There and back again...

How do you top a night with a once in a lifetime Aurora Borealis show? 

Go on a mini trip.

So with a little bit of sleep under my belt, I drove to Kenosha to visit my eldest son, wife, and of course Aurora...Rory!
They told me that we were going to go hiking on Saturday and use the drive to the Kettle Moraine State Park as Rory's nap time. 

First I had to get through a night at the hotel. I awoke very early since I dropped into bed very early. But I've always wanted to see the Harbor area along the Kenosha Lakefront early in the morning. I know I posted a quick cell shot on the last blog. 

But here was my efforts with a long exposure in blustery winds.

I've never done cityscapes before but thought it would be fun to get a shot of the Kenosha water plant and part of the harbor behind the hotel.

My intention was to walk along the Art Promenade and take shot from the end of it. But I didn't. The sun was changing the sky quickly and I was afraid that I'd miss the sky shot I wanted by walking to the end. I settled for a slightly different angle.

Next time I'll take the boardwalk to the light house that's in the distance also. So many opportunities! So little time!

Here is where I biffed the shot. I started a 13 second exposure and by accident moved the camera. The cause was a huge windgust. Why not? It ended up being a wildly crazy exposure.

On the way to Kettle Moraine, I got to sit in the back seat with Rory who played peek a boo with me in her car seat. She didn't do the normal peek a boo, but hid her eyes by turning her head and then popping back to look at me an laugh.

And it filled me up with so many wonderful feelings.

With the hike over, we headed back home. I should have napped with Rory in the back seat. I didn't.

I actually slept 'in' on Sunday morning until 5! I made some hotel coffee and packed up. I wanted to go to a more open spot on the lakefront. I went to Pennoyer Park and was surprised to see quite a few fisher people. The salmon run was on and the fisher folks were at the headwaters of the Pike River where the salmon were coming in.

Just as things were brightening up a father and young boy walked past me in the predawn and I could not resist the shot...

My weather app said that the lakefront had high waves and gale force winds predicted for the late afternoon. I regretted having to leave the lake. The wild winds and waves from Lake Michigan are something to see and appreciate.

I was cold, so I wrapped up with another shot or two and headed over to see the 'kids'.

Did I say how much I loved the Lakefront? Yes, I do!

We headed over to Petrified Spring Park, fondly known locally as Pets and took a nice long walk/hike.

The trees were absolutely at high color and gorgeous. River was was up from the storm we had on Saturday night but the skies were blue and it was a picture perfect day with many people out walking and others taking photographs.

There were salmon fisherfolk in the river and others watching on some of the bridges. The atmosphere of the park felt very festive.

We said our goodbyes in the parking lot and I headed west. I was happy to be heading home and sad to be heading home.

I'll miss these guys...

What a great mini trip this was. 

Bear & I

I know it is silly, but I sometimes like to take my favorite old beat up Bear with me. I think it is fun. Bear was purchased at a Thrift Store and was piled in a shopping cart with other stuffed animals. $1 each. He had a fancy Christmas sweater on him that I took off. 
He was intended to be a woods bear and after losing him twice to floods, he got tossed into the wash machine and became my pal.

I want to take him to the bluff with me yet this year so I can have coffee and just sit with him. 

I think a photo of him reading a book on a bluff would be a fun thing to try too....

So, Bear & I headed out before dawn and arrived at the KVR buildings while it was still dark. I stuffed him in my backpack and off we went down to the river bottom and took the short muddy and wet path to old 131 and viola, we arrived.

It was far from spectacular but I decided to watch and see what would present itself. 

I could hear the Sandhill Cranes calling out. Wow! Are they ever noisy! I think they flew overhead and landed in the pond behind me. But the brush was so dense as was the fog, I never got to see them.

This is really difficult stuff to work with: heavy fog and low light. So I actually brought a tripod so I could steady the camera to do some 'minimalist' type of photography.

I walked around and then decided to see what interest, I could find in this spot of the pond. It looked really bleak.

Focusing was really hard. The camera couldn't find what I wanted and so I went to manual focus and even that was difficult.

The grass clumps were interesting and that little island behind the first clump was host to a family of Canada Geese this spring.

A different look in that same area...

And one more closer look at some grasses.

Bear started to complain that I was ignoring him so we took a short walk to for some other things of interest.

And we found a cool spider web.

When the sun burst through the fog it gave a whole new look to the place. The fog got heavier for a few minutes. The photo below is a six second exposure.

Bear and I shared some coffee from my thermos and hiked back through the muddy trails to the 'Ru.

On the drive home the sun would come out at moments and when we got right down next to the river, all light was shrouded by dense fog.

I had to pull over and stop.

I'm still undecided on the above photo. Should I have shown more reflection? Should I just crop it to the two right trees? 

But I am happy with this as it is. I think if I brightened it a bit, it would make a great black and white canvas type photo.

Side note: A friend of mine sent me an email asking for scenic photos of interest. She specifically said she wanted people, bicycles, and happy sunny photos. No fog shots as they make her sad. These are for publication in a brochure for tourism in the area.

Hmmm. I do Infrared, fog, forest, and rarely people photos. I happen to love my fog shots. 
They are so wonderfully moody. 

Bear says I should do what pleases me. I like Bear's advice.

Wake up early

I wasn't going to go, but the Rooster alarm on my Smarty Phone woke me up. Fumbling to shut it off, I knocked my glasses off the stand and they landed somewhere in the dark with a clunk.

Oh great, I thought, now my glasses are trapped by the Dust Bison under the bed. Ah, well I'd rounded up those bad little Bison the other day so maybe not. I slid out of bed to try and find the glasses. 

Damn that Rooster. But it was pretty funny. I located the glasses and grabbed the phone finally silenced the Rooster. Well. 

Now I was awake. I hit the button on the coffee maker while I checked the weather in the valley. Cold with warmer air on the ridge. The little icon showed a car with foggy headlights.

Perfect!

That was exactly what I was hoping for a bit of valley fog and no winds to blow it away. The coffee burbled while I grabbed a pair of leggings to put on under my cargo pants. Charlie peered at me from under the blanket on the couch. I patted him on the head as I passed by to grab my to go cup and shut off the coffee maker.

And there I was. Off on a predawn adventure. I was glad I'd done a trial run in the daylight and knew about how long it would take me to drive there and park. 

I was feeling pretty optimistic I halfway there my dashboard computer dinged and gave me a message that I had a 'low' tire. Well, if that didn't beat all! I pulled over and checked the tire pressure dashboard gauge and the tire was down 3 pounds. I looked at the rear tire and decided I was safe to drive.

That icon on the dash board was irritating as all get out. I find the new sensors wonderful tools but almost too sensitive.

I parked, grabbed my over the shoulder bag and turned on the headlamp. I was glad I'd also brought a small but bright flash light. The start of the trail is wide but it was nice to see more of what I was getting into than less. 

It was an 8 minute cardio pounding hike to the final trail. I stopped there and caught my breath. The forest was still silent around me. No bird calls, just the sound of the trees and rocks. I know ... trees and rocks don't make noises. 
But they do.

And then I reached my goal and I was stunned. I sat down on the rock and pulled out my gear. I took a drink of water and waited and watched.

The lighting was tricky looking northeast but the shadows and light were amazing.
I turned southwest, the predawn light lit up the valley below...

I sat and watched the valley fog rise and move. It looked as if it were alive with a mind of its own. 

I had the whole place to myself and I felt as if Mother Nature was putting on a show just for me. Oh I know that is not true, but it felt like I was the only person in the universe to see this. 

And I felt very humbled.

Before the sun came over the horizon, I packed up and left. If I timed everything right, I'd be back home before Rich even woke up.

One more glance over my shoulder.

Amazing.

I didn't need a light to negotiate the trail back down and some birds started to rustle in the forest.

I hurried to the main trail but stopped by the huge oak tree.

The sun was making its appearance through the leaves. I thought perhaps that one time I would have enough time on my hands to stay and watch the light change in the forest below.

I felt I could have stayed for hours.

Perhaps some day I can.

Back to the car and that damned tire icon. 

I got home safely and finished making coffee. 

How calm yet excited and renewed I felt after seeing something so incredible.

And that is why I like to wake up early.

Good Morning...

Sometimes the mornings are the best.
I listen to the birds, and Charlie and I have the gravel roads to ourselves.

Rarely do we have traffic anyway...but...

somehow an empty road and a tiny dog makes things look bigger and the possibilities ....
endless...

Enjoy your day.

Mornings

I heard Morris's feet on the floor of the bedroom as he transitioned from the carpet to the hardwood floor.
Tick...tick...tick.
Stop
Tick...tick...tick. Slight jangle of his dog tags.
That is how I wake up most mornings. Almost 5 AM sharp.

He stands quietly as he hears me get up. I'm pretty sure he can't see me in the shadows until I bump into him. But then he moves into action and heads towards the porch door.
And our morning routine begins.
He goes out and takes care of business with his little collar light on.
I prepare his breakfast with the canned dog food and kibbles softened a bit with water.
He comes in, scouts around, eats, and then goes back to bed on 'his' couch.

I have my coffee and pull up the weather on the internet.

Saturday before dawn, I grabbed a camera and went out the door. The weather was mild in the 20's. Not the bone chilling cold of the past couple of weeks.

When I got to the ridge the colors were barely appearing in the sky. The deep blues and purples of night were slowly beginning to fade.
Predawn.
I love predawn.
I decided to hike across last year's soybean field and peer down into the neighbor's land towards Riley Road.

The ridge-top glowed with leftover snow from this past week's snow. It is much lovelier with a lot of snow, but here I saw the rows of stubby soybeans poking up in rows. It made for an interesting pattern.

The sun would arrive around 7:30, I intended to be back home by then so I turned around and walked along the fence row of trees towards the gravel driveway that borders this field. It would be faster than back tracking over the soybean field.

I stopped and turned to look towards the south. Fog was beginning to form in the low lying areas.
And the sight was stunning.

The eastern sky was beautiful, but the southern sky was incredible with hues of pinks, blues, and purples contrasted by the reddish brown weeds. Sometimes the best views are not the predawn skies.

It is hard to describe the feeling I get when I stand solo in a field or on a roadside and watch the day begin to break.
Peace. Awe. Wonder.

"The Dawn has secrets to tell you. Don't go back to sleep." Rumi

Maybe that is why I enjoy it so much.

Sunday morning there was no sun. The fog kept dropping down and then lifting. I stood on the porch when I let Morris out and wondered if there was enough moisture to cause hoar frost on the ridge.

I made the coffee, had a few sips and headed out.

It was very thick and sort of spooky. As I went up the driveway towards the ridge it changed in color and thickness.
The fog undulated and changed.
As if it were alive.

I collected the mail at the box and looked around for any frost. Apparently it was too warm for it to develop, the temperature on the ridge was much warmer.

And the road simply disappeared.

It was eerie and pleasing at the same time. When I peered into the woods I seemed to be greeted by merely a bluish wall of fog.

It kept changing as I walked back home.

This morning I stood on the porch with Morris as we listened to the rain crash down on the roof. Eventually he ventured out and did his business.
I wondered how all of this rain was going to react with the cold gravel roads.
Instant Ice.

The run off will rush down the hillsides and down through the creeks. Instant flash floods.

And when Morris came back and shook off, I leaned down to pet his wet back and thought how nice it was not to be commuting 30 miles this morning.

I went back inside and enjoyed a nice quiet cup of coffee and listened to the rain.

Soft Pastel Mornings

It has gotten to be a routine the last month or so. I check the weather before going to bed to see if we will have skies worth looking at during the night hours or at dawn.

I would like to get a shot the works out of the Milky Way before it leaves the hemisphere this year. However I find that it is awful hard to get up and go look on the clear nights.

I got a free app for my Smart Phone that lets me know where the moon will rise and set from wherever I am at, the same with the sun. I find it quite handy! When I start going to Jersey Valley or Sidie Hollow for fall sunrises or sunsets I'll know the exact place and time for them!

So I got up on the morning of August 2nd and glanced outside. The morning didn't look like it would be a spectacular sunrise, however I was awake and the weather for the rest of the week predicted clouds and rain.

At 5:15 am, I left with my travel cup of coffee and started up the driveway. As I passed my neighbor's house, I glanced at her office window. She was up and at work as she is every day. She teaches English to Chinese students on line. She adores her job. The time difference between our countries can be a challenge, but she has worked that out.

I've gotten used to seeing that light on in the mornings when I go for my excursions. I lift my hand in a wave that I am pretty sure she couldn't see anyway.

When I got to the ridge I was sort of surprised by the fog I could see way off in the distance. I shouldn't have been. It hovers over the Kickapoo River Valley and from my high spot on the ridge, I can see pretty far.

I pulled over and parked on our little gravel road. There was not going to be a spectacular blaze of colors this morning. I was a bit disappointing but thought perhaps this would be a challenge to come up with something more interesting.

I included our road with the cropland. Getting the focus and the light right was a huge challenge. But I liked the way it came out.

The skies gave off a beautiful pastel glow.

And then, in just a few moments, it was gone.

I swatted the bugs and watched the fog in the distance. Then I drove over to 'fog' island and got a quick shot.

I took the gravel road down into the valley and got surrounded by fog. The sky turned gray and everything was steeped in murky fog.
I thought about taking a shot of Black Bottom but the fog was so dense, I didn't feel like the effort would be worth it, so I turned around and headed back home.

I went past the Harless place and snapped a quick shot of some of his latest acquisitions. Not sure why he bought them or why he moved all of these broken down mobile homes onto his land, but there you go. He had old cars and other items he is collecting also.

With my coffee finished and the fog moving in, I headed home. I'd put a fresh pot of coffee to brew on when I left.

The pastel morning and fog had been worth it.
Mornings are definitely my time of day.

I had stood alone next to my Subaru on the ridge watching the sun glow on the horizon while coyotes barked and sang their farewells to the night. I'd witnessed night turn to day in that magical time of twilight.
I was refreshed and ready to go start my day.

The Sunrise Pajama Club

What?
Do you mean not everyone gets up before dawn on a chilly morning and drives to the top of a ridge to watch the world awaken?

Pajamas required of course along with a travel mug of coffee.

Well at that time of day on a gravel road, predawn, we pretty much are not in any danger of running into anyone.

And those who live near us will know how crazy we are about doing this.

We listened to the birds awaken.  The red wing black bird, the robins, and then as the sky began to brighten, Ariel caught a flock of birds in the orange glow.

I thought they were specks of dirt on the lens, but upon a better inspection, ... birds!

I got lucky with this shot, I panned after the bird.

Budding photographer....

Later on that morning, Morris insisted we go for a hike.

And we had a great hike.

Our feet were tired after a few hours.  

And we came back with many fun adventures to tell about.