Thursday, September 24, 2009

Marblehead Lighthouse (SWF)

I promise there are more bird photos to come from our recent trip to the Midwest Birding Symposium, but part of the fun of being in a new place (for me) is going exploring and sightseeing (and photographing!). Marblehead Lighthouse State Park was only about 4 miles away from our Lakeside location, so it was a no-brainer to go down and check it out while we were in the area.


Now owned by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation on the Great Lakes. The U.S. Coast Guard is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the actual beacon within the tower.


I seem to recall reading somewhere that this is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the U.S., but since I can't find my source on that, don't quote me on it!


I would imagine that some fantastic photos of this lighthouse could be made at sunrise (although when I do a Google image search for it, I don't see any sunrise shots...), but we were there at sunset. The golden hue of the fading light made for some pleasing colors.


The weather was quite nice when we arrived at the lighthouse, but some sort of front blew in seemingly out of nowhere, and the winds picked up to mild but steady gusts. Ominous clouds rolled in, but there was never any precipitation, which was just fine by me...
Ominous skies + no rain = dramatic photos and a dry camera!


I should have stuck around long enough to get at least one photo of the beacon in action, but I had already decided to pack it up by the time the green glow started its 10-flashes-per minute signaling (the light is green to distinguish from the white light coming from air beacons).

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21 comments:

Sylvia K said...

Marvelous shots of the lighthouse! I love them! Wonderful colors and such a variety of skies! Lovely!

Enjoy your weekend!

Sylvia

LauraHinNJ said...

That second-to-last shot is fantastic!

Ms. Becky said...

these are beautiful. I love how you brought me in closer with each photo. Nicely done!

Monika said...

What a cute lighthouse. In addition to wildlife, I always love to check out lighthouses in whatever area I'm visiting. It's funny, I've heard the "one of the most photographed lighthouses" fact (with no source) stated about several different lighthouses in Oregon and Washington. I'm sure they all have lots of pictures taken of them!

Kelly said...

...fantastic photos of the lighthouse! My favorite it the second to last with the clouds overhead...and the last one as well. It was a neat place!!

Jim said...

Great from every angle.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

NW Nature Nut said...

What a pretty lighthouse! I like how the clouds almost look to be reflecting off the lighthouse. The moody clouds do make for nice pics!

Japa said...

The clouds helped in making a very memorable frame of the lighthouse.

magiceye said...

beautifully composed and captured

Regina said...

Love the lighthouse! Beautiful shots!

Eaglesbrother said...

Nice shots of the sky and the Lighthouse...only in Ohio..lol.does the weather change so fast. As the old adage goes "If you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes, it will change"
I was born in Ohio and lived there many years...this I know to be Fact..lol

Bob
aka Eaglesbrother

Anonymous said...

You got some great shots. I wouldn't have missed a chance to shoot it, either.

I am with Laura, the second to the last is my favorite.

My name is Riet said...

marvelous photo's

Ginnymo said...

Great photos Heather!! I love lighthouses!! I made a friend of mine a little slideshow of her light house photos a few years back. I've only been close to a couple and that was up in N. Michigan back in the 70's.

Anonymous said...

I love all of your photos of the lighthouse BUT I love, love, love the second to the last one. It gives me such a regal feel and to think the lighthouse is still working. That's fantastic. Thanks Heather.

Carol Mattingly said...

I love all of your photos of the lighthouse BUT I love, love, love the second to the last one. It gives me such a regal feel and to think the lighthouse is still working. That's fantastic. Thanks Heather.

Somehow my name got left off so I'm recommenting.

Anonymous said...

Oh oh oh! Fantastically beautiful lighthouse/sky photos! I love the lighting & the play of shadows! Absolutely beautiful!

Creative Cards said...

Fabulous Heather. I love the whole series of the lighthouse!!!! Put a smile on my face. Love lighthouse pictures.

Heather said...

Thank you everyone for your nice comments and feedback. I'm glad you all enjoyed this Skywatch Friday post!

Anonymous said...

Really great shots! I got engaged here on July 3, 2009. :)

Heather said...

Anon - Thank you for stopping by. Congratulations on your engagement. What a beautiful place for such a special moment.