Category: Miller Woods Trail

Post-Restoration Work

Posted on by MC2 · 2 Comments

My previous two posts described my first volunteer experience planting native sedges in the Great Marsh, and the short photo-hike I did before hand. Turns out I was so energized by the restoration work that afterwards I drove over to the Miller Woods trail at the IDNP for another photo-hike. It was mid-April and the wild flowers are just beginning to pop up there so I wanted to see how things were looking. As always, I was not disappointed.

Violets are typically one of the early bloomers along this wooded sandy trail near the lake.
Based on the leaves and the fingers at the base of the flower, I suspect this is Wild Columbine which is plentiful on this trail.
I find the rich colors and textures in leftover berries to be fascinating subjects for photography.
Not quite sure what these are, they look real familiar though. Maybe kinnikinnick?
Emergent Lupine. In a few weeks a large part of this trail is going to be covered in purple/blue Lupine.
Some type of Willow I think.

Beach Day

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I enjoy hiking out to the beach in winter, when there is a bit of snow on the ground and a brisk wind coming off the lake.

Blue sky and fluffy clouds reside above the snow dusted trail as it winds its way through the winter landscape.
Approaching the last line of dunes before arriving at the beach. The constant sound of wind driven waves crashing along the beach is unmistakeable.
The trail opens up to the beach. The wind off the lake is constant this day, and it adds a brisk bite to the air.
Wind driven waves crash into the shelf ice. Waves on Lake Michigan are not as high as their ocean counter parts, but they arrive one every 6 seconds or so.
Low angle shots highlight the patterns from wind driven snow on the beach.
US Steel’s Gary Works off in the distance is a sight I always marvel at.
In summer these clouds might be the leading edge of a thunderstorm which could be a problem. But in winter you don’t have to worry about getting caught in a torrential downpour.
Crossing the lagoon on the way back to the trail head.