Stony Creek Metropark is a 4,000+ acre nature park in the middle of the Detroit suburbs. Fishing, biking, boating, and hiking abound in this urban oasis. Its so strange to think when you are hiking along wooded paths and fishing in the 500 acre lake, that people are sitting in traffic, honking their horns just outside the park gates.
Stony Creek has been on my list of places to visit all summer. I have seen some absolutely fabulous photos of this place from other photographers. Of course, the day I finally decide to go, it is completely overcast and dreary. That means field and lake landscapes are definitely out of the question. But, overcast days provide the best lighting for detail shots. This visit really helped me expand my photographic repertoire and look outside the box for inspiration.
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your Stony Creek outing, check out Metroparks.org
When I talk about places in Michigan full of things to see and do, Reed City rarely makes the list. Reed City is a city of crossroads. US 131 intersects with US 10 in Reed City. Two of the states premier Rail-to-Trails, The White Pine Trail and the Pere Marquette Trail also intersect in town. This makes Reed City a destination for trail bikers and snowmobilers.
I recently heard about a photo technique called the starburst effect. For photographers, you’ll need a tripod and a camera set to a small aperture (read, higher number: F18, F20…). So, when I saw the lights, I had to try it out and I like what I got!
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr!
This summer I took a trip to the Detroit Zoo. This was my first visit to the zoo in 13 years and wow has it changed since my last visit! One of my favorite parts was the new (at least new to me) Australia exhibit. You walk into the Australia area and there are no cages, no glass separating you from the animals. The kangaroos are able to hop right up to you! How cool is that?
They are also building a new penguin area that I cannot wait to see! The Polk Penguin Conservation Center is the largest project the zoo has ever undertaken and will feature a 326,000 gallon tank. Check out this video of the new penguin project! Did you know that the current penguin house was the first even space built specifically for penguins? What history we have in Michigan!
What I love about this shot is with the chimp hugging himself and the bare trees behind him, it looks so cold. It was in the seventies that day! A picture really is worth a thousand words!
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your visit to the Detroit Zoo, visit DetroitZoo.org
A photographer I follow on Facebook recently posted about an Alaskan cruise he took. He said it was a fun family vacation but it wasn’t great for photography. This got me thinking about why I love cruising:
- Value – For one price you get luxury accommodations, transportation, great food, and world-class entertainment
- Multiple Destinations – Go island hopping or visit several European cities and only unpack once
- Relaxation – Days at sea with no set plans? Count me in
Cruising does not allow you to get as deep into a location or give the flexibility to catch sunrises or sunsets in port. I have to say, there is something about a catching one from the ship! And I love how cruising gives you a taste of a location without having to commit; if you don’t like a port, you can get back onto the ship. If you fall in love with a location, you know where to plan your next trip!
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! If I’ve convinced you, there are many sites to browse cruises, but I recommend Priceline Cruises.
When I am in Grand Rapids, one of my favorite places to visit is Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Meijer gardens is a very unique in that it is a mixture of nature and art. As you walk the winding paths of the sculpture park, you see interesting works modern tucked behind beautiful flowering trees and gardens. This photo was taken in the sculpture park from underneath B-Tree II, a sculpture by Kenneth Snelson.
For the plant lovers, the gardens are made up of several distinct areas: the shade garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Farm Garden. The Japanese Garden is the newest addition to the park and features unique Japanese landscaping including bridges and lanterns, surrounding a central pond.
Thanks for stopping by! If you like my photos be sure to “like” my Facebook Page, follow me on Instagram, and Flickr! To plan your visit to Meijer Gardens, visit www.meijergardens.org/.