Off the highway

My wife and I were returning from Door County Wisconsin last Monday after spending the weekend in mostly gray and cloudy conditions. I managed to find some spots of color here and there, as you can see in previous posts from the last week.

As we drove south of Milwaukee, the sun suddenly broke through the clouds, turning the stormy skies over Lake Michigan a deep blue and brightly highlighting any object standing in front of those clouds. We quickly decided to take an exit to Racine to try to capture the Wind Point Lighthouse against this remarkable sky.

By the time we arrived at the lighthouse, however, the break in the fast-moving storm front had closed up. I set up in an adjacent golf course, hoping the sun might break through one more time before setting to illuminate the light tower. While I was waiting I looked behind me. The city of Racine sat silhouetted against the last remaining break in the storm front as the last light of the sun slowly faded away.

I turned the camera on the tripod, changed lenses and shot the lonely tree on the Lake Michigan shore with the city and fading light in the distance.

I don’t always get exactly what I set out for, but making the effort usually pays off in some way. At least I’m glad I got off the highway.

Click on picture to enlarge. Photograph © 2005 James Jordan.