Wednesday, January 7, 2009

WATERY WEDNESDAY – Red Waves, Lake Erie


One of the first things I noticed after moving here to the north shore is that the lake has definite sidewise currents. On windless or even relatively calm days it’s especially evident. I can tell the currents are there because of the things are floating by. Ribbons of algae, duckweed, or frothy mucky yucky whatever stuff, and sometimes bands of broken-up ice; all drift by in their own little zone. The nature of what’s in these two shots, however, still eludes me. It almost looked like ruddy paint, or some other kind of liquid that didn’t merge into the surrounding water, but stayed separate, like oil and vinegar. Several bands came in to shore with the waves, but once there, they seemed to just disappear. Very strange. Poor Lake Erie – I know it’s been a lot worse off in decades past than it is now, but I still have no urge to get in there and swim. Not real sure about eating the fish, either.





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20 comments:

Great Grandma Lin said...

reminds me of utah lake near provo. it was dumped into for years by early settlers then too late sewage treatment plants were built but all the years of dumping couldn't be undone. it's look nice but i wouldn't want to boat or swim in it and few fish do.

Linnea said...

That is a strange looking item there floating around in currents. It looks like a giant seaweed! I kind of get the creeps swimming in anything I can't see the bottom of. Thanks for sharing. Greetings from Norcal. Linnea

Anonymous said...

I think I have never seen any photos of Lake Erie before, at least not this sort. Thanks for sharing.

Sylvia K said...

That's really interesting! Wonder what it could be? I know how you feel about Lake Erie, I got the same feeling when I went camping with my daughter and her husband on the Upper Penisula and saw Lake Superior for the first time. Awesome! and scary all at the same time. It was in October and you could almost feel the storms beginning to stir.

wispy willow said...

I'm a swimming pool sort of gal myself. When young and uninformed I swam in lakes and the ocean. I have a fear of fish that borders on the ridiculous... I know it borders on the ridiculous, but I'm consumed by it anyway.

Isn't it sad that something can look so pristine and inviting from a distance, and lose it's siren call with every step you take closer to it.

I also wonder what caused the strange ribbon of color. It's the frothy, mucky, yucky whatever stuff that gives me the real willies. Those dirty, gray, foamy patches in the water conjur up all kinds of nasty imaginings.

Anonymous said...

Wow, that's really interesting. I wonder what that was.

Connie T. said...

That is interesting. I think the water is too cold to swim in it for me. I was there 2 years ago and stuck my toe in and said "Nope, too cold for me."

Carletta said...

Isn't that strange!
Great shots however!!!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Interesting, Deb... Don't think I'm ready to go swimming in Lake Erie either... Brrrrrr..
Hugs,
Betsy

Shelley said...

I so hope that our great lakes receive better protections in the upcoming years. So many strange things - those darn carp, the mussels, etc. - all from negligent boat owners and other people.

simply divina said...

I love to stay near the lake, this reminds me of lake apo in the philippines. Thank you for sharing.

SandyCarlson said...

Water is powerful and mysterious. Thanks for taking us to the lake today.

DeniseinVA said...

Thanks for the interesting post, and your photos are great.

Rose said...

I can't imagine what that is--if you ever find out, tell us please.

hitch writer said...

The lake looks like an ocean !

magiceye said...

strange but true!
good capture...

Kim said...

That is so neat! I too think its seaweed.

Anonymous said...

Do you think it could be oil, or some kind of fuel?

Squirrel said...

strange and eerie lake, but beautiful and alive too!



wv was
disgenty -- now surely that could mean something!

Gemma Wiseman said...

That red band is very very odd floating like that in the water! I wonder if it could be some dye from shell fish! I think immediately of the murex shell fish with purple dye.