Solar Photo Share (with Prizes) Categories
• Landscape (scenery, trails, woods, deserts, water …) • Life (animals, plants, flowers, people …) • Dramatic (perspective, humor, perspective, action …) • Outdoor Activities (stewardship, knots, hiking, kayak, biking…)
Two images per category could have been submitted for a total of eight opportunities to show off members digital shutter skills and help us inspire others to adventure.
Bragging rights will be given to top vote receiver of each category. Gift cards will be awarded to winners but only one card per member. If a member has already won in a previous category the monetary enticement will go to the next second rank and so on. Landscape “Gazing at the glazing”
Submitted by Mary Winkler
Description : This slightly frozen lagoon was experienced on Belle Isle during a Solar outing to walk the trails and explore.
Location : Belle Isle, a large Detroit River park, larger than Central Park in NYC.
As a side comment, Mary brought cookies to share, YUM… Leslie Cordova
Description : Sunset from Whitetop Mountain on the AT in Ava Deb Ritter
Description : Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in July. It was our first time visiting the park and we loved the incredible views! “Sunset in California”
Jennifer Tislerics
Description : Sunset over the Pacific Ocean, Dana Pointe, California “Sunset on IRNP”
Jennifer Tislerics
Description : Sunset over Windigo, west end of Isle Royale National Park “Au Sable Lighthouse at Sunset”
Mark Dunford
Description : While hiking the North Country Trail through pictured rocks, our first night camping was at the Au Sable East. After dinner on the rocky beach by Lake Superior, we walked up to check out the lighthouse. The Lighthouse sat in the middle of a field dotted with bright yellow wildflowers. The scene was lit by the setting sun. Deb Ritter
Description : The empty beaches at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore were one of the highlights of our July trip! Leslie Cordova
Description : Moskey Basin at Isle Royale “Bridge over River”
Submitted by : Mary Winkler
Description : The bridge spans the Manistee River. The river begs for an overnight paddle.
Location : Old US 131Michigan State Forest Campground Anandhi Chandran Lynda Stirnemann
Description : Walked with a friend watching colorful sunset and reflections on the pond.
Location : Barton Park, Ann Arbor “Alcona Park Sunset, Summer, 2020”
George Nehasil
Description : A gorgeous cloudy sunset, in Alcona Park, following an all-day kayak paddle down the Au Sable River, in Glennie, MI. Anandhi Chandran “Milky Way at the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse along Lake Huron”
Jeff Grossklaus
Description : Went to try to see the Comet Neowise. Turned around and saw this sight. “Beach Landscape”
Beverly Wozniak
Description : Lake Superior had a storm blowing in from the north for a couple of days, bringing in cold temperatures and precipitation. The nights were cold and noisy with the constant crashing of waves. The hike along the North Country Trail through Picture Rocks National Lakeshore was filled with inland fall color and windblown shoreline vistas. Hiking westward, somewhere between 12 Mile Beach and Little Beaver Lake Trail, (she) caught a glimpse of Grand portal Point. Cindy Taylor
Description : near Denver, Colorado in June “Comet Neowise”
Jeff Grossklaus
Description : Taken at the Huron County Lighthouse County Park along Lake Huron. The lighting of the trees is from the lighthouse's beacon behind the camera. “Eureka Moment”
George Nehasil
Description : Susan with Muskegon Caterpillar Spent a week, with Solar Member, Susan Craft, in September 2020, camping at Muskegon State Park. One afternoon, on our way to purchase firewood, we discovered a large patch of milkweed, along the side of the road. To our delight, there were many Monarch Caterpillars, munching on the tasty leaves. Needless to say, we just happened to have a screened butterfly habitat, in the car, and we were able to bring some of them home, with us. A couple of weeks later, they hatched into beautiful butterflies. Then, on an unusually warm autumn evening, we released them, for their migration to Mexico! Cindy Taylor
Description : near Denver, Colorado in June “Fall-ing water”
Ati Tislerics
Description : Late September in the Adirondacks “Stinchfield Woods,, Pinckney, Michigan, November 2020”
George Nehasil
Description : Southeast Michigan is full of wonderful places to hike. One of these hidden gems is Stinchfield Woods, near Pinckney, Michigan. The area consists of 777 Acres of rolling hills and stands of mature pine trees. This photo was taken on a beautiful November hike, in 2020. Lynda Stirnemann
Description : An old bridge, a new sunset, unique cloud reflections, hugged by the trees.
Location : Barton Park, Ann Arbor “Antrim Overlook”
Michael Hobig
Description : This is an Antrim County view, near Kalkaska, Michigan. We decided Dead Mans Hill at the Jordan River Valley was to far so conveniently found an overlook on our beer run to enjoy the fall colors. “Permanente Rest and Relaxation”
Michael Hobig
Description : This is an Elmwood Cemetery, in Detroit, Michigan. We have been trying to extend our walks this year, running out of places close to home so have been hitting smaller city parks and found Elmwood a delightful place to walk. One of the few place in Detroit that the land still has some original contours and water features, the creek there is named from a time when British soldiers fought to end Chief Pontiac's siege of Fort Detroit. Life “A Pop Of Color”
Submitted by : Mary Winkler
Description : Local graffiti art that contrasts with the now naturalized golf course area.
Location : Belle Isle on little used trails along the canals,
We are told that the canals are open to paddling and there are multiple places to launch. Cindy Taylor
Description : taken in Colorado in June “You Looking At Me?”
George Nehasil
Description : Walking along the pier at Muskegon's Pere Marquette Park, in September, 2020, I happened to notice a Seagull, perched up high on a light fixture. I was drawn to the scene by the stark lighting, the bird's symmetrical shape, and by its piercing gaze. Deb Ritter
Description : Our 13 year old St. Bernard, Emma. She is as bored with 2020 as we are! Anandhi Chandran Deb Ritter
Description : Turtle spotted along our hike at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in July “My niece’s new best friend”
Lynda Stirnemann
Description : Holly, Michigan “carnivore in the city”
Beverly Wozniak
Description : Wildlife penetrates into cities with only vehicles as their predators. In Livonia, the animals follow along the many waterways that zig-zag throughout the town. We are fortunate to live along a marshy area. Previously, we have only heard the coyotes or seen them quickly passing in low light conditions. This one came out during the day and nosed about in this one area, likely trying to find the muskrats that has a home here. Anandhi Chandran Cindy Taylor
Description : taken while walking my dog in (her) neighborhood in October. “Autumn leaves: my granddaughter, Hope’s, delight!”
Lynda Stirnemann
Description : She inspired me to take the picture while she was burying herself in the leaves! “Trillium pollinator”
Mark Dunford
Description : While Hiking in Maybury on one of the first days after COVID house arrest, the trilliums were in bloom all over the park, This one had a bee hard at work taking advantage of the early season pollen. “Great Blue Heron coming in for a landing”
Jeff Grossklaus
Description : Great Blue Heron coming in for a landing- caught this on a hike on the Heron trail “doe and fawn”
Beverly Wozniak
Description : : In the past 10 years, there have been increasing sightings of deer in our neighborhood. This year, a doe and her two fawns frequently stopped in the marsh behind our home. Unfortunately, they seemed to have an appetite for our newly planted Sycamore trees. “Moose on Isle Royale”
Leslie Cordova
Description : “People enjoying the sunset at the South Haven Lighthouse”
Jeff Grossklaus
Description : during a year of a pandemic, nature still shines to show its magnificent beauty to those willing to look and take it all in. “Berries at Rouge Park”
Jennifer Tislerics
Description : Multi-colored berries offering new fall colors.
Rouge Park, Detroit “That’s Life”
Michael Hobig
Description : Just another restful spot in Elmwood Cemetery, lots of famous folks are there, lots of family names you would recognize as major city streets in Detroit. “Mushrooms on IRNP”
Jennifer Tislerics
Description : A more interesting variety of Michigan fungus
Isle Royale National Park Leslie Cordova
Description : Sandhill crane feeding her chick at Kensington. “Kelp forest”
Ati Tislerics
Description : February SCUBA diving in southern California. Dramatic “An Eerie Night”
Submitted by : Mary Winkler
Description : As the sun fades the Goblins feel safe to take over the night.
Location : Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan “Blue Angel COVID heroes flyover”
Mark Dunford
Description : The Blue Angels perform a flyover around Detroit in a show of support and gratitude for the front line workers of the COVID pandemic. This shot was taken just after the formation turned off the smoke after flying over the Rawsonville Components Plant where Ford was making ventilators. “Will you take us camping for my birthday, Aunt Lynda!?!”
Lynda Stirnemann
Description : In the darkness, fires of any kind, including candles, inspire fun!!!! “Hunting Dog”
Beverly Wozniak
Description : Douglas Houghton Falls
At 14 years old, this was hunting dog P.J.'s last big hike in the wilderness to Douglas Houghton Falls in the U.P.
This is the tallest waterfall in Michigan with a 110 foot drop, which itself is pretty dramatic. Approaching the falls from downstream, hiking along Hammell Creek, the trail consists of walking mostly on a slanted surface of loose, sharp rocks. I feared our dog would impale herself trying to jump over the many downed dead trees we were stepping over or fall into the rapidly flowing creek when she (or we) started a mini-rock slide. Previously privately owned, this area was purchased by the State of Michigan in 2016 and is projected to open as a Michigan State Park. We wanted to experience this dramatic wild area before the railings and limited access go into effect. Anandhi Chandran “Fall morning”
Beverly Wozniak
Description : camping int the U.P. “Y.M.C.A.”
George Nehasil
Description : A Wed. evening Humpday Hike at Kensington Metro Park, in the Summer of 2020, was interrupted by a spontaneous rendition of the Village People's Y.M.C.A, on top of a nearby picnic table. “Happy To See You”
George Nehasil
Description : Macy Dog can hardly contain herself, and goes for the Love, following a long absence, from Susan! “Covid Haircut”
Jennifer Tislerics
Description : Desperate times called for desperate measures in 2020. After months of growing (her) short hair out too long and nagging my husband for help, Ati braved the scissors and cut Jen's hair. Deb Ritter
Description : This sunrise picture is taken from the beach near Au Sable Lighthouse. Anandhi Chandran “Cleanup has to start somewhere”
Jeff Grossklaus
Description : Biking along the Pere-Marquette Trail, ran across this sole vacuum cleaner on the trail. It, along with the bed of sand and other debris was displaced from the horrific flood from the failed dam at Sanford Lake. The entire downtown of Sanford was severely damaged. Cindy Taylor
Description : taken at Greenfield Village during their annual Halloween night “Reliving His Youth”
Jennifer Tislerics
Description : After riding across the state in one day (ODRAM) in 2019, this year Ati decided to take on a new challenge: riding his old tricycle across his parents' driveway. The family home in Livonia, where an old trike had been brought out for the grandkids. “Krisanne on Isle Royal”
Leslie Cordova
Description : “On the Hunt”
Michael Hobig
Description : One of the joys of working from home and seeing the garden in the daylight hours is you can see the animals you miss. This Mantis was hunting in the vines near my garage.
I now totally identify with the dogs that are so interested in the world outside their windows, I am so excited when the squirrels are out and the postman when the mail comes…. Cindy Taylor
Description : taken at Greenfield Village during their annual Halloween night Deb Ritter
Description : Picture taken at Gorge Metro Park in Summit County, Ohio. "Hmm, leaf or lizard? “
Lynda Stirnemann
Description : Leaf in Holly, Michigan “Who wore it best”
Michael Hobig
Description : I am the one on the left…. Leslie Cordova
Description : near the AT in VA Outdoor Activities “Bears go hungry”
Ati Tislerics
Description : A perfect bear hang in the morning mist Leslie Cordova
Description : hiking in the fog at Grayson Highlands in VA Deb Ritter
Description : Solar Outdoors member, Mark Dunford hiking the bridge across Mosquito River at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in July “Biking along the Kal-Haven Trail”
Jeff Grossklaus
Description : Going solo and determined to ride the entire 35 miles length. But with the car at one end, rode 20 miles from Kalamazoo and back one day and from South Haven 17 miles and back another day. In so doing, rode the trail twice. “Portaging on the AuSable River”
Jeff Grossklaus
Description : Meet a couple on the river from Ohio. They were canoeing the entire 120 mile length of the AuSable River. Stopping here to portage over of the six dams. “Hiking with my niece, Lola”
Lynda Stirnemann
Description : The location is the only island in Sterling Heights. “Hiking with my nieces”
Lynda Stirnemann
Description : The location is the only island in Sterling Heights. “Stargazing / Night Photography”
Mark Dunford
Description : The Big Dipper shines above the McGulpin Point Light house. Memorial Day 2020 coincided with a new moon and clear skies. The upper areas of Michigan were opening up for the first time since March. We decided to jump in the car and head north to go to headlands dark sky park. The park was crowded, so we left and went to the lighthouse just north of the headlands. I was trying to learn more about night photography taking several different exposures with various shutter speeds and ISO’s to get familiar with what each setting would do to the resulting photo. This was one of the resulting photos from that night. Deb Ritter
Description : Mark Dunford snapping the ‘perfect’ picture while on a camping trip to Mammoth Cave NP in November 2020. Pictured is the Green River. Leslie Cordova
Description : wild pony on the AT in VA “Getting out there”
Michael Hobig
Description : this is another exploration. I had kayaked the Lower Huron River from Flat Rock down to Lake Erie. I stopped for a photo op and a hike out onto Point Mouillee State Game Area.
The area is very big, longer than I wanted to hike after a day on the water. It looks great for a bike ride on the gravel dikes that go for miles, great views but I picked up some ticks so be aware. “Morning Aglow”
Submitted by Mary Winkler
Description : The ritual of watching the day begin with an old friend, Cuppa.
Location : Old US 131 State Forest Campground “Making of a Backpacker”
Jennifer Tislerics
Description : Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. (Their) 8-year old nephew, on his second-ever backpacking trip, decided he could put up the kids' tent all by himself. He did a good job, too! Anandhi Chandran “NCT in da’ UP”
Beverly Wozniak
Description : What are you going to do when your kid going to Michigan Technological University gets a 4 day weekend off in October? Do a fall color backpack through Picture Rocks National Lakeshore, of course! “walking the rails”
Beverly Wozniak
Description : One adult child and one soon-to-be, walking away from me on a train track through God's country, ie: Michigan's Upper Peninsula. At least (she) can tell that they will have a beautiful journey Anandhi Chandran All together now…. Landscape All together now…. Life All together now…. Dramatic All together now…. Outdoor activities The vote getters: Results
30 members participated in voting – 14 members submitted images Landscape Other high vote getters: Top Votes
Cindy Taylor Near Denver, in June
Leslie Cordova - Sunrise Moskey Basin Jeff Grossklause- Sturgeon Point Lighthouse Beverly Wozniak - Beach Life Other high vote getters: Top Votes
Leslie Cordova George Nehasil - You Looking At Me? Sandhill crane feeding chick Leslie Cordova - Moose on Isle Royale Ati Tislerics - Kelp Forest Dramatic Other high vote getters:
Top Votes
Michael Hobig “Who wore it best”
Mary Winkler - An Eerie Night Cindy Taylor - Greenfield Village Jennifer Tislerics - Youth Outdoor Activities Other high vote getters: Top Votes
Anandhi Chandran - Bridge Fog Lynda Stirnemann Mark Dunford - Stargazing Big “Hiking with my nieces” Dipper I have added the following pictures since I felt they typified the year 2020
(I wish we would have thought to included it as a category) Remember spring, so long a go, we thought how bad that late snow was… if only it had stayed that bad.
This is a statue of Ecolo, goddess of the Earth, I appreciate the setting in a grand houses garden but appreciate also that she is broken but beautiful, our lives in 2020 have been changed and broken but we are still here and still beautiful.
Thank you all for sharing and attending. Remember getting out is not that far away, your back yard or a walk in the park, this is Humbug Marsh, there is a pier and great walkway along the lower Detroit River just at the edge of Lake Erie. We all know the benefit of getting out physically and mentally, make sure you get out and don’t forget the resilience and cycles of life that the natural world shows us all.