Category: All Photos

Midway up the western shore of Michigan’s lower peninsula, Muskegon County is water, beaches, woods, factories, farms, and wonderful people.  

As it emerges from its “dirty old town” past of lumber, foundries and heavy manufacturing, Muskegon often surprises with its juxtaposition of industrial and idyllic – a combination that makes it a great place to live and a fun place to shoot pictures.  

My email address is nick.kroes@gmail.com or texts can go to (231) 769-2345. Either way, it would be great to hear from you.  

Thank you for stopping by.  

Nick Kroes

On the Muskegon River’s Northern Bypass, a young eagle shows off new and oh-so-adult feathers

Leaves on Muskegon River’s Northern Bypass

This summer’s flooding allows paddling across large areas of usually dry woods. It also allows the paddler to become confused and disoriented, well-known symptoms of LITW, i.e., Lost In The Woods.

To overcome the occasional anxieties of LITW, it often helps to hang the boat up on a fallen tree, take a deep breath, and shoot some pictures.

An early morning paddle down Muskegon River’s Northern Bypass gets the attention of a suspicious owl.

From a very foggy and very overcast walk along Muskegon’s Lakeshore Bike Trail.

The photographic madness below resulted from simply pointing a camera at the bit of Muskegon Lake visible between a couple of fog banks.

Another fabulous fall morning on the North Branch and Northern Bypass of the Muskegon River.

Shortly after a young eagle flew away from a bend on the Muskegon’s North Branch, this adult became very vocal about her displeasure. Does anyone know what provokes this depth of emotion? Based on my early years, it may have been the eagle equivalent of leaving the table without permission.

This morning’s paddle down the Muskegon River’s South Branch, through the Cobb Connector, and then back up the Long Chute.

Early last spring, while paddling with my friends, Paula and Jim, we saw several adolescence bald eagles. While full-sized, their young age was clear from their brown coloring, especially the absence of white “bald” heads.

Jim, a recently retired teacher, found his friendly foray into Socratic dialog to be short-lived. He opened by asking when the birds would graduate to the more familiar adult look. It was answered by my well-considered and very-thoughtful, “Uh, I dunno.”

It seems that eagles wear youthful duds for about five years, about 1/4 of their average longevity.

Last week, on the Muskegon River’s North Branch Workaround, this five-year-old was happy to model almost grown-up attire.

From a morning walk along Muskegon’s Lakeshore Bike trail.

The sun rises over the Muskegon River on August 8, 2020

Susie’s delegation of cooking, combined with our cowardly reluctance to visit reopened restaurants, has led to many culinary disasters at la nostra casa.

A new arrangement is helping us avoid the inedible.

During dinner prep, Susie now parks a chair next to our stove and, if asked, happily offers cooking suggestions. And, as anyone who has joined us for one of her meals will attest, her suggestions are not be taken lightly.

Earlier this week, a meal was perilously close to becoming another of my typically boring roast salmon. Sensing my anxiety, she offhandedly explained the vagaries of proper herb selection and application. Her tips made the dish one of the best we have had in months.

As the years have passed, Susie may have misplaced a few memories, but those she retains are invaluable.

The Muskegon River’s Northern Bypass is both hard to find and even harder to traverse.

Both the upriver and downriver entries are currently blocked by large fallen trees. And, even after dragging around those, the lack of rain has made for a couple of very mucky walks between reasonable water depths.

Even with those shortcomings, it is still one of the most beautiful spots on the lower Muskegon. Please let me know if you would ever like to join me for a magical morning tour.