• Saturday-What'sUP September 28 - 06:45 pm

When Don Afman visited the Keweenaw recently, he was able to experience the power the wind has on Lake Superior. He said there were 8 to 10 foot waves reported on the Big Lake, so he did some exploring along the shores to check out the action.

Don made his first stop at Hebard Park on M-26, between Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor, where he ran into the gentleman in the first photo. He told Don he was from Chassell and was there to count Red-necked Grebes, a species of ducks. It seems these birds take advantage of the winds to further along their migration and he had already counted hundreds of them in several flocks.

He next captured a shot of a freighter out there in that rough water. From the shore it never looks quite as wavy as the 8 to 10 footers Don had heard were out there on the Big Lake, but if you look closely toward the bow of the freighter, you can see the wash of a wave coming right over the top on the boat. That's a good size wave that can do that.

A stop at Great Sand Bay was a treat, as he was able to watch some brave souls out there 'catching a wave' while surfing, paddle boarding and wind surfing, too. It's pretty neat that there are folks who enjoy Superior when she's stirred up and angry, too.

Don's last shot was taken as the sun was peeking out, later in the day. It was just enough to illuminate the water spray of the splashing waves and form a small Superior rainbow. Beauty surrounds the shores of this Great Lake and just think, it's all free for your viewing pleasure. Thanks for taking us along with you, Don!

I like the rainbow effect in the bottom pic.

Awesome pictures for sure. Loving that rainbow picture!! Thanks for sharing these!!

Super pics! Thank you!

Whew! That's a lot o' wind!
I LIKE the rainbow too.:)

Love the pictures. A few years ago we were in the UP in late Sept. A big blow came in while we were in Marquette. Went to the park to watch the waves, as we were about to leave a 53 Chevy with a board tied to it's roof entered the park. We follewed and we ended up spending at least an hour watching the boarders and others. They all were enjoying it. I was so excited to see it happening right before my eyes. It was GNO (girl's night out) night and I called and talked to my friends as they ate dinner in Northern IN and I watched Lake Superior in MI. A day I'll never forget.

Love the pictures. A few years ago we were in the UP in late Sept. A big blow came in while we were in Marquette. Went to the park to watch the waves, as we were about to leave a 53 Chevy with a board tied to it's roof entered the park. We follewed and we ended up spending at least an hour watching the boarders and others. They all were enjoying it. I was so excited to see it happening right before my eyes. It was GNO (girl's night out) night and I called and talked to my friends as they ate dinner in Northern IN and I watched Lake Superior in MI. A day I'll never forget.

I believe the ship is the American century.

Interesting how rough weather can work both against
and for you. I was supposed to take the Queen IV to
Isle Royale that day. It was the first cancellation
of the season due to the high seas. Of course that
presented the opportunities that we see here today.

I made it out the next day for a fabulous but
shortened week on the Island.

Don