Photography
Related: About this forumThe other day went paddling in a lagoon.
Here are a few photos.
I always thought that painted painted turtles were sunning themselves when I'd see them with raised legs and head high. Actually they do this to expose some of their bottom shells. I looked up why they do that and its because they need the sunlight on those parts to increase the conversion of UVB rays to calcium for their shells and overall health. Interesting, huh?
sheshe2
(87,835 posts)What a perfect way to spend a day.
Callalily
(15,017 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(152,291 posts)Wonderful photos, my dear Callalily.
You must have had a great ride!
Callalily
(15,017 posts)And the day was perfect!
Thanks for the accolades.
Diamond_Dog
(34,974 posts)What a perfect way to spend a late summer afternoon! Your photos are wonderful.
Ive always wanted to try kayaking, but Im such a klutz I know Id probably end up ass backwards in a pond somehow. I could never manage to get on a Sea Doo without wiping out.
Callalily
(15,017 posts)Now a Sea Doo is another story!
And yes, the lagoon was absolutely beautiful.
We also saw several sandhill cranes along the shore, which is always a treat.
Diamond_Dog
(34,974 posts)wnylib
(24,536 posts)Presque Isle State Park at Erie, PA.
Diamond_Dog
(34,974 posts)wnylib
(24,536 posts)in decades, though.
I used to spend a lot of time on the beaches, or walking through the nature trails, fishing in the channel between the bay and the lake, or paddling around the lagoons.
Diamond_Dog
(34,974 posts)Really the whole place is so beautiful. I live an hour and a half away and dont make it up there as often as I would like. My parents took my sister and me up there to the beach as kids.
How lucky you were to have it right in your home town!
wnylib
(24,536 posts)work in summer on weekdays, and in the afternoon on weekends.
It is breathtakingly beautiful in winter after a fresh snowfall.
Diamond_Dog
(34,974 posts)Fall, yes. Gorgeous in the fall.
Hubby and I used to pack a picnic lunch, bike up to the monument, have our picnic, he would sit by the water and fish and I would bring a sketch pad and draw. Its been way too long since weve done that.
wnylib
(24,536 posts)was entering into another world. City noise from traffic, sirens, and the general hustle and bustle just faded away into the sounds of nature and water lapping on the shore. It felt almost magical. One minute the noise is there and the next it's gone. There is a lot traffic on the peninsula during summer, of course, but it is slower moving and there are only turn offs to the various beaches, picnic areas, trails, or marina. No major intersections.
That feeling is emphasized in winter with the silence of little to no traffic on the peninsula, and even nature's sounds are muffled by snow. Everything is closed down and all you can do is drive through the park, or leave the car for a walk. The sand dunes get covered in ice and snow. By February, most of the water that touches the beaches is frozen in ripples. On the bay side, the ice gets solid and thick enough for ice fishing.
My husband used to go ice fishing on the bay with a friend. I would tag along, clear a large patch of snow from the surface, and ice skate.
Diamond_Dog
(34,974 posts)It sounds perfect. I know exactly what you mean about leaving city noise behind and entering another world. I always felt the people of Erie were so lucky to have this park. I really should try to visit in the wintertime. Now I want to go again! I havent been up there in about 2 years.
I have known folks over the years who go up there just for Waldameer Park and never enter the peninsula and I think they are really missing the best part!
wnylib
(24,536 posts)It has improved since I lived there, but it used to be a very tame and boring place. We drove to amusement parks farther away that offered more.
But, the grounds at Waldameer did have a large building called Rainbow Gardens that was often used as a ballroom for special events in Erie. It's where my high school prom was. In summer, the YMCA sponsored teen dances there.
On the lake, just before the entrance to Presque Isle, there was a large motel complex called The Beachcomber. They had a New Year's Eve party there each year, with a band, 3 dance rooms, and a buffet breakfast. We went with other couples a few times.
wendyb-NC
(3,852 posts)Thanks for sharing them, also for the reason why these turtles are so often spied sprawled on a rock or log with their head and neck extended as well as their legs. Cool.
Callalily
(15,017 posts)I too found that interesting about the turtles.
calimary
(84,493 posts)Evolution is really amazing, isn't it!
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos with us! It's always a good reminder of the glorious natural scenery that somehow still lives and breathes, despite the destructiveness, short-sightedness, and greed of mankind.
Callalily
(15,017 posts)And yes, no matter where we live, we can always enjoy nature.
NBachers
(18,163 posts)Callalily
(15,017 posts)Grumpy Old Guy
(3,574 posts)Lovely photos, thanks for sharing. You've inspired me to get my kayaks cleaned up.
Callalily
(15,017 posts)It's so peaceful and relaxing out on the water. Very meditative.
SWBTATTReg
(24,247 posts)of your surroundings! Nice, nice, nice!!!
Callalily
(15,017 posts)diva77
(7,880 posts)Callalily
(15,017 posts)I just love reflecting photos.
AllyCat
(17,156 posts)And it is! Where is this?
Callalily
(15,017 posts)It's the lagoon at Big Bay Town Park on Madeline Island!
AllyCat
(17,156 posts)spike jones
(1,784 posts)We get that in the bogs in NW Washington.
Callalily
(15,017 posts)Fluctuation is very little.
2naSalit
(93,062 posts)And thanks for looking up the turtle facts, that is very interesting. Turtles are mysterious, I have met a few and I wonder whether they comprehend things even slightly as we do.
The lagoon looks lovely and peaceful.
Callalily
(15,017 posts)Just the noises of nature.