Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Today's photos show a strong international presence.

garbear wrote:Keep the photos coming. They've all been great, Dawn.

Thanks garbear. Can't believe how many ships are moving on the St.Clair River. I've photographed a lot but missed a lot more. Sure do appreciate the various webcams around the GL and tonight the one at TH!

Keep the photos coming. They've all been great, Dawn.

Heavy rains arrived in the night and many vessels made the transit before daylight. However, despite lingering fog and clouds, a variety of ships passed before my camera lens.

A very murky day along the St. Clair River, with periods of light fog and heavy ship traffic. Incidentally, my cat is about to trade me in for a new human -- one that stays home more than an hour at a time, but I've assured him this is a short-term situation and hope that pacifies him.

Thirteen days until Christmas...nineteen days until 2019...and 33 days until the Soo Locks close, but individual vessels can enter lay-up anytime before that. So, with that in mind, I will try to be at the river as often as my schedule and weather conditions allow. Here's what I have to share with you today.

A good day to stay inside and drink hot cider and munch on cookies, etc. but living within a mile of the St. Clair River, (and relying on AIS to pin-point the action) a few minutes out to photograph ships makes a nice diversion.

Has anyone spotted other ships with decorations? So many excellent photographer's with high quality equipment but most post to Facebook and I broke with social media several years ago.

Too dark for photos but just watched Lee A down-bound to AK/Rouge and wearing a halo of colored Christmas lights atop her pilot house. This is the first time I've seen her decorated, but at night she always looks festive.

Second that Dawn. Love your pics. Wish I was near the water to send some pics as well

Keep the photos coming Dawn. Really been enjoying them.

We've enjoyed two amazing days of sunshine -- with frigid temperatures -- but clouds, with flurries, returned early this afternoon. In the meantime, I was at the right place at the right time and captured these two extreme opposites, in size and purpose.

Guest wrote:Thanks Bookworm. Love the pic of Lee A.

Glad you liked that one. Seeing her always brings a smile to my face -- like seeing a dear friend.

Yesterday, when the temperature reached 60° under sunny skies, I was rehearsing our forthcoming cantata, with the church choir and missed any river traffic. Overnight cold, blustery weather returned but I couldn't let these two pass without capturing them.

Thanks Bookworm. Love the pic of Lee A.

An otherwise dismal Tuesday afternoon saw a parade of up-bounders on the St. Clair River, but the blustery wind made for a finger-numbing experience.

Guest wrote:Keep those pics coming please. Really enjoy them. I do however miss your postings from the Oscoda area.

Thanks, but beng so far from visible ship traffic really got to me. It was over an hour to Stoneport and another 30 or so minutes up to Calcite so gas prices and weather conditions determined when I could make a trip to either facility. The gypsum dock (Tawas) was much closer but ships in port were sporadic. I love where I am and the variety and flow of ship traffic to photograph.

Keep those pics coming please. Really enjoy them. I do however miss your postings from the Oscoda area.

Out before the sun came up -- meaning I could only watch two up-bound ships simply because there wasn't suitable light for photographing. The overnight clouds scattered for awhile and these two passed my vantage point.

I second the sentiment on the Sykes pic! The LAT is equally beautiful! Cheers P