An Unexpected Sunrise

I had been wanting to go kayaking for a while now but either the weather didn't cooperate or I was busy otherwise. Friday, July 14. looked promising so I loaded up the kayak the evening before and left early around 5:15am. As I was driving to my destination (Audie Lake in the Blue Hills, Wisconsin) I noticed how thick the clouds were but there was fog in low places.

My thoughts were, if there is no sunrise at least there will be fog and a calm lake with beautiful reflections. When I got to the boat landing I was surprised to find no fog and it was already breezy. For a moment I wasn't sure if I even wanted to go kayaking but now I was here so let's go for it! I almost didn't take my camera, thinking the cell phone is good enough for a cloudy morning. 

Sure glad I had my camera with me when all of a sudden the sun appeared as an orange red ball in the sky. As the sunrise progressed the colors changed and an unusual light permeated the whole landscape.  I figured the smoke from the canadian wildfires had entered our area again.

So it turned into a beautiful morning paddle after all with a very unexpected and unusual sunrise and morning light. I did not see or hear the loons as in other years.

The last 4 photos are from an evening 3 days prior. When I arrived the sun disappeared behind clouds. I liked the green and blue colors and texture of the sky/clouds. As always, things rarely work out as planned but it is beautiful to be in nature and get surprised.

Enjoy, Susanne

Click on the photos for a larger view.

Here are links to other blog posts with the loons: https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/07/loon-watching-at-audie-lake.html

https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2021/07/kayaking-on-audie-lake.html

Interested in purchasing a print? go to my website: www.soulcenteredphotography.net

 

Kayaking on Audie Lake

 Finally I was able to go kayaking on my favorite lake, Audie Lake, in the Blue Hills (Wisconsin). The first trip was partly cloudy/sunny which created a more dramatic mood and the dominant colors were blue and white and green. (see first 3 photos).

For the second trip I left earlier so I could be on the lake by sunrise. The fog was gliding across the calm water of the lake and it seemed like the world was standing still. I watched a pair of loons with their baby chick from a distance as they were floating through the golden mist. One of the loons (I assume the male) swam towards me to check me out and to guard his family. Close to the loons were three otters doing their thing, catching and munching on their breakfast. It was fun to watch them and their sleek bodies were shining in the golden sunlight. I was too far away to get any good photos.

I had some issues with my camera, something was different but I wasn't able to figure it out. I kept taking photos and was hoping for the best. When I downloaded the photos on my computer I noticed that the files were very low resolution. I had taken all the photos in video mode (!!) - who knew that you could take still photos in video setting! It was a beautiful morning but the photographer in me was not happy !!!

So a few days later I went out again and I am so glad I did. This time I made sure all the camera settings were correct. And I experienced another magical golden morning with fog lingering on the lake. 

I met the loon family and the otters at exactly the same location again! Maybe they are creatures of habit and they have their morning routines - just like us humans!

Sometimes I am left speechless when out in nature and words fail to describe the beauty I see and experience. Here is a quote from Rumi:

Silence is the language of God

all else is poor translation.

The inspiration you seek is already within you.

Be silent and listen.    (Rumi)

Enjoy my little kayaking adventures and thanks for viewing.

Susanne

Click on the photos for a larger view.

The only photo from my 2nd trip

This view left me speechless - on my 3rd trip

The lake looks like it's on fire

one of the otters when he/she discovered me

a pair of loons

The loon family in the golden morning fog

The guardian - the other loon and baby chick are barely visible in the distance

One of the floating bogs - perfect reflections with the sun

 

One of the floating bogs - perfect reflections

One of the floating bogs - perfect reflections

One of the floating bogs - perfect reflections

Kayak trip to the Sea Caves, Lake Superior

I have visited the Mainland Sea Caves/Ice Caves near Cornucopia, Wisconsin many times in the Winter. And also hiked the trail above the sea caves several times but never had a chance to explore the caves in a kayak. I thought this would be a good outing for my 60tieth birthday. I signed up for a half day trip with an outfitter in Cornucopia (Lost Creek Adventures). A good friend of mine joined me as I wanted to take photos and needed someone in the back of the tandem kayak. 

We met at 4pm at the outfitter and headed to Meyer's Beach where we got some basic instructions. It was an incredibly warm and humid day, very unusual for early July at Lake Superior. It felt good to get out on the water to cool off a bit. Our group consisted of 3 kayaks (6 people) and one guide. 

It was a gorgeous summer day with blue sky, a few clouds and the orange - reddish sand cliffs were lit up by the late afternoon sun but taking photos was challenging. We had to stay with the group so I had no time to explore on my own and the waves were big enough to bop the kayak up and down which meant lots of blurry pictures. But it was a fun afternoon and I recognized many of the locations from my visits in the winter. 

The guide shared some history of the area and geography which was interesting.

I hope I get another chance to get out there on a calmer day and without the time pressure.

The day ended with a moody sunset at Meyer's Beach and a late supper in Bayfield.

Enjoy, Susanne

Click on the photos for a larger view. Interested in purchasing a print? go to my website: www.soulcenteredphotography.net
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