Dawn, Jan 1, 2017 on Lake St. Clair, Macomb County, Michigan
I wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year for 2017!
I missed going out last year on New Year’s Day and decided at the last minute this morning to go check out one of my favorite spots. Michigan weather is quite erratic this time of year before we get into the really deep, sustained cold of Winter. While we had some good lake-freezing temps earlier in December last year, it been rather mild since Christmas. In combination with the high winds, much of the ice on Lake St. Clair is nearly gone.
So to my surprise, when I am normally the only one out on the lake this early except for perhaps a few ice fisherman, the parking lot was packed. Not only packed with cars, but boat trailers! I wondered what the heck was going on. Even if the lake was open water, you rarely see boats this time of year. I started connecting the dots as I walked the shoreline and started seeing numerous people in camouflage along the shoreline with a variety of duck decoys floating in the water.
I developed this photograph with an intentional ominous, violent feel to it… externalizing uncertain internal feelings regarding the future, local, national, global. My 2017 then erupts into gunshots as I clicked the shutter.
And the ironic part of the morning is that I drove to this spot listening to a discussion on NPR about appreciation of silence.
Interesting! I wish you could have known to take ear protection. Another great photo.
Happy New Year Mark! As others have sad, beautiful image even if it wasn’t quite quiet and peaceful. A good indication that one doesn’t quite know what is happening just outside the frame.
In more ways than just the noise that day Howard. The lake here is a big topic of pollution concern because of a recent sewer line break and dumping of raw sewage into a river that feeds this lake. Photographs are very deceiving!! 🙂
test
And, Happy New Year to you, Mark. Again, a beautiful image and a great way to start the year. I find silence to be a wonderful place to live but it is difficult in our culture to find the outward silence. Looking forward to seeing your images for this coming year. May the year bring everything you need to know and experience.
Happy New Year to you also Monte! If the new year will bring me everything I need to know, it is sure going to be a busy one!! 🙂
Beautiful image – another excellent one from Lake St Clair. Happy new year!
Thanks Tom
Ah, hunting season! BTW, I need to browse back through your blog to see if you posted about the color of the year. Your ice pictures and your color of the year – things that I can always count on. 😀
yeah, I need to get on that new color of the year Paul! I think I missed last year, and now I am late for this year. 🙁
You know what they say: No time like the present! 🙂 I’ll keep refreshing the page to see if you’ve posted. LOL
Way to crack that whip Mr. Lester… Yes SIR! 🙂
I’m afraid you’ve created the appropriate tone for this new year, Mark. At the same time you’ve made a beautiful image. Congratulations on the feat.
All I can hope for is that I am flat out worrying about nothing. Thanks Linda.