Nov 17-08

Past-E-Mail: Cam Notes - 2008: November: Nov 17-08
Wet and clinging    ...scroll down to share comments
Photos by Jason Jeanette
Needle covering    ...scroll down to share comments
Photos by Jason Jeanette
Fallen    ...scroll down to share comments
Photos by Jason Jeanette


By
Mary Drew at Pasty Central (Mdrew) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 04:43 am:

There has been quite a bit of rain here in the Keweenaw off and on, mixed in with a few snow flurries. Some that stuck for a short time, then melted again, leaving the ground coverings soaked and water speckled like these shots from Jason Jeannette. That first photo was taken on a Torch Lake stream according to Jason's Pasty Gallery Album. Those leaves seem to be hanging on, so they don't get washed away.

The forest floor in the second picture sure is colored brightly with fallen pine needles and I'm betting it felt good and soft to walk on. Funny when we think of the colors of fall we mostly talk about the leaves, but these needles deserve a mention also.

This last photo from Jason embodies what you'll find this time of year, especially with the rains/snows we've been having. The leaves cling to the wet rocks like they've been put there on display for the next explorer traveling that way. Beauty can truly be found in the simplest things.


By Charlie at Pasty Central (Chopper) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 04:51 am:

As I was putting the final touches on the Pasty Cam this morning (and uploading what Mary had prepared in advance), it was to the sound of a fine sleet of frozen raindrops hitting the window. Looks like it could turn into a white day, with a Lake effect snow advisory until 7pm this evening.


By Therese (Therese) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 06:39 am:

This morning I let the dogs out, and when I opened the door to let them back in little Eddie ran up the steps, skidded across the porch and hit the door with a Wham. Looks like some of our snow is turned to ice. Eddie is all right.

Beautiful photos, but chilling.


By Deb S. (Usedtobeayooper) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 07:20 am:

Gorgeous photos! There's nothing more beautiful than the different shades of orange and yellow in the fall. Throw a touch of red in there, and you've really got a sight to behold. Thanks!


By Capt. Paul (Eclogite) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 07:29 am:

Great shots to capture the essence of the season.....

The last photo really tells a story. The rock surface beautifully preserves raindrop impressions that formed when the rock was still soft and a gentle rain had fallen many, many years ago, leaving the impressions. The photo is a perfect example of a concept we use in geology to describe the past called Uniformitarianism, or to put it another way, "the present is the key to the past".


By mickill mouse (Ram4) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 07:43 am:

POOR EDDIE, GIVE HIM AN EXTRA DOGGIE TREAT ;O))
JUST A LIGHT DUSTING OF SNOW HERE.


By Alex "UP-Goldwinger" (Alex) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 08:09 am:

Those are great pictures and thanks again to Mary and Charlie for getting up so early to prepare them.


By Lori Houle (Runnerlori) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 08:21 am:

Awesome photography... I am interested in taking a black and white photography class. Is there anyone out there with info on a course? Either there in the Hancock area, here in lower Michigan near Detroit or even in the Manistee area? Let me know...


By Sunrise Side MI (Ilovelucy2) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 09:11 am:

I just love the pictures.... Amazing how wonderful nature is if you just look around. Everyone have a Good Week, Ellen


By Brooke (Lovethekeweenaw) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 09:45 am:

I like the leaves in the streams, I think there was one a year or 2 ago that was really nice too. Thats all covered now.


By maija in Commerce Township (Maija) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 10:12 am:

Interesting article, Capt. Paul.


By Daveofmohawk (Daveofmohawk) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 10:12 am:

Has anyone seen the maple leaves with the black spots on them? I noticed a whole pile of them by my back door; it's called black-tar something or other. Apparently it's a harmless disease that won't harm the trees.

Mary says: You can find out more about "Tar Spots" here: Cornell Univ. Plant Disease Diagnostic Clinic.


By Dunerat (Dunerat) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 10:28 am:

Capt. Paul --

Remember the words from Norman Mclean's "A River Runs Through It"?

Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world's great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are theirs.


By Michael Austin (Mjayeh) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 11:04 am:

Great pictures Jason, "Wet and clinging" is my favorite. Thank you for sharing.


By dotti caldwell (Dotti) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 12:11 pm:

Beautiful shots Jason!


By doug 6540 (Cwo) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 12:23 pm:

Enjoyed the beautiful photos but must admit the one I liked best was the Portage Lift Bridge with the snow all about. As I loaded my golf clubs into the trunk of my car, nostalgia set in for a moment..only a moment mind you, and I took a deep breath of the warm Florida air and my thoughts returned to the trip we'll make back to the UP once again NEXT SUMMER...


By RCW (Rcw) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 12:47 pm:

We had those spots on our Red Maple leaves too Dave


By Alex "UP-Goldwinger" (Alex) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 03:23 pm:

The third picture looks like a leaf laying on a bar of chocolate Turkish Taffy, if anyone remembers that filling-yanking candy.


By kosk in Toronto (Koskintoronto) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 04:25 pm:

Dunerat--What a wonderful story that is. I think that
quote may actually be my favorite in the whole short
novel. The movie is spectacular too.


By Brooke (Lovethekeweenaw) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 04:34 pm:

My Maple has it too, I heard it was some sort of fungus. I will look at Mary's link.


By Jeff Kalember (Jeffkal) on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 09:14 pm:

Capt. Paul ! You choose your ages for the rocks so carefully ! I love it !! ha !

and GREAT pics, especially like the last one. There's something about macro photography that does it for me.


By Charlie at Pasty Central (Chopper) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 06:43 am:

As I prepare to publish the Pasty Cam every morning, I'm always happy to see the discussion from the day before, and catch up on the comments of so many people who share our love for the beauty, history, and culture of Upper Michigan.

Capt. Paul's link to Wikipedia was indeed interesting, but the article can't go unchallenged for at least one statement it makes that is questionable:

Today, however, most if not all mainstream scientists support uniformitarianism as do most mainstream religious denominations.
Many accomplished scientists who espouse intelligent design and all religious denominations that affirm "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..." would take issue with that statement. There are some very "non-uniform" events embraced by millions of people in our world, such as: the concept of creation itself, or the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In using the verbiage "most if not all mainstream..." the author of the Wikipedia article appears to be posturing "mainstream" in such a way as to disenfranchise those scientists or believers who don't subscribe to his religion of 'absolute uniformitarianism'. And religion it is, because it takes just as much faith to believe that things have always been, as it does to believe in a Creator who set it all into motion.

Perhaps someday we'll find out that in fact "the past is the key to the present" - and the future.
By
Jeff Kalember (Jeffkal) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 09:30 am:

I dont think the word "mainstream" disenfranchises anyone Charlie.... according to dictionary.com the definition is "the principal or dominant course, tendency, or trend." I'd say the dominant tendency and trend in science leans heavily toward uniformitarianism. Capt. Paul's link is dead on I'd say. Religion and science can peacefully co-exist.

Charlie says: I would agree completely with you, Jeff, if the author would have said "Most mainstream scientists" instead of his bias-revealing "Most if not all mainstream scientist support uniformitarianism...". By adding "if not all" he seems to imply "There may not even be one reputable scientist who still believes in divine intervention at the creation of the universe"... which is a seriously non-uniform consideration.


By Dr. Nat (Drnat) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 05:40 pm:

It seems that no matter how carefully the good Captain phrases things, he manages to stir up some controversy. So I’ll add my stew to the pot…

There are several things to remember about science (and religion):
1. Science studies the natural world. Science is a methodology, NOT a belief system.
2. Religion (and creationism/intelligent design) are a belief system that requires faith in the supernatural world, it is NOT a methodology for studying the natural world.
3. You can be a well-respected scientist and religious at the same time. The two are not mutually exclusive.
4. It is often dangerous to use absolutes, such as: “ALL [emphasis my own] religious denominations that affirm ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...’ would take issue with that statement.” My Church most definitely believes in God as the ultimate creator, but we also have no problem with uniformitarianism and I know of other denominations that have the same belief.

I could talk for hours about ancient and modern Biblical Scholarship and how literal interpretations of the Bible (especially Genesis) became far more common after the Protestant Reformation. But all that probably belongs on the religion page and I honestly have no intent to upset anyone. Everyone must follow their own path.

I simply would like people to understand what science really is. I believe science and religion can peacefully co-exist (they certainly do in my life), but I also believe it is vital to be educated about both, and to know the limitations of both.


By Charlie at Pasty Central (Chopper) on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 - 10:35 pm:

Well spoken, Dr. Nat, and you are right, I should not have used the word "all". Was it Albert Schwietzer who said, "Humans are not so much rational beings as rationalizing beings"? I forgot that someone else may be able to rationalize two premises that I consider contradictory (irrational). We do agree that science and religion can peacefully co-exist (or as Jeff said, religion and science can peacefully co-exist).

And we can agree on the pleasure of exploring the natural beauty of the U.P. on these pages - like Jason's leaf on the rock - realizing that for some it may prompt thoughts of the Tremadocian Age, while for others it may inspire praise to the Rock of Ages.

Or both :o)


By Thomas Baird (Thomas) on Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 09:47 am:

Being away from this site a bit, I just got caught up on the pics,
and, like the above, I never tire of c-ing enough nice Autumn
pics. As I write this, we're already into Winter weather, and I
think it's now for the duration, even though Winter doesn't
officially begin 4 another month.


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