WATCHING THE SUNSET

Beach at Petoskey State Park, Lake Michigan

I guess it’s time to treat you with another photo from our recent trip to Michigan.

The beach at Petoskey State Park was a perfect place to watch the sunset from the east side of Lake Michigan. Many people from the campground behind the dunes came out and enjoyed the moment.

First I hesitated to include this aluminum walkway into my photo but then I liked how the sun was reflected on it all the way to the lower edge of the image. It also adds a little more story to the picture. Michigan’s state parks were all well maintained and offered visitors and campers with disabilities good opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. This aluminum walk- or driveway allows people in wheelchairs to access the lake with its crystal clear water.

Nikon Z6II, Nikkor Z 24-70, f/4 S, GITZO tripod GT2931 Basalt, KIRK BH-3 ball head,   @ 62mm, 1/640s, f/8, ISO 100, image slightly cropped

EVENING AT THE DUNES

Sand Dunes at Petoskey State Park, Lake Michigan

Already deep in our vacation a long day of travel led us to Petoskey State Park at the northeast shore of Lake Michigan. When your senses are still trapped in a driving state it is more than a pleasure to walk barefoot on the access trail over the dunes to the beach and unwind by sitting in the sand and wait for the sunset. As much as we loved the beautiful weather, with lots of sun for camping and relaxing, but with hardly any clouds in the sky, the photographer rolls his eyes…

Well, it was time to make the best out of it and embrace the soft light of the setting sun over the dunes along Little Traverse Bay at Lake Michigan.

On a not so unimportant note, it always amazes me how disrespectful many people are to nature and rules that try to protect our natural treasures. The campground was on the other side side of the dunes, and it is not a small one. Posted signs and fences make it very clear that walking across the dunes outside of the access trails may increase erosion and can lead to destruction of the dunes. The many human tracks in the sand make me wondering how many people in this country can’t read, or just give a dam about their natural resources… Very sad!