Sandy Afternoon Update

Lake Michigan still looks pretty much as it does in the post directly below, from this morning, here at my vantage point.

However, other people around here, and in Chicago, have found some great wave action.

Waves photographed in Chicago caused by Superstorm Sandy (from WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio listener contributions).

Facebook friend JM, who photographed the pier and lighthouse.

And Facebook Friend MM, who filmed some waves.

I'll take and post some of my own pics before it gets dark.

Warm Glow

 We've had an unseasonably warm winter so far for a location this far north. Later on the day that was posted below, I went for a LONG walk on the lakefront to enjoy the 50+ degree weather (on January 11th!). I caught this unusual sunset view, looking southwest from the easternmost point in town.

 This pivot to the south shows more of the Lake from the same position.

 Here's a path heading north toward the Harbor.

And a perfect reflection of our lovely lighthouse. It was a gift of spring in the middle of January.

Crash! Spash!

 I wasn't able to capture and image of the tallest waves striking the lighthouses.

You can get a sense here of how much spray there was.  It's hazy because my lens was covered by a film of fine mist from standing out in that wind.

Backblogging: 500th post! 5 gorgeous views!

Prairie meets lake.
Clear water, smooth round stones.
A sandy beach with driftwood--or is that a lioness napping between tufts of grass on an African plain?
Humans meet Lake.
Sunset over Southport point. All from June 2011.

When I started this blog nearly 3 years ago, I could never have predicted what was to come: nearly 30,000 pageviews, a google hit with a post about icebergs, an art exhibit of some of these very photos, visitors from all over the world. But the thing that keeps me blogging is the reason I started in the first place: a reason to notice and share the beauty of this great natural wonder that is part of my very lucky everyday existence. Thank you for visiting.

Chicago Scenes #3

I just love this photo, a view of the entrance to the harbor near the Adler Planetarium. The breakwater and lighthouse look so nautical. And it was such a lovely day. For full effect, click to enlarge. From Wednesday, 3/16/11.

You Want "Icebergs" in Lake Michigan?

This is the best we can do (unlike this). Big, huge chunks of snow washed into the harbor channel by last week's big storm/waves.
The second "iceberg" (in back) is piled up along the concrete breakers.
For scale.
Here's one giant non-eroded pile of snow on shore. There are piles like this all along the shoreline. And all this after several days of melting in the warm (40 degrees!) temperatures.

Red Sentinels

Took the long way to work this morning and was struck by these two vibrant reds.
And greens. I like that seagull who volunteered to be in the picture.

My Ships Have Come In

Tall ships visiting our humble harbor.
Looking out to sea (Lake).
Or, almost. Channel was too shallow for this ship to come in.

Beachy Keen

This is a catchall post from the last month. Sorry I haven't posted, but I have enjoyed the Lake.

Lovely beach scene.
This is the "Dragonfly Ballet"--lots of dragonflies meeting in the air, eating bugs and mating (?).
Nice clouds!

Scenic Route

Biked in to work today. Lucky me.

Picture Perfect Saturday

Saturday was a perfect day. Here's one of the beaches, filled with happy bathers (that's the pier, in front).
Look at the color of that water.
That's a pleasure boat, in every sense of the term (if you click twice on the picture, you can read its name, which is KNOT to Worry).
Later in the evening, another beach, taken from the bikepath. Just after this, we passed the marina, filled with boats and people spending their first weekend on the Lake. And a family of ducks, mommy carefully shepherding a crew of babies between the boatslips. This weekend has been one of those when I can't believe how lucky I am to be living here, right on the shore of this stunning natural wonder. All from Saturday, 5/29/10.

Framed

The lighthouse and pier framed by the formerly lacey tree. This one was too good to keep to myself. So a bonus post for today! (click through to enlarge--that is the really cool thing about this photo--the close up!)

White out!

I'm so happy I finally got shots where you can SEE the falling snow!
Yesterday was a snow day from local schools. You can barely see the water here.

Windy New Year

Lots of waves, plus big sky for New Year's Day.