Northwest Ohio

Well killing a couple birds with one stone, this blog is going to be a little off pace. Here in Ohio, we are a part of the Black Swamp area, also home to the Oak Openings region. During settling, a massive plague ravaged the area and nearly 2/3rds of everyone died. In this region, there are more rare species of plants and animals anywhere else in Ohio. We have lost the caribou, wolf, cougar, black bear, and a whole slew of other species. Originally, Lucas County was a giant swamp. It was drained for the use of its rich soils and converted to farmland, which now serves as the end of America's cornbelt. There is little in the way of elevation change here, and the mosquitos are outrageous. The area is still a giant swamp in the spring with standing water everywhere. The water never goes away and the mosquitos breed are out except for a few months during the winter. Parks here offer a great opportunity for people to experience what the environment used to be prior to the areas settling. Oak trees stand mightily above all the other trees, squirrels bicker with each other while the hawks wait for them to make a mistake and expose themselves. Without much elevation change, your eyes tend to start focusing on what makes up the environment. Species that have learned how to deal with the pressure we have put on them are extremely resiliant. Even with very little of the original habitat left, the continue to thrive, and we actually consider them to be over-populated. People generally run or walk their dogs in the parks within the city limits. The parks outside the city get less traffic, but the people living around the parks still visit to run or walk their dogs down the designated paths. Leaving the path is pretty hard. The vegetation is extremely dense. Thankfully I'm not allergic to poison ivy as it grows everywhere. Bugs come in all shapes and sizes, from a tiny little mite, up to a large 10 inch praying mantis. They all live together in these parts were it is always a race against time to build the best nest, find enough food, and get ready for the winter. Spring, summer and fall always are full of life. Even in winter when things settle down, there are still animals that call this place home. This environment is also where I call home. I would not have it any other way. Spring brings loads of water and nourishment and great fishing. The abundant supply of water is a wonderful to be around in the summer heat, and the oak trees keep you cool when you get out. Sounds and colors of fall signal a flurry of activity as the weather cools as old man winter heads in. As fall ends the activity starts to end and the animals begin to settle down for the ensuing months. With the harsh winter chill set in place, humans and animals alike stop going outside. Staying warm in the comfort of their homes, the beauty of the winter is often overlooked. Like a white wedding dress, without the snow, the link between the seasons would not be happily married. These seasonal changes keep so many people, but learning to find the harmony in them will never let you leave.

Final trip of the summer

In the dog days of summer, the weekend weather shaped up to make for a good weekend trip. Without much money on hand, I couldn't go too far. Grand Rapids was the initial destination. About 45 minutes from home, the sites were directly next to the water. In the same location where the picture of the dam was taken, it was 17 dollars a night for primitive camping(my style). As I pulled in, the camp was completely full. This was the last chance for the year I would get for camping, there was no way I was going to give up. The campground was located on the Maumee River and has several islands located on it. While driving back, I was contemplating where I could park my car, and then hike across the river to the islands for a couple nights. With the kayak on top of my car, it was turning out to be a difficult decision. On top of my gear, the kayak would also have to be included in the plans. Driving along the river, there were many parks, but none permitting camping. After making it back into town, the next campground I was aware of was another 45 minutes away, without a place for my kayak. It occurred to me as I turned to go home there was one place where I remember campsites. It site about 100 yards off the river and offers only a dozen primitive sites. It proved worth the time to check it out. Turning out to be the only one there I set up camp and started a campfire. Once it was started, the weekend started off in a great way, a skunk walked no more than 15 feet from me. Fortunately, experiences have taught me to just be aware of the animal and make no attempt to take pictures or pick this one up. About 20 minutes later a feral cat ran by. As the sun went down, the cicadas started to sing. With the fire crackling, cicada's singing and the moon out in full force, it was nice to be the only soul around. Feeling adventurous, I made my way down to the river for a late night walk. With my flashlight in hand and large knife in the other pocket, it was quite eerie. Walking down an overflow riverbed with 15 foot banks on either side, you could only see straight ahead of you. Every noise was distinctly loud and unnerving. Feeling brave, the river came sooner than I thought. It was great to sit on the Great Maumee River by my lonesome and listen to the water move over the rocks. The main goal of the weekend was the same as any other, hang out around the water, go fishing and take some pictures. The next morning I woke up bright and early. Walking back to the overflow path, there were several deer making their way towards me. One looked up noticing my movement, and I immediately fell to the ground. Recognizing their intentions to move down the river towards me, I stayed there until one was about 30 feet from me. I took several pictures while they were walking up, but the lighting was terrible. With a small fawn in her presence the mother noticed me and started snorting and stomping her feet. Steam started pouring out of her nose as she exhaled because of the cool morning air. As her fawn stayed back with the others, she took an aggressive posture and took a step toward me. Not wanting to take my eyes off of her, the camera stayed down as we looked each other in the eye. Still down on my knees, she took another step directly toward me. Wanting to avoid any conflict with a protective mother, I stood up promptly. She immediatly started running back to the pack. Minutes later, they ran out to the main river where I did not get to see them again. With kayak in hand, once the deer were gone, I began my portaging trek to the river where I could spend the morning relaxing. Once out onto the river, loads of waterfowl, shoreline birds and birds of prey began their daily routines. First I spotted a juvenile bald eagle chasing another bird of prey that had a fish in its talons. I tried getting the picture but they were just moving way too fast for me. The scuffle was entertaining, but there was much more to see. As I paddled down stream, the fish started jumping out of the water, and the birds on the shorline started moving as I grew closer. Several were close enough that I could get a decent shot on them. As afternoon drew near, I took a nap in the kayak while on the river. Waking up to a dreadful burning sensation, the sun turned me into a new crayon color. Paddling back to camp was anything but pleasant. Feeling your skin stretching with every movement, I got out of the kayak and swam back with it until I could start walking. Back at camp, and a few stroke strokes of the knife later, a stick on the ground turned into a cooking utensil and the fire roasted hot dogs had a hint of oak flavor to them. The delicious meal was the energy I needed to get back out and finish up with a day of fishing. Fishing was not great, but fighting any smallmouth bass on 4lb test fishing line is fun. Eventually, the second night had set in, and it was time to finish the weekend with another fire. Having a terrible sunburn and smelling like a dirty river, the sleep was far from enjoyable. The overall experience was great, and I will surely go back, even if it is for one night only. It turned out to be only a 15 minute drive from home. If there is ever a need to get away without really leaving, I found the spot.

Back to the basics

During the summer I frequently go camping. Most of the time is spent fishing, hanging out in a kayak, or sitting by the fire. When the previously mentioned actions aren't taking place, I am probably out hiking with my camera. Without much money it is hard to go to any place real exciting. W.J. Hayes State Park in Michigan is a one an ideal place to visit when I do go out. There is a small lake only accessable to resident campers, it is a no wake lake with great largemouth bass fishing and a couple of LARGE swans. The edges of the lake are overgrown with lillypads and bullrush and anything with a motor cannot get to the banks. With half of the park closed to cars, it is only accessable from the lake, if you can get there, and having a kayak to get to the banks lets you do just that. If you want to have a little more fun, then you go through a small and short channel to get to an all-sport lake with a beach. The latest visit was the past summer and I spent almost a half day just wandering around the lake taking pictures. First up on the list was a small turtle who so politely found my presence no harm. Like any other occasion, it is impossible for me to find a snake, frog, turtle, fish, or anything else without picking it up. As I picked the turtle up he did not pull his head inside like most, he actually seemed to smile at me! haha. Setting him down I noticed a small frog resting on the shoreline. He jumped in before I could get my hands on him, but not until after I could take his picture. Walking through the woods again, something made a noise in the leaves. Calmly staying in place waiting for the creature to make a move again, the leaves in front of me moved, but there was no wind blowing. Closer inspection revealed a juvenile garter snake trying to get away from me. Since that will never happen, I took his picture a few times and then.............................picked him up...........so I could take his picture again. The water was fairly close, and if he went in, the camera was not going to follow. Deciding to leave him alone, the water called my name again. In some places of the lake, you can walk out nearly 50 yards before the water reaches your waste. Being able to walk around the bullrushes, and lillypads is fun, with a camera or a fishing pole. The water is relatively clear for these parts, and you can see almost 10 feet down. Once the dirt settles, you can see the fish swimming around your feet. The little bluegills are even brave enough to nip at your toes. After the evening started to set in, the air started to grow chilly and I made my way back to the site. My eyes grew tired from trying to figure out exactly what "fire" was and the batteries to the camera died trying to get a picture of it. Without getting a picture of the fire, it slowly burned out during the night while I layed zipped up in a sleeping bag.

All Alone

Making to the present day, there have been many experiences to get the pictures I have. Some have been for the wrong and right reasons, but in the end, it was a reason and it has given me a perspective on things which many people will never understand. Because thoughts have started getting to complex to explain, using photography is a great way for people to understand what I have experienced and want to say. Even as thoughts are sometimes too complex and need to be aided by images, images can be the same way and sometimes need words to aid in the understanding. One afternoon a couple days ago I was going to the park to get my car in a wooded setting for some pictures. Its a Jeep so it looks and feels better when its in a rural setting. On a road that I find myself on quite frequently, I noticed this house sitting back off the road. Having looked for abandoned houses for some time, there had been one right under my nose. It was sitting back off the road a hundred yards or so but tucked inside some heavy trees. Immediately coming to a halt on the side of the road, I turned around and hid my car in the trees. Here in the states, there are laws against trespassing that I did not want to find out about. The house offered some great images that could not be passed on. With the grass really tall, many alive and well pine trees, my Jeep is green as well and blended right in with the surroundings making it the perfect vehicle for the job. The ground was wet and muddy the first time and the second time there was a few inches of snow on the ground. Only a 4wd would have made it in and out. Going the first time, yielded great results. The second time(yesterday) was even better. Knowing what I had taken before and how they could be improved, there are many more opportunities there. It probably not get visited until spring when all the plants and trees have grown in making it even more appealing. Right now the house feels desolate. You can feel the memories people have had in there. Curtains are left on the window, toiletries in the bathroom, but the place is a wreck. Clearly, people have been through the place to destroy it, but it adds to the character. All the windows are gone. The roof caved in the back and holes in the front. Raccoon fecies and hair everywhere. During the summer I can imagine it will have a feeling of reclamation. Plants will grow on the walls and roof, as mother nature takes what was once taken from her. You can hear the couple talking in the living room and smell the food in the kitchen. The back porch is now a pile of wood and the master bedroom now only has one wall and is exposed to the elements. Although it seems dead, the house is alive and doing well. Birds nests are built on walls and lighting fixtures. Animals feed inside indicated by the animal remains scattered around the house. There is a lonely feeling about it. The front door is left wide open, just asking for a heartbeat to come inside so it can feel alive. With a collapsed roof and missing back door, any heartbeat that comes through the front door quickly leaves out of the back. Once a happy fortress protecting its family, after losing its purpose has become sad and lonely just waiting for someone to give it a purpose again. The broken windows speak of terrible tales of individuals taking advantage of its dream. Now being stripped of all hope, it now sits, waiting, for mother nature to finish her work.

Getting involved

After the interior decorating opportunities, it made me rethink some of the images of glass I had taken in the years prior. The direction of the track lighting inside the houses illuminated different features of the house in a pleasing aesthetic fashion. It led me to rethink several images of glass I had taken in the previous years. Instead of taking a picture of what you already have seen, take what you have seen and manipulate it into something else. I built a makeshift light box out of an old box from a vacuum cleaner. After cutting holes into the sides and top for different lighting and camera angles, the results started amazing me. Initially the quality of them were nothing extraordinary, but with some practice they turned into something straight out of the imagination. Wish I could talk about these some more but I cant. With a vocabulary too small to describe the glass, its better to quit early and avoid rambling.