St. Peter's Dome, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI

As mentioned in my previous post the next destination is St. Peter's Dome. The hike is a bit more demanding and it takes about 45 minutes to the top - unless you like to explore and take photos like me, then it can take twice that long. There is so much to see - moss covered rocks, tree roots, little streams and creeks. My favorite time to visit this beautiful place is in the spring as the whole forest floor is carpeted with various wildflowers like Dutchman's Breeches, Merrybells, Trilliums etc. On St. Peter's Dome the world opens up. A clear day reveals Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands 20 miles to the north. The top is 400 ft above the starting point. St. Peter's Dome is a granite dome created during a billion-year-old mountain building phase that saw huge fissures open in the earth's crust. Molten rock welled up from the mantle, forming features like St. Peter's.
The first 3 images were taken in the spring, the last 2 in the fall.
Enjoy, Susanne

Morgan Falls, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, WI

Morgan Falls is another favorite place of mine where magic lives, hidden away in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, near Mellen, WI. It is the state's second highest falls (70 ft) and tumbles down a rock face in steps. It is an intimate place and if you believe in trolls, fairies or 'little people' you surely find them there. It is an easy, short walk from the parking lot along Morgan Creek. You used to cross the creek over some rocks, now there is a bridge. Also there is a daily fee at the parking lot now (sigh....  civilization doesn't halt....)

The best time to take pictures of the waterfalls is in late afternoon as it will be in shade which makes it easier to get those long exposure shots. I used a neutral density filter on all the images except the last one. It was taken in the fall and is a 8 second exposure. It was almost dark. 

I'll talk about St. Peter's Dome in the next blog post.

Susanne  of mine hidden awayA favorite place of mine hidden away in the Chequamegon-N  in theA favorite place ks second highest falls (70 ft) and tumbles down a rock face in steps. It is an intimate place and if you believe in trolls or 'little people' you surely find them there. 

Hepatica

Hepatica or Liverwort is my favorite woodland spring flower or ephemeral. It appears early in spring and it is a delight to see their little flower heads poking through layers of old leaves. They come in shades of white, pink and blue. The leathery, three-lobed leaves remain over winter. The name Hepatica derives from its leaves, which, like the human liver (Greek hepar) have three lobes.

They are done blooming now but comes next spring I await their return with great anticipation. 

Until then  enjoy the images of their pretty flowers.

Susanne

Spring Ephemerals

The woodlands here in northern Wisconsin have been abloom for weeks now. Starting out with Spring Beauties and Bloodroots followed by Wood Anemones, Dutchmen's Breeches, Trout Lilies, Merry Bells and now Trilliums are at their peak. These little, delicate beauties developed a strategy that allows them to utilize the high amount of sunlight reaching the forest floor prior to the leaf-out of woody plants. Soon they will go dormant and we'll have to wait another year for their presence.

Here is a small sampling - enjoy! 

Susanne