Wave Action Hits Icebergs

Our walk today brought us to a windy and cold afternoon in the park. The best part of the walk was after we returned to the car. We turned up the heat and drove to the scenic drive parking area. Being able to sit in the car, as we warmed and watched the wave action wearing down the remains of the winter's ice, was a pleasant respite. Another attempt of spring trying to arrive in her full splendor.

We then proceeded to Pioneer Park to enjoy the sunset. Below is a progression of the sun setting.

Beautiful Sunny Day

The sun was absolutely beautiful today. Felt so good that we daringly took a walk along the channel west to view the remaining icebergs.  Above is a short video of the sound of the ice as it beats against the icebergs. Below are today's entries into the photo diary.

Looking out toward Lake Michigan

The remaining icebergs from the shore

Close up of remaining icebergs from the shore

Looking at the icebergs from the north channel walk

the light

South channel entrance light still has ice

Another view of the icebergs from the walk way

You Can't Rush Spring

 

click and listen

This is a song to remind us that even though the days are getting ever more pleasant we must still wait for spring to really arrive in all it's wonder. I've noticed the bulbs are beginning to push up from the earth, waking from their winter slumber. But, it will still be a bit of time before we see the  blooms.

I'm including a some art pieces and a short video to for you to enjoy, Have a great day!

winter at the beach

Ice cave

cast your fate to the wind

a fall of light

the lighthouse

the forest from the trees

Spring Slowly Coming Our Way

Out and about yesterday. As the sun warmed our spirits we began to see some signs of spring. The light playing with shadows on the trees. The budding of catkins on the willow branches. The ice slowly melting on Muskegon Lake. Of course the returning waterfowl swimming, diving, and honking. The red winged blackbirds are back. Robins seem to be hopping everywhere.  I found a blog site for birders - Muskegon County Nature Club - just search for them on the web. They offer a lot of information.

I am including a few photos from trip out yesterday, hope you enjoy them.

The sun was warm and created interesting shows on the trees

Light bouncing everywhere

Will keep my eyes open to the changes here in the next month

Dune trails deer runs to the water

Beach grass 

Ice slowly melting on Muskegon Lake

Close up of ice flow

Open water and returning water fowl - Common Goldeneye

Another shot of the waterfowl

Willow buds showing early catkins

A closer look at the Pussy Willows

Sun, Sounds, and Signs

Out and about today. The warmth of the sun in the channel campsite has melted all the snow and the paths were easy to walk. We had bundled up, as there was a bit of chill at our house. However, at the campsite no breeze just the sounds of birds. They were basking in the warmth of the sun just like us. We did see a red tailed hawk coasting from tree to tree. We think we heard a frog but surely seems to early for frogs. There is plenty of open water on Muskegon Lake with people still ice fishing. Snug harbor ice seems a bit more solid and there were quite a few Sunday afternoon ice fishermen there. I've included a few pictures of our walk.

Dune grass

A small patch of snow

Old Pine

Dune blow out

The following photos aren't the best but you can see the waterfowl and the open water of Muskegon Lake. Just a few days ago it was all solid ice.

Sunny Day in North Muskegon

A beautiful day here in North Muskegon. Warm sun, melting snow, returning birds and the solitude of an empty park campground make for a wonderful walk. We just had to get out and take advantage.

The channel filled with ice.

As we walked along the channel the sun warming us made us think of the coming of spring. The ice had blocked the channel in huge snow covered floes. The sun working it's heating magic on the snow as rivulets of water found there way to the channel.

Ice fishermen and water fowl enjoying the remaining ice and the open water the east mouth of the channel.

A bit daring for me, but not for many ice fishing enthusiasts, the remaining ice seems to be melting away at the mouth of the channel. Of course this open water becomes a favorite place for the returning water fowl to stop on their returning route. A few have been around all winter but today the numbers were greatly increased.  We could hear their echoing honks as we walked through the empty channel campsite.

The open stillness of the park campsites disturbed only by the trickling of melting snow and the joyous honking of Canadian geese.

The sun casts shadows over the remaining snow and in the distance a Pileated woodpecker adds it's drumming.

As we walked through the park the warmth of the sun, the songs of the birds and the drumming of a woodpecker made for an ideal day to be out and about in the wonder of the park.

The open water acts as a harbinger of more spring weather to come.

Sunday at the Beach

Went for a ride on our way home from a trip to Grand Rapids. We drove out to the lake shore to see the fantastic ice displays that had built up last week from storms and winds. Breathtaking.

Since we got there, not to long before sunset, we decided to spend some time watching the lake. It was rather choppy with icy filled waves being blown to shore. We had noticed people walking along the shore line ice but to our surprise we came upon a kite surfing snowboarder. I've included some video of the snow boarder. It was remarkable that someone would be doing this as the temperature was 15 degrees not including the windchill factor. Most impressive.

Just stepping out to get the photos in the bitter cold wind was enough for us. A few seconds at a time and the car heater turned up, made it possible to warm up quickly when we got back inside. Not the minutes our extreme snowboarder was apparently enjoying.

Hope you enjoy these photos and video clips.

Looking out to the Channel opening.

Another shot of the north light.

                                                Videos of the kite flying snowboarder.

sunset

sunset starting

Fire lighting of the clouds

Sun hitting the break wall ice.

Another shot of the sunlit break wall ice.

Sun slowly disappears from the horizon.

The sun has gone over the horizon leaving its afterglow.

It's easy to forget to look at how the sun hits the woods behind you.