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This morning's AIS looked so promising for viewing ships from no more than 4 miles away. Two footers, an ATB, and three freighters. The two footers were a tad too far out in the lake and the ATB passed while I was at an appointment. The three freighters were caught in snow squalls, but I could make out the form of one, which made it look like a real ghost ship. Because of the snow, I decided to leave the camera at home, but within an hour, skies began clearing to the north. So, I drove to a look-out south of Harrisville and watched both the Algoma Olympic (Superior) and Lee A. Tregurtha (Marquette), against blinding blue skies, but somehow I missed spotting John G. Munson (Stoneport). Still, seeing any vessels on the horizon makes my day...any day, or night!

Get ready St. Clair River Boatnerds!
The anchors were lifted in the St. Mary's River system early this morning and there's been a steady parade of ships out on the horizon. I love it!
Be on the lookout for Olive Moore (Marine City); Kaministiqua (Sorel); John D. Leitch (Cote St. Catharine); Walter J. McCarthy (St. Clair); Defiance/Ashtabula (Toledo); James R. Barker (Toledo); Joyce Vanenkevort (Cleveland); John G. Munson (Detroit); American Mariner (Buffalo); and Lee A. Tregurtha (AK/Rouge).
Even though I could see most of them passing in the distance, photographing was limited. Still, the results are rather interesting of those I did.

Only a few hours ago, NOAA Weather showed wind gusts of up to 47 mph in my area. Currently, they're being clocked at 36 mph.
The few ships that are moving have left what I refer to as the "Freighter Freeway," and are hugging the coast. So far today Kaye E. Barker, John G. Munson, and Calumet have passed within camera range but Capt. Henry Jackman and G3 Marquis are anchored further down the lake, in Tawas Bay.

It's been over a month since I posted vessels on the horizon. It felt good to get back out and capture these images today.

In addition to the intermittent rain squalls, this afternoon brought another surprise. Dorothy Ann & Pathfinder, like fleet mate Hon. James L. Oberstar, was also on her way to Calcite. About an hour behind her, Philip R. Clarke, destination Stoneport, was barely discernable on the horizon.

It's been awhile since I've seen activity close enough to photograph, but this morning I noted Capt. Joe & crew were up-bound to Calcite, so grabbed the camera and took off! They were riding the horizon, but that plume showed nicely! Weather is still dreary and drizzling, but winds have died down to almost nothing on upper Lake Huron.

Rather gloomy morning with the potential for rain when, out on the horizon, Dorothy Ann & Pathfinder caught my eye, up-bound to Calcite with a late afternoon/early evening ETA.

Driving past Tawas Bay, spotted tug Gregory J. Busch and work barge.

This is for those of you going through stormy times in your life, to give you hope and encouragement. Blessings, Bookworm/Dawn

Recently realized it is as far for me to drive from here to Port Huron (5 hours) as it was to drive to Port Huron from my former home in Ohio!
Needless to say, I really appreciate the photos posted by those fortunate to have the up-close-and-personal experiences with ships. I really miss that.
Another challenge for me is not having a camera with the old-fashioned view finder. Trying to spot something on the horizon with a viewing screen -- which is reflecting back my frustrated expression -- is a royal pain!
But, this morning I followed Olive L. Moore and barge Lewis J. Kuber from Harrisville State Park to the AuSable Harbor and hope you enjoy the photos. Couldn't ID the vessel in the last pic though.

A wicked storm blew through this afternoon, and once it passed, I went out looking for a rainbow. But instead of a rainbow, these two vessels crossed my camera lens.

Sunny and warm on the "mitten" today. Perfect weather to get this shot of Alpena down-bound to Bay City.

As I monitored Marine Traffic AIS this afternoon, I became aware of Algosteel's track as she rounded the "Thumb," up-bound. She was angling more to the NW than is usual, and I had hopes of seeing her on the horizon. Well, I got my wish -- although she was still a bit far out for a crisp shot.

Boat56 wrote:Where at were you when you took the photo? I seen it as well passing Oscoda this morning.

On the Oscoda boardwalk.

Where at were you when you took the photo? I seen it as well passing Oscoda this morning.

Soft morning light and Dorothy Ann/Pathfinder up-bound to Stoneport. What a way to start the day! Watched her (down-bound) and Olive Moore (up-bound) meet and pass two nights ago.
Great way to end the day, too!

Late afternoon found tug Zeus with barge Deegan up-bound from the Saginaw Bay to Ludington. Strangely, although I could see Zeus, there was quite a distance between her and Deegan, and I couldn't get both in a photo.

Really love it when ships -- usually coming to or leaving Saginaw/Essexville -- come this close to land.

Here's my view (aided with zoom) of Michipicoten as she headed down the lake to Saginaw this afternoon.

Nothing like checking AIS first thing in the morning and discovering a passing ship is within camera range. That's how my day started.