Ideas for places to visit in the Midwest
Cast iron spiral stairs connecting the lighthouse sleeping quarters to light. McGulpin Point Light was constructed as a navigational aid through the Straits of Mackinac. The light began operation in 1869, making it one of the oldest surviving lighthouses in the Straits. Only in operation until 1906, the light is located on McGulpin Point, approximately 3 miles west of Fort Michilimackinac.
This is a gate to a private beach in an area of Harbor Springs, Michigan called Wequetonsing. This is a line of beautiful cottages along the harbor. One morning during an early morning stroll, as I was taking photographs like this, a man ran out of his cottage shouting: “are you a photographer?” I told him yes and he insisted that go out onto his beach to take some photos. It was very nice of him so I went in and did gen some nice shots. When I left, I wanted to thank him but he was gone.
The Five Mile Creek Schoolhouse, located west of Harbor Springs on M-119 near Five Mile Creek Road, operated as a one-room school from 1915-1952. Over the years many different teachers educated a small group of students, fired the wood furnace, and cooked a hot lunch.
This is on a stretch of road called Tunnel of Trees and is a very scenic strech of road along Lake Michigan.
This is just off highway 39, north of Bloomington, Illinois. Driving from Rockford to St. Louis, I kept seeing these very scenic old barns and finally found one that was easy to get to. The scene is great but the clouds make the photo!
Two years ago today we had a total eclipse of the sun in the St. Louis area. Therefore I thought it might be a good time to post this photo again.
This was taken in Desoto, Missouri where we had a full two minutes and 30 seconds of time to figure out how to photograph a total eclipse and get a good shot. There are two phases to this. The first phase is where you are photographing the bright sun using special filters, dark glasses and figuring out how to focus without looking. Phase two, the moon clicks into place and it is nighttime. Filters off, special glasses off, redo all of your setting and focus again on something you cannot see very well. I got a few good shots and missed a few.
To see photos of the event see: https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Events/Eclipse/
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-ZRd5dcM/A
Missouri Botanical Garden’s Climatron always makes an interesting subject and this side path makes it look like it is on another planet. The Climatron is a greenhouse enclosed in a geodesic dome that is part of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Initiated by then Garden director Frits W. Went, the dome is the world’s first completely air-conditioned greenhouse and the first geodesic dome to be enclosed in rigid Plexiglass panels.
During the Missouri Botanical Garden’s special events, the Climatron is always well lit in an interesting color. Be sure to click on the photo and wait for 15 seconds fo a larger version and other options.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-x4k6Q2J/A
From Missouri Botanical Garden’s Lantern Festival. One of the many amazing events hosted by the Garden.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-h4DXF8B/A
No, this tree is not on fire! Even though it looks like it is about to explode, this is part of the laser light show projection. Watching this you will see the “fire” engulf the tree and then other patterns will appear and suddenly vanish. In the end, it is just the tree standing there as it has done for many years.
The previous photo has a video showing the transitions.
To enlarge this photo or to see more options, click on the photo and wait about 15 seconds.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-qg6LJBn/A
A projected laser image from the Flora Borealis event at the Missouri Botanical Garden. This was part of a ten minute light and sound show projected onto Henry Shaw’s home.
The video below shows more of the displays. Many of these have been depicted here.
Click on the photo for a larger image and more information.
https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/i-zjp48Cz/A
A fun display at Missouri Botanical Garden’s Flora Borealis. This event featured amazing laser light shows combined with interesting recordings and sounds. Visitors could trek through the grounds and experience the sights and sounds.
See these photos and more: https://greatrivers.smugmug.com/Galleries/Missouri-Botanical-Garden/
Great Rivers Imaging 