The Prints: 12 Views of the Shiawassee River


Tangled Water
The Shiawassee River has it's beginning in the twisted and chaotic waters of Shiawassee in North Oakland County. A conservation easement owned by North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy protects this headwaters from further development and pollution. Teeming with life under the surface and supporting wildlife and birds, the headwaters is exquisite in it's primitive & untamed state.


Meadow Quench
Davisburg hosts this wet meadow created when a prescribed burn cleared brush and released the seeds of native plants to once again color the landscape. Beautiful!


Afternoon Stillness
An area protected by the Michigan Nature Association known as a fen, this is a special and rare wetland in Michigan. Rather like a bog, the alkaline environment created by groundwater supports many rare plants. Flooding during heavy rains reflects tamarack trees not found in other sections of the river.


Quiet Reflection
Towns along the river have creatively and beautifully established parks. In Fenton, you almost feel like you are up north with the cedar trees reflected as the icy water gently flows north.


Winter Thaw
Farm land and swampy wetlands meet as the Shiawassee snakes and curls in and out of urban areas. Birds feed off rosehips and other berries that cling in this winter pantry.



Seasonal Fashion

Villages, towns and cities, like Owosso, grew up along this river as they do along every river. This is where I lived along it's banks. Now a trail begins here, near Curwood Castle, and continues on to McCurdy Park in Corunna. It passes beneath plum blossoms in the spring, under bridges, through neighborhoods and finally into deep ancient woods.


True Colors
The Getman family farmed this area for almost 100 years until giving Green Meadows Farms to the city of Owosso for a park. Harmon Patridge Park, known by locals as Green Meadows, has accessible trails, pavilions, beautiful shade trees and low banks great for fishing. With the tannins of oak trees creating a rainbow of khaki, here we can see the real color of the Shiawassee.


Autumn Richness
At mid-point along the Shiawassee, we begin seeing the land rise as glaciers left their trail. One side of the riverbank will be low and the other high creating spectacular views in all seasons, but especially, autumn.



From the River Bank

As the river flows north it carved into the gravelly hills left by glaciers 10,000 years ago leaving wonderful views for those in kayaks and canoes and for those looking down from the banks to the reflections below.


Tumbling Cascade
A century-old, failing dam was replaced by this beautiful riffle created by ledges of rocks and boulders. It opened up approximately 70 miles of river for the first time in a 100 years for fish to once again swim upstream to spawn. I can only imagine how this will help restore health to the river!


Deep Refuge
Wondering if we had suddenly transported to the bayous of Louisiana, we find ourselves at the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge's Ferguson Bayou. It is so lush and mossy and fertile and organic. It seems the very beginning of life could have happened in this Eden of lush richness.


Fly Up at Dawn
The Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge is a mecca in spring and fall migrations wildfowl. Walking out to the Grefe Pool before dawn and waiting in the stillness for....what? We weren't even sure anything was there. At the break of first light an EXPLOSION, unlike anything we have ever heard, resounded through the air as thousands and thousands of birds took flight.

11 comments:

Renee A. Ugrin said...

Beautiful Work Linda, I am inspired to capture the wonders of the Clackamas River near my home. (Clackamas means green river)

Terry Sargent Peart said...

Very lovely collection, Linda. The colors are spectacular. Congratulations, Linda!

Annette Haines said...

These are wonderful! Some day I hope to meet you and see these in person (I am also from Michigan).

Jennifer said...

I usually lurk, but wanted to pop up and say... WOW. Your prints are absolutely stunning!!! I hope my woodcuts can one day reach the beauty and sophistication that yours do- I've never been to Michigan, but the ecology looks similar to Upstate/Northern New York, where I'm from. :)

Jen
www.jenniferzalewski.com

Ayesha Vemuri said...

Your work is really amazing! I am blown away by it, and very inspired as well. I definitely have a lot to learn about woodcuts!

Annie B said...

It's fantastic to see the whole collection together. They're rich and beautiful. Gorgeous colors, great technique, and a really pleasing blend of representation and abstraction in your compositions. And what comes through most of all is your love and respect for the river herself. Congratulations!

Maria Pinto said...

awesome!!! I love all !

Bette Norcross Wappner -- said...

What an amazing and beautiful dedication to the Shiawassee River. Excellent work, Linda!

Unknown said...

Gorgeous prints, Linda. As someone from a plains state who visits Michigan or Minnesota every summer, I appreciate how you've captured the beauty of your home-I love the water, the trees, the rocks...all of it! You inspire me.

Sharri said...

Wonderful series. You are an inspiration to us all. I am wondering why I am doing a black and white print and then I remember, oh year, it is about oil! Can't wait to get back to moku hanga, though, since seeing your work! Outstanding -

InTheCountry said...

Wow Linda, your work of the river I love is touching. I grew up on the Shiawassee and my parents are still in the house they built on the river 65 years ago. I can say I never saw it with the beauty of your eye and color. Thank you.