Dune Grass
In some areas of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the sand dunes are known as "shifting dunes", meaning that wind-blown sand causes the dune to move over time. But many of the forested "hills" along the shore are actually stabilized sand dunes. One of the first stabilizing agents is Dune Grass, its root system holding the top layer of sand in place. When hiking on the dunes, we see "blowouts" where strong wind blows-out a section of sand (and the plants).
This picture is taken at the top of the first "dune climb", Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The lake above is Little Glen Lake; beyond the bridge at the horizon is Big Glen Lake. The Glen Lakes are often proclaimed in publications as among the most beautiful in the world.
(I usually carry my camera in a plastic bag when walking on sand, or when rain is threatening.)
Dune Grass
In some areas of the Lake Michigan shoreline, the sand dunes are known as "shifting dunes", meaning that wind-blown sand causes the dune to move over time. But many of the forested "hills" along the shore are actually stabilized sand dunes. One of the first stabilizing agents is Dune Grass, its root system holding the top layer of sand in place. When hiking on the dunes, we see "blowouts" where strong wind blows-out a section of sand (and the plants).
This picture is taken at the top of the first "dune climb", Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The lake above is Little Glen Lake; beyond the bridge at the horizon is Big Glen Lake. The Glen Lakes are often proclaimed in publications as among the most beautiful in the world.
(I usually carry my camera in a plastic bag when walking on sand, or when rain is threatening.)