A winter hike through the Dunes: A photographic journey

[prolesunited]

In response to a thread about cabin fever, a number of people recommended that I get outside and embrace the cold. I did just that Sunday and went on a challenging hike through the Dunes National Lakeshore, which is in Northwest Indiana on the shores of Lake Michigan.

It wasn't too cold (relatively speaking) and it proved to be exactly what I needed. The sky was rather gray, but there was a hint of the sun. Lake Michigan looks quite surreal with the waves closest to the shore being frozen.

I'm glad I took their advice and thought I would share my journey.





















More here:
http://homepage.mac.com/prolesunited/PhotoAlbum68.html

[nostamj]

1. gorgeous!

you should market a calendar or greeting cards!

[prolesunited]

2. Thanks!

To be honest, these really needed some tweaks on Photoshop but I didn't have time. I really have considered doing something on Cafe Press.

Do you think people would be interested?

Here's some of my other galleries:
http://homepage.mac.com/prolesunited/Through_My_Eyes/PhotoAlbum26.html

I almost did a butterfly calendar for 2004 but just didn't have the time.

Would you like to do anything with my work? :-)

[nostamj]

18. worth a shot!

not quite sure what I would do with them that you couldn't with a cafepress shop... but it you do it, I'll trade links to my store!

www.cafeshops.com/nostamj

[slappypan]

3. beautiful!

One of my favorite places, but I have never seen it in the dead of winter before. Which trail did you take?

[prolesunited]

4. Trail 8

The most difficult one which takes you up and down to the three highest points. The highest elevation is 192 feet. Not sure if the shifting sand or the slippery snow makes the trekking more difficult.

Have you been there often? What do you enjoy about it?

[slappypan]

6. birds and wildflowers in spring

The Dunes is a great place for birdwatching, and also has beautiful wildflower displays. I usually go there 2 or 3 times a year. We usually do an overnight camping trip in May. I have seen a lot of wildlife there, and many unusual plants.

[proud patriot]

5. Beautiful pictures

My grandparents were born in Michigan ,

I spent many summers as a kid in Harbor Spings/ Smith
falls areas.

[prolesunited]

11. Glad you enjoyed them

I did a Michigan trip the summer before last — Mackinac Island, Traverse Bay, Holland. It was quite beautiful.

Unfortunately, in Northwest Indiana steel mills dot the coastline and it certainly takes away from the scenery. Their output, however, is responsible for some awesome sunsets.

On a clear day, you can look across the lake and see the Chicago skyline. It's a nice trip by boat.

[XNASA]

7. Lovely. Winter is beautiful.

Summer is comfortable, but Winter can be more beautiful. The evidence is captured in your photos.

i can't help thinking of the final scene in "The Road to Perdition" whenever I see the Dunes in Winter.

Great job Sharon.

[prolesunited]

12. You're close enough

Care to join me next time? :hi:

BTW, thanks. :-)

[terrya]

8. Winter has a certain beauty to it. And your gorgeous pictures...

Captures the stark beauty of winter.

Thank you for the nice pictures,
Terry

[pmbryant]

9. Magical indeed

Great photos. Thanks for sharing them. I particularly liked the first one and the next-to-last one. Very lonely and desolate looking scenes. The odd texture in #7 is also very intriguing to me.

:wow:

I hate to say this but I've always loved cold, snowy winters. Not just liked them, but loved them. I enjoyed them when I lived in Chicago, and they are one of the things I miss most after having moved to more temperate locations. In southern California, I could always escape to the mountains to get my fix, but not here in Texas. (Admittedly, Texas is much better on this score than my last residence however: Honolulu).

--Peter

[tigereye]

10. oh those are beautiful

always thought a winter walk near a lake or ocean would be beautiful and it is! Thanks for sharing.

[prolesunited]

15. You can always come visit!

Right now I'm looking out the window and it's snowing and sleeting. Doesn't that sound like fun!!! I guess absence does make the heart grow fonder. ;-)

The odd texture on #7 is a natural formation of snow, ice and sand. I thought it looked interesting as well.

[pmbryant]

19. Loved it even when I lived there

Of course, I didn't own a car until I right after I left Chicago. If I had to drive in that stuff, I might have felt differently.

So were you the only one out there Sunday, or did others brave the elements as well?

--Peter

[prolesunited]

21. There were some families sledding down

a really big slope designated for it. You can't just sled anywhere because it tears up the dunes.

I didn't see anyone hiking, though, but I enjoy the solitude. In fact, I often prefer hiking and cycling alone.

[watercolors]

13. excellant photography

Beautiful pictures, must have been agreat treat to view!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

14. These are tonic for a hectic day!

Thank you! :bounce:

[Gato Moteado]

16. great shots!

i never went to the dunes in the winter, only the summer. it actually looks more beautiful in the snow, doesn't it?

what camera did you use?

[prolesunited]

20. Thanks!

And thanks for helping me find the appropriate musical backdrop. :-)

I just used a Sony Cybershot 3.2. It does OK. I prefer the Canon Powershot I have at work, though. I may upgrade this year.

I didn't want to spend too much because I shoot a lot of protests and didn't want to be upset if something happened to the camera. Perhaps I'll just have to get a better one for hobby use.

[BiggJawn]

17. You found Bittersweet! Cool!

Great shots....you didn't ride the shore over and back, did you? (helluva training ride...)