by Jan S.
Member since:
June 22, 2007

Spring Comes to the Lake - Photo Essay

April 09, 2008 01:06 AM EDT
views: 144 | rating: 10/10 (52 votes) | comments: 60

The ice is melting on Skidway Lake. Spring is on it's way. 

Yesterday, gusty winds teamed up with sunshine to speed up the melting of winter's ice on our lake. This seasonal change happened so quickly that we were able to watch the ice shrink and move.

The photo above was taken at 4:00 yesterday afternoon.

What looks like snow in these photos is actually ice that has been pushed to the shore by the wind and piled there.

This photo was taken about 5:30pm. So much more of the ice had melted.

Today, all traces of ice are gone!  Wildlife was out in celebration of spring.  Among the animals sighted on the lake were a mother duck and her ducklings, a loon, a muskrat and an eagle.

If we needed additional proof of Spring's arrival, there is a whopping thunderstorm in progress tonight. 

This seasonal change takes place without any human assistance. It was designed and implemented by the Creator.  With all of our high tech science, we can't come close to making a miracle like this.
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Comments: 60

Jan S. Apr 9, 2008, 1:08am EDT
I will try to capture some photos of the wildlife enjoying Springtime at the lake.
Alisa Kerwood Apr 9, 2008, 1:18am EDT
that is a beautyful
Paidra Delayno Apr 9, 2008, 1:19am EDT
This was really cool, Jan. One of the things I like about gather is being able to see stuff from all over the country. Thank you so much for taking the time to post it.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 9, 2008, 1:20am EDT
Awesome essays girl. I like the Big and Bold photos. So, have you put on that bikini and jumped in yet? C'mon, I remember northern girls to be tough!

Love Ya. Nice Job!
Steve C. Apr 9, 2008, 1:21am EDT
Hi Jan,

Really nice, and it reminds me of a line in a book I read, called "Joshua" by Joseph Girzone, and the line is "nature is God's tranquilizer"
Steve
Edwin V. Apr 9, 2008, 1:23am EDT
Jan, as I see your images I can't stop thinking how insignificant we are under such magnificent changes that take place every instant in our planet. If only we could take more care of our planet places like this could last forever. Thanks for such a nice pictures. Edwin
Rose S. Apr 9, 2008, 1:35am EDT
Love the photos and words...what a special thing to be able to watch and enjoy such a cool thing.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 9, 2008, 1:37am EDT
Had to come back, forgot to unthaw your '10' . LOL
Sue D. Apr 9, 2008, 1:39am EDT
What an amazing transformation. It looks so cold! Brrrrrr
Marilyn M. Apr 9, 2008, 1:52am EDT
What beautiful pictures, Jan. Your first photo essay is a perfect success.
Austin Cushing Apr 9, 2008, 2:33am EDT
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
Harrel (Len) Phillips Apr 9, 2008, 3:55am EDT
"unthaw" Robert? hmmmm

Great essay Jan. Beautiful pictures. God is awesome, isn't He?
Patti M. Apr 9, 2008, 4:28am EDT
Jan, great essay. Your photos are beautiful. God does such amazing work.
Margay R. Apr 9, 2008, 4:39am EDT
Wow, you've captured some great shots here. Nicely done.
Danielle P. Apr 9, 2008, 6:03am EDT
Beautiful photos!!
Mary M. Apr 9, 2008, 6:14am EDT
Jan, you've beautifully captured nature at work. Thank you for sharing the glory of God's creation with us.
Carl "Prime Time" Lee Apr 9, 2008, 7:06am EDT
Thanks Jan... Enjoyed the pics.
Christopher Cole Apr 9, 2008, 7:07am EDT
Very nicely done. Thanks Jan.
Christine K. Apr 9, 2008, 7:32am EDT
Awesome Jan!! Houghton Lake has still got ice on it, but it's a big lake!!! You did a wonderful job.
John Philipp Apr 9, 2008, 7:45am EDT
Well done, Jan. Wonderful photos.

"This seasonal change takes place without any human assistance." If you ever tire of that, I'm sure the Administration has a program that will accomplish spring much less efficiently and for much more cost.
amy s. Apr 9, 2008, 8:10am EDT
wonderful photo essay. I love the water pictures. I am so glad that spring is here. watch out for that thunderstorm it could be a dosy.
sheila ~the hapless housewife~ j. Apr 9, 2008, 8:14am EDT
Beautiful pics! I loved the essay.
Paul Kurrey Apr 9, 2008, 8:16am EDT
Nice photo essay Jan!
Holly G. Apr 9, 2008, 8:30am EDT
This is wonderful Jan...so glad that spring has finally found you! The photos are great!
Prima Donna Apr 9, 2008, 8:51am EDT
Thanks for introducing me to Skidway Lake. The name even sounds like winter ice. Glad to see it's melting away.
Judith Beckman Apr 9, 2008, 9:57am EDT
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the process with us. How quickly things change!
Kushal Poddar Apr 9, 2008, 10:04am EDT
it is lovely
Christy F. Apr 9, 2008, 10:22am EDT
WOW! This is beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. Apr 9, 2008, 10:56am EDT
I am so glad Spring is coming
Alison H. Apr 9, 2008, 11:06am EDT
Wow, fantastic, Jan. A great "moment" and photo essay!
Sherrie H. Apr 9, 2008, 11:11am EDT
Wow! How fun to see the progression!
Sandy F. Apr 9, 2008, 12:31pm EDT
That's the point, isn't it? We can't control nature when she tries to recover from years of being dumped on by humans. For all her strength and beauty, nature is fragile and can be damaged. Then she responds with the rage of bigger storms and natural disasters.

This is a beautiful essay. The pictures are georgious and nice sized so even I can see them. Thanks for posting this.
Jennifer N. Apr 9, 2008, 1:26pm EDT
What a beautiful progression.

We had very little snow here, some minor growth of flowers... then we got snow. Spring still hasn't come here yet.
Jan S. Apr 9, 2008, 2:17pm EDT
Thank you everyone. Glad you enjoyed these photos. Spring is such a hopeful time and seeing the ice melt gives us hope for sunshine and summer.
Robert, we northern girls are tough, but not crazy. This is not quite bikini weather. Besides, I have too much respect for my neighbors to subject them to such a fearful sight.
Amy, I love storms! Nothing shows God's majesty and power like thunder and lightning. It feels so cozy to be inside during a storm. We can see lightning from storms that are 100 miles away sometimes.
Steve, nature is indeed God's tranquilizer. Living by the water brings a feeling of peace
that I've never found elsewhere.
Sharon B. Apr 9, 2008, 3:01pm EDT
I am so glad that spring is here. It was a beautiful day today even though it started out rainy. The rain stopped and the sun came out. Lovely. Nice photos.
Jennifer aka Jenn B. Apr 9, 2008, 4:00pm EDT
Good job. I enjoyed the photos.
sheila h. Apr 9, 2008, 4:22pm EDT
Fabulous,Jan..where are you? Lake Michigan? Erie?
Gad you have Spring...
also happy to see you..missed ya!
Connie C. Apr 9, 2008, 5:42pm EDT
What a beautiful place. It looks so calm right now but I bet it will be swarming with action soon.
Sophiya S. Apr 9, 2008, 6:22pm EDT
great essay
Marie J. R. Apr 9, 2008, 8:03pm EDT
wonderful photos Jan,,, brrrr!!!
Ken K. Apr 9, 2008, 8:09pm EDT
Time to go out & plant perennials....
Kathryn E. Apr 9, 2008, 8:32pm EDT
really very pretty- thank you for sharing, Jan.
Regina L. Apr 10, 2008, 12:08am EDT
These are beautiful photos Jan. Great article
Sheila Deeth Apr 10, 2008, 1:19am EDT
Great progression of pictures. The ice was amazing.
Susan B. Apr 10, 2008, 2:22pm EDT
Bravo! This would be the perfect article to post in Theme Parks and Attractions
Barbara B. Apr 10, 2008, 5:12pm EDT
Now I gotta get going and get some fishing gear!!
I just love to go fishing we have lots of brooks and
streams that are teeming with trout my fave!!
Ron Hall Apr 10, 2008, 6:37pm EDT
Nice looking lake. Our dock no longer reaches the water, but we're getting a lot of snow and rain this spring. Maybe that will turn it around.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 11, 2008, 8:17am EDT
Harrel: "Unthaw" - one of them charming Maine words you only find north of Boston.
Robert - just a simple man - B. Apr 11, 2008, 8:20am EDT
Jan, one year about 20 years ago I jumped in Portland (Maine) harbor in March with the local 'Polar Bear Club'. There were several women joining in. Keyword here is "one" year. I wasn't crazy enough for an encore but I do know the tradition is still alive and well.
Chas Andrews Apr 11, 2008, 6:21pm EDT
thank you for the article
Jennifer W. Apr 11, 2008, 6:41pm EDT
Awesome!
Digital Diva S. Apr 12, 2008, 7:12am EDT
That was wonderful - good job and so happy to see spring.
Karolyn Q. Apr 13, 2008, 3:59pm EDT
These were beautiful photos! A wonderful photo essay.

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Chasity S. Apr 14, 2008, 1:34pm EDT
Wow!! great shots!!
Jennifer N. Apr 14, 2008, 6:59pm EDT
Jan, I'm back to let you know this is featured at Photo Scavenger Hunters!
Charles Temm JR May 1, 2008, 6:54pm EDT
brings back many years of such memories, THANK YOU!
Kendra Bonnett May 8, 2008, 1:06pm EDT
I loved the picture. And since I live in the land of cold and snow too, I can appreciate the pictures of the retreating ice. Thank you for sharing
C.L. R. Apr 4, 2009, 7:16am EDT
Fascinating--wonderful photos.

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