Pretty Is As Pretty Does

Now, wasn't that nice.

Let's Talk Iquanas

One of the first things I did upon returning to the island from Michigan was to take a little tour around the island. It is good to do that every once in awhile. Things can change fast.

I had been hearing some nice things about a new statue out at South Point and wanted to check it out. The praise was well-founded.





Looks like something out of Jurassic Park, doesn't it? I was amazed at how life like it was.






Whoever did this, got it right. The coloring, the skin folds, all of it. I just wish this island would do a better job of giving credit to the artists who create these things.






And, just for comparison, here are some of the real thing that were running around that day. Not much difference except for size.

I mean, really. Compare the curve of the mouth here with that of the statue. Nice.

This guy wasn't angry at me. There was a territorial dispute going on and I just happened to push the shutter at the right time. When you see them act like this, good thing they aren't as big as that statue!

Here Birdie!

We don't have a lot of songbirds here on the island. Mostly because there is so little for them to eat. But we do have a plethora of sea birds. Here are a few.

The pier poles are a favorite resting place for the local pelicans and seagulls. Or maybe it is an outlook?





Once in awhile the seagulls will just wander around on the docks, not quite sure of what they should be doing or where they should be going. Much like the tourists.





Of course, the pelicans think the seagulls are just silly.







Although not a particularly pretty bird, pelicans are fascinating in their own right.







While sitting at my computer one day, it started to sprinkle outside. This bird landed on the wall that borders the back of my property. I think it is some kind of dove. It seemed to be taking advantage of the light shower to shower itself.

I had never noticed that blue ring around their eyes before. Maybe because I have never been able to get so up close and personal.

I'm really not very pleased with the way that the color doesn't upload to Blogger very well. It appears very washed out to me and has lost the brilliance and intensity that it has on the computer. I wonder what I can do about that?

I'm Loving It

I have to say, that despite its' bulk, I am loving this new camera. There are a lot of features on it that I have yet to discover and/or conquer. But for now, this zoom is really ringing my bell. This is the last time I will do this to you, I promise. You will most assuredly see zoomed photos in the future, but I won't necessarily point them out as being that.

Here then, is what has my boat floating.

Regular shot. (keep your eye on the horizon)







1/4 zoomed.






1/2 zoomed.







3/4 zoomed.






Full zoom.

Since I can't print from my computer for some reason, I have to talk somebody else in this house to print out the pdf manual for me. A little over 80 pages. Once that is done, I will be able to amaze myself with even more features. I hope!

Being An Outcast Has Its' Moments

Being the only member of my family who smokes, and who ever has, I am the outcast child. My sister takes pity on me though and allows me the use of one of the side decks for my evil pleasure.

While standing on the rail one day, looking out at nature and her glory, I thought I saw movement. Way out there by that group of trees.





I grabbed my camera, hit the zoom and used it like a pair of binoculars. And what should I see?






And another one!






And still more! Lying down, chewing their cuds, just having a peaceful afternoon.









A few were up and about though. It just amazed me that I could not see them from the deck with my naked eye. Great camo.

There is a huge problem in my hometown with city deer. They are everywhere.

I started making clucking noises, to see how they would react. They definately heard me.

But, the best was yet to come. I finally got the answer to the age-old question......

What does a deer do when they think nobody is looking?

Close-up And Interesting

Images from a perennial garden. I could not figure out how to use the macro setting on my new camera so I just got in as close as I could.

Enjoy.

By The Shore

I had to drive to Muskegon one day. That is where the closest Target store is to my hometown. I still had a few things on my NOB list to try to find. While there, it is only a short detour to head over to the shores of Lake Michigan. This was my ocean growing up.

My, how things have changed. It used to be a wild, wooly place and quite the hike to get over the sand dunes to the water. Now they have built these wooden walkways everywhere, making it easy to get to the water. Or at least see the water. I like that the Lake here is now handicap accessible.






There are the signs the go along with the 21st century crowds everywhere. Do this, don't do that, go here for this, don't do that here!






One of the smaller piers with its' lighthouse.





No hill is too small for these wooden pathways. There are two ways up. Stairs and a ramp.









It was cold the day I was there and nobody was in the water. Smart people, those Michiganders.

I don't think I'll be heading back to Lake Michigan anytime soon. Been there, done that. I prefer my beaches flat and my water crystal clear. Am I spoiled now?

The Great Outdoors

Not every day that I was in Michigan started with 48F and ended with 65F. A few of the days were glorious versions of late Spring. I took the opportunity on one of these days to revisit someplace that is near and dear to my heart.

I remember going there as a child with the family and having a picnic and a day of fishing. (and getting made fun of because I refused to touch the icky worms!) Then, later, as a teenager, this became a favorite haunt for keggers and small drunken get-to-gethers with other wild, rascally pubescent youth. Thus I am not going to name the spot. But I will share its' beauty with you!

The way to the best vista is over this bridge. Bring mosquitoe repellent!






The large body of water here feeds this creek, which runs under the above bridge.






And, of course, every bridge has two sides!








If you take your time to really look, Spring will gladly show off for you. There were lovely little bouguets of cowslips.







The occassional jack in his pulpit.

And, naturally, the ever present dandelion. A weed with its' own beauty.

But this is what I came to see and I was not disappointed.

But wait. What's that out there in the water?

NICE.

I don't know. Maybe because this is the type of environment I was raised in, but I think this type of place has just as much beauty and appeal as any beachside sunset. But I like them both!

Fruity Goodness

Since I was recently visiting Michigan for a couple of weeks, I think it only fitting that I spend a few days here sharing it with you.

The part of Michigan where I was raised, western, is the fruit belt of the state. Fruit trees reign supreme all along the western coast. My home town is no exception. Apples are predominant though.

I was lucky enough to be there as the apple trees were in full blossom. What a lovely sight and what a lovely fragrance!

Here you go!