friends | Change Is Hard

September 13, 2023
by dawnkinster 22 Comments

Under an umbrella of stars

A few days ago 3 other intrepid women photographers and I ventured forth to a new destination, Big Sable Lighthouse, at Ludington State Park.

*The four of us plus puppy Wally walked out to the beach as the sun set.*

We were, of course, looking for a dark place to shoot the Milky Way. We are all members of an online Milky Way photography class, though most of us had never met in person.

*It was a beautiful pink and gold and navy evening.*

We put this particular adventure together quickly, with a barrage of text messages flying between us, when we realized there was a clear night coming up. Then, the day before, someone did some research and messaged the group — “Do you know there’s a 2 mile walk out to the lighthouse?”

Uhhhh, no, no we did not know that. This caused a bigger flurry of messaging and then someone finally just booked a campsite for us all at the park and we decided to go for it.

We had a beautiful night for our adventure, and the walk was shorter from the campground than from the lighthouse parking lot, only 1.5 miles through the woods and dunes. And of course 1.5 miles back in the dark, but underneath a star packed sky.

*It’s a grand building, big enough to house 3 keeper’s families, back in the day.*

Our biggest obstacle turned out not to be the getting there but the lights that surround the lighthouse. There is a big streetlight shining in front, and an obnoxiously orange light in back making the whole back of the lighthouse and most of the grounds glow neon.

*Our first glimpse of the challenges that would be presented.*

According to our apps the Milky Way, now pretty vertical, would be right alongside the tower about 10 p.m. We were convinced it would be a stunning shot.

*Taken with my cell as we waited for dark skies.*

If it weren’t for the orange light…and that big tree.

*It became obvious to us as we waited that we weren’t going to get that dream image.*

So we did the best we could with the lighthouse itself and then we spread out across the beach looking for other interesting things.

*The Milky Way was up there, but faded out by all the light.*

There was a gentle breeze sweeping away the bugs and the stars were hanging above us and no one was in any kind of hurry to leave.

*Even down closer to the lakeshore the light was overpowering.*

When we finally did begin to pack up around midnight I noticed my backpack was pretty wet from condensation. I began to realize the trouble I had had focusing on the stars, or anything for that matter, might have been because I had condensation on my lens.

*I walked way out into the dunes and shot out over Lake Michigan. That’s a fishing boat down near the bottom left.*

Condensation which would have been eliminated if I had put my lens heater on the camera at the start. The lens heater I bought the week before and lugged 1.5 miles out to the beach, but left in my backpack.

*Sometimes you just have to go right up to your target.*

Yep. One more lesson in a whole list of lessons I’ve learned on this Milky Way journey.

*Another lesson – when you’re focused in one direction don’t forget to turn and look the other way once in awhile.*

As a side note, there’s been quite a bit of death tangent to my life this past week. Not people directly tied to me, exactly, but people important to people important to me. I guess the heavens gained a few more stars.

Late that night while listening to the lake murmur and wandering the dunes, watching the Milky Way slide across the sky I noted the newcomers.

And then we all walked back to camp under the umbrella of the starry night, content in our imperfect images, happy that we went, ready to do it again the next clear, moonless night.

Imperfect perfection.

June 25, 2023
by dawnkinster 22 Comments

But wait! There’s more!

Here it is the end of June and I still haven’t shown you everything we did while camping in northern Michigan in early May. I showed you the stars, and the hiking and camping.

But did I tell you about the barns?

On one of the five days I spent near Sleeping Bear my friend and I drove around the very tip of Michigan’s little finger, taking pictures of the barns and orchards.

It was so much fun. The cherry orchards were just finishing up their blooms and the apple orchard’s blossoms were in their prime.

I haven’t been lucky enough to be there in the spring very often, and each time I round a corner and see a hillside in full bloom I’m stunned.

And of course all those orchards require barns, and there are so many beautiful barns in this part of our state, it’s hard to choose just a few to share with you.

I’ve been to visit Northport many times, and every time I’m there I find another barn that I just have to stop and shoot.

Sometimes it’s a barn I’ve taken pictures of every time I’m there. It doesn’t matter, the light or the trees or the angle or even my mood will be different.

The combination of orchards in bloom and barns is always irresistible.

And while we were there we went in search of trillium, which was also in full bloom that week. The famous Trillium Hill was a must stop.

We laughed about how many pictures of trillium a person needed. I am pretty sure the number is higher than I can count.

And of course there were marsh marigolds galore too.

Northport is a place that’s always hard for me to leave.

And though I never want to leave this special part of our state, I know I’m lucky I get to visit it often.

To think I almost didn’t get these images shared! The summer is marching on and soon I’ll be off on other adventures. But I’ll always love my time in Northport!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this abbreviated version too.

Wordless Wednesday

June 21, 2023 by dawnkinster 17 Comments

June 18, 2023
by dawnkinster 24 Comments

In search of Lady Slippers

No, it’s not that I lost my slippers. Or that I need to buy some slippers, though some winter mornings I wish I had.

*Prairie Smoke blossom at the end of this years bloom.*

No, this week I was lucky enough to be invited along on an adventure with a college friend and her mom in search of Showy Lady Slipper plants.

*What will we find along the boardwalk?*

We drove over to central Michigan, kind of north of Grand Rapids, to Pierce Cedar Creek Nature Center where my friend’s mom had seen the lady slippers in previous years. And sure enough, she was soon grinning from ear to ear.

*Isn’t this just stunning? Even the leaf structure is beautiful.*

These are taller than the yellow lady slippers I’ve seen in the Upper Peninsula, and such a beautiful shade of pink. Definitely worth the drive.

In fact the whole boardwalk area was worth the drive, a wetland filled with blue flag iris and wild roses.

And if you looked close you’d find a bit of red too.

A little columbine hidden back in the brush.

After we were finished photographing the lady slippers and were headed back to the car my friend’s mom saw an oriole dive down into the reeds.

Of course we didn’t believe her, told her it was probably the yellow warbler that we’d been hearing.

But darned if she wasn’t right. As we discussed the possibility of an oriole diving it flew up into a dead tree, sopping wet, and proceeded to pose for us as it preened it’s feathers.

We watched it until it finally flew off. Lesson learned – moms know stuff.

*We spent a lot of time admiring the iris.*

Then, as we continued back to the car we heard a yellowthroat singing away. Eventually we found it, hopping up and down the branches of a half dead tree.

*Mr. Yellow-throat sings a pretty song.*

It was hard to get a good look because it never stood still, but we did catch a glimpse of it’s cool black mask.

Man, seeing those two birds (and a whole lot of robins trying to get some attention too) sure made the day extra special. And to top it off we stopped at a dairy farm ice cream store!

I got lavender honey. It was amazing.

What a wonderful way to end the day, sitting at a picnic table eating ice-cream and watching the clouds (and cars) go by.

Oh…and on the way home there was a barn.

*There are a LOT of pretty barns over there, but we had to stop for this one.*

Yep. Can’t beat a road trip in Michigan with friends. I recommend it highly.

Wordless Wednesday

September 21, 2022 by dawnkinster 19 Comments

June 27, 2022
by dawnkinster 24 Comments

Not photographed

I met a friend at Kensington today. She’s a budding birder. Me? I’m just trying to get focused bird images.

The little birds weren’t particularly hungry today and not many were coming down to grab a treat. Besides, she wanted to add new birds to her life list…so we didn’t spend too much time trying to tempt the regulars.

*Wait ladies! I’m just a baby, a little slow on the uptake. But I’m cute!*

We were wandering out to a boardwalk that bisects a wetland when we noticed a squirrel trotting down the path toward us. I was a bit concerned because it seemed to be a fast trot, and I didn’t want it running up our legs. And then I realized this was a very long squirrel. Kind of skinny too. And it had something in it’s mouth.

When it got close, just before it veered off into the weeds next to us, I realized it was a mink. I’ve never seen a mink before. I had a camera hanging around my neck. Did I get a picture? No I did not. I was too busy processing what I was seeing. A mink, with a mouse, or perhaps a vole, in it’s mouth trotted right by and I have no image to show for it.

Oh well.

We moved on down the path to the boardwalk where we began to hear at least two Common Yellowthroat birds. They were calling, quite loudly, from trees on both sides of the path. My friend was using her binoculars and I was using my camera to try to find either one of them.

I’ve never actually seen one, and I wasn’t even sure what I was looking for, so I looked for any small bird. She saw it first, and then I saw it hop from one branch to another. And then it flew right toward us and landed, for a split second, on the boardwalk just to the left of me.

I had time to register the swooping black eye patch and the bit of yellow, and then he was off, following the call of the other one behind us. Did I get a picture of this beautiful bird while it was there on the path beside me? No I did not. I was too busy processing the fact that the bird had actually landed so close.

Oh well.

We spent a long time on that boardwalk, looking for more Yellowthroats. We heard them and caught brief glimpses of them flitting among the branches. I actually have one sort of bad image, and was lucky to get that.

*A yellowthroat contemplates us looking for him.*

While we were there a blue jay landed on a limb of an oak tree above us. He watched my friend as she offered treats to a couple little birds without success. He hopped closer, tilting his head to peruse her hand. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that the blue jays never come down for a treat, they all wait until you give up and move along, then they swoop down to gather from the ground whatever you’ve left behind.

*He’s calculating how he’s going to get a treat from us without lowering himself to our expectations of gratitude.*

As I was fiddling with the camera settings to get a picture of him above her he dropped straight down, wings folded, a little torpedo headed right for her hand. He landed on it with a plop which scattered the seed from her hand onto the boardwalk. In the midst of the chaos he grabbed a peanut and flew back up into the tree to gloat while he enjoyed his spoils.

We looked at each other stunned. So…did I get the picture? I did not. But it really happened, I can get my friend to vouch for me.

*There was a bird on these branches. Honest.*

Oh well.

Eventually we headed back to our cars, happy that we had seen the mink and the Yellowthroat, and even the blue jay. And as I drove out of the parking lot I saw a sandhill crane couple with their two teenage colts. A lovely image. Did I get the picture? I did not.

There was nowhere to park and by the time I did and walked back I got one very poorly focused image of the back of one baby as they slipped off into the tall grass.

So….this post will have to fuel your imagination. Imagine walking down a wooded path on a beautiful warm breezy day. Imagine a mink running toward you and a beautiful little yellow bird flying by and a big ole blue jay figuring out how to get a contactless treat and a whole beautiful family of cranes complete with twins.

*It’s always a good day out here. Even if you don’t get perfect pictures.*

I bet, if you do all that, you’ll be grinning as much as we were, in fact you won’t be able to help yourself.

We sure couldn’t.

May 30, 2022
by dawnkinster 22 Comments

Besides the night sky

Sometimes when I go north to camp it’s with the sole purpose of getting night sky images. Those trips I don’t care much about the campground, it’s just a place to nap during the day. Mostly I care if there’s a dark sky park nearby, or at least some open sky with something interesting in the foreground.

*Our campsite, tucked up on a knoll, deep in the woods.*

Those trips I usually spend the days sitting around at the campground reading and nibbling on snacks that aren’t good for me. When I begin to fall asleep over my book I tuck myself into my sleeping bag and take a nap.

*It was spring in the woods, with the pine trees in ‘bloom.’*

Sometimes that’s the best part about camping…eating, reading, napping. Repeat. I’m usually impatient for the sun to set, eager to try again for the shot I can see in my head but rarely get captured on my camera.

This trip, planned months ago, just happened to coincide with clear dark skies and no moon. So I got lucky.

*I had my stove and my friend brought most of the food.*

During last week’s camping adventure I had company, and a more varied agenda. We were camped in a walk-in site, we were the only people camping on our loop which was wonderful and so quiet we could hear owls at night as we sat around the campfire.

*Thank goodness we were able to buy dry firewood!*

OK, full disclosure. Mostly we sat around the campfire to get warm because it was stinking cold out there! Last year, on our camping trip the exact same week, we were wearing shorts. This year we were wearing long underwear, layers of sweatshirts, jackets and winter coats. I slept, the first night, wearing gloves and a hat, as well as my winter coat while in a sleeping bag and under multiple layers of blankets.

But the next day, after a night of shivering and then squealing over the Milky Way, the sun came out and we paddled down the Platt River, almost all the way out to Lake Michigan. We got out of the river at the exact location I shot the Milky Way the night before.

*Grateful for the sun while we were on the river.*

That made me smile.

*Lake Michigan is right on the other side of those dunes.*

We had the site reserved for three nights, Monday through Wednesday, but though the second night wasn’t quite as cold as the first, I still slept in all my clothes and piled towels on top of the blankets on top of the sleeping bag.

Being cold all the time can wear a camper out.

Plus the weather people said it would get warmer but we were going to get rain Wednesday afternoon, and that it would rain all day Thursday, the day we were scheduled to leave.

We decided to pack up on Wednesday morning and hightail it out of there. There’s nothing worse than packing up camp after a night of rain. Wait. In truth it’s worse to pack up camp after a full night of rain, while it continues to rain. Trust me on this.

*The sun just tipping the trees above us made me want to stay….for a moment.*

So we abandoned ship a day early. I think I did that almost every camping trip I took last summer, and always because of rain. Rain while camping in a small tent is not that fun after the first few hours of listening to it drum on the rainfly. Rain accompanied by wind and thunder can be pretty terrifying.

*This could be another good spot to shoot the Milky Way, don’t you think?*

Anyway, we chose to bail, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to go back. Camping in the woods without big RVs next to you is a delight.

*I stopped at Pt. Betsie on my way home, but the lilacs weren’t open yet. And the storm was coming in.*

I just hope next time it’s warm enough that I can sleep without wearing my hat and parka.

*On the beach waiting for the sun to set on our last night.*

May 10, 2022
by dawnkinster 16 Comments

Hanging with my sister

Katie here. Even though I’m a princess and sometimes come off as being a bit….well…high maintenance, I know that I have a pretty good life. My folks and lots of other people make sure I get to have special times with friends and family.

And this past weekend I got to see my half sister, Payton, and show her (and her parents and her sister Tally the Gordon setter) my park! I was so excited to share Katie’s Park with my sister. And, like sisters do, we joined forces to make sure mama couldn’t get a decent picture of the two of us.

That was part of the fun!

It was a perfect day for a walk, not too hot, and a bit of a breeze to cool those of us still wearing winter coats. The folks made sure we walked at a leisurely pace, though at the beginning I was raring to go!

*This is Payton’s mom and dad and her sister Tally!*

We stopped at the overlook deck halfway around the park to rest and enjoy the view. I told Payton all about finding a cracker there once and how I’ve been looking ever since for another one. Payton’s dad gave me a treat to make up for the lack of crackers.

*“Make sure you remember not to let your mom get us together, Katie!”*

I even shared my annual photoshoot in the yellow flowers with Payton! Mama takes my picture over at my park every year during the yellow flower season.

*“OK, we can let her have ONE picture of the two of us!”*

Payton’s like me – she doesn’t get why that’s so special, but mama is insistent and it’s easier to just let her get the picture than arguing with her.

*Tally got her picture taken in the yellow flowers too.*

Most of the time, though, we were able to foil mama’s attempts at getting a nice picture of the two of us together. She did manage to get several sweet pictures of Payton though!

I decided it wasn’t all that bad for her to be focused on someone besides me! That way I got to nap mostly uninterrupted under the picnic table.

*“Geeze mother, can’t a girl get a break?”*

We had a great time and I’m really glad Payton’s parents brought her over for a visit. We decided we’d get together again next fall when it’s cooler outside for another walk.

*“Don’t stand still, out of focus pictures mess with mama the most!”*

On a much sadder note, we learned yesterday that our friend Sophie got her wings on Friday. It’s a shock because we hadn’t heard that she was ill. She was one year younger than me, and still exploring her yard, swinging with her mom on her swing and supervising everything in the house.

We will miss her daily posts terribly. Mama has been giving me extra hugs and kisses on top of my head and her eyes are all leaky again. It’s hard to understand why some things happen, but we know that we’ll get to see her again, she’s just on the other side of the bridge. Please send good thoughts to her mom and dad who are very very sad right now.

*Sophie on her porch swing this past week.* *Photo credit, Sophie’s mom.*

Talk later, I have to get mom some tissue cause her eyes are damp again. I promise not to shred it immediately, I’ll do that later in honor of Sophie, who, just like me was an expert shredder!

-Your sad but still happy Princess Katie.

*Sending hugs and kisses to Sophie’s mom and dad.*

January 8, 2022
by dawnkinster 38 Comments

All hail Queen Abby!

Katie here. Mama and I received very sad news last night. Our friend, the regal Queen Abby crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday. I was heartbroken when mama told me.

You might remember that I first met Abby a few years ago in Ann Arbor when we walked in the Arboretum together. We were both younger then, and we walked a long way!

Abby and I had so much fun! I noticed that though she was a little younger than me she carried herself with such grace, and looked so regal. I immediately decided she was a Queen. I’m sure you agree.

Then the moms got us together again, in a little park on an island in the Huron River. We had a beautiful day to explore, though we didn’t walk as much as we had before, we were getting older you know.

*We were always willing to pose for our moms.*

I so enjoyed my time with Abby. She was the perfect park explorer companion. We liked to walk together down paths and across fields.

And we loved to sit together in the shade too.

*Can you believe the moms want more pictures?*

Abby was such a classy Queen. She never sniffed my private parts, and she never snapped at me, even when I was sniffing hers.

We got along like we’d always known each other. If we’d lived closer to each other I know we’d have turned out to be best friends.

I think Abby was an old soul, you know? She was a wise, sweet girl who liked to go on adventures in a sedate sort of way. As befits royalty.

And just like me, she was happy, no matter where she was, as long as she was hanging out with her mom. A wise girl indeed.

We met again, our last walk together, just this past fall in another park. We hardly walked at all, but the moms found shady spots for us to sit and talk. We had a good time even though Abby couldn’t see very well anymore.

I’m kind of glad I didn’t know back then that it was my last visit with the Queen. I’d have been so sad, just like I’m sad now.

I wish I could go on one more walk with her, but I know that when I cross the rainbow bridge Queen Abby will be there to welcome me and show me around. She’ll have her sight back, and we’ll both be able to hear again. And we’ll be able to run and bark and explore together forever!

*We had a great view of the park from up here!*

So, Queen Abby, please know how much I treasured our friendship. I know you have lots of friends and siblings at the bridge, but I hope you remember to keep an eye out for me. When I get there we’ll go on our royal walks once again, and everyone will be in awe of our combined beauty, just like they were when we were together down here.

Mama says she will always remember you too, and that little white patch on your behind. It makes her smile, she says, to remember you. Mama and I are keeping your folks in our heart. We know they will miss you forever.

Run free, sweet Queen Abby. We sure will miss you Your Highness.

December 8, 2021
by dawnkinster 26 Comments

Masked magic

Our community band has been rehearsing since September for last night’s Christmas concert. It hasn’t been easy. As librarian I sit on the board and we met numerous times, over the long months when we couldn’t play together, to access the situation.

When we finally could meet again it was under the strict rules of the school system whose buildings we use. Everyone needed to be masked, even when playing our instruments. The instruments themselves had to have bell covers. And our audience had to remain masked at all times too.

This fall we polled our members, asking whether they felt comfortable playing together under these guidelines. About 50% of the band agreed to play. I agreed too, but with trepidation. I am still uneasy being around other people in a closed space. Even if we are all masked up.

But we all tried to be careful, and it was so good to make music again. Even if we sounded a bit ragged, given all the parts weren’t covered. Even though we only had one poor lonely percussionist, and holiday music is full of percussion!

Some rehearsals made me wonder if we’d get our stuff together in time.

We were lucky to have some high school players come in at the last moment to help us. Lots of percussionists, three clarinetists, and several others helped fill in the holes and our sound filled out.

*Sleigh Ride isn’t right unless Santa conducts.*

And, as is usual in community bands, when everyone shows up for the concert we show up focused, and we played so much better last night than at any one of our rehearsals.

You wouldn’t have been able to tell, because we were wearing masks, but I think every one of us was grinning by the end.

Making music is magic. We are so lucky that we were able to do that last night.

The audience gave us a standing ovation. I don’t know if they were just anxious to leave, or glad to hear live music again after such a long break.

I think I’ll just assume they were grinning behind their masks too.

Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Tag Archives: friends

Under an umbrella of stars

But wait! There’s more!

Wordless Wednesday

In search of Lady Slippers

Wordless Wednesday

Not photographed

Besides the night sky

Hanging with my sister

All hail Queen Abby!

Masked magic