Thursday, March 2, 2017

A Day at the Beach



            What does one do in the middle of February when you live in Northern Michigan? One goes to the beach!

            Yes, it was a warm day, though our Florida friends wouldn’t think so. But it felt like spring to us, so we loaded camera gear in the car and headed for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, conveniently located about half an hour from where we live.

            On the way we saw a flock of turkeys, out for a stroll. Kim took these photos out the window of our car:


Heading for the beach?


            Everyone up here seems to have a favorite spot, and North Barr Lake was a strong suggestion from the girl framing a picture for us at Michael’s. So off we went. As it turns out, it’s a small lake connected to Lake Michigan by a channel.

North Barr Lake, with a trail over a dune to Lake Michigan

Bands of color and texture on North Barr Lake

The Channel

Dunes, with condensation

Sleeping Bear is not all dunes and water.

            We were delighted to find some seldom-seen birds on the lake. They were not as delighted to see us, as they beat a hasty retreat.

Common Mergansers, fleeing



            We continued our beaching at the Point Betsie Lighthouse, which for some reason is closed in February.


Green Frog enjoying a preview of spring. A few days later: 5 inches of snow.

            Maybe this day was anecdotal evidence of global warming, or maybe Nature just decided to break us in gently to Northern Michigan winters, at 35 degrees. Whatever the explanation, it was a Day at the Beach.


How did you spend your February days? Let us know at dstring@ix.netcom.com.

2 comments:

  1. Have I already told you two that you're the coolest couple I know?!? Beauty is everywhere, and you guys seem to know where to find it!

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  2. I agree with Beth👆🏽👆🏽Just wanted to say hello, looking forward to learning how to make pie crust and hanging with you all again! I have lots of wild turkey in my yard right now, which my dog Frida loves to chase, and she's miffed that they can fly lol. The deer taunt her because they know where the invisible fence ends, so they just let her bark at them and when she goes back in, they're back to eating my hydrangeas. I tell myself they're doing the pruning for me! Look forward to next time! Catherine❌⭕️

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