Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Winter at the Beach

Monday was a good day to go to the beach to capture some winter shots. The slowly falling, oversized snowflakes had stopped, the sun had made a few weak appearances, but most important there was no gale force winds at the moment.


I went to Tunnel Park, a County Park/Beach about a mile from my house. You will see the reason for the name of the park shortly.

I couldn't drive into the park itself, the gates were locked, so I parked in the turn around of the driveway and trudged in through the walk-in gate.

Once I got to the playground area I started looking for interesting things to shoot. I tried a few playground pieces but I just wasn't feeling it. Not feeling inspired I moved on to the tunnel...


I couldn't find an exact age of this tunnel through the dune to the beach. I know that this park has been here since the 1930's. Walking through the tunnel to the beach I realized I haven't been through this tunnel in quite a few years.


Once through the tunnel I was looking out at Lake Michigan and the ice build up near the shore. I saw a vantage point I wanted to shoot from but I had to climb up a mound of wind blown sand and snow, then down into a little valley to get up to the top of another dune. I was a little apprehensive about climbing the dune, afraid I would fall. I kept thinking of my friend Cathy Sly, who fell on one of her recent adventures. Of course I did fall, but it was more like a graceful slide, down into the little valley area.


I made it to the top of the dune area I wanted to shoot from. I took some shots, but then I noticed the sand on my mitten that was getting on my camera, and my lens. I started freaking out about that , and that was it, the adventure was over. I did make it back to the tunnel without falling again.


Once back through the tunnel, I started to relax. I wiped the sand off and felt much better.


I visited one more area where the picnic tables were stored and where some stairs were from the cottage association above the park area. I would like to shoot these stairs and tunnel through the seasons. A fun new project with intention to work on.







15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Beautiful Sarah. The tones of a winter beach are so quiet and soft. Love the composition of the grass shot. Thank you so much for your message today!

Minoru Saito said...

Nice captures! White winter beach is very beautiful. Your last photo is very impressive.

Anonymous said...

I just love the colors of the sky, water, and grasses in your fourth photo! I really like each and every photo, but the fourth...wow!

Kate said...

sigh, more memories. We used to have breakfast at Tunnel Park on the 4th of July when I was a kid. The whole family (on my Dad's side would join in. I remember well scrambled eggs with sand. Took me a long time to enjoy scrambled eggs after those breakfasts.

Cathy said...

It is so rare here on the West Coast to find snow at the beach. These are so lovely Sarah. I love them all.

Viv@Thoughts from the Desktop said...

Snow on a beach and the yellow colour of the grass ... Beautiful in fact it's all beautiful, you live in a wonderful part of the world...

Mary said...

Great job capturing the snow Sarah. Lovely photos

stacie said...

The photo from the tunnel out to the lake is breathtaking Lissa! I'm going to post in on my pinterest board :)

geetlee said...

I don't get to see so much snow because I live in California. Your photographs transport me to a different world.
Thanks for sharing.
PS My favorite is the shot of the stairs and the snow.

Lissa Forbes said...

Sarah, I can only imagine what the "graceful slide" on the snow looked like ... made me giggle. I love the way to catch views from different perspectives, and especially love the grasses poking out of the snow, the red house through the branches, and the snow-covered steps. I always feel like I'm right there with you on your adventures. Thanks for sharing in Walk and Click Wednesdays!!

Cathy H. said...

Snow and sand...a beautiful combination! I love the grasses. Beautiful composition!

Sherri B. said...

I love your point of view when you photograph...these are all so lovely. You made me smile with your "graceful slide" comment. :)

Unknown said...

What a hauntingly beautiful photo essay. I am especially drawn to the tunnel shots...the framing, the feeling of shelter? Great winter mood all around.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

I remember when I moved to Maine and saw snow on the beach for the first time...a very strange sight for a California girl. These photos are just beautiful, each and every one!

Laura lok said...

wow what gorgeous shots I don't think i have ever seen snow on a beach before that is so cool.