More Agate and Jasper Close Ups

Yesterday I did go out snowshoeing, but I didn't get any photos.  The reason is that I have been having issues with the zoom lever on my camera.  The warranty runs out on February 13th, so for once the repair will hopefully be made at no cost.  I was going to use my Nikon, which is a camera I purchased and use only for indoors photos.  However, it was quite windy and I didn't want to damage the camera so I didn't use it.  This morning, I am charging the batteries for my previous Canon.  The movie function does not work well on this camera, but I'll be able to use it this afternoon when I go skiing in the Seney Refuge.

So for today's blog posting, I pulled out my USB microscope camera.

Lake Superior agate...

 

Ocean Jasper...

 

 
Argentina Condor agate...

Lake Superior agate...

Queensland Australia agate...

Grand Sable Dunes Snowshoe

For the last few weeks I have been wanting to get up into the dunes, so yesterday I did so with friend, Lois Fite.  We parked at the visitors' center and hiked down the road into the dunes.  The wind was brisk from the south so the chill factor was below zero, but it felt to get up into the dunes.

Lois climbing up the dune...

Frozen Sable Lake..

Looking north...

Looking west...

Another Sunny Winter Beach Ski

Yesterday my friend, Lois, and I tried something a little different.  I felt like skiing the beach, but the snow was very crusty and challenging.  I skied anyway and Lois decided to snowshoe.  It worked out well and we both enjoyed the sunshine.

Looking west with my camera zoom...

The shelf ice is piling up even more....

A couple of deer were heading down the beach from west to east.  We were going the other way and I was able to capture a couple of photos.

Former ice volcano...

Lois checking out the ice...

From the beach you cannot see Lake Superior except in a few spots.

The shelf ice next to the breakwall is less defined.

Leelanau Peninsula Adventure -- Post 2

Today I will post the remainder of the photos I took while I was visiting the Leelanau Peninsula this past weekend.

As we drove south back down the peninsula, we travelled past Lake Leelanau.  I have never seen ice boats before.  It sure looks like a lot of fun.

Next we drove over to Fishtown, located in Leeland.  We were hoping the restaurant located over the dam would be open -- but it was not.

This is where you take the ferry over to Manitou Island.  Someday I would like to do that.

The snow on the breakwall looks cool.

Leelanau Peninsula Adventure -- Post 1

After attending the funeral over the weekend, I spent time with friends, Joan and Lynnette, in Traverse City.  We took a drive out the Leelanau Peninsula to snowshoe and explore.

First we drove the 30 or so miles out to the end of the peninsula and checked out the Grand Traverse Lighthouse.

There was some ice on the Lake Michigan shoreline, but nothing like what exists on Lake Superior. The sun was great, but it was cold.  The ambient temperature was around 14 but the wind chill was below zero.

Joan and Lynnette...

From the end of the peninsula, we could see several islands out on Lake Michigan.

There are huge cedar trees in the park.

We drove a couple of miles south and parked in a lot that gave us access to the trails.

We hiked one of the trails and then beelined it to the overlook platform.

The view....

One of the two Fox Islands....

The three of us...

I will post the rest of the photos tomorrow.