Overview of Badlands National Park

Located in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park covers more than 244,000 acres of breathtaking landscapes. The park is renowned for its colorful rock formations and diverse wildlife. Established as a national park in 1978, it has since become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers. It was established as a national park in 1978 and has since become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers.

History of Badlands National Park

Before European settlers arrived on the Dakota prairies, this area’s Native American culture recognized the importance of this geological formation. The Lakota people called it “Mako Sica,” meaning “bad land.” The Badlands’ rugged terrain and unforgiving weather were considered unfit for human habitation. Nevertheless, many Native American tribes, including the Sioux, have lived in this mystical land for thousands of years.

Later, when French fur traders encountered the area, they called it “les mauvaises terres à traverse, ” which translates to “bad lands to cross.” During the 1800s, European settlers began moving west in search of new opportunities. To the pioneers, the Badlands were an insurmountable barrier on their journey. The harsh weather and rough terrain made it impossible to settle or navigate.

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was a passionate conservationist who visited Badlands National Park several times. He was deeply moved by the rugged beauty of this land and worked towards preserving it for future generations.

In 1978, Badlands National Monument became Badlands National Park under President Jimmy Carter’s administration. Since then, it has become a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers alike. The park’s creation was a joint effort between the National Park Service, the South Dakota State Historical Society, and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. The park’s territory includes the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States.

The Unique Geology of Badlands National Park

The fascinating geology of Badlands National Park left me in awe. The park’s unique landscape tells a story of millions of years of erosion, deposition, and transformation of sediments and rocks. The makeup of the stone bands in the cliffs is remarkable and truly one-of-a-kind. The colors of the Badlands’ sedimentary rock formations change throughout the day as the light shifts. The canyon faces, ranging from rich browns and yellows to bright red, have a surreal appearance found in few places on Earth.

The Badlands have numerous geological formations such as canyons, ravines, gullies, and hoodoos. My favorites were the Hoodoos because it’s fun to say.

Hoodoos are tall and thin spires of rock that rise from the bottom of the arid drainage basins. Wind and water erosion form these stunning geological features over time, creating unique shapes and patterns.

Badlands National Park boasts towering cliff walls that rise up to 250 feet, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring landscape. These rocks offer a tangible connection to the park’s geological history, with colorful striations in layered sedimentary formations.

The road winds through cliffs and hoodoos, offering easy access to geological formations and breathtaking views.

Bighorn Sheep

One of the most exciting things to see while visiting Badlands National Park is the Bighorn sheep that call it home. These magnificent creatures are named for their massive, curved horns, which can weigh up to 30 pounds.

These robust animals are typically found on the park’s rolling hills, grazing on hardy mountain grasses and brushing against the rocky slopes. The Bighorn sheep are a symbol of the park’s wilderness and a testament to the park’s conservation efforts.

Once threatened by diseases introduced through contact with domestic sheep, their numbers dwindled to dangerously low levels. The park’s management team initiated restoration programs that helped their population recover. Making the sighting of these magnificent creatures a testament to successful conservation efforts.

The Badlands National Park offers an ideal habitat for the Bighorn sheep. The park’s undulating topography and rocky slopes give the sheep excellent vantage points for detecting predators. The sparse vegetation offers a rich diet of grasses, sedges, and forbs that these animals prefer. The park’s semi-arid climate suits the Bighorn sheep’s rugged nature. They are built to withstand the park’s variable weather conditions, ranging from freezing winters to scorching summer heat.

In the face of adverse conditions, these magnificent creatures have adapted to their harsh environment, turning the “badlands” into a thriving ecosystem. Whether navigating cliffs or grazing in the valleys, the Bighorn is a quintessential part of the landscape and continues to enchant visitors.

Keep your eyes peeled while driving through the park, and you may spot a herd or two.

Image Gallery of Badlands National Park

More Information on Badlands National Park

For more information on planning your visit to Badlands National Park, including maps, camping sites, and fees, check out the official website of the National Park Service.

For information on the Geology of The Badlands – See Geologic Formations: How Badlands Buttes Came to Be

Conclusion

If you’re like me and are a photographer looking to capture the beauty of the United States, then a stop at Badlands National Park must be on your list. And when you drive the winding road through the park, wonder what the native people must have thought of this unique place.

In conclusion, you must make time to detour off the main road and visit Badlands National Park to create memories that will last a lifetime.

Where is Badlands National Park

The park is located in South Dakota, just south of the town of Wall (the home of the infamous “Wall Drugs” sign. Follow highway 240 south from I-90 to reach the eastern park entrance.

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What is the Lonaconing Silk Mill

The Lonaconing Silk Mill, located in Allegany County, in western Maryland, was founded in 1907 by the Klotz Throwing Company. During the early 20th century, silk production was a booming industry in America, and the Lonaconing Silk Mill was among the largest silk manufacturers in the United States.

Though the mill was always productive, textile manufacturing was always on the edge of viability in the US. The mill had to cease operations in 1929 during the Depression and then again during World War II due to the lack of raw silk from Asia. But before closing in 1945, the mill produced many of the parachutes used by the US armed forces during that war.

In the end, the mill was forced to shut down on July 7, 1957, following a strike by the labor union. The company couldn’t meet the workers’ demands, which resulted in the mill’s closure. As a result, the workers left, and the mill’s doors were permanently closed that day. Inside the walls, time essentially stopped and preserved a time capsule of early 20th-century manufacturing.

The silk mill that once symbolized America’s manufacturing heritage is now a haunting reminder of the past. The massive building spans over 48,000 square feet and is still filled with machinery and tools, waiting for the workers who will never return. Unfortunately, the structure is now in disrepair, with peeling paint and dusty hallways.

Why Visit the Lonaconing Silk Mill

Despite its haunting appearance, it is a photographer’s paradise. The machinery is still intact, offering endless opportunities to capture the industrial beauty of a bygone era.

Visiting the abandoned Lonaconing Silk Mill will leave you in awe of the immense machinery that was once used for silk production. Although the machines are now deteriorating, they stand as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the mill workers.

Walking through the mill provides a glimpse of what life was like for workers in the early 20th century. The sizes of the machinery and the scale of work that was involved would have been mind-blowing. It is a story of hard work, dedication, and tools that once created the manufacturing boom in America’s industrial era.

The Caretaker

Herb Crawford, the then-caretaker, led us through the abandoned building during my visit. His passion for the place had kept it from falling into complete disrepair. Crawford provided a comprehensive explanation of the mill’s operation, the significance of the remaining equipment, and the daily routine of the mill workers.

The mill’s interior is amazing due to Herb’s tremendous labor of love. Despite some dust and crumbling paint, the facility has remained unchanged since the day the doors closed.

Herb has overseen the dozens of spinning machines turned off when the mill closed, and thousands of wooden spools remained stacked and ready for use. To preserve the mill, Herb has regularly guided paid tours through the facility, ensuring that the calendars hanging on the walls still show the date as July 1957.

The Mill’s Future

Herb passed away at the age of 84 in 2019. Sadly, his dream of restoring the Lonaconing Silk Mill was left unfinished. And, as of now, the building has been vacant longer than it was operational.

Nevertheless, in 2020, Lonaconing resident Brandon Sloan purchased the structures and land from Herb’s heirs. Brandon’s top priority is to preserve the mill. He aims to make it a place of historical pride for the local Lonaconing community, carrying on Herb’s legacy.

I’m uncertain if tours of the Lonaconing Silk Mill are currently available. Contact the mill through their Facebook or website’s Contact page for more information.

More on the Lonaconing Silk Mill

If you want to see more information about the Silk Mill, please check out these other stories.

• The Baltimore Sun – Spinning it forward: Renovation plans set for a former silk mill in Western Maryland
• The Explorographer – The Beginning of The End @ The Lonaconing Silk Mill
• Allegany Magazine – Save Our Silk
• The Klotz Company Store: Official website for Lonaconing Silk Mill events and items.
• The Silk Mill: Lonaconing Silk Mill’s Facebook page

Image Gallery

Conclusion

The Lonaconing Silk Mill stands today as a tribute to the rise and fall of America’s manufacturing heritage. The beauty of the mill is seen not only in the hauntingly beautiful industrial architecture and machinery but also in its ability to stir the imagination and inspire photographers to capture the essence of America’s industrial past. The mill also serves as a unique and important window into the economic and social history of the nation. A visit to this abandoned mill will inspire and remind us of the hard work and the determination of the generations before us who built America.

Where is the Lonaconing Silk Mill

The mill is located southwest of Cumberland, MD, in Lonaconing. The property is not publicly available and is monitored by cameras 24/7. If you want to visit this historic location, please get in touch with the folks at the Klotz Company Store through their Facebook or website’s Contact page for more information.

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A Day of Visiting Lighthouses

My plan for the day was to visit five of Lake Michigan’s iconic lighthouses in northwest lower Michigan – Point Betsie Lighthouse, Frankfort Light, Manistee Pierhead Light, Luddington Breakwater Light, and Big Sable Light. It was an aggressive schedule, and I wanted to time it so I could be at Big Sable at Sunset. My round trip from Ann Arbor was about 9 hours, so I knew it would be a very full day of driving and shooting.

The trip was all going to plan, and I got some very good images of the first four lighthouses with moody skies and waves. Going well, that is until I pulled into the Luddington State Park parking lot about 20 minutes before sunset. Most of the lighthouses are adjacent to their parking areas, for Big Sable, I had not planned for the two-mile walk! I thought I was going to miss the sunset!

About Big Sable Lighthouse

The Big Sable Point Light is one of the most popular lighthouses on the Great Lakes. The lighthouse is located in Ludington State Park on Lake Michigan’s shore, marking the entrance to Hamlin Lake. The iconic lighthouse and how beautifully it sits on the shore makes it one of the most photographed lighthouses in the state.

Built in 1867, Big Sable is the fourth tallest lighthouse on Lake Michigan. With a 112-foot (34 m) tall, conical brick tower with an attached keeper’s quarters. The black and white striping really makes this lighthouse’s tower a striking sight along the lake.

Big Sable Lighthouse is one of five lighthouses in Michigan listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The light is currently operated by Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association. The SPLKA keeps the site in operation and provides for building maintenance. The building is open for tours daily 10 am-5 pm from the end of May to the end of October. You can climb to the top or visit the gift shop in the original Keeper’s Quarters. 

Arriving at the Light

As I said, it was a long day of driving and visiting gorgeous lighthouses on the lake. Since most of the lighthouses are a short walk from the parking area, I planned to get to Big Sable about 30 minutes before sunset. But when I got to the parking lot at Luddington State Park, I could not see the lighthouse anywhere. Checking the park map was the first time I realized I was in for a hike.

So half an hour to sunset and golden hour light in full swing, I strapped on my camera bag and began a steady jog out to the lighthouse. I was so annoyed at myself for not planning this out. The dread of missing the sunset helped keep my pace up even as the sun started to touch the horizon out on the lake.

Even though I arrived at the lighthouse shaky and sweaty (I wasn’t in that good of shape then), I did make it in time to catch the glorious sunset light on the tower. One of the things that really was to my advantage was that even with the sun on the horizon, the light reflecting off of the lake extended the golden hour for at least 30 more minutes.

If I had planned properly, I would have known the site better. I would have known about the walk and had the time to get better photos.

But this episode taught me an important lesson, you need to plan for photo locations. I’m really glad on this trip, I was alone and did not have to hustle other photographers down the trail.

Landscape Planning Tools

Since this time I’ve learned to use a tool like PhotoPills or PlanIt. To use them not only to find where the sun, moon, or astronomical features are. But to see the location, plan the trip, and pre-visualize the shots I want.

All-in-all, even with my hurried state, I think my visit to Big Sable turned out OK. Once my panic had subsided, was able to get some really great images of the lighthouse and the surrounding site. I know that I will go back there again. Next time, with better planning, I’ll try for the Milky Way or some Auroras in the sky.

Conclusion

Hopefully, you’ve learned from my mistake (I know I have). So when you get the chance to visit Big Sable Lighthouse, if you take the time to do the planning, you will arrive in a calm state of mind that will allow you to truly enjoy this grand historical site.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Also, if you want to see some of my other trips around the state, check out these posts on Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse and The High Rollways.

And as always, keep on clicking!

Where is Big Sable Lighthouse?

Big Sable Lighthouse is located in Luddington State Park on the shore of Lake Michigan.

Luddington State Park Trail Map – So you don’t get lost.

The post Big Sable Lighthouse – Almost Lost Out At An Amazing Sunset appeared first on Croasdill Photography.

In addition, the Fuqua Orchid Center has an Orchid Display House that features thousands of orchid blooms. If you’re in Atlanta during early spring (or any time of year), make sure to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden!

Discover Atlanta describes it best as –

“An urban oasis in Midtown (Atlanta), the Garden includes 30 acres of outdoor gardens, an award-winning Children’s Garden, a one-of-a-kind Canopy Walk through Storza Woods, and the innovative Edible Garden featuring an Outdoor Demonstration Kitchen.

The Fuqua Conservatory is an organic biosphere and home to important collections of tropical palms and conifers; the Fuqua Orchid Center is home to the foremost collection of species orchids in the United States.

Conservation gardens and amphibian displays highlight the Garden’s work with carnivorous plant bogs across the Southeast as well as endangered species of frogs from around the world.”

Arrival at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is located adjacent to Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta, Georgia. The entrance on Piedmont Ave was easy to find, and there was plenty of parking.

The entrance area has a great waiting area with benches, flowers, and a fountain to get your party together before entering the Garden.

Exploring the Gardens

Japanese Garden

In the 1960s, long before the Garden was built, the Atlanta Bonsai Society planted a Japanese Garden on the site of the current one. In 1980, after being renewed, it added a tiny pond and additional stone walls and fences. The present style blends several types of traditional Japanese gardens into one.

On the ground is a chozubachi stone basin used as a purification ritual before a tea ceremony. The tea garden also includes a waiting bench for reflecting and enjoying the space.

Behind the Japanese garden is a wonderful zen pool called the Ferst Fountain. This lovely installation by Atlanta artist Christine Sibley features water naiads (or lotus ladies) represented in bas relief peering out from behind the waterfall.

Levy Parterre – Chihuly

The Levy Parterre is the most formal garden design on the premises, based on 17th-century French medieval knot gardens and Korean boxwoods surrounding four central beds. They, in turn, are surrounded by beds of flowers.

An Italian limestone fountain anchors the Parterre, topped with Dale Chihuly’s Parterre Fountain Installation. The fountain sculpture is one of the Garden’s most famous icons, and one of several Chihuly works in the permanent collection.

Dale Chihuly’s Parterre Fountain Installation is a one-of-a-kind work in blue and white. This beautiful glass sculpture represents the shapes and colors of water, ice, and sky.

Great Lawn & Vine Arbor

The Great Lawn is just beyond the Parterre Garden. It’s bordered on the east by the Strickland Border and the west by the Color Border and Vine Arbor. You’ll find a mix of evergreen and deciduous vines in this area, native and exotic.

Visiting in early March meant that not too much was in bloom in this area yet. But it’s worth your time to look at the incredible knots in the vines that back the walkway.

Additionally, there were quite a variety of Daffodils standing sentinel around the lawn. There were even rafts of daffs floating in the pool in front of the Fuqua Conservatory.

Fuqua Conservatory

The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Fuqua Conservatory is an organic biosphere and home to significant tropical palm and conifer collections. The Fuqua Orchid Center is home to the foremost collection of species orchids in the United States.

Conservatory Lobby

The most popular exhibit in the Conservatory currently features endangered frogs from around the world. There are frogs from Mexico, Peru, and Costa Rica on display.

Tropical Rotunda

The Tropical Rotunda hosts hundreds of plant species. This includes plants & trees from Central America’s lowland forests, central Africa, southern Mexico, and southeast Asia.

Plants from regions with high degrees of endemism – those that grow natively nowhere else on Earth – get particular emphasis.

The humidity is maintained at tropical levels in the rotunda. So you might find yourself in a rainstorm listening to the beat of rain on the large leaves.

Fuqua Orchid Center

The Fuqua Orchid Center has two display houses containing a dazzling array of orchid species. It was amazing to wander through all colors, sizes, scents, and shapes.

The orchid family, the largest and most diverse in the plant world, comprises over 25,000 species. With orchids accounting for about 8 percent of all flowering plant species.

The Center’s collection, composed of more than 2,000 species, showcases this tremendous diversity.

Desert House

The Desert House is a beautiful look into this harsh, fascinating planet. It explores the different ways that plants survive in the desert.

There are no cacti in the Desert House. Succulents from several arid areas such as Madagascar and southern Africa make up most of these plants.

Kendeda Canopy Walk

The skywalk features a suspension bridge with towering masts. The masts are set so they seem to disappear among the trees. It is one of the United States’ biggest tree canopy-level walkways.

The steel and concrete structure descends to Sourwood Terrace, providing a connection to all the woodlands gardens below.

Cascades Garden & Earth Goddess

Again, foiled by the timing of this visit, the beautiful Earth Goddess installation was dormant. This 25-foot tall statue, made from welded thin rods and sheet steel filled with soil, creates a framework for the 18,000 annual plants.

While she’s not impressive off-season, here’s what she looks like in season. She’s beautiful and well worth heading back for.

Storza Woods

Beyond the Earth Goddess (that sounds like a book title) is the Storza Woods. It is one of the few remaining secondary growth mature hardwood forests in the City of Atlanta.

The woods contain multiple gardens, including the Azalea and Camellia walks and the beautiful Glade Garden.

Glade Garden –

Unfortunately, the star of the Glade Garden, Chihuly’s Saffron Tower, a 30-foot-tall, 3,660-watt neon glass sculpture, did not live up to being in the woods. Since it could no longer light up and function properly, the sculpture was removed in 2021.

Fortunately, the artist was able to create a replacement to stand tall over the reflecting pool. Now the new Yellow Icicle tower, a beautiful spikey piece that glistens in the sunlight, stands as a majestic tribute to the trees around it.

Atlanta Botanical Garden Wrap Up

Atlanta Botanical Garden is one of the most diverse and beautiful botanical gardens in Atlanta, with a wide variety of flowers, plants, trees, trails, and waterfalls. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens has four main sections: Tropical Rotunda, Fuqua Orchid Center; Desert House; Kendeda Canopy Walk. As someone who was not able to see everything because of the time of year, I would highly recommend a visit in the spring or summer so you can see all the Atlanta Botanical Garden has to offer. I know I’ll be back next time I visit.

Where is this?

Please visit the Atlanta Botanical Gardens website to get more information on the gardens.

If you liked this view, please check out my other explorations.

The post Early Spring In Atlanta Botanical Gardens: Flowers, Sculptures, and Orchids appeared first on Croasdill Photography.

Zen – A state of calm attentiveness in which one’s actions are guided by intuition rather than by conscious effort.

Merriam Webster

Rural landscapes provide an opportunity for humans to find some solace after spending time surrounded by modern technology.

Photographing Rural Landscapes

We are constantly connected to the Internet and people through devices like tablets, smartphones, and laptops. These devices have made our lives easier in many ways. However, they have also separated us from the natural world that surrounds us.

Focusing your creative mind on rural landscapes gives you a chance to slow down. You get to enjoy some quiet time with Mother Nature. Photographing rural landscapes allows me to feel closer to the world around me and experience a sense of tranquility. In particular, these areas can sometimes be more peaceful than any other location. They offer a chance for reflection and a break from modern life.

Bringing us closer to the natural world

Another benefit of photographing rural landscapes is that it offers the opportunity to learn more about the natural world. You may discover new species of animals, plants, or even insects unique to certain areas.

Photographing rural landscapes, in particular, offers the chance to capture truly amazing vistas. These landscapes are not limited to certain areas but can be found in mountains, deserts, woodlands, and beaches.

Once you understand the benefits of photographing rural landscapes. How it is a great way to learn more about nature and slow down from modern life. You can begin searching for opportunities to photograph these remarkable areas.

If photographing rural landscapes is something that interests you, you can find plenty of opportunities to do it by simply venturing outside your front door. Depending on where you live, there might be a national park, wildlife preserve, state park, or other areas to photograph rural landscapes very close to you.

What makes rural landscapes so special?

Capturing the vast emptiness and beauty of rural landscapes fills you with an appreciation for nature. It can inspire you to protect these places and encourage you to explore and appreciate them for yourself.

For example, try photographing local orchards or vineyards struggling due to hardship or changing weather conditions. Look at capturing them in a way that conveys the beauty of these places. Start by searching for the right composition. This will help you appreciate the farmland for its beauty and the effort that goes into keeping it growing.

When photographing rural landscapes, keep your eyes open for places that speak to the cultural significance or historical events. These photographs can help you appreciate these places more.

Look for old meeting halls or churches where people once gathered. Images of these structures tell a powerful story. These places speak not just about the landscape but what was important to these people at different times.

The same goes for old barns showing where farms once existed but have been lost to time and weather.

Always remember to take photographs of the area surrounding your subject. These surrounding landscapes can act as context for your subject or may even be of interest themselves.

When photographing rural landscapes near cities, photographing signs of urban sprawl. Looking for malls and office buildings encroaching upon the countryside can be a rewarding project. This also reminds the viewer that these rural places are special and should be protected.

How do I photograph rural landscapes?

Rural landscapes often feature large vistas. You will often find rolling hills and mountains, expansive valleys and forests, meadows amid foggy mornings, and more. A challenge when capturing these scenes is how to fit all the features into the frame without making it look too busy.

Here are some things to consider when photographing rural landscapes:

• What does photographing rural landscapes mean to me?
• How do I want this image to make the viewer feel?
• How can I add my style or twist to it to create something unique and different from what you’ve seen before?

Tips for photographing rural landscapes

• Try using your telephoto lens to capture detailed close-ups of these elements without including too much sky in the frame. Zoom in on a small portion of the landscape and fill the frame with it. This way you can create visual interest without reducing the scene’s overall impact.
• When you photograph rural landscapes at sunrise or sunset, try positioning your camera so that it points towards the sun. This produce a golden or orange color cast on your photos. You also may be able to catch some sun rays beaming down on the scene.
• Perhaps the most important element in landscape photography is keeping your horizons straight. Any tilt in the image may cause the viewer to feel stressed. So use a tripod whenever possible and take care to level your camera and frame your shot correctly.
• Photographing the subtle changes in rural landscapes over time with a good depth of field can also be rewarding.
• If your photo contains a wide foreground element such as grasses, trees, or flowers, try to use leading lines. Position these elements so that they lead the viewer’s eye towards the central portion of the scene. Conversly, you may want to use a large object in the distance to draw the viewer’s attention to a specific area of the image.

Conclusion

Many photographers avoid photographing landscapes because they find it challenging to capture nature’s expansive beauty. However, with a bit of effort and creativity, you can compose strong landscape photos that convey a sense of peace and tranquility.

Now, get your camera bag, warm up your inner zen and go on out there and find some peace.

And while you’re at it, here are some quick tips on getting great shots and my favorite places in Yellowstone National Park.

If you want to see more of my explorations, check out the Explore section on my site.

The post The Uplifting Zen Of Photographing Authentic Rural Landscapes appeared first on Croasdill Photography.

Photography in Yellowstone National Park can be a truly rewarding experience. There are many different things to photograph here, from wildlife to beautiful landscapes. With such a wide variety of subject matter, it can be tough to know where to start. I’ve put together this list of the seven best photo spots in Yellowstone. If you’re looking to capture some amazing shots while visiting Yellowstone, then make sure to check out these locations!

All of these photos are from a trip I took to Yellowstone National Park with fellow photographers, AD Wheeler (https://www.theexplorographer.com/), Mary Presson Roberts (https://www.themaryphotographer.com/), and Lynn Wiezycki (https://www.theilluminatinglens.com/).

Equipment Used – Sony A6300, Sony FE 70-200 GM, E PZ 18-105 F4 G, and Mefoto travel tripod

What are the best spots to photograph in Yellowstone National Park?

Grand Prismatic Spring & Overlook

Grand Prismatic Spring is Yellowstone’s largest hot spring. It is also the largest hot spring in the United States and the third-largest in the world. The vibrant colors of this beautiful spring make for a great photo opportunity. The colors in the water, and the area around it, are created by the different types of organisms found in the spring.

The bright, vivid hues in the hot spring are due to bacterial mats that form around the mineral-rich water’s margins. The colors of the microbial mats range from green to crimson, depending on the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoids. They are affected by the temperature gradient in the runoff and the air temperature. The colors tend to be redder in the summer, and you’ll see more greens in the winter.

The clarity of the water causes the rich blue color in the center of the Grand Prismatic Spring. The pool is so hot and deep that none of the microbes can live there, so all you see is the inherent blue of the water.

Getting to the spring in the morning golden hour will provide the best views of the rising steam from the heated pools.

If you want to view the whole hot spring and see all the gorgeous colors, the best photos are taken from the Grand Prismatic Spring overlook. The overlook is just a short walk up the hills behind the pool.

Mammoth Hot Springs

The hot water from Mammoth Hot Springs forms a series of terraces composed of travertine deposited by hydrothermal springs that have flowed into the valley near the north end of Yellowstone National Park. The unique colors of the spring water reflect diverse minerals in the travertine, including an iron oxide, which lends the terraces their yellowish-brown color.

These terraces in this area are created by geothermally heated water flowing up through the ground. The spring waters here are about 50-60C (125F). As the hot water rises to the surface of Mammoth Hot Springs, dissolved limestone and other minerals crystallize out, forming the travertine deposits.

The Mammoth Hot Springs boardwalk is one of the most popular areas for visitors to explore. The boardwalk offers some fantastic views of the springs, streams, pools, and terraces that make up the cliff area. The terrain is littered with dead trees making for a nearly apocalyptic landscape.

Just down the road is the historic Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. This building was the first guest hotel in Yellowstone National Park. The hotel opened in December of 1918 to serve visitors for the park’s development.

A 2019 restoration project restored the building to its original appearance, including restoring features such as an old-fashioned lobby and sleeping porches on top of the building.

When visiting the Mammoth Hot Springs area, make sure to allocate some time to visit the hotel and grab some of their excellent ice creams. It’s a worthy treat after climbing to the top of the trail.

Firehole Lake Drive

Firehole Lake Drive is located in the northwest Yellowstone National Park, near Old Faithful. This road leads around the Firehole River to Madison Junction. It’s a 6.2-mile paved loop with many scenic viewpoints. The best time to drive it is sunrise or sunset when the colors are most vibrant.

When it is warmer outside, the geothermal activity will make this area steamy through the cracks in the rocks. If you want, you can get up close to the bubbling springs.

Great Fountain Geyser

Great Fountain Geyser is a fountain-type geyser in the Lower Geyser Basin of Yellowstone National Park. It is located near the Excelsior Geyser, halfway between Old Faithful and Morning Glory Pool along Firehole Lake Drive.

Great Fountain Geyser was named for its large, regular eruptions that can reach heights up to 250 feet. The intervals between eruptions average 7 hours, but they can be as short as 2 hours or as long as 26 hours.

The geyser has two vents, one on the north and the other on the south. The eruptions start from the north vent and sometimes switch to the south vent.

The water in Great Fountain Geyser is very hot and is usually blue, sometimes green in color. It has been known to overflow to the ground level when the geyser is erupting.

West Thumb Geyser Basin

The West Thumb Geyser Basin is on the western shore of Yellowstone Lake. While relatively unknown, this spot has some of the most unique geothermal features in the park. It is a great place for wildlife viewing as well! There are a number of thermal pools here that all have something different to offer.

Most geysers and hot springs are easily accessible from one of two boardwalks that wind around the area. The boardwalks offer views of some beautiful sights such as Abyss Pool, Black Pool, Fishing Cone, and Painted Pool.

The hot spring known as Black Pool used to live up to that name. It was a cooler pool that allowed for more bacteria to grow. The dark brown coloration leads to how the pool got its name.

Since the seismic events in 1991, the pool has heated up and lost its bacteria, leaving it with a bright blue color. Some ruddy brown bacteria live on and can be seen in the stream that leads out of the pool to Yellowstone Lake.

The 53 feet deep Abyss Pool is one of the deepest hot springs in Yellowstone and was an active geyser as recently as 1992.

The West Thumb hot spring pools are very large, and the boardwalk goes right up to the edge, so be sure to bring a wide-angle lens when photographing this spot.

Yellowstone Lower Falls from Artist Point

No list of best places could be complete without mentioning The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone! One look at its turquoise blue waters and incredible waterfalls will make you fall in love with it. The best part about it is that you can photograph all of this beauty from multiple viewpoints, Point Sublime and the famous Artist Point.

The Lower Falls plunging 300 feet into the canyon below is one of the most stunning views in Yellowstone National Park and an essential stop on your list if you’re visiting.

Miles and miles of jagged, steep canyon walls are painted in yellows, oranges, and pinks as you look down the canyon from Artist Point. You may be able to view osprey, ravens, swallows, and bald eagles nesting along the cliff with binoculars.

It’s easy to understand why Artist Point has been one of Yellowstone Park’s most popular vista points for over a century when seen from this vantage point. It’s easy to see this is one of the most popular Yellowstone photo spots.

Artist Point is a great perch to see the lower falls and an excellent lookout point for the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the lower falls. This view of the yellow walls of the canyon lets you know how the park got its name.

Old Faithful Geyser & Lodge

Old Faithful Geyser is the most iconic spot in Yellowstone National Park. It’s a must-see when in the park. As Yellowstone’s oldest monument, Old Faithful has been a part of many personal journeys, and the memories will last far beyond your visit.

The landmark is famous for its reliability and consistency. The average time between eruptions is about 90 minutes but can vary from 50 to 120 minutes. Eruptions usually last from 1.5 to 5 minutes sending from 3,700–8,400 gallons of superheated water 100-200 feet into the air.

When you visit Old Faithful, you’ll get a chance to see the historic Old Faithful Inn. Designed by Robert C. Reamer, it is made from native materials and was built in the winter of 1903–1904. Catch a ranger talk or educational program on this free attraction to learn more about the geology of Old Faithful.

If you want to capture some great memories from your time at Old Faithful, stop by the visitor center for some last-minute souvenirs before heading out of the park.

Lamar Valley / North Yellowstone

The Lamar Valley is one of the most stunning views in Yellowstone National Park and an essential stop on your list if you’re visiting. With open grasslands and towering mountains, you’ll get a real feeling of what the Yellowstone area looked like to the first people who visited here.

In the early morning and late evening hours, you’ll be able to photograph bison, elk, coyotes, and maybe even grizzly bears. These majestic creatures are exciting to photograph, especially as they graze in the meadows.

This is where you will want to bring out your telephoto lens to get better photos of the animals. Remember the park requires you to stay a “minimum of 25 yards – the length of two regular school buses – away from most large animals and a minimum of 100 yards – the length of a football field – away from bears and wolves at all times”

Hayden Valley / Central Yellowstone

The Hayden Valley is located in the park’s heart and is a lovely spot to explore. This valley with its gently meandering Yellowstone River and the chance to view animals. The arrival of dawn offers spectacular views of golden sunrises as they light up softly sloping hillsides and an even better opportunity to see animals like bears and wolves, who are more active in the early morning.

Waterfowl are plentiful in this region, and the Bison frequently pass through it on or near the road (if they’re on the road, you’ll see how quickly traffic stops to a halt in a “bison jam”). Near the Yellowstone River, you may expect to see ducks, Canadian geese, pelicans, and perhaps swans swimming or lounging. You’ll undoubtedly be able to locate numerous locations for excellent photos with so many roadside pullouts throughout the valley!

Wrap Up

You don’t need to go too far off the beaten path for great photo spots. Whether standing on a cliff overlooking a valley or watching the wild animals in the upper geyser basin, you’ll find some of your best shots in Yellowstone National Park. Try some of my nine favorite photo spots if you’re looking for the best places to photograph within Yellowstone National Park.

And as a reminder, Yellowstone has a great neighbor, Grand Teton National Park. The park was established in 1929 and is home to some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the country. So add some extra time to get there as well.

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History of Crosswinds Marsh

It was a common practice in the previous century, to create suitable farmland by putting pipes in the ground and cutting channels to drain wetlands. This practice dried out the rich soils and allowed farm machinery to work the land. The farms created on this farmland made the Detroit area once known as the breadbasket of the east.
Little of the original forests and wetlands remain in southeast Michigan. Flying over this part of the state, all you see are flat fields stretched out to the horizon. However, as this park shows, when you remove the drain tiles, contour the land a little, and add native plants — nature comes roaring back. And with Crosswinds Marsh, it creates an oasis of natural beauty.

Creating Crosswinds Marsh

In the early 1990s, Detroit Metropolitan/Wayne County Airport (DTW) needed to expand to meet the needs of the metropolitan area. Because the expansion would eliminate existing state-protected wetlands, the project required replacing (or mitigating) the lost wetlands on another property.

To fulfill this requirement, the county created Crosswinds Marsh just 6 miles south of the airport. This park is now known as one of the largest man-made wetlands in the country. The project restored over 150 acres of historical wetland habitat by recovering farm fields that had themselves once been natural wetlands.

Once the drain tiles were removed and the water restored, the area was planted with native wetland plants and trees. Endangered wetland species were transplanted from the airport development area to the preserve to take root.

The final steps in creating the park were to build a series of boardwalks, fishing platforms, and a raised picnic pavilion to give the visitors an intimate view of life in the wetland.
Many “man-made” wetlands fall far short of their goals. Usually, this is due to the limited size of the mitigated land. When just 5-10 acres of wetland is created in the corner of a field, it’s not able to sustain the species needed to create a full habitat. At Crosswinds, because this project was done on a much larger scale, covering over 1000 acres with almost 200 acres of wetland, the site is a great success and has created a sustainable habitat.

As a measure of its success, projects monitoring the site have counted over 200 species of birds, 170 species of plants, 20 fish, 30 mammals, 21 reptiles and amphibians, and 70 species of butterflies and dragonflies living in or visiting the preserve. And the preserve now provides recreational and educational opportunities for more than 15,000 visitors each year.
(see https://landscapeperformance.org/case-study-briefs/crosswinds-marsh-preserve)

The Visit at Crosswinds Marsh

At a local photography meet up I had spoken to some other photographers about local parks and Crosswinds came up. They told me how great this park was, so it topped my list of places to visit. At the time did I not know its history or how diverse the area was.  Also, I did not get the reference/light pun of the park’s name, but the care that has been given to the park shows the dedication that those that created this natural area gave to this project.

I stopped at the park on a gorgeous mid-fall morning to have a look around. There were only a few other people in the park that day, so it seemed as though I had the park to myself. Walking past the main entrance I was greeted with the first of many raised boardwalks across the wetland. Frogs, turtles, and a host of swans cruised around the pond and creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere.

The photographers told me that there were Bald Eagles living in the preserve.  Arriving in the late morning I knew that I was too late to see the eagles. However, there was enough diversity at mid-day in the late mid-fall animals that id made up for missing out on them.

The preserve has a well-kept trail system that stretches over 5 miles. There are plenty of maps and trail makers spread throughout the area that it’s easy to see where you are and what the natural features are around you. A mixture of boardwalks, wood chip paths, and grassy areas make for a pleasant walk and the trails were laid out so that there are new discoveries around every corner. (see the bottom of this post for a copy of the trail map)

While crossing one of the bridges in the middle of the park, a huge Mute Swan flew right overhead. It made me think of the passenger jets taking off just a few miles to the north.

I spent about 90 minutes exploring Crosswinds Marsh that day and as a photographer, there were plenty of great scenes to capture, and as a naturalist, it was great just to enjoy the expertly restored natural setting. This is a place I’m glad I found and will be eager to see how it matures over the coming seasons.

As the trail returned to the parking area, it took me past the sculpture & wildflower garden. With autumn well underway, there were only a few flowers left to show the garden. I could tell that it was a well-designed area and I’ll be back in the spring to see what comes into bloom next year.

Conclusion

Crosswinds is a stunningly beautiful park and I’m looking forward to visiting it many times throughout the seasons. It’s great to see what can be done when people really put the proper effort into reestablishing a natural habitat.

Crosswinds Marsh Park Map

Here’s a copy of the park map from Wayne County parks.

Where is Crosswinds Marsh?

Crosswinds Marsh is located in a rural farming area SouthWest of Detroit, MI.
The main entrance is off Haggerty Rd, between Willow and Oakville Rd.
If you’re heading there from I-275, head south of Detroit Metro airport and take the Huron Rd exit, and head south on Bell Rd to Willow Rd. Head west to Haggerty Rd and then south to the park entrance.

References

For more information on the park, visit –
Wayne County Parks
To learn more about the park and how it was created see the case study at –
landscapeperformance.org

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A Trip to the High Rollways

I live in southeast Michigan, and face it, most of lower Michigan is flat. It’s not the billiard table flat of Kansas; there’s the occasional roll to the scene, but there are no mountains, and gorgeous overlooks are few and far between. This is why we travel “Up North.”  The north is wilder, filled with high hills, dense forests, and rolling rivers.

I had seen photos of a horseshoe bend river vista in northern Michigan that seemed like a fantastic place to go and get some fall images.  To me, it captured the grandeur of the north.  A little research and I found it was called “The High Rollways Overlook” or the “Buckley High Roll-Away”, or “Highbanks Overlook” – lots of names for the same awesome spot.  In any case, I started up Google Maps and made it ready to head out.

The Manistee River provides a great example of rustic, northern Michigan terrain. The river’s winding path cuts through one of the richest timber areas in Michigan. Lumbermen saw the high slopes along the river as nearly perfect for launching the cut logs into the water for transport to the mills downstream.

In the heyday of the state’s lumber era, 1.2 billion board feet of timber was harvested and floated down the river. The logs were sawn into lumber and shipped across Lake Michigan to help build the growing city of Chicago.

What is the “Rollway”

A logging rollway was a structure used in the timber industry to transport logs downhill to the sawmill. It was a cleared path covered with logs, typically situated on a steep slope. Workers would release the logs at the top and use tools to steer them down the path. Despite being a dangerous job, the rollway was a significant innovation that made it easier to move large quantities of timber.

But the logging days are part of history now, and the forests have been regrown. The banks of the river are now enjoyed by the bikers, hikers, and travelers that flock here. And with the regrown hardwood forests, one of the best seasons to explore these lands is autumn, with bright orange and gold highlights. It’s truly magical.

Planning and Timing

The High Rollways Overlook is one of those “secret spots” that few have discovered. Tucked off the main road and up a dirt lane, the overlook offers a gorgeous view of the river and valley. I hoped to be lucky enough to get there before the autumn colors dissipated.

One of the difficulties in visiting any autumnal vista is in the timing. With the vagary of nature’s swings in temperature and winds and the work-a-day world to contend with, finding just the right day to make a photography run up north is tricky. But you watch the weather reports and look at social media to monitor the conditions and make your plans. Then you pull the trigger, but you’ll often get there just one day too late.

This was my plan for this visit, but alas, a moderate storm had blown through the day before, knocking some of the best leaves off and leaving some branches bare. Still, I set out, hoping for enough color in the trees to capture lovely landscapes.

High Rollways Arrival

Upon arriving at the Rollways after a 3 1/2 hour drive, I found myself a little confused, most likely due to the fact that I hadn’t had my coffee yet. In fact, I missed the final turn that would lead me to the parking lot, and instead parked in a work crew’s lot. After grabbing my camera gear, I set out to find the trail that would take me to the overlook. At first, I followed an obvious trail, but it ended up leading to a logging operation. I had to backtrack a bit to find the actual trailhead. Finally, after a short and pleasant walk through the woods, I arrived at the overlook.

To reach the observation area of the overlook, you need to take a short hike up a gravel path from the parking area. The path leads to a well-maintained boardwalk along the cliff’s edge. Although it is relatively easy for most travelers to access, it may be difficult for wheelchairs.

I stood at the overlook and gazed down at the breathtaking view before me. A steep, sandy bank sloped down to the sparkling river below. The valley was filled with rich hues of green, gold, and rust that extended into the distance. The river curved and looped through the area below, forming the classic horseshoe shape. The scenery was simply amazing.

Window of Opportunity

So far the sun had not been very cooperative. It was playing hide and seek, mostly hiding. When I reached the overlook, the sun was hidden behind a dense cloud bank. This made the scene in front of me look very dull. There were no highlights or shadows, just good colors. I felt a little disappointed, but at least it wasn’t raining. I was standing on the observation deck, with my camera in hand, when I heard a gust of wind rushing through the trees behind me. It was quite loud, and I was sure that rain was going to follow.

As the gust blew by, it brought a flurry of leaves over my head, and the sun chose just that moment to come out from behind the clouds, beautifully lighting the valley below. Fortunately, my camera was out and ready to go. I captured the fantastic scenery as the leaves blew over my head and down into the valley.

I took a few more shots from the observation deck and then moved on along the clifftop to see what other views the High Rollways offered. The path followed the cliff edge with a fence to show where you should not go – and I almost always stayed behind the fence. There was one place where the fence took a zig, and, unknowingly, I took a zag and ended out beyond the safe zone. On a sandy ledge, 100+ feet above the river, it was not the best place to be, so I moved back over the fence to safety.

Departure

The scenes captured, and with more clouds moving in, I decided to wrap up my stop at the High Rollways and move on. After all, there’s a whole coastline of lighthouses nearby and the possibility of a storm moving in. With a few hours until sunset, it was time to head out.

On the way out, I stopped at a few more locations highlighting the area. The Manistee River valley is home to many beautiful rural vistas and is well worth the visit.  So I leave you with these images showing you that you should also stop and look at the pandas while you come for the trees.

Where is The High Rollaways?

The High Rollways is located south of Traverse City, MI, near the town of Buckley.  Head east from town for about 5 miles on W 4th Rd to get to the observation deck.  There is a sign to a well-worn dirt road that leads about 2 miles out to the parking area. At the final fork, turn right instead of left to get to the parking lot (unless you want to meet some nice loggers).

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After a wet and dreary morning of exploring the outback of Michigan’s Thumb area (see the previous post), we moved north towards the tip of the peninsula for some historic lighthouse architecture. We soon arrived at Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses on the Great Lakes, and were greeted with bright sunshine and blue skies.

Origin of Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse

Located southeast of Port Austin, Michigan, Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse marks the point between lower Lake Huron to the east and Saginaw Bay to the west.  The desired location for the building was on the point that bears its name at the tip of the Thumb. But practicality prevailed; instead, it was eventually sited 4.5 miles to the east overlooking Lake Huron.

Before the lighthouse’s construction, ships had to navigate unaided from Fort Gratiot at the lake’s southern end to Thunder Bay, 150 miles north. The lakes can be very dangerous, with hurricane-force winds sweeping across them in the winter months and unpredictable thunderstorms in the summer.

The lighthouse was built to warn ships of a dangerous rocky reef, covered by a mere two feet of water, that juts out from the point almost two miles into the lake. This makes the name of the point, which translates to “Point of Little Boats”, make a little more sense because larger ships would be smashed on the rocks. In addition to marking the reef, the lighthouse also acts as a turning point for ships heading into Saginaw Bay, an important mid-Michigan agricultural port.

The original light was built in 1848 with low-quality materials and only lasted for about ten years before it had to be replaced with a new structure. Rebuilt with better materials in 1857, the current Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse lighthouse is a conical white brick tower. It measures 89 feet tall and stands rock-solid to this day.

Beyond its importance to shipping on the Great Lake, the light station also has historical significance in that it was the first lighthouse in Michigan to be run by a woman. Catharine Shook was in charge of keeping the light from 1849 to 1851 after her husband, the original lighthouse keeper, drown while traveling for supplies.

On the grounds, you can see the lightkeeper’s house, the oil house, and other support buildings that kept the lighthouse in operation far from civilization.

Climbing Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse

If you’re up for a climb, you can ascend the 103 steps to the top of the 89-foot (27 m) tower and look out on the waters of Lake Huron. From the top of Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse, it’s easy to imagine the storms that rolled through here and the ferocity of the weather. For someone who’s never seen them, the Great Lakes are huge, and from the top of the tower, there’s no land to be seen from the northwest to the southeast.

The original oil light was installed with a 1,400-pound fresnel lens, producing a then-impressive 16,000 candlepower light that could be seen 16 miles offshore. The light was upgraded many times over the years until the current light was installed in the 1950s. That light produces an awesome 1,000,000 candlepower that extended the light’s range to 26 miles.

For those who don’t want to climb all those steps, you can see the original lens on display in the lighthouse museum at the tower’s base.

The Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse is one of the few lighthouses that are still in operation today on the Great Lakes. Even though the lighthouse is operated by the Coast Guard, the surrounding buildings are open to the public, and tours are available from May to September.

It’s a very cool place, and we had a great time wandering and photographing the grounds.  If you’re out exploring the Thumb, it’s a place you should not miss.
If you want to see some more images from the lighthouse trip or get one for your wall, you can take a look at my SmugMug Gallery.

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Also, if you want to see some of my other trips around the state, check out these posts on Big Sable Lighthouse and The High Rollways.

And as always, keep on clicking!

Where is Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse?

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If you live in Michigan, then you are familiar with the state’s depiction as a “Mitten”.  When you ask a Michigander where they’re heading on vacation, often they’ll raise their right hand and point to some location on one of the fingers. When you do this, the location of the Thumb is quite obvious.

Kara and I joined with one of our Meetup groups, Michigan Photo Adventures, to explore the Michigan “Thumb” area looking for abandoned and historic places.  Our group organizer, Thomas Nighswander, did a great job as the trip leader and guide.  He had scouted out the area and discovered a number of great locations to lead our little group on this cross-country adventure.
The day started out as a grey, rainy fall day. The inclement weather was a little hard on the photographers, but it added to the dismal setting for the abandoned places we explored

A History of Change in the Thumb area

Some things are constant here in the Thumb – change and wind.  Once known as the nation’s powerhouse in wheat production, prosperous farms dotted the countryside. With easy access to transportation, wheat grown here was transported over the lakes and down the Erie canal to the cities of the east.
Now those days are past and the Thumb is transforming itself into a powerhouse of energy production.  With the constant winds off of Lake Huron, windmills are able to generate enough energy for 1000’s of homes.

The scene above shows the traditional farms that made up the bulk of this area’s economy early last century have given over to more modern usage.
Further down the road, we came across an abandoned, classic, one-room, schoolhouse.

Schools like this dotted the countryside here serving the farms and rural population until the mid 20th century. This particular one, by evidence of the readers we found, remained in use until the ’70s. In recent years, the school districts have consolidated almost all of these students into their larger districts.  Amazingly enough, there are some hold-outs, and seeking out some of those will be a story for another day.

Thomas also lead us to a number of other abandoned farmsteads and buildings.

The final leg of the trip took us up to the Pointe Aux Barques lighthouse at the “Tip of the Thumb”. I’ll follow up on that location in Part II of this post.
For more information on images in this post, visit my Backroads Michigan Smug Mug gallery.

Where is this?

We drove all around the northeast Thumb to get these – Ubly, Bad Axe, Kinde, and Point Hope. Get your drive on and check out the backroads for interesting places.

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