On my last full day ‘up north’ I stopped by the Leelanau State Park hiking trails. I’d spent most of my three day visit near the water, understandable given how much I love Lake Michigan, and I thought I should see what was going on in the forest before I left.
As soon as I pulled into the parking lot I realized that I’d been here once before, a few years ago during the winter when we’d all gone cross country skiing on these trails. It looked different now, but not that much different. And walking was so much easier than skiing!
It was a dreary and rainy day when I went into the woods, which only served to intensify the green that was waiting for me to discover. The path was soft and squishy with fallen needles and leaves. The only sounds where the chirps of chipmunks, the cries of bluejays and a slight breeze in the trees.
Since it had been so damp, days and days of rain and clouds, everything was lush including the mushrooms and toadstools growing on the forest floor. Luckily I had my tripod with me, so I was able to get up close to these little orange guys, even in the low light.
It took me a few times to figure out the white balance and the ISO, not to mention the f-stop and shutter speed. But thanks to some advice Heather of Snap Happy Gal gave me the night before I was able to fiddle around and get the shot using manual settings on my camera. The hardest part was getting my knees to unbend and to stand up once I’d been down there for awhile.
It was such a beautiful day, as overcast and dreary as it had been out on the road, it was fresh and green and pleasantly cool in the woods. I appreciated finding these informative signs at each intersection so I didn’t worry about getting lost.
I wanted to keep going and going from one marker to the next. I wanted to explore all of it, but it’s pretty big. I guess I’ll have to go back to see more of it the next time I’m up that way.
I sure enjoyed my walk in the woods, watching the ground for beautiful stuff…
…and watching the treetops for more beautiful stuff.
And then, surprise, surprise, the sun came out! Suddenly light flooded into the woods, and the trees smiled.
So did I.
While I was in the woods exploring the sun fought it’s way out from under the clouds and when I emerged from the trees blue sky and puffy white clouds greeted me.
Back in the parking lot, sitting in the car drinking some water, I noticed one last beautiful thing. I couldn’t help but get the camera and tripod back out. It reminded me of Lake Michigan which also has a wide range of colors, depending on the light.
It turns out that after my walk in the woods I found one of the prettiest things I had seen that afternoon on a tree standing right next to the parking lot. I guess you never know where you’re going to find something beautiful!
So tell me, what beautiful things have you seen lately?
September 25, 2016 at 9:27 pm
beautiful pictures!
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September 25, 2016 at 9:33 pm
Thank you. I’m learning more skills using the manual settings…opened my eyes to a whole new way to shoot stuff.
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September 25, 2016 at 10:40 pm
you did well! I have yet to try the manual settings, you’ve inspired me.
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September 25, 2016 at 9:40 pm
Your photos, for one. Sunshine, fluffy clouds, my old Bailey girl with ears up, looking at me expectantly.
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September 26, 2016 at 9:00 am
That’s a good list!
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September 25, 2016 at 11:09 pm
Stunning pictures – I can smell the dampness, the leaves underfoot. And the squirrel is too cute!
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September 27, 2016 at 1:25 pm
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the walk.
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September 26, 2016 at 8:14 am
The first photo certainly invites me to go explore the other side of the hill! Amazing photos
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September 26, 2016 at 8:58 am
That was one of my favorite photos for exactly that reason. And because of the light. It was so beautiful that morning.
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September 26, 2016 at 4:29 pm
These photos are super sharp. I like all of the mushroom photos, they look so life like.. Your story telling was superb too. It felt like I was right next to you, walking these trails.
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September 26, 2016 at 10:56 pm
I”m glad you enjoyed our walk together!
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September 26, 2016 at 11:45 pm
Thanks for inviting me. lol
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September 26, 2016 at 7:49 pm
sooooo beautiful!!! You know, you shouldn’t go walking in the woods alone though!!!!!!
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September 26, 2016 at 10:57 pm
Oh, I wasn’t totally alone. There were at least 2 other couples walking near me. And it WAS beautiful!
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September 27, 2016 at 4:02 pm
Dawn, is that your Trump ad at the bottom of your post? It certainly distracts me from thoughts of beautiful things!
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September 27, 2016 at 5:34 pm
I don’t get to choose the ads. I’m not thrilled it’s there.
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September 28, 2016 at 7:59 pm
Such a beautiful spot for walking with camera in hand — thanks for letting me tag along through your photos!
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October 3, 2016 at 7:56 pm
You’re welcome to tag along any time!
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October 3, 2016 at 7:20 pm
The mushrooms have been incredible this year! I love the little orange ones you captured 🙂
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October 3, 2016 at 7:57 pm
They were really cute. And really small. And really short. So I was down there among the leaves and mulch and good earth for quite awhile. I need an assistant to help me get up after.
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October 3, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Extend those tripod legs! 😉
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October 3, 2016 at 9:07 pm
LOL….My zoom isn’t that long. Though I suppose I could have cropped. But I felt so much more like a photographer down there on the forest floor.
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October 5, 2016 at 8:13 pm
Haha! I meant to extend your tripod to use an an aid to help you stand up 😉
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