Independence Day

The past couple of years the girls have intentionally stayed up late to watch fireworks on July 4th. Last year went to Lake Peppin but this year we were in Monroe Wisconsin with friends and their family. The Wisconsin visit felt like going home and included good golf, food, bike rides, and great hospitality.  

We spent a couple of days in Wisconsin, with more photos to come later, but on the 4th the girls started the night out with sparklers before it got too dark.

Notice how they reacted when I asked for movement in front of the camera. 

The fireworks show was great, easily beating last years and while single shells did not seem as big the overall presentation trumped the Marshfield fireworks from two years ago. {Here is a short video with synchronized music.} Danielle mad it through half of the show before she snuggled up and fell asleep on a friend's lap. Michaela stayed awake throughout and spent most of it on top of Christine as you can see below.

Fireworks offer a chance to try rear-sync flash photography. This is a technique I needed to practice with manual settings, but during a half hour show it is fun to experiment.    

When the settings and timing are right you get a photo like this.

When you forget the 2-second shutter is open you could get this.

Photoshop and a bit of time on the computer gets this.

Happy 4th

With triple digit temperatures we stayed home much of the day. This evening we made a quiet stop at Frontenac State Park and observed a Bell's Vireo near the entrance, lifer #319 for me. After a half hour at the park we ate ice cream and sat near Lake City's Marina to watch fireworks.

Contrary to the fireworks last year, Michaela and Danielle's excitement prior to the start of the fireworks exceeded the excitement during the show itself. On the ride home, during which both girls fell asleep, Christine and I speculated the switch may have been due to the proximity to the launch site.  We also sat on chairs this year rather than a blanket, so you never know. 

We hope everyone enjoyed the celebrations.