No Big Deal

Another beautiful sunrise over Lake Michigan at Cave Point in Door County, Wisconsin.  No big deal.

Made with a Nikon D4 and 14-24 lens.

Cathedral of the Pines

Cathedral of the Pines is a great little spot in northern Wisconsin.  It's right outside of Lakewood in Oconto County.  A short path leads to the little grove of 200-300 year old trees that would make a great place for a proposal, or a wedding.  And, lest you think Elvis is getting too sentimental, it's also a great place for an evening of fun and games.

It's near the snowmobile/4-wheeler path and is even more spectacular in winter.  And since the entrance fee is free, it's far less expensive than the hard-earned money you'll lose (and you will) gambling at the Potawatami Casino just a  few miles away.

Made with a Nikon D4 and 14-24 lens.

Elvis is Training

   Elvis was fortunate to travel to Iowa recently.  He wished he could have traveled by train but alas, there are no people trains that run from Elvis' home to the sprawling metropolis of Toeterville, Iowa.  There are freight trains though, and Elvis often considers becoming a hobo, at least temporarily, for the fun and adventure of it.  Just not in winter.

   Some trains, like the French TCG can travel at 322 mph.  Some carry passengers in the luxury of days gone by. There are restaurant cars, sleeping cars and smoking cars.  But none of that nonsense in Toeterville, Iowa.  Here it's all business.

   Take in this fine view of the undercarriage of a freight car, also called the truck or bogie.  And the coupling that holds the cars together.  You see Hollywood stars unhitch these all the time.  Usually while firing a sidearm with uncanny accuracy.  But Elvis digresses.

   These boxcars are carrying corn.  Some of it for seed, some to feed livestock and lots of it is used to make ethanol.

   And that's how Elvis got to Iowa.  In an automobile powered by ethanol. 

   Travel.  Trains.  Iowa.  Corn.  It's the circle of life.

Here's a bonus photograph.  For many more Toeterville, Iowa pictures click HERE.

 

Both photographs made with a Nikon D3s and 14-24 lens.

Another Cold Sunrise

Elvis was back at Cave Point on the shores of Lake Michigan early this morning. Clear and cold. Here are two more sunrise photographs for you to consider.

Both were made with the lens set at 14mm. That's w-i-d-e. You need to be at a nice spot and have lots of landscape to fill that much frame.

Both of these are HDR (high dynamic range) photographs. That is, Elvis took 7 photographs of each scene. Underexposing and overexposing. Then Elvis blended all 7 photographs into one. Please click on each one to view a big version and enjoy.

Both made with a Nikon D3s and 14-24 lens.

Fresh Snowfall

Elvis braved another cold morning to venture out to Cave Point County park in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin.  Two inches of fresh snowfall overnight guaranteed some pretty, artistic subjects.

Thick cloud cover prevented a sunrise photograph but every once in a while the sun would peak through, casting nice shadows everywhere.  Elvis set his camera up by these rocks and waited patiently.

Elvis is not complaining.  Standing on the shores of Lake Michigan watching the waves crash on the Wisconsin shore is a privilege.  Every minute here is a gift.

Photograph made with a Nikon D3s and 24-70 lens (set at 38 for photograph above, 60mm for the one below).  Elvis was shivering, so a tripod was used.