Big Wave

I stood at the end of the main dock at Petoskey's marina in a bitter cold blasting wind under dark cloudy skies when the sun peeked through the clouds. Big waves crashed against the break-wall.  This was one of my favorite images.

3D or Real

The Smithsonian Institute has over 137 million pieces in its collection and only room to display 2% of it.  In order to share as much of its collection to as many people as possible they are working with a company who uses 3D scanning and rapid prototyping to create replicas to share with other museums and travelling exhibitions.  Read about it here.  

                                                               

No matter how good the reproductions are they are not the real thing.  Personally, that wouldn't do it for me.  I've seen countless photos and prints of the painting "The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt but when I saw it in person in Vienna I gasped!  It's so much bigger and more impressive in reality.  It has gold foil that shines and sparkles and changes color when you move around the room.  When I go to a museum I try get t look at my favorites from close up and far away.  At a distance there is an overall feeling and close up you can see brush strokes on a canvas or scratches in the bronze or stone of a statue.  I suppose it's better to see a print than nothing at all but if I physically visit a museum I'd really prefer to experience the real deal.

Night Skiing

It was dark and only 15 degrees outside but I wanted to

 cross country ski so I took off for Petoskey State Park.

I started on the Campground Trail in the woods.  It was
 dark but not  as dark  as this photo makes it look.  There
 were a few stars  out but  most of the light came from city
 and ski resort lights  reflecting off the clouds and snow.

The lights in the above picture on the left are Harbor Springs from  the beach.
 The two brighter lights are Boyne Highlands on the left and Nubs Nob on the right.

I crossed over the dunes onto the beach where it was a little brighter.
 The gurgling of the waves under the ice was a little spooky but I was awed by
 how different this very familiar stretch of beach seemed under these circumstances.

This is what the lights of Boyne Highlands ski runs look like from across the bay.
The red lights are radio towers.  Come on, use your imagination!

                                                                                   

Mark and Kathy

We finally got enough snow to cross country ski and  spent two 

glorious afternoons at Birchwood with Mark and Kathy.  

Late afternoon sun on the treetops

A heart imprint left by a ski pole

Kathy, Mark - great people, I wish they lived closer!

Just after sunset

Pink Rose

A beautiful pink rose from Image North after my mammogram 

Tea With Priscilla

Taken with iPhone 4
edited with snapseed

Blue Ice

Erich took these photos in front of his house after a windy day sent sheets of ice up on the beach.
  I love the turquoise hues in the crystal clear shards.

Photoshop

Trying out some special texture effects on PSE
Ellis and Grama Mary very relaxed

Happy New Year 2012!!

December Kite Surfers!

Walking the Petoskey State Park beach on a bright sunny mid-December day, Erich and I spotted some kites in the distance and got some pretty good photos as we got closer.  The surfers were thrilled to have such a nice sunny day with good wind so late in the season.

Bright sunshine, fierce breeze, waves not too big - perfect day for kite surfing

Can you see all three kites in this pic?

Closeup!

Headed back to the beach

All three over the beach, sun is about to set

A big colorful seagull??

All three together

Boards on the beach