Upper Michigan In Early Spring (Winter) Part I

If any of you are in the Midwest you know spring can be very volatile. From 70's and 80's last year to 30's and 40's with lots of rain and some snow (Flurries as I write this). While I was in Upper Michigan (UP) at my midway stop of Marquette, I actually was caught in a snowstorm with about 5 inches of snow. Prior to arriving in Marquette, I did stop at a few locations in between. My first stop was in northeastern Wisconsin at a waterfall site, Long Slide Falls. The road leading out to the falls was not plowed. I don't own a 4X4 and even that would have been a challenge considering the condition of that part of the road. Instead of capturing the falls I captured the forest leading to the falls. As you can tell the sky was quite blue that day. The last day of my trip it would be that blue.

After that forest my next stop was over the Wisconsin-Michigan border in Norway, Michigan to check out Pier's Gorge. Pier's Gorge was quite active that day with temps hitting about 45 and lots of active snow melt from warm weather earlier that week. Additionally, Piers Gorge is usually more active due to the river feeding it narrowing at the point of the gorge. You can see the energy in the rapid closeup shown below.

Next stop Warner Falls...

Capturing More by Moving in Closer

The above image is obviously of a peacock, but not a peacock in its entirety. That was done intentionally as moving in closer to a subject produces dramatically different results. It also gets rid of distractions and lets you focus on details that you probably never realized were there. So next time move in a little closer. Promise the results will be rewarding.

Venturing Away from Civilization

It may be an opinion or a fact, but the notion that farther you venture away from civilization and the hustle and bustle, the subject matter for photography is that much greater. Could it be that when away from civilization things are more untouched? Could it be the accompaniment of serenity that sparks that creative edge? What about the journey to the destination, and that you have come so far you are more motivated to find something captivating. Once the weather breaks in my neck of the woods, I plan on examining all of this while heading out with only my camera and a backpack on my back. More to come...

Finding Nature Looking From the Inside Out

Lets face it, Wisconsin winters are rarely sunny so most of the time the lighting on the landscape can be pretty drab. So what is one to do? Find other creative places nature shows up and make the best of it. Since buying our house last summer my wife and I have not replaced the windows. That being said that creates photographic opportunities if you look for them. I found nature; I found frost.

All you have to do is look.

Encountering Sedona's Juxtapositions

Bell Rock and Courthouse Butte

Named after T.C. Schnebly's wife, Sedona, this grand area in north central Arizona, is up on the list as one of my favorite areas of the state.  The "Red Rocks" as many call them is Sedona's biggest attraction.  Technically they are considered rocks or buttes.  With their vibrant red and orange hues creating a juxtaposition against a blue sky or a nearby evergreen, these "Red Rocks" are quite a sight to see.  When photographing Sedona, I was lucky to encounter this blue sky.  Include in this gallery are Courthouse Butte, Bell Rock and the Chapel of the Holy Cross (yes a chapel built into the Red Rock!)  Enjoy the images!  Sedona Photos on my Website

Winter Solace

Winter on a Farm in Reedsburg, Wisconsin

As winter continues and the days are shorter, nature slows down as well. While many may complain about the shorter days and colder temps, winter does have serenity about it. Winter produces low angled sunlight which stretches shadows longer than normal.  Maybe that light is telling us to stretch, slow down and reflect.  Additionally, winter produces a solace that is experienced by the near absolute silence that comes when nature transforms into dormancy for a period of time. Embracing that silence and reflecting on the beauty of the solace of winter, may just be what nature is beckoning us to do.