We ran the weather gamut today. A promising sunrise got smothered in clouds. We had sleet, rain clouds, bits of blue sky and everything cold! We hiked about five miles to a variety of falls and got a few promising shots. So we're back processing a few images and packing up for the trip back tomorrow.

Munising Falls

We saw lots of red leaves that fell in inconspicuous places. This one was on a rock in the middle of the stream.

Miner's Falls

On the trail to Miner's Falls

Miner's Castle—we got a few good shots in spite of the weather.

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Mosquito Falls

Detail

Charming little stream feeding into Wagner Creek

Wagner Creek Falls

Little Alger Falls just south of Munising.

Sunset sky as we went into the Dogpatch Restaurant for dinner. Great crispy fried chicken. Comfort food after a long day!

When I get home I'll download everything and then pick the keepers for a final edit. It's been a fun trip. Nothing but shoot pictures, process pictures, eat and sleep.

Steve Warner and I are on a photo trip in the UP of Michigan hoping to catch the fall colors. Today we traveled from Paradise to Munising—on back roads of course. No freeways up here. The sky was gray again but we did run across some grouse along side the road. They weren't exactly tame. Maybe just stupid. In any case, we got close.

Capturing these birds takes stealth and cunning—and a little foolishness on our own part.

 

We passed by an apple orchard and since Steve wanted some apple pictures, shot these through the deer fence.

Honey Crisp!

While we were shooting, the owner of the orchard came up and started talking with us. He was picking a batch for the farmers market that day in Munising. Meet Jerry, a genuine character. Jerry kindly gave each of us a fresh apple and lots of chat.

We took a side trip at Seney to visit the Seney Wildlife refuge. We missed our best shot at the station, but did see these swans cross a berm.

A stop at Sable Falls yielded these:

These were on the opposite bank of the river plaster against this clay or sandstone face.

An orange rock at the beach.

One more stop for some birches along the roadside.

Then on into town, check in, download today's images, eat, process a few, the off to bed. Tomorrow we do Pictured Rocks, Lord willing and weather permitting.

The morning was gray and misting drizzle, a perfect day to go out for pictures. I stopped first at Sweet Season's Orchard west of Concord for some of their excellent cider, then drifted around some of the back roads on the way home.

In another week this could be spectacular!

Old Schoolhouse between Concord and Homer, north of Hwy 60

This swan was perched all by itself in the middle of a stagnant pond.

Tomorrow is October 1—we're on the verge of full-blown Fall colors. What a glorious time of year!

This one's for Tom – thanks for the prodding!

Took my camera out to the Whitetail Hall of Fame Museum this afternoon. Craig Calderone has put together an amazing collection of whitetail hunting trophies, gear and history. He's also collected old haying equipment and more recently expanded into vintage chain saws. They are located between the Race Rd Exit off I-94 eastbound and the Grass Lake Exit. You see it on the north side of freeway.

What most people come to see are the deer. Better in his fenced area than my back yard!

Love to see something like this in front of my blind this fall!

I don't believe these are true albinos.

These Sandhill Cranes were flocked up all around Craig's place.

After taking these pictures, I drifted over to the Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary. Enjoyed the trails.

Milkweed pods

It's getting to be that time of year.

On the way back, I stopped at the Sandhill Crane Winery aod a few pictures of grapevines. They've had a tough year and some of the vines had no fruit at all.

OK, these aren't grapes, but I couldn't resist!

 A fine way to spend a cool, cloudy September afternoon.