Winter

Superior Shredding

Lake Superior - 6 degrees, 12mph wind, Cloudy

"It would be awesome to see someone surfing out on those waves." What I said to my self when I arrived to Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula (The U.P.) of Michigan. It was 10am in the morning and I was going to go on a hike through the woods and to explore the coastline. I sat in my car enjoying the scenery when I saw a car pull in to the parking lot with surfboard on top. I saw a man get out with headphones on and he started to walk along the lake and enjoying the view as well. I gave him some time and then grabbed my camera and walked toward him fast, but not too fast, so I didn't look weird but also so I didn't miss the chance to talk to him. He turned around and saw me coming his way and took off his headphones.

I introduced myself and found out his name was John. I asked John if he was looking to surf and if I could photograph him. He explained how he was going to come surf later around 3pm when the swell would be stronger, along with that it would be his last time to surf with the winter weather. So we exchanged phone numbers and I went on my hike and John went to a meeting he had at work. 3pm came around and John showed up with his surfboard and people were amazed he was about to get in and surf. Then after he was ready we proceeded to a point he used before to enter the water.

John then paddled out to where the waves were breaking and waited until a good one came and took off. It was crazy to see because he explained earlier how he had been a big surfer than stopped for 9 years and then got back into it about a year ago. This passion for surfing could be seen in his eyes and I felt honored to be able to capture him that cold Saturday.

The first ride was a success, but John didn’t make it as far as he would have liked. So he kept catching waves (which I chased him up and down the shore capturing imagery) until he made it to the beach and was able to restart again and walked back to the launching point. John explained to me how the ice blocks in the water were hard to avoid especially if he hit one he’d fall right off the board. Then the second ride came along and the wave decided it was its turn to ride John. After John recovered he was able to catch a few more waves until he made it back to shore. After surfing a few more times and the sun going down, John got out of the water and said he was done for the day.

John was wearing a 5mm Wetsuit, 7mm Gloves, and 5mm Booties. He surfed for 2 hours in the lake that the swell was called "The Zoo" because there used to be an old zoo near the lake. I was amazed at John’s endurance and motivation to continue surfing until it became dark. John then stopped surfing and got out of the water and we talked a little longer and he than sprinted into a bathroom by the parking lot to warm up. I then carried on my way and traveled to my next location.

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Acadia National Park

Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island, Maine. This park is normally frequented in the spring/summer, but winter was more appealing to me. To start the trip we arrived at 5a.m. to then hike up Cadillac Mountain for sunrise. Sunrise was so beautiful from the top of Cadillac Mountain, but the wind chill had the temperature down to -27 Fahrenheit. It was a bit chilly, but we made it up the 2.2mi hike to the peak. Here are a few shots from Cadillac Mountain. 

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After Cadillac Mountain we went to breakfast and then made our way to the AirBnB. It was about 10-15min from Bar Harbor. For sunset we made way to the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse on the coastline of Mount Desert Island. 

After I was able to capture a few images in the cold with stars it was time to go and relax. 
The next day it was decided to go to Boulder Beach, Otter Cliff, and Thunder Hole!

Then it was onto Schoodic Point for sunset. We didn't stay there long because it was freezing and the wind was overpowering. Here is the one shot I was able to get upon some of the icy rocks. 

Acadia National Park was such a beautiful park and can't wait to experience it in the different seasons. 

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Allegheny National Forest

My friend and I took a trip up to the Allegheny National Forest to capture the essence of winter and the nature surrounding. The Allegheny National Forest is about a 2 hour drive, which once you get to your destination there is a lot of hiking. We spent the day in the forest then headed home right before sunset. The cloud cover had become too great for the sun to show through for a nice sunset. Here are some images I took from this day!

A scruffy bull staring at us while we capture images. 

Water drifting down past the snowy banks and moss. 

Ice pieces lay spread out across a wet grassland.

Ice crystals formed a thin layer above the thicker ice. 

A beautiful stream we found when navigating through the ice road.

Ice we combatted to find some different spots to photograph. 

A fern peeking at the stream behind the tree.

Nick Koehler Photography

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Foggy Day

Fog is a beautiful outcome of rain. Rain is looked at to be negative and not exactly the most happy subject on Earth. From a photographer's standpoint rain and fog created surreal images and draw beautiful attention to the landscape and/or scene being captured. 

A couple days ago there was rain and fog rolled in on the lake in a park near where I live and I was excited to go out and capture the moments it had to offer. Water resting on top of the frozen lake helped create vast reflections and add interest and color to the shots. Here are some of my photos. 

Landscape orientation of the sunset reflecting in the water on-top of the frozen ice. 

Magic Hour (Right after sunset) clouds reflecting. 

Sunset reflecting in the water on top of the ice. 

Water spread across the frozen lake. 

This is a pier type building and walkway which is locked off but was able to get a shot shooting through the gate. 

Nick Koehler Photography

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