Hike above the Ice Caves and Aurora borealis, 3.23.2023

March 23. 2023 turned out to be quite a special day! 

We made a trip to the Bayfield area, northern Wisconsin and went for a hike above the Sea/Ice caves along the south shore of Lake Superior. We were celebrating Shanti's first day without his cone!! Oh he was so happy to move around freely again!

I wrote a blog about his ordeal (surgery) earlier.  https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2023/03/dog-stories-febrmarch-2023.html

It was a beautiful day with sunshine and blue sky though a cold wind from the north. Part of the lake was covered with "pancake ice" which added an interesting texture to the photos I took. 

When we were driving back home I got an alert for the Aurora borealis on my phone but I never imagined it would turn into such an amazing display! 

I had troubles with my camera gear (my lens wouldn't focus) so unfortunately I had to delete a lot of my images. I am happy I got a few decent images and it was an unforgettable night! All the photos were taken in my backyard in the Blue Hills, Wisconsin, between 10pm and midnight.

Still one week later photos of that night appear on social media.

Enjoy, Susanne

I did the same hike above the ice caves in the winter of 2022: https://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2022/02/winter-hike-above-ice-caves-cornucopia.html

Click on the photos for a larger view

Winter hike above the Ice Caves, Cornucopia, Wisconsin

This winter has been different for me in regards to taking photos. Though I am out walking with Shanti every day (and really enjoy it) - the photo opportunities were much less.

I have been wanting to make a trip to the Bayfield, Wisconsin area all winter long but the right day never showed up until past Monday, Febr. 7.2022. The weather forecast was perfect - partly sunny/cloudy, no wind and temps in the teens - ideal conditions for a hike. My plan was to hike the Lake Shore trail that goes on top of the Mainland Ice Caves near Cornucopia. It took me almost 3 hours to get to my destination, Meyer's Beach, right off Hwy 13. Just as I was getting ready for the hike clouds started to move in and it remained cloudy for the rest of the day. What a bummer!!! 

I still enjoyed my hike and so did Shanti! He had a blast, especially when we met a family with 4 little kids. He gets sooo excited and wants to greet everyone he meets!

The first section of the trail travels 1.8 miles through mixed hardwood forest with several ups and downs due to steep ravines. I noticed 2 new bridges that made the hike much easier. The first glimpses of sea/ice caves come into view when you reach "The Crevasse". Past that several ice cave overlooks and stands of Red Pines can be found. There were plenty of icicles hanging from the red sandstone but not as many as in other years. Though Lake Superior was frozen it is not safe to walk on that ice!!

I walked to the feature that is called The Bowl, a big curve of cliffs, almost like a natural amphitheater. From there I returned back to the parking lot - a round-trip hike of almost 5 miles. 

Here is a link https://www.nps.gov/apis/planyourvisit/hiking.htm of a more detailed description of the trail.

Even without sunshine I was able to take nice photos. Enjoy our hike in a beautiful area of northern Wisconsin.

Susanne

Click on the photo for a larger view.

I wrote a blog about the Sea Caves in July 2020. Here is the link: http://soulcenteredphotography.blogspot.com/2020/07/kayak-trip-to-sea-caves-lake-superior.html

The last 2 photos show "The Crevasse" from the lake - interesting to see the same location from different perspectives.

 

Trail to the Ice Caves

Crossing a small creek

Shanti waiting for me

The "Crevasse"

Red Pines leaning over the edge

Red Pine balancing act

Ice Cave, a closer view

A group of birch trees

A single birch tree at the edge

"The Bowl" - like an amphitheater

"The Bowl" - like an amphitheater

Lichens 

Red Pine on the edge

Red Pine framing the image