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.

Wind Creates Beauty

We had a high wind advisory today so a quick jaunt to the big lake seemed like the appropriate thing to do. The weather warnings and forecast cited waves at 14-18 feet. Just had to go down and take a look for ourselves.

Here are a few photographs and videos from the excursion. I have to say it was spectacular to just sit and take them in. A veritable explosion of watery fireworks, you could feel the water spray and sand as the photographs were taken.

So lucky to live so near this great body of water.

Taken from south side of pavilion parking area.

Waves are crashing at least 500 feet away.

Taken from south entrance turn around.

They just kept on coming.

 

These videos were taken from the end of Memorial Drive at the road side turn out.

A Walk in the Woods

Today we decided to take a short walk on the trails at the State Park.

We had a nice two days of snowfall and a good strong wind last night. The snow and the drifting were beautiful but then the sun appeared. We just couldn't resist getting out and gathering some vitamin D.

We hopped into the car and drove first to the lake shore to see what it was like, but the wind was still a bit strong there. So we drove over to Snug Harbor parked and took a walk into the woods.

It had been traveled by quite a few persons and dogs before us so the walking was not difficult. The wind in the tree tops and the sounds of birds enjoying the bursts of sun were the only sounds to disrupt our quiet walk.  The occasional fall of snow drifting off the trees was refreshing. We took a few pictures to post so I hope you enjoy them.

Trail ahead in sunlight.

Hemlocks drooping with snow.

Light dancing here and there.

Looking out toward the frozen Muskegon Lake.

Looking across the marsh to the east side of Snug Harbor.

Another view out to Snug Harbor.

Trail opening ahead to open area view of the Muskegon Lake.

Light hitting the Beech trees.

The Eagles nest.

Trees and Landscape Laced in Ice

Took a short drive into Muskegon for lunch at 557. Fresh food made to order,
excellent as usual.

Planned on a visit to the Muskegon Museum of Art.  However, the museum was closed due a power outage. We will head back tomorrow.

So we decided to take a slow drive around the state park and got some photos of the beautiful scenery there. Hope you enjoy them.