• Friday-What'sUP February 17 - 01:08 pm

Connie Mandoli and her hubby, Dino, drive through the Ontonagon area, when traveling to visit family, so they usually make a stop at Bond Falls to stretch their legs. Oh yes, and it's usually a photo opportunity, too, like the ones Connie shares with us, here today. This time of year, the falls are snowy and flowing, all at the same time, creating cascades of winter water and sprays that splash all over the rocky sides, freezing on their way. Connie's photos give the illusion that she was right there in the falls snapping away, sure hope she had her waders on. :->

It's great to have folks like this who go out in all different conditions to photograph things we want to see in the winter, when we can't get there. Thanks for sharing!

Super nice pictures!! My favorite is the 2nd one! Beautiful!

More like Connie had a good zoom lens rather than waders!! ;-)

Great photos, but it hurts to agree with Deb; the second one is my favourite as well....

It hurts to agree with me????????? You're such a smooth talker, Capt....... Nat's a lucky gal:)

Yep...#2 gets the prize!

The photos today are really cool! I tried the first and second ones as background, and went with the first. The second one is a great action shot, but the first shows both the action and the calm, which in the scheme of things for a Friday means I can stare at my computer and relax before the weekend! Thanks so much, Connie, for sharing these with us!

I think what Capt meant, was that he sprained his index finger and it hurts when he types. (You can pay me later, Capt)
I like all three pics, but I just can't stop shivering.

Good Morning. All three are beautiful photos, but I'm with Karen, my favorite is the first one. Happy Friday, to all.

The cascading water gives hope of coming Spring!
Bright and beautiful morning in the Ohio Valley, but still a bit chilly, 28F.

Hi
Shirley, down here in SE Michigan I'm still hoping for winter (dead grass, mud & cold rain is spring/fall weather, to me).

Does anybody know what snow conditons are like at St. Ignace? There's supposed to be pond hockey at St. Ignace, on Lake Michigan, this weekend. If I go up, I'd like to also get in some skiing.

I know what you mean, Kathyrn, but I'm trying to be an optimist...hoping for that 'perfect' spring.:)

Love 'em all...thanks,Connie!

I just LOVE the photos today!!!Awesome, Connie!!

3 beautiful pictures!

Shirley, when I say I'm hoping for winter I mean:

I want snow on the ground. About 5 inches of fresh powder is ideal but at this stage I'll take wet or crusty. Even 3 inches, enough to cover the grass and pretty things up, would be nice.

I'd like the snow to stay longer than a day or a weekend; couple of weeks would be good.

I'd like it to stay cold and keep the bugs and pollen from re-surfacing.

A nice-to-have would be ice formations on the shores of Lake Michigan down by South Haven (not impossible for a day trip for me).

In the meantime, thanks for the posts of what I'd like to see out my window.

Kathyrn Laughlin (Kathyl), losing the winter UP here too. Temps have been in the high 30s with only half as much snowfall as last year. The snowmobile trails are icy with a lot of bare ground showing.

http://epa.gov/climatechange/science/recenttc.html

I don't care who says what about this, it is not right.

Even the UP 200 Mushers race has changed due to lack of snow;

http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=720668

Sounds like it's just been a mild winter to me; one of many the UP has had over the years...

I really missed the snow for our winter season here in Eastern Iowa. I only put 25 miles on my snowmobile this year. It hurt our economy. Snow plow companies, collision shops, snowmobile retailers, all missed a lot of $ this year. I can't help to think that we will have a tough time with bugs/insects in the warmer months ahead.

That's true, Janie. But I like it when we have the occasional mild winter. It's happened a few times when I lived up there, but not as often as it has since I've lived in MN. When it happens, it's always a nice change.

I am home now and by god I will never have to leave the beauty of this area as it is easy to take for granted how nice people are here and if you dont believe me go live in a large city for a few years and see how you are treated and then you will know god I had it good back home and that does not include everyone here but 98 percent of the people are super. Charley I am waiting for that lunch date.

It's funny, I just lectured about climate and weather today in Environmental Geology class. I always tell my students the same thing that one of my climatology professors said many years ago: "Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get." A mild winter now and then means nothing in the very long history of our amazing planet.

You're right about the bugs and insects, Janie, I've thought about that.....everybody better stock up on "Off" or stay inside.
Kathyrn, I understand what you're saying because when we lived in Michigan, I wanted as much snow as possible. But hey, there's still March comin' up.:)

And from the stand point from being raised on a farm, lack of snow means lack of sub soil moisture...

Today's pictures are beautiful, all 3, but every time I study them I have to use the restroom.

I've lived in Michigan all my life (50-some years)
and I have never experienced such a mild winter as
this winter has been. My hubby has been dying to
use his new snow blower.

This is nothing more than a mild winter, next year we could have record snow fall and everyone would be worried about an ice age coming on and if you are worried just look up the daily record highs ans lows and you will see it is not unusual.