Natural Wonders - Okemos

I stopped at the Harris Nature Center Tuesday afternoon to walk through the woods. I took a few photos along the way. Here are some of the more interesting ones.


Pine needles up close and personal.



Berries for the birds.



Ice spikes.



The leaning tree of Okemos.


Robin

First Snow - Lansing

We had our first major snowfall of the season last night. The first snow can be a pain, but it can also be very beautiful. I got outside early to take these photos. By the time I left this afternoon, most of the blown snow had fallen off.

The roundabout at Michigan and Washington Avenues.



The Capitol with the Christmas tree out front.






Snowy governor.














Robin

Squirrel - Lansing

Just one photo today. Yesterday as I was walking past the Capitol, I noticed this squirrel in the tree. The city put these signs on all of the trees as they prepared for Silver Bells in the City, the annual light parade and tree lighting ceremony. I quickly scrambled to get my camera out and snap the photo before the squirrel took off again.




Robin

Late Fall - Meridian Township

Yesterday I went for a walk at Meridian Riverfront Park. All the trees were bare, but even without leaves, the trees had a unique beauty.

Today's post is in memory of my Aunt Evelyn Gray who passed away yesterday.

Robin

Harvest Time - East Lansing

I have been too busy to post much lately. These photos are from mid October. We have had a couple of heavy frosts lately, so things do not look like this now.

This was at the MSU Horticulture Farm. We took a tour with our Master Gardener class. I really learned a lot that day.



















Robin

Manistee Lighthouse Revisited - Manistee

I was back in Manistee today. The weather at the lighthouse was very different than it was last week.













Robin

Fall - Williamston

We are past the peak colors now, but here are some fall scenes from a couple of weeks ago.











Can you find three cranes in this photo?


Robin

Lighthouse - Manistee

Yesterday was a windy fall day on Lake Michigan. The waves were really crashing at the Manistee lighthouse. I am glad I was not on the water, but it made for some dramatic photos.









I didn't even notice the seagull until I looked at the photo. That was a lucky shot.


Robin

Draft Horses - Lansing and East Lansing

Here is something you do not see every day; draft horses in downtown Lansing. I suppose it was a pretty common sight a hundred years ago, but now, they have to share the road with a lot of automobiles. The horses were in town to promote the draft horse show at Michigan State over the weekend.














These next photos were taken in East Lansing at the plowing competition. I asked a couple of guys how the competition worked. Each team is given a 50' x 150' plot. They have to put in six furrows. A judge walks along grading on straightness and depth among other things. They told me in the old days, a farmer and two horses could plow an acre a day. Even with the horses doing the hardest part, it still looks like a lot of work.









Robin

Christman Mutual Building - Lansing

Last week, I posted some photos from Views from the Top. Today, I would like to show some photos from inside one of the buildings. The Christman Mutual Building is really amazing. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, so the exterior could not be changed. I was happy to see how much of the interior they preserved. The building has all of the functionality of a modern office building, but it still retains much of the character it once had.

On the upper floors, you can put the mail in here . . . .


. . . and the mail carrier can pick it up here on the first floor.


Beautiful detail on the stair railing.


The stair railing.


I do not know what is behind the door, but it is a cool door.


It is a little modern, but it fits well.


Looking down the stairs.


Looking up the stairs.



Just inside the front door. What a beautiful way to cover up functional hardware.


Robin