Daily Photos 2010
September 5, 2010 - Mosquito Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Drove from Munising to Miner's Falls. A crowded Labor Day hike to Miners Falls. Spent the noon napping on Miners Beach. Started towards the Chapel area around 6pm, and consequently began the 1.2 mile hike to Mosquito Falls only at 6:30pm. Sunset in an hour, yet we thought we could make it. We did get to Mosquito Falls, and took a bunch of pics. This was one of them.
We then decided to hike to yet another waterfall, the Chapel Falls. It was 7ish by then, but we hiked fast and completed 2.4 miles back to the starting point. We then noticed a fork that said Chapel, and took it. We assumed it led to Chapel Falls. That was a huge mistake, but we didn't know it then. We merrily hiked on and the trail went on & so we trudged on & on and pretty soon we had covered a few miles! Chapel Falls was only a 1.4 mile hike, so what went wrong ? We had probably picked the trail that led to Chapel Beach, a much longer hike. By the time we realized our mistake and decided to turn around, it was 8pm, quite dark and scary. We had absolutely no supplies, no trailmix, no cellphone, no GPS, no source of light except the Nikon Flash!!! It soon grew pitch dark and we could barely see anything. We clicked the shutter every few minutes so the flash would show us the way. But this was a bad idea too - the trail was so dark the flash would momentarily blind us! So we stopped doing that after a bit. A deer ( I'm assuming it was a deer, couldn't see clearly ) ran across our path noisily and we realized how helpless we were if an animal were to attack us. We started clapping the legs of the tripod so the noise would hopefully keep any animals away. And we had a loud conversation about nothing, just to keep our spirits up. But it was clear that we were in a dangerous zone.
The trail was marked by fallen trees. Everytime we felt a tree branch, we had to go around the tree, and hopefully not miss the trail. Several times I thought we had missed the trail entirely and were on some random path through the Aspen forest heading straight down to a cliff falling off into Lake Superior!
By some miracle ( I can only call it that ), we did manage to emerge safe and sound. We stumbled into the parking lot at 9:30 pm, pitch dark. When I clicked the shutter the last time, the flash illuminated the car and thatr's how we knew we had made it back!!! V's parents were back in the car & they were quite scared and angry that we were so careless about our safety. Well, who could blame them. Certainly the most scary trail we've had in a very long while. We did have to be rescued by cops in a helicopter after we called 911 way back in 2003 while hiking in Arizona at the Lost Dutchman state park. The sun set while we were atop the mountain & it was pitch dark on our way down and finally we called the cops after getting caught in thorny cacti!
This time there were no cacti. No thorns, no rocks. Just a very long, narrow beach trail between the Aspens. We are no stranger to close shaves, but this one took the cake.
waterfallsmosquito fallsfallswatermosquitomichiganpure michiganH58munisingpictured rock national seashorerocksgreenbest
MyLeroyPhotography
on January 1, 2011Wow, I didn't know anyone else was using Smugmug for their 365 Project. Glad I stumbled on here. I love your passion and hope I can keep up with you next year.
photosbycraigwhite
on December 12, 2010So stunning
Marichal Claude
on December 8, 2010Superbe galleries,merci.
zakir hussain
on September 16, 2010Excellent photographs!!
Holiday in Australia
on August 25, 2010I am a fan of wildlife photography. You have captures very precious moments in your camera. Good work.
chris
on August 10, 2010Wow - just stumbled on your site while trying to decide whether to upgrade my smugmug site. Your images are outrageous! You look like you are living MY dream!
Amit
on August 4, 2010How do u get time for Such fantastic pictures to shot.
fatima
on April 6, 2010hi,i think you and your camera make a great couple..i loved each and every photograph.through your camera the world is a beautiful place.your photographs make life worth living on this planet.cheers!!!!
Crusies
on March 30, 2010An individual crane spends about 29 days along the Platte. During that time, it will deposit up to a pound of fat, which provides the energy necessary to complete the migration and initiate nesting.
Murali Santhana Photography
on March 27, 2010Superbley done.
Kerry Milkie Photography
on September 9, 2010Glad you mad it safely! What a contrast to this beautiful, peaceful spot
webstersway
on September 8, 2010Excellent shot, what a peaceful looking place...what an 'exciting' adventure, glad you made it out alright and we didn't have to watch your rescue on one of those cable shows like 'I'm Alive'...
papamugger
on September 8, 2010WoW - excellent presentation
WildeLifePhotography
on September 8, 2010Beautiful capture.
349390pitchingwedge33
on September 8, 2010stunning scenery.....
John Roberts
on September 7, 2010The tones are so well balanced in this photo.
fotomom
on September 7, 2010The water is so beautiful in this shot...
Really sorry about the scare you guys had. Very glad the story had a happy ending. I get nervous at night walking the 100' down to the dog pen with a flashlight:-)
fotoeffects
on September 7, 2010Lovely. Sounds like an experience of a lifetime.
Donna McCommon
on September 6, 2010Super shot. Hope your other shots on your venture were as good.
Janet McQueen
on September 6, 2010Incredibly beautiful image! But what a nightmare story.... !! It's odd how easily events like that can unfold, isn't it?