Michigan Nature Association

MNA - http://www.michigannature.org/

This is a truly worthwhile organization that is protecting our natural woods, natural habitats, extraordinary and endangered plants and animals. Consider visiting their site at the link above.

Another blog that supports the organization is:

http://michigannature.wordpress.com/

I had the opportunity of attending their annual meeting which was held in Dowagiac. A short distance from the meeting at a township hall is one of their great sanctuary call Dowagiac Woods. Before the meeting began, I took a hike along one of the beautiful well groomed trails. Below are some of the photos taken during that hike.

I did enjoy the hike and more of the photos can be found on my Event web site: http://www.drysteam.smugmug.com/Events/472813

I have photographed several of their events and photos can also be found there.

Thanks for reading and enjoy the fruits of my passion.

G10 shots

A new camera is a lot like a new car. You know the smell, no not the smell, but the need to take it to the store. Well not the store, but I do love to try it out as often as I can. Here are a few more shots taken yesterday.

Southfield, Michigan, the old Berg village buildings taken at about 10:00 am.

This could have been a fine rich farm house from about a 100+ years ago.

This lovely spring flower was in a single beam of sunlight on the shadow side of the house. Processed in LIghtroom and Nik Viveza.

I will be looking to use the new camera ‘smells’ over the weekend. 

Canon G10

Canon’s G10 camera is now part of my shooting arsenal. I received it yesterday and have had a chance to take a few test shots. I like the size and all of the controls. As I am a Canon user, I should have no trouble understanding the logic of the menu system and the various buttons and dials.

Here are a few of the first shots. All have been run through Lightroom, as I would any other image that I took.

Looks like a blue sun, but it will be yellow in a few days.

My ducks (not really my ducks) love the spring water.

Lambs ear is one of the first to pop out in the spring.

Sunsets are easy to capture with the scene mode.

Old building with decay are always a photo-op.

I think I will have great fun keeping this new G10 with me as I look for the next great picture.

Sorry for no update to the blog in the last few week. I promise to to do better in the future.

People Mover in Detroit – riding the rails

The light elevated transit system installed in Detroit is know as the People Mover. It is a system of cars that make a loop around the business district of downtown Detroit.

Here are a couple of links for more information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_People_Mover
http://www.thepeoplemover.com/Station-Guide.id.3.htm

The total time of one loop around (about 2.9 miles) is 12 to 15 minutes. The cost is a 50 cent token that can be purchased at any of the stations. The cars travel in groups of 2 and most of them are painted with advertising.

I took the trip  (3 times around) and of course used my camera to record the event. The elevated view lets you see the buildings and street scenes from a different angle of view.

Here are a few of the shots taken this past week.

View Full Album

Click on the ‘View Full Album’ to see what I saw.

The shots were taken on a dull gray day through dirty glass on the car. Also note some of the photos have reflections.

Enjoy your mini tour of the streets of Detroit from the People Mover.