping their toes waiting for you to take that one last shot.
