On July 4, 2019, 51 immigrants took the oath of allegiance at an official naturalization ceremony at Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio.
Author: PixelPaula
Ark Encounter
Williamstown, Kentucky July 1, 2019
Dow Gardens
A Spring Walk 2019
Luminous Nights Toledo Zoo 2018
People And Places
Northern Views
Nature
Lighthouse Life – Great Lakes
Thunder Over Thunder 2018
Interlochen Trip
A trip to the Traverse City, MI, area for an art class at the Interlochen College for the Creative Arts included some photography opportunities at Sleeping Bear Dunes and Historic Fishtown in Leland.
Butterflies & Blooms Exhibit At Meijer Gardens
Christmas Charm 2017
Luminous Nights at the Toledo Zoo 2017
Artalicious 2017
Celebrating local artists at the annual Artalicious street fair in Adrian, Michigan.
Thunder Over Michigan 2017
Featuring the Blue Angels at Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, MI, sponsored by the Yankee Air Museum.
Shadows of the Solar Eclipse
Chalk Art Festival – Chelsea, MI
Camp Miakonda – Sylvania, OH
Wild Art At The Toledo Zoo
Lenawee County Fair 2017 Snapshots
The theme this year was “Country Boots and Country Roots”. There are many photos in this album that capture the essence of the activities enjoyed and the very hard work of the 4H participants.
Western Day Ministry Rodeo
Lenawee County Fair 2017
2017 Lenawee County Fair Photo Contest Entries
Mackinac Bridge Views
Mackinac Moments
Mackinac Island
Summer Night Life
Mackinaw City thrives during the long summer evenings.
The Forgotten Fishery
Abandoned or coming back to life? – Mackinaw City, MI
The Headlands Dark Park – Mackinaw City, MI
Fort Michilimackinac
Mackinaw City, MI
Lighthouse Loop
Shepler’s Ferry offered a three hour lighthouse cruise looping from Mackinaw City to Cheybogan.
Fireworks Fun 2017
The Shoe Maker
The Market Shoe Repair is my favorite vendor at Detroit’s Eastern Market. Craftsmanship at its best!
What Is Michigan?
Lens Therapy and the Argus Museum have sponsored a photo contest with the theme “What Is Michigan?” I entered this photo of a sunset at Grand Haven Lighthouse Pier taken last summer. It was selected for the gallery exhibition at Argus Museum, on display from June 6-July 31. The sponsors will choose two winners that … “What Is Michigan?”
Memorial Day 2017
Adrian, MI, honors the nation’s veterans on this national day of remembrance. We live free because of their sacrifice.
The Art Studio
I met an artist who has a studio space on the second floor of an old building at the Adrian Center for the Arts. What a delightful discovery! Brenda hosted about 80 high school art students for their Fine Arts Festival and gave them the opportunity to create a mural.
Spring Walk at Oak Openings Metropark, Swanton, OH
Ann Arbor Photo Walk About
The Camera Mall in Ann Arbor, MI, celebrated its 1st birthday on April 22nd with sponsored photo walks all day.
Hidden Lake Gardens
Hidden Lake Gardens is a botanical garden and an arboretum operated by Michigan State University situated in the Irish Hills of southeast Michigan, near Tipton.
Spirit of America Rally
March 4, 2017 marked a day of patriotic support throughout the United States. Spirit of America and March4Trump rallies were held in nearly every state. I documented the event in Lansing, MI, at the Sate Capitol building. Note: There were some protestors but I do not photograph obscenity and their signs were too large to … “Spirit of America Rally”
Empty Bowls Event
Pottery artists from the Adrian Center for the Arts created many beautiful bowls to promote a fundraiser for the local Salvation Army charity. The event was hosted by the Evans Street Station in Tecumseh, MI. Patrons could purchase bowls in a price range of $10-$30 and then enjoy a meal of soup and cookie treats … “Empty Bowls Event”
An Art Afternoon
An afternoon at the Toledo Museum of Art is always a pleasure. A special exhibit featured their Libby Doll collection. These dolls were created after WWI as a way to help restart the economy in Europe and give returning soldiers jobs. The dolls are dressed in fashions from the French court over several centuries.
Winter Bridges
McCourtie Park, Somerset, Michigan
A Christmas Postcard
Oak Openings Metropark
Beautiful fall day at Oak Openings Metropark in Swanton, Ohio.
Fall Reflections
Artilicious Art Festival
The summer of 2016 was the 10th year for Adrian’s Artilicious Art Festival. Friday evening’s lovely weather drew a large crowd; Saturday’s all-day rain kept some away. They returned when the skies finally cleared to enjoy a lovely evening.
My First Wedding Video
A relative’s wedding provided an opportunity to try some wedding photography. The couple’s professional photographer was very gracious about allowing guests to take photos, as well. I created a video album so that I could organize the photos to reflect the activities of the day as they unfolded. The video does not have audio; you … “My First Wedding Video”
Civil War Muster
Reenactors enjoy sharing their love of history. The Jackson Civil War Muster  presented two battles from the Civil War on August 20-21, 2016, in Jackson, MI. The lovely Cascades Falls/Sparks Park provided a great venue for these battles and for the camps set up to illustrate and preserve the memory of the way of life … “Civil War Muster”
Pure Michigan Summer 2016
These scenes reflect the activities I loved experiencing growing up in this beautiful state. A summer sunsets along Lake Michigan’s shoreline is stunning and well worth the drive to the western side of the state. These photos were taken in Grand Haven, Muskegon, and Ludington.
Fun At The Fair 2016
There were many activities to enjoy at the Lenawee County Fair this year and I even entered some photos in the competition. I was pleased that four of my entries win ribbons. I also enjoyed photographing the many 4-H events and activities and taking in the ambience of the food and rides. It was a … “Fun At The Fair 2016”
Toledo Air Show 2016 – Thunderbirds
The US Air Force Thunderbirds performed at the Toledo Air Show on July 16, 2016. Other aircraft and aerobatics entertained throughout the day and the static displays were also interesting. New recruits to the Air Force were sworn in before the demonstrations began.
Fourth of July 2016
Canadian Snowbirds Air Show
The Yankee Air Museum in Ypsilanti, Michigan, hosted the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds at Willow Run Airport. The maneuvers and aerobatics were outstanding. It was a very entertaining and lovely June evening.
Flowers
I have always enjoyed viewing photographs of flowers. I took advantage of a local class to learn the basics and then practiced my new skills.
A Charming Afternoon
Southeast Michigan culture features many intriguing traditions. The imaginary and whimsical fairy population continues to delight young and old. Fairy gardens are a fun way to brighten any day. The Fairy Garden Festival was sponsored by The Flower Pot, a greenhouse on a farm between Dundee and Monroe, Michigan
A Memorial Day Tribute
Evening Nature
The Old Campus
These photos were taken on the old campus of the Adrian Training Center which closed in 1999. Some of the buildings are being used now for artists’ studios for the Adrian Center for the Arts.
3D Art
I took these photographs at a photography class on 3D Objects. The pottery pieces were created by Amy Philp, another participant in the class. Amy has a studio at the Adrian Center for Arts in the Community Clay building. She graciously allowed me to photograph her art and publish it on my website.
Howell Nature Center
The Howell Nature Center near Howell, Michigan has been caring for wild birds and mammals since 1982. They rehabilitate and release to the wild birds and animals that are imprinted, injured or orphaned. They give life-time care to animals that cannot be returned to their wild habitat. These permanent residents serve as subjects for photographers and … “Howell Nature Center”
Snow Scenes (PB)
A spring storm brought out some beautiful scenery in southeastern Michigan and northern Ohio. Photographer: Paula Buermele.
German P.O.W’s in Michigan
The history of a rural area reveals many interesting things. The discovery of P.O.W. camps in WWII caught my attention. I had not thought about German soldiers setting foot in areas where I now live. This photo vignette describes a little about those camps. Pause the slideshow to read the the printed slides.
Antiques
Still Life Photos
Informal People Portraits
The Pupsicle 500
The Popsicle 500 race was held at Jerry’s Pub on Wampler Lake in the Irish Hills of Michigan on 1/30/2016. Each dog pulled its own weight. It was really fun to watch these family pets enjoy the day with their owners. Click on the first image to view in slideshow mode.
Photo Art
Christmas Night Lights
The Toledo Zoo is a wonderland of light during the holiday season. The Toledo night skyline was also calm and serene.
Church Doors
 These church doors were photographed in Southeast Michigan and Toledo, Ohio for a photography class project in the fall of 2015. Â
Fall in the U.P.
 Fall in Michigan’s Upper PeninsulaÂ
Grand Tetons
 My favorite views were of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. We had beautiful weather and the landscape was saturated with color and texture. The hike to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls was an effort but the serenity of our surroundings invited us to resting points along the climb. The cruise on Jenny Lake was not … “Grand Tetons”
Yellowstone
Busloads of foreign visitors, mostly from Asian countries, poured into the scenic turnouts to breathe in the beauty of this land. Most of their photos include selfies, complete with parasols, to document that they were here. Families also came in abundant numbers to instill in their children a love of preserved geography. Lack of cell … “Yellowstone”
Mammoth Hot Springs
On a hot day at Mammoth Hot Springs in northern Yellowstone, the rugged landscape sparkled with gem-like beauty in the bright sunshine. Walking through the lower terraces on the crowded boardwalks took its toll on my energy. The upper terraces were even busier with guests so we moved on after photographing this area.
Artists Paint Pots
 The beauty of Artists Paintpots at Yellowstone captivated me. The deep colors and rich textures in the features of this landscape were new to my eyes. Much of the geography is rugged and forbidding but this area had a sense of gentleness despite the danger of hydrothermal activity.
A Sense of History
The texture of travel comes from the people you meet and exposure to the culture of the places you visit. The roots of the old West continue to nourish the lifestyle of today’s people. Ranchers continue to manage their herds, farmers fight to tame the land into productivity. Western hospitality lives up to its reputation. … “A Sense of History”
Devil’s Tower
This formation arose out of the earth and sparked many legends among the native American population. There was a request in recent years to re-name the monument “Bear Lodge” but only an act of Congress or a Presidential Proclamation can change the name of a national monument. It inspired me to portray the innocent-in-daylight structure … “Devil’s Tower”
Mt Rushmore
I was more impressed by the sculptures on the mountain than I expected. Creating art on such a large scale and with such careful thought is almost incomprehensible to me. I developed a deep respect for the artist and the workers who accomplished such a feat and appreciate that it has been preserved for me … “Mt Rushmore”
The Badlands
The Badlands were stark in their beauty and intimidating in their accessibility. Storms move quickly through leaving beautiful colors behind.
Backyard Flowers
Church Booth At Fair
St. Stephen Ev. Lutheran Church in Adrian hosted a booth for the week at the fair. I volunteered for a shift to hand out fliers and answer questions.
Lenawee County Fair
The Lenawee County Fair took place July 25-August 1st in 2015. The fair was a lot of fun and very well attended.
Fireworks
This was my first attempt at photographing fireworks. We went to Devils Lake at Manitou Beach, MI, to watch the event.
Fourth of July Parade
Paula plays in the Adrian City Band and the band played many patriotic tunes from the tractor wagon. It was a beautiful day for a parade through historic downtown Adrian, MI.
Art In The Park
I am very interested in learning street photography and I practiced at the Art in the Park event in Plymouth, Michigan this summer. I particularly like the photo of the little girl playing the violin. Her parents gave me permission to photograph their daughter for non-commercial use.