Tuliptree Blossom with Guest
Another Day at Work
Apis Workers' Party
Predator
Some of Your Beeswax
Sedum Bumbler
Look of Defiance
Chicory Bee
Bumbling Bees
Garden Cafe
Buzz By Here - To Infinity and Beyond
Pick Your Poison
Blind Side Attack
On a Mission
Honey Bee on Sedum
Covering the Cosmos
Center of the Cosmos
Three's a Crowd
Popular Spot
On A Pedestal
Big Harry Fireworks Display
To Impress the Girl
Different Perspective
Sweet Ride
Perfect Little Piggies B&W
Flipping the Light Fantastic
Festival of Flights
To the Crowd's Delight
Amish Go Round
Wondersome One
The Stars In Her Eyes
Tuesday's Child
Sleeper Hold
Considering the Next Move
Sugar and Spice
Front Porch Portrait
Caged Competitor
Early Adoration
Child In the Ligtht
Stroll Through the Weeds
Attention Grabbing
Eye Contact
On the Line
Eyes of Wonder
Rounding the Curve
Troubadours of Basin Spring Park
Down by the Creek
Sun Day
Catching Some Light
EAA Fireworks
Hear Me Roar
Algoma
Bathed in Beams
On more than one occasion, I’ve heard or read Algoma, WI has one of the most photographed lighthouses (technically a “pier light”). I always considered it more wishful thinking than fact. But if I just count the number of pictures I’ve personally snapped and posted, I might have misjudged.
This magical scene was captured early on a Sunday morning while on my way to church. (As the pastor, I get to the church hours before the service to prepare.) Since I always have my camera with me, it’s not unusual for me to stop near the harbor and step out to take a few photos of the lighthouse if I see something I like.
On this morning, when I stopped, it was starting to sprinkle and I didn’t want to expose my camera or suit to the rain. So, instead of jumping out, I jumped in…to the backseat of our minivan. I set my tripod and camera up, slid the side door open and snapped away, staying comfortable and dry. As the sun continued to rise and the clouds shifted, changing the angle of the beams, I had jump back to the drivers seat and move my van 3 times.
I posted a B&W photo from the same morning a few days ago, entitled Too Wonderful for Me.
Here’s a panoramic scene, taken just a few minutes later the same morning, when the sunbeams weren’t so intense.
Click on either image to see a larger version.
Power from On High
A month ago I managed to snag a number of striking B&W images of the Algoma, WI lighthouse. I posted a few of them and moved on to other subjects. Yesterday’s interaction on this blog – comparing color and b&w images (Thank You, to all who commented) – reminded me of the bunch I had neglected. This image is from that forgotten bunch.
The powerful contrast between the upper right-hand corner and the lower left-hand corner, and the range of monochrome tones between, make this a favorite for me.
Fell free to share your own thoughts below and if you like what you see, by all means, share it with others.
To see a larger version of this image, simply click on it.
Too Wonderful for Me
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I cannot resist photographing. The rise of a morning sun, the set of an evening sun, majestic sunbeams piercing the darkness and the form of a rainbow in the sky. (Pops Digital paraphrase of Proverbs 30:18.)
I captured this image of the Algoma, WI harbor, on the western shore of Lake Michigan, while on my way to prepare for a Sunday morning service at the church where I serve as pastor.
I always have an eye on the sky. As I was driving to Algoma I could see that there might be a worthwhile photo op developing. This is the scene I found when I reached the harbor – just a few blocks from the church.
The sunbeams poured through for about ten minutes. I captured several appealing images and will share more in upcoming posts. Check back often.
You can see a larger version of this image by clicking on it. And, as always, if you enjoy the images you find here, please share them and this site with others.
Strange Fire
This is one of the most unusual fireworks effects I’ve photographed. It was an arch of white light that sparkled for several seconds and then finished with a bright flash (the orange-ish ball above it) and loud boom. Almost as impressive is the reflection that it created on the lake and the wet beach between the effect and my camera.
This is the last of the fireworks photos I’ll post from Algoma’s Shanty Days festival. You can look over all my fireworks photos from this year by selecting the “Fireworks” Category in the left margin of this site or clicking HERE. There are 11 different images in the collection.
As always, if you find an image you like on this site, please share it with others.
(If you have a large monitor, you may be able to see a larger version of this photo by clicking on it.)
Spider in the Sky
The first thing that popped into my mind when I saw this image was, “That looks like a green spider on its web!” This might be my favorite photo of Algoma’s Shanty Days fireworks show.
As long as I’m using a bit of imagination, the two white star bursts remind me of flies caught in the web.
Of course, I didn’t and couldn’t have planed it. I just accidentally captured it. Right place + fluke timing = pleasant surprise!
Well…am I right? Do you think it looks like a spider and web? Is this cool or what?
Bonus Photo: another multiple burst, Shanty Days fireworks image.
If you find these images interesting, please share this post with your friends. I’d like to increase the number of regular visitors to PopsDigital.com.
(If you have a large monitor, you may be able to see larger versions of these photos by clicking on them.)
The Big Bang
This was the “big one” at Algoma’s Shanty Days fireworks show. The massive spread of this effect took me by surprise. As you can see, it dominated the sky and pushed beyond the view of my camera. I widened my camera’s framing after this shot, but never saw another one quite this big.
If you look back through the posts of the last couple of days you can gain some idea of how much larger it was compared to the normal. As you look at the other Shanty Days fireworks photos, compare the position of the Algoma pier light (that little red dot in the lower half of the photo, near the right edge). You can see, the others don’t go beyond the pier light.
(If you have a large monitor, you may be able to see a larger version of this photo by clicking on it.)
Fireworks Over Algoma
Another view of the fireworks display to wrap up Algoma’s Shanty Days.
It was a perfect night for fireworks – pleasant temperatures, no wind and a beautiful full moon reflecting off Lake Michigan. (Unfortunately, I couldn’t get the full moon in my shots from the position I was in. My camera was pointed north and the moon was in the east.)
More fireworks images from the Shanty Days show to come. Check back soon.
(If you have a large monitor, you may be able to see a larger version of this photo by clicking on it.)
Shanty Days Fireworks
One of the charming aspects of small town life is the annual (fill-in-the-blank) festival. Every community commemorates and celebrates some aspect of its heritage or culture. In the case of Algoma, WI it’s “Shanty Days.” The finale of every Shanty Days festival is the Sunday night fireworks display.
The launch site is at the Algoma harbor. I set up my camera on the beach, near the water’s edge. Those who are familiar with Algoma’s harbor will recognize the tiny red light near the right edge of this photo as the famous pier light.
I snapped several interesting images from this show. I’ll be posting more, including one that reminds me of a green spider on its web and one of the most unusual fireworks effects I’ve seen, so check back soon.
(If you have a large monitor, click on the image may offer a larger view.)
St. Paul’s Spire
Here’s the church, and here’s the steeple
Open the door and see all the people.
Here’s the parson going upstairs,
And here he is saying his prayers.
The tallest points in Algoma, WI are the steeples of its churches. (I suspect that would be the case in most small towns.)
This is St. Paul’s Lutheran church – the tallest structure in the downtown area.
The highest point in town would be the steeple of the Catholic church, towering above the city from its location on a hill in a more residential area, north of the downtown.
Click on the steeple image above for a larger view.
Auto Adornment
Every year Algoma hosts a car show in their downtown area. It’s a just a block away from the church – where I spend most of my Saturdays – so I made a brief visit and snapped a few photos. All the cars are cool and I think the old hood ornaments are the coolest. They don’t make them like that anymore. These images represent just a sample.
The one at the top of this post was my favorite because it appears to have two faces…maybe a human head wearing a lion-face looking helmet. (Click on the images – the one above for a larger view and the smaller one to the right for larger, even closer look.) Looking now, I wish I would have taken a side view shot.
I also thought some of the classic wheels and hub caps were unique and may post a few of those in the future.
I should have been taking notes so I could identify the cars these fancy hood adornments comes from. I would bet there are some true classic car fanatics who could tell you just by looking at these photos. If you’re one, by all means, tells us what you know in the comments.
I could be wrong, but I’m guessing this Indian head is on a Pontiac.
The nose cone on this car is the feature that stood out to me…though, I like the hood ornament, too. I also like the way a near by building’s reflection wraps around the hood. Studebaker?
I feel like I should be able to identify this by it’s V ornament. Something very familiar about it. Maybe a Buick.
Clicking on any of these images will open up a separate window with a larger view of that photo.