Last summer, while traveling in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I was captivated by the sunlight reflecting off Deer Lake. I turned my car around to get a closer look. There are many little roadside parks along M-28, each a hidden gem worth stopping at to appreciate the beauty of Upper Michigan.
Believe it or not, but this is the gazebo that was featured in the 1987 movie Dirty Dancing! The gazebo is located at the Mountain Lake Resort in Pembroke, Virginia. The lake has been dry for several years. But look how beautiful it is, surrounded by the fall colors!
Hope is everything. I was deeply affected when I read Emily Dickinson's "Hope is the thing with feathers". Whenever my hope falters, I return to this poem to be reminded that hope never stops at all.
Stopped here on one of my cross-country drives to Michigan last year. Kitch-Iti-Kipi (Ojibwa for Big Spring) is in Palms Book State Park, near Manistique in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It's Michigan's largest natural, freshwater springs - 40 feet deep and 200 feet across. The water temp is a constant 45 degrees and the teal water is crystal clear. It rarely freezes in winter. Beautiful!
Every year, weather permitting, the Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club sponsors an Annual Balloon Rally. The event takes place on the parade grounds of the Virginia Military Institute in Virginia. Thousands of people come from across the state and country to watch.
My view (and light!) was constantly changing as the wind quickly pushed the clouds around the mountain. It was a breathtaking sight from the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The ever-changing scenery reminded me of the beauty and power of nature.
On the grounds of Mabry Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The Mill is located at Milepost 176.2 in Meadows of Dan, Virginia. The Historic Site and Mabry Mill Trail is open year-round, though the restaurant on site is seasonal.
I visited the Milwaukee County Zoo the day after a major winter storm. There were hardly any other visitors that morning, especially not in the area with snow-covered trees. The image I took appears to be in black and white, but it was actually the natural color of the scene, without any post-processing.
The challenge theme on Night Café was Windmills. When I created this one, I included a couple different styles in the prompts, such as matte painting, watercolor and steampunk.
It was an exhilarating morning on the shore of Lake Michigan. The formation of an ice ledge on the beach acted as a barrier to the waves, resulting in a unique sight and sound. The water crashed against the ice, carrying small frozen ice balls and depositing them on the shore. The unfamiliar sound added to the overall experience.
Experience the tranquil beauty of Wind Point Lighthouse at sunrise. As the sun begins to rise, the lighthouse stands magnificently against the stunning backdrop of Lake Michigan, all from the perspective of a chilly beach. Hidden in the southeastern part of Wisconsin, it's a magical winter spectacle that you won't want to miss.
Recently, I visited the Pine Tree Overlook at the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and witnessed a breathtaking sunrise. The sky was filled with vibrant colors as the sun rose, creating a mesmerizing scene. This captivating image would make a perfect addition to your home decor or a thoughtful gift for someone special.
The clouds were so low in the sky, I felt like I could reach up and touch them. It was surreal to be at an elevation of 2,300 feet and not be able to see where the land meets the sky on the horizon. I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia on a spring day in May.
The wind was brisk at the brink of the Upper Falls at Tahquamenon Falls State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. We visited a few days before Christmas several years ago and found that the falls hadn't frozen over. The Upper Falls are approximately 200 feet across and a 50 foot drop to the Tahquamenon River.
I've found that it's not always easy to use generative artificial intelligence to create art in the form of animals or people. They often wind up with extra limbs or fingers, so I have to add in "negative prompts" to help reduce that problem. This wolf turned out very well, and I love the intricate detail of his eyes and his expressive face.
Sharing another art piece from my architecture gallery - Galleria at the Milwaukee Art Museum. The addition to the museum was designed by Santiago Calatrava. The art museum building itself is a work of art! They often have art exhibits here in the galleria. The light is amazing!
Milwaukee, Wisconsin skyline at night from the north end of the Lagoon on the lakefront. Circa 2007. It was a fabulously warm autumn evening. No wind, calm water, perfect reflection. It was a night to remember.
This was my first sunrise shot of 2022 (March). During the winter months, the Blue Ridge Parkway gates are generally closed. It's always a treat for me when a gate is finally opened and the roads are plowed (or clear) in the higher elevations. This shot was from the Saddle Overlook on the Parkway in Virginia. Elevation here was 3,388 feet (1,032.6 meters).
When we lived in Wisconsin, I used to love visiting the Milwaukee County Parks. It was easy to forget you were in a large metropolitan city when you were in the park. Autumn was one of my favorite times to visit.