Late Summer Lake of the Clouds

This image was an oldie but a timeless beauty. Lake of the Clouds is the signature scene of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula. It is also one of the most famous grand scenics in all of Michigan and the midwest. The road leading to the scenic area and a crossroads for many hiking trails in the park deadends at a parking lot. A short uphill walk brings you to the escarpment overlook and usually gusty winds. I have been to this location many times and it never fails to take my breath away. This shot was taken in September of 1996 just before the annual color show of which the predominately green hues of the hardwood forest transpose into a kalaidoscope of autumn color.

Cathead Point Afterglow

During a late summer visit to Leelanau State Park, we were blessed with a firey sunset that progressed to an amazing afterglow. Many watch or photograph sunsets and after the sun disappears, they leave. What they fail to realize sometimes is that the best is yet to come. Often times, light and color of the sky intensifies after the sun has set creating an ethereal landscape. In this image, Cathead Point which frames Cathead Bay at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula, is sillouetted against a simple but striking red-orange sky.