Day 1 of what I'll call my "Beaver Island Series." I'll try to capture the spirit of the island, as well as some of the sites, people, and life, in and among photos taken 'just because.'
I love the mornings here (at the moment, though, we are under attack from mosquitoes and gnats!). This is the lake side of the house, next to a dunes conservatory. Where Jim is sitting, up to about where Nutmeg is, used to be where the lake levels were, and we could easily hear the water lapping from the house. The lake is down significantly, with much debate about whether it is a sign of severe impact of climate change, some poor engineering of the St Clair waterway into Lake Huron and eventually the St Lawrence seaway, or natural cycles. Our beach looks more like wetlands now. Beautiful, but in a different way, and a bit alarming to me about the decline in water level as this is the world's largest supply of unsalted water.
Note from Nutmeg: Thank you all so much for writing to me! And you said such nice things about my storytelling skills. And you understood me -- that we should relax and have a good summer and I shouldn't have to play catch (right Marloes!) . And Kazzy, I really liked your idea of having Taffy take photos from my perspective. I'm going to make sure she does some of those and she told me when she does, I can write the story about it again. I hope I get to have a long summer here. I was very very tired today. I've mostly slept. I didn't really feel like walking anywhere. I wanted to just stay down on the beach but they wouldn't let me. They kept mentioning being bitten, but I didn't really think it was a problem. They were wrong and I was right but I lost and had to stay inside. It really really was not fair. I'm going to go take a rest again now. Bye til next time.
Looks a marvellous place although your comments about the water level is a little alarming. However, I'm sure Nutmeg enjoys the added "beach" to run around on. Looking forward to hearing about your summer retreat!
@judithdeacon@tthompsonca Thanks Terri and Judith. The water drop is pretty alarming and has such important implications for the water supply for the next generations.
@kimshots Kim, you're so right! There's a weird phenomenon we talk about on the island. Time sort of stops -- you don't feel it passing. Then, in a blink of the eye, it's just gone. It's true of the individual days, but especially of the summer. Now it feels like we have forever. But I know that all of a sudden, it just end.
@spair@jo13@archaeofrog@wind_of_the_sothern_sea
Thanks Susan, Jo, Katie, and Arefin. Jo -- you are right about the bugs. They're horrid at the moment. It's so moist here from the wet winter that we are facing a banner year for biting insects. So, I may turn to indoor shots!!
@sugarmuser@jodimuli@rachelwithey Thanks Sharon, Jodi, and Rachel! It was a gorgeous morning out there. And Jodi -- you are right about being able to relax -- once I finish up a chapter (my last promised project, due this Friday), my goal is reading, photography, golf, and the garden!
@archaeofrog Ick! It's like they are laying in wait for us -- it hasn't been this bad in as long as I can remember. I just ordered mosquito netting to wear over our hats as Nutmeg is very very slow, and sometimes just stops and rests on her little walks, so we are very easy targets!
Oh, I am jealous- this looks wonderful! I have always found that the best bug repellent is Avon Skin So Soft- the bath oil, not the bug spray (although that works "ok"). Some people do not like the fragrance, but I don't mind it and it really does keep the mosquitoes off. If I don't have it on when I do the gardening, I get eaten alive. Looking forward to more of Nutmeg's adventures too!
@kerristephens@darylo@olivetreeann
Thanks for your kind comments and interest in learning more about 'the island' (which is how we all refer to it, like there is no other island but this one! Ann, Avon's stuff is great and I'm hoping it will do the trick -- there are so many of them this year -- ugh!!
Oh Taffy...this was delightful...is image and word! Enjoyed the whole thing. The lake scene is wonderful and how lovely the you are able to have this treasure. It is scary to think of such drastic changes I am sure. And Nutmeg...you are such a good companion. Listen to your people and humor them a bit!
So glad that you are all settled in. This looks like a beautiful place! Alarming about the water level though. Looking forward to seeing your Beaver Island photo series. Next best thing to being there!
The waterdrop is definitely alarming! It looks to be significant, too. This looks like a beautiful place to unwind. Oh to be able to sit by the water with a good book........
Glad Nutmeg is going to be doing some more narrating - she does very well!
So very serene - looks idyllic. A whole summer here - wow! Thanks for your comments about my big flower/little flower. I hadn't realised the significance till you mentioned it!
Hehee. Yes Nutmeg...you call the shots! Taffy, this looks like an idyllic place to unwind! I look forward to your photographic diary of Beaver Island. Are there beavers? About the water level, it's a tragedy but beware of what you wish for...you could be calling down rain lol At least if that happens the mozzies and gnats will have to go back to hibernation :) Hi Jim! You look very comfortable and very relaxed...see what a day in the fresh air does for you :) Enjoy!
Wow, this looks so relaxing and idyllic, a real paradise! Beautiful capture!
I hate to hear about the water level drop, that's rarely a good thing...
Hope you all (especially Nutmeg) have the best time ever, and look forward to seeing your photos :)
@imprezoid Can you explain about local tone mapping? I might have done this but not consciously. I was using filters (e.g., polarizing, contrast, and a light ND) post processing to try to bring out some of the textures as the light created a flatter image than I'd hoped. I"m just learning processing options, terms, etc. So the main thing is the sky was flat and the processing brought up the varying blue tones.
Thank you for your comments -- I had so hoped that the scene would capture the serenity and idyllic feeling and your comments made me feel like I'd succeeded. I appreciate that so much!
What a beautiful place Taffy, seems like you are going to have a wonderful summer. Did you know you can get an app on your phone that keeps the mozzies away. It emits some sort of signal, I haven't tried it yet. I get an allergic reaction to insect bites. I now use a dab of Lavender oil on my wrists and ankles and I seems to keep them at bay. The times I don't use it I get bitten.
Beautiful scene. Mornings on the beach are the best! Yes, the lake levels are such a concern and the controversy continues. We are having the opposite problem this year on our inland lake due to some beaver activity that went unattended together with record snow and spring rain. Looks like your summer is off to a good start.
Beautiful! I would love to spend a summer at a place like this. Beaver Island sounds so familiar to me, but I can't quite pin point why. My dad lived in central Michigan for eighteen years and visited just about every part of the state so maybe that's the connection.
@lisabell I wonder if he's visited here. It's not all that well known, but he was here long enough to have discovered the island. Thanks for the kind comment! @barbsmith Weird to me how inland lakes can rise while the big one drops. One of our ponds near our house is totally dry. Odd, odd, odd. @stimuloog I've shared your hugs with Nutmeg! @elaine55 Lavender -- great idea and the scent is so much better than Off!
@sailingmusic Tee-hee! We're still lucky enough to be considered water front, with no danger of water damage! But another few inches and it will only be a view! We do hope it comes back in our lifetimes! Thanks for the reminder about TZ mad-4-may word. It worked perfectly today.
Ah, Beaver Island! And Jim and Nutmeg looking so at home. And of course you, at home, behind the lens. The sky is gorgeous (and my challenge this week is SKY -- I should be in Beaver Island! Our sky here is gray gray gray.) Enjoyed the narrative !
@jyokota Thanks Junko -- I wish I could send our sky to you for your challenge. @rennes Thanks so much Lisa! I do feel very fortunate -- though a bit silly in long sleeves and a hood on a hot day to avoid being eaten! @amrita21 I'm hoping Nutmeg will post this weekend!
Thanks Susan, Jo, Katie, and Arefin. Jo -- you are right about the bugs. They're horrid at the moment. It's so moist here from the wet winter that we are facing a banner year for biting insects. So, I may turn to indoor shots!!
Thanks for your kind comments and interest in learning more about 'the island' (which is how we all refer to it, like there is no other island but this one! Ann, Avon's stuff is great and I'm hoping it will do the trick -- there are so many of them this year -- ugh!!
Glad Nutmeg is going to be doing some more narrating - she does very well!
I hate to hear about the water level drop, that's rarely a good thing...
Hope you all (especially Nutmeg) have the best time ever, and look forward to seeing your photos :)
Thank you for your comments -- I had so hoped that the scene would capture the serenity and idyllic feeling and your comments made me feel like I'd succeeded. I appreciate that so much!
@barbsmith Weird to me how inland lakes can rise while the big one drops. One of our ponds near our house is totally dry. Odd, odd, odd.
@stimuloog I've shared your hugs with Nutmeg!
@elaine55 Lavender -- great idea and the scent is so much better than Off!
: )
@rennes Thanks so much Lisa! I do feel very fortunate -- though a bit silly in long sleeves and a hood on a hot day to avoid being eaten!
@amrita21 I'm hoping Nutmeg will post this weekend!