Jake and the Dredge

   

      I don't always have an opportunity to take photos of people, so if I have an idea for a photo session, I tend to ask my friends for help. They usually agree and I always get excited for the chance to be creative and improve my photography skills.

   A few weeks ago, a good friend of mine came into town for a visit, and I asked if he wanted to help me with a little project. He agreed, so here are some of the photos from his sessions. 

    The first set of sunset photos were taken near the Fitz Restaurant in Eagle River, Michigan. It was the perfect Lake Superior sunset!

    If you know me or have been following my photos, you may have noticed that one of my favorite places to take photos in the Keweenaw is the Dredge on Torch Lake:) It is near Tamarack City, Michigan. I can not explain why I love this place so much, I just do. These photos are from inside the old mining building near the Dredge. 

The last stop on our photo adventure was the Dredge. 

Day trip to Chicago, Spring 2013

CHICAGO!

Growing up in the midwest and having family from Milwaukee, I often visited Chicago and it soon became one of my favorite places to visit! 

A few weeks ago, I decided to take a little break and get out of the UP. I took a drive down to Milwaukee to visit family and friends for a long weekend. While there, my friend Jenny, her son Crosby and I went to Chicago for the day. It was Crosby's first adventure and I was excited to be taking him!! 

We did not have much of a plan. I wanted to walk around a little bit downtown to take photos and stop at one of my favorite places, Sprinkles for some cupcakes! So that is what we did.

After Sprinkles we made our way to Lake Michigan to take some photos of the skyline. 

We were hungry, so we decided to look for some lunch. We wandered into a food court area and found a great salad bar! After eating we decided to walk back to my car and head back to Jenny's house. What a great day to visit! 

The U.P, a blizzard and snowshoes.. 4/19/13

Today is April 19th 2013. 

This is how I spent my afternoon.

I am probably one of the few people in the U.P that was excited to have blizzard today. I did not have many chances to snowshoe this winter because I was busy or was out of town. So, today may have been my last opportunity to play in the snow. (hopefully spring/summer is coming) 

Once I put my winter gear on, I grabbed the snowshoes and headed outside! I did not travel far, mostly because I had 26 acres to explore. I am very lucky to have grown up in this area, and to have a backyard like this. 

My brothers dog Sosa joined me and here are some photos from our adventure! This is what it looks like on Lake Linden Hill, in Calumet Michigan! 

Walking in the woods.

Old school snowshoes. My favorite:) 

Just getting started on our adventure. 

Sosa playing in the snow. Watching for anything that moves. 

I fell playing with Sosa. 

Our trail. 

Dolphin Tale - Clearwater Florida

Today I visited Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida. At this rescue place, they rehabilitate and release injured marine animals into the wild. This place is most famous for one dolphin named Winter. Winter's tail was caught up in a crab net and she was found on a beach. The aquarium took Winter back to their facility and her tail eventually came off. Winter survived and her story of living with a prosthetic tail became famous by the movie Dolphin Tale. 

I watched this movie with my best friend a few years ago and was inspired by this true story. Today I excited to see this amazing dolphin and learn more of her courageous story to survive! Here are some photos from my trip to the aquarium and some of the things used in the movie. If you saw the movie, see if you recognize things:)

For more information about Winter, and the movie check out the aquariums website! 

http://www.seewinter.com/

Sign explaining the scene of Save Winter Day Festival filmed on site at the aquarium. 

A show with Panama and Winter. Panama is clapping her fins for a little girl. 

A sea turtle that lost one of its legs because of nets. 

Winter playing in the pool with her hula hoop and ball. 

Winter twirling around:) 

Panama swimming in the pool. 

I got to pet sting rays! It was very exciting!

Inside the Clearwater Marine Aquarium - where Winter lives. 

The cast from Dolphin Tale's chairs. 

Prop used in the movie

Winter's prosthetic tails used in real life and in the movie. 

Prop from the movie. 

Prop from the movie. 

Prop from the movie. 

Leland - Fishtown - Michigan

Leland Michigan - Fishtown

While visiting my friends in Fife Lake this past week, I spent Thursday visiting the beaches and small towns along Lake Michigan.  One of the first stops on our day adventure was in Leland. I never heard of this town before Thursday morning.

 Once I stepped out of the car, and entered this small little fishtown, I fell in love! While my friends were busy shopping in the little gift stores, I was trying to take as many pictures as possible. I couldn't get enough of the boardwalk area! There were so many photo opportunities! I could have spent all day there. I loved the old fish shacks that are still on the boardwalk from the late 1880s! This area is perfect for shooting black and white photography! :) I will be visiting again soon! 

Below are a few photos from my short time visiting... Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed taking them!