A Calm Lake Superior Moment

Doesn't this becalmed Lake Superior water beg for a kayaker's paddle! This was the scene Jeff and I came back to after spending the morning on the large fresh water lake watching the glorious sunrise. It was magnificent. The sky hues were surreal. I expected to see Puff the Magic Dragon appear from the evaporating mist. Remember that song? Loved it as a kid.

But another creature, a bellowing bull moose, did have me scared for a while. He sounded off time and time again. We weren't that far from shore and the huge beast could have splashed to us in the shallows. He didn't like our morning intrusion on the picturesque scene. But I needed the sunrise pics for my second book project. LOL

Lake Superior, which is famous for numerous shipwrecks, can purr like a kitten in areas in the right conditions. That's when Jeff and I venture out to indulge in our favorite nature musing. We love Tahquamenon Bay. But the water was extra shallow this time and Jeff had to push the kayak to deeper waters with his paddle while the kayak dragged on the bottom. We didn't want wet feet that early in the cold morning. Shiver. Bet hubby was wishing I weighed as little as when he married me. LOL

When Jeff married me I was braver too or just believed in dumb luck. Talked him into taking our canoe with a trolling motor out to an island four miles offshore. The water was calm as a swimming pool when we headed out, but we came back to marine warnings. The tannin and deep purple lake can change moods in a hurry.

That island in the hazy distance had called to me time after time, like Bali Hai. How was I to know it was full of nesting seagulls and cormorants and we had to pinch our noses when we finally circled it. Couldn't even disembark. Were glad when we were back in the car out of the pelting rain and heading home with a story to tell. But we would never do that again...unless we had a bigger boat.

Here is the link to my professional blog if you want to check out my first book. I provided Northern Michigan and Upper Peninsula photos for two authors. It's a gift book for those loved ones who have cancer or are in need of consoling while going through hard times with their health. I enjoyed providing the nature photos and am happy to hear when readers say they enjoyed the scenery shots. If I can cause a moment when someone who has been suffering can smile, I have done my job.

I look forward to having my second project completed soon.

Hugs, JJ

Lake Superior Silhouette

When evening came and the sun started to dip below the horizon, Jeff and I bee-lined for the Lake Superior shoreline in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park where we both snapped photos of the changing skyline. I'm in my element during sunrises and sunsets. Love em, love em, love em!!! In this pic Jeff had a moment to enjoy the golden, lavender, and rosy hues and rejoice in the fact we had made it to the Porcupine Mountains this year. :D It's a seven hour drive one way.


Thought I would show you a self-portrait shot I snapped in the car -notice the happy anticipation of nature photo snapping on my face. It's great doing what you love. But the outdoors can come with a cost.

Have had lots of sunspots removed from my face. Will have another check this year. If you have any irregularly shaped tan or dark spots, please have them checked out by a dermatologist. I do apply sunscreen. Last year the word pre-malignant showed up. Please take sunspots seriously.

Luckily the best photos are snapped in the early morn or later afternoon and evening hours to avoid the harsh sun reflection on objects. So I miss the peak sun hours when nature would be a white out anyway. :D The doctor said my skin sunspots have stabilized and I have reversed the process that started when I was a kid and spent all day in the sun on Lake Huron.

Have a super day!


Hugs, JJ

Manabezho Falls, Porcupine Mountains, Michigan

The Manabezho Falls in the Porcupine Mountains were reflecting the sky when Jeff and I visited them in the evening a couple of weeks ago. I used a neutral density filter to soften the water and enjoyed the deep blue and golden colors that resulted in the shot. It's great when the sky and earth connect and an ethereal moment happens. :D The waters are usually tannin colored from the decomposing lush evergreens and foliage around the falls.


Photography is such a creative craft and leads to adventures you can share with your loved ones. If you haven't grabbed a digital camera and headed into nature, please consider doing so. It's quality time to the max. I never stop marveling at God's creation. He has given us much to soothe our troubled hearts during these trying times. All we have to do is open our eyes and hearts to His wonders.

Have a super day, dear hearts. I am finishing my second book project and will be able to surf blogs to my heart's content in a few days. :D God be with you.

Hugs, JJ