Ludington Lighthouse by S Hughes Photos
“You cannot look up at the night sky on the Planet Earth and not wonder what it’s like to be up there amongst the stars.”
– Tom Hanks
I feel this Tom Hanks quotation so deeply. Not many experiences on this earth in my book that compare with gazing into the deep night sky.
The photo was taken at the Ludington Light last year. With apologies in advance to the small but vocal minority of anti-Facebook fans, you can see a lot more on S. Hughes’ Facebook page.
On his Twitter, Michigan’s Sunrise King Bugsy Sailor shared a phenomenon that I’d never heard of – Orehenge! He writes:
Twice a year, for a few days stretch, the sun rises down the center of the historic Marquette ore dock.
And oh boy, does the community loves it! Just as they should. But my introverted self, loving my mornings of solitude and meditation, has to overcome a lot of anxious energy to walk into a crowd during my most cherished time of the day.
Orehenge, as it’s affectionately called, falls in November and January, where the sun is really seen at sunrise. From my January data over three years, there is less than a 20% chance of seeing the sun at sunrise.
There’s more observations & photos of this very cool seasonal happening and the crowd that showed up @BugsySailor on Twitter. For sure check out his Twitter for more & if you’re low on Upper Peninsula swag, his UP Supply Co is a great source!
Grand Haven Lighthouse & Pier by Chris Ahern Photography
Chris’s photo of the Grand Haven Lighthouse from last weekend really shows the power of winds off the Great Lakes. You can click the pic to follow him on Facebook, and also see his pics on Instagram and view & purchase prints & calendars on his website.
It’s once again time for me to look back on another year of Michigan in Pictures. Today is actually the 16th anniversary of the very first Michigan in Pictures post! In 2021, I posted 232 photos of the Great Lakes State along with exactly 35,693 words that were viewed on Facebook, Twitter & here nearly 2 million times! Definitely pretty cool to know my offerings are well received. OK, on to the list…
Frozen Lake Michigan & the Mighty Mac by Shelbydiamondstar Photography
Some years the top photo is a close one but with well over 250,000 views, this stunning shot of the Mighty Mac in shared March 5th left absolutely no doubt! Head over to her Facebook page for more great shots!
Frankfort Light Dream Shot by Noah Sorensen
If you can believe it (and I can because it happened) the year’s second most popular pic was shared one day before on March 4th! For reference, the top of the tower is 67 feet above Lake Michigan! Follow Noah on Facebook or Instagram and definitely follow your dreams!
Sunset over Munising Bay by Michigan Nut Photography
I’ve been featuring photos from John McCormick aka Michigan Nut here for quite a while, and once again he’s got one of the year’s top photos with this beauty he shared in April. See lots more on his Facebook page and view & purchase his work (including calendars) at michigannutphotography.com.
Sunrise at Tahquamenon by Dan Gaken
Seems like there was something in the air in March of 2021 in addition to Covid, because this a stunning sunrise at Tahquamenon Falls that I shared on March 1st is clocks in at number 4 on the list. See more from Dan in his Michigan’s Upper Peninsula gallery on Flickr!
Mac & Trees by Noah Sorensen Photo
All props to Noah for two appearances on the list as well as the absolute banger of a title on this pic shared November 1st! Head over to his Instagram for the latest.
Thank you all for another great year & if you’re able, I always appreciate a little love through my Patreon!
While the last weekend’s record winds were (and remain) a major headache for many Michiganders, there’s at least one group that’s all in favor of the current run of wild weather: surfers. Julie took this photo on Sunday & shares:
Yesterday woke up again to gale force winds. We clock 59 MPH here in town and the waves were churning again. I rode out north and there were 11 surfers. Never seen so many here. Temps rose to 59* and have never seen the likes. But the guys and girls out surfing were having a blast. I was talking to some and some drove over 50 miles to get here because of the way the waves were coming in. We still have so many that don’t have electric out and today it’s 26*. Lots of facilities open for them to come too.
I guess this is yet another reminder that every cloud may very well be someone’s silver lining. Head over to Julie’s Flickr for the latest & have a great week.
Head over to Great Lakes Surfing on Michigan in Pictures for lots more!
Muskegon South Pier leaning into the gale by Jerry Herrendeen
This past Sunday (Dec 11, 2021) was a very dark day in American meteorological history as tornados ravaged the middle south, killing at least 80 in Kentucky and visiting devastation on Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee in what has become since 2020 a new seasonal threat.
While the Great Lakes State was spared the worst, mLive shares that Michigan was buffeted by winds topping 60 mph with gusts as high as 72 recorded at the Saugatuck Pier. While there’s no wind reading from the South Breakwater Light, the Muskegon North Breakwater Light clocked a reading of 68 MPH. Waveheads in the audience who want to know just how big the wave in this photo can do a little visual math with the knowledge that the North Breakwater Light is 52′ tall!
Jerry’s The Moods of Lake Michigan gallery makes it clear he has no problem getting out there to get the shot & has a couple more photos from Sunday including this shot of a wave nearly topping the 48′ south pier light.
Milky Way over Au Sable Point Lighthouse by Michigan Nut Photography
EarthSky says that the annual Geminid Meteor Shower that will peak next week is one of the year’s best:
The Geminids are a reliable shower for those who watch around 2 a.m. local time from a dark-sky location. We also often hear from those who see Geminid meteors in the late evening hours. This year, a waxing gibbous moon will be above the horizon during peak time for viewing. But it’ll set shortly afterwards, leaving the sky dark for watching meteors. Thus the best time to watch for Geminid meteors in 2021 is likely before dawn – say, from around 3 a.m. to dawn – on the morning of December 14.
It’s a somewhat narrow window for meteor-watching. But still worth a look!
On a dark night, near the peak of the shower, you can often catch 50 or more meteors per hour. On an optimum night for the Geminids, it’s possible to see 150 meteors per hour. A new moon on December 4 means that the peak of the shower coincides with a moon just a few days past first-quarter phase.
Click through for all the details but remember the key to success is finding dark skies!!
John took this back in May 2014 at the Au Sable Lighthouse in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. See more in his Starry Nights gallery on Flickr & view and purchase prints & calendars on his website.
Simply gorgeous photo taken earlier this week by Emanuel. Head over to his Michigan gallery on Flickr for more & have a magical weekend!
View from the Top … of the Mackinac Bridge by Ken Scott Photography
On Saturday, the Michigan Wolverines defied recent history and absolutely thrashed the Ohio State Buckeyes 42-27 in the Big House. While this is certainly a huge victory by Michigan over Ohio, it pales in comparison to one the greatest fleecings in history, the trade of the 468 square mile Toledo Strip for the entire Upper Peninsula. Not bad eh? Read all about it in Michigan, Ohio & the Best Worst Deal Ever on Michigan in Pictures.
Ken took this photo looking north at a portion of Michigan’s haul from one of the towers on the Mighty Mac with St. Ignace, Mackinac Island and Round Island on the horizon. See more in his Mackinac Stuff gallery on Flickr & for sure view and purchase his work at kenscottphotography.com
Life is like a mirror by Fire Fighters Wife
“Life is like a mirror, we get the best results when we smile at it.”
As usual, Beth shares a beautiful thought to go with her equally beautiful photo. See more in her Hello Fall! gallery on Flickr.
Michigan in Pictures 