Winter Already?
Well, whoops. My last post was in May. It’s now November. I missed the whole summer!
But only in terms of posting. Despite work and child care and just general busyness, I still got out and took some pictures.
And now it’s dark by 5 and cold and blustery, so let’s go back and remember summer for a minute.
BRIDAL VEIL FALLS
As summer began, I took some time to hike part of the Towpath Trail to Bridal Veil Falls.
On the way to the Falls, however, I took a little detour and visited the triplets. I’d been here once before a year or so ago and some things had changed. It was clear that one of the many storms we’ve had downed some trees. There was a lot more clambering and climbing, but it was worth it.
SPRINGFIELD LAKE
One of the weirdest things for me, as a Minnesota transplant, is how Ohio has lakes but then either forbids swimming in them or charges money for it. But thankfully, it doesn’t cost anything to look at them! And of course, ducks don’t care about the rules.
I love the floating dock they have. Its appearance means summer is really here; likewise, its disappearance means winter is coming. Peering through the end at sunset is an attempt to grasp the ephemeral.
INSECTS!
What’s summer without bugs? Well, obviously, I could do without the mosquitos, but I suppose they have a role to play as well. I’m happier to see butterflies and dragonflies (but not actual flies).
The Springfield Bog Park is home to a plethora of bugs of all kinds, thanks to the eponymous bog and the many prairie grasses and flowers that burst into life after the controlled burn in early spring.
I also got some decent shots of dragonflies and damselflies at Firestone Metro Park. I won’t tell you how many shots it took to get one decent one of a dragonfly in flight. Let’s just say I’m very grateful for digital cameras and large memory card!
NIMISILA RESERVOIR
I’ve been here a few times and I can never remember where I usually park (or how to spell “Nimisila.” Thanks Google!). But no matter which lot I end up in, there’s plenty of pretty things to see.
On my visit this summer, there were plenty of water lilies.
And more butterflies! (Or moths.)
MINNESOTA!
It felt like FOREVER since I last went to The Great Minnesota Get Together (aka The Minnesota State Fair). So this year I let the kids miss a day of school so we could get up there over Labor Day weekend and catch the final few days.
We spent a lot of time there as a family, but one night I went back on my own with my camera. (It’s a big plus to have parents living within walking distance – went during the day with the kids and then came back at night with my camera.)
I loved the Ferris Wheel. It was so much fun to play around with getting shots as the colors changed and the moon rose alongside it.
I made my way down to the Grandstand entrance and then to the Midway.
At the end of the final Grandstand show every night, there are fireworks and since we live close enough to see them, it means a nightly show for us. Just like when I was a kid, as soon as we hear the first boom, we’re out the door to the end of the street, enjoying an impromptu party in our neighbor’s driveway. Then as the smoke drifts away, we likewise disperse back to our homes and beds. Most of the school districts in Minnesota have the first day of school begin the day after Labor Day, which is the last day of the Fair. So the final fireworks are the final salute to summer.
AUTUMN
And with that, I returned home and soon the colors began to change, creating a brief window for some fantastic scenes. I made way along the Buckeye Trail to Blue Hen Falls. The leaves were still mostly green, but there bright patches of reds, yellows, and oranges intermingled as well.
After taking some photos of the upper part of the Falls (a lot of people had the same idea, so it was getting a bit busy on the lower half), I meandered over to Buttermilk Falls. It was a pretty dry summer here, so the falls weren’t quite as impressive as they normally are, but it still a beautiful sight. I didn’t realize I was hogging the scene until I happened to turn around and see another person with a camera patiently waiting. He went and laid down on some of the rocks while I wrapped up, which seemed like a great plan to me. But alas, I had to return home.
A few days later, I made my way to the Walborn Reservoir during my lunch break. I wasn’t able to go far, but the trail was gorgeously strewn with leaves.
At the edge of the reservoir, I did my best to try to capture falling leaves without much luck. The wind was blowing hard, so no matter how fast my shutter speed, nothing stayed in frame long enough. I finally had to resort to just holding the leaf in place and photoshopping my hand out afterwards. I say it still counts.
LAKE ERIE BLUFFS
Of course, no season is complete without a stop at my beloved Lake Erie Bluffs. It ended up being a beautiful sunset that evening.
And as a bonus, there was a line of sailboats along the horizon. I don’t know who they were or where they were going, but it was a perfect set up.
So that’s what I saw over the past few months. I’m going to do my best to be better about getting things posted here, but no promises on that front. In the meantime, if you’re interested in finding some good books to read during the cold months, check out my other blog, World Between Words, where I review whatever I happen to be reading.
Until next time, then!
