Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Feet in the sand

Evening on Lake Michigan

I walked to the edge and stepped into the cool, clear water of this great lake—Michigan, where a long sand beach, briefly interrupted by washed rocks along the southern island shoreline, reflected the rosy shades of an evening sun.
And stood looking over its rippled surface to the point where it dissolved into sky--
waves stealing sand from beneath my toes, and replacing it above, until I was planted there--
absorbed into its perfectly sculpted velvet plane.

Kalm's Lobelia

Ladies' Tresses

Between the fading blades of beach grass, there is a delicate blue, barely seen scattered across the dunes feet from shore. Delicate white orchids still catch the last amber rays, though their twisting stems are barely 6 inches tall.



And, as the sun drops deeper into the western horizon, glowing warmly over Hog Island, a calm settles over the water--the shallowest waves still reaching in their cleansing and settling way.
A small sandpiper walks in their wake, scurrying just ahead of my feet, his back strikingly mottled—matching a pattern that could be piles of small stones or pockets of tiny white clam shells.
And stops stepping to look at me.



Until his feet, too, are buried beneath wave-washed sand.

Sanderling, feet buried in sand



photographer on the beach with the little bird




Sunset over Hog Island







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28 comments:

Grizz………… said...

Oh, my…

Naturegirl said...

Such peace and solitude wonder and beauty in these images!My heart is soothed my weariness refreshed as I walk my healing journey. Thank you for these wonderful images and poetic words. sigh..NG

Deborah Godin said...

Well, this is SWF, and those skies are speactacluar, to be sure, but that photo on the beach, eye to eye with the little peep, is unforgetable!

Kelly said...

...beautiful. I could really feel the calm of the evening seeping in. Such a cute little shore bird...and I liked the photo of you taking his picture!

Sylvia K said...

Lovely, breathtaking beauty and you've caught it all in magnificent shots. Like Deborah, I love your being eye to eye, nose to beak, with that little guy! I love the feeling of solitude and peace, too!

Enjoy!

Sylvia

vincibene said...

Fantastic series! And I love the picture from you, too.

Jim said...

great sky shots

Anonymous said...

What beautiful sunsets! I love the colors :)

Lisa at Greenbow said...

All of these lovely photos take us right along with you. I would say this is a Sanderling. They are such handsome birds in their winter plumage and to get so close.

Regina said...

These are amazing captures!

scienceguy288 said...

Beautiful sunset colours. Magic every time.

magiceye said...

fabulous images

bobbie said...

Such beautiful skies! Especially those over Hog's Island.

Julie Zickefoose said...

A young Sanderling, either very foolish and fearless or very, very wise, knowing which is the right person in whom to confide. I pick the latter.

giggles said...

re: what JZ said... I was wondering..... Now I know, and agree!!

Kathi said...

The last photo, of the sunset, is so fab! I was going to ask you to pick up the shorebird and show me his feet (Tee-hee!) to see if he was a semipalm SP, but the good old Science Chimp stepped up to the plate with an ID before I could do it.

Shorebirds! How will I ever learn them if I can't ever see them in the field?

Diane said...

terrific shots!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Simply beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you enjoyed Michigan, though I did think you'd found Nessie's cousin at first.

Janet Creamer Martin said...

Love the shot of you on the beach with the Sanderling. Beautiful post, as always.

Julia said...

I would not have guessed there are sand dunes and orchids and lobelia around Lake Michigan! But I have never traveled to the great lakes region. I am guessing they are more rare, just like on the California coast.

Great pictures and words.

magiceye said...

superb series! much appreciated!

Tulip said...

what a beautiful captured of a fabulous sunset and the birds around.

my entry: http://southbrowneyes.blogspot.com/

TR Ryan said...

Glorious sunsets - wow! Glad you hung in there to show us (sometimes when things are so, so beautiful - I put down the camera and keep it for myself). I think Mary has found a challenge in you for "Bird Whisperer". That shot of you with the sanderling is priceless!

nina at Nature Remains. said...

This area is one to which I had never traveled either--and did not expect to find it so beautiful. The same great space as an ocean, and with large, rolling waves--though no salt or tides. Magnificent.
Thank yous to Lisa and Julie for confirming the little bird as a Sanderling. What a sweetie he was!

said...

What a beautiful photostory.

Sky said...

such lovely images here, especially the last one which looks quite tender. the sunset photos are splendid! there is nothing quite like the remarkable gifts of nature we find ourselves exploring.

Susan Gets Native said...

Lake Michigan is one of the best-kept secrets in these parts.
Love, love, love that shot of you and the sanderling! Oh MY.