Picture of the day - July 9, 2007

An icy beach on Lake Michigan

Photo courtesy of Brandon Barch. Photographer Brandon Barch sent in this picture of an icy Lake Michigan beach just in time to provide a visual respite from the 90+ degree temperatures that we're having to endure at the moment here in southwestern Virginia. Taken back on March 15 at 8:30 pm, this beautiful image shows in vivid color just how cold mid-March can be in the Great Lakes region...a chilly 15° Fahrenheit when the image was snapped! Regardless of the weather, Lake Michigan is one of the most scenic bodies of water in North America. Today's picture was taken just south of Manistee, Michigan at a place known as Magoon Creek. Every time I take a look at it, I can almost feel the bitter-cold, yet refreshing wind pushing me down the beach as I walk my dog Houdini past the ice, sand and rocks. What a change that would be from the sultry afternoon many of us sweated through yesterday! I thoroughly enjoy featuring pictures that "fit" the current season and tell a story about it, but I'm also intrigued by contrasts and things that somehow just don't quite "fit in". This one certainly belongs in the latter category, but it would still be a stunning image even if it didn't!   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"