Michigan Writers … and the Mighty Mac

Posted on by farlane
Mackinac Bridge, Michigan by Dennis Sparks

Mackinac Bridge, Michigan by Dennis Sparks

My “real job” is building websites for Leelanau.com, and I love it when I have a chance to bring Michigan in Pictures into it!

I was recently contracted by the Michigan Writers nonprofit organization to build a new website that will help them them bring their mission of building community for writers. The geek in me is excited about how the new site allows the organization and members to post events, announcements & opportunities that help them grow the craft of writing, while the lover of Michigan in me is amazed at how the simple inclusion of this photo by longtime Michigan in Pictures contributor Dennis Sparks perfectly transformed the look & feel of the website. In this age where AI images are supplanting actual photography, I think it’s a good thing to remember that authenticity whether in images or words or actions never loses its value.

While we’re talking about the Mighty Mac, don’t forget that the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk happens this Monday, September 7th!

Dennis took this photo back in September of 2022. You can see more in his Water gallery including this great photo from the beach at Ludington State Park and follow him on Flickr for his latest!!

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

(near) Total Eclipse TONIGHT!

Posted on by farlane
Mackinac Bridge Moonrise by David Marvin

Mackinac Bridge Moonrise by David Marvin

I’m very excited about the near-total eclipse of the full moon that begins at 10:33pm tonight (Thu, Aug 27) with the maximum 96% coverage at 12:12am on Friday.

If the forecast for mainly clear skies across Michigan’s Upper & Lower Peninsulas isn’t thrilling enough, there is a G2 (Moderate) Aurora Alert which means that Michigan has a better than usual chance to see the Northern Lights as well! I found a cool site from University of Michigan called AuroraTonight that gives you a good look at sky conditions & chances where you live.

David captured this shot of the full moon rising over the Mackinac Bridge back in July of 2024. Follow him on Flickr for his latest!

PS: It’s pretty darn cool & synchronistic that the August full moon was known as the Sturgeon Moon by Michigan Natives.

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Is the disrespect for Michigan in US State Rankings deserved?

Posted on by farlane

Mackinac Bridge….. by Kevin Povenz

I was going to write some commentary about US News & World Report’s latest ranking US States that has Michigan as #46 of the 50 states. Then I read the writeup on Michigan & looked at the facts. It wasn’t easy for a lifelong cheerleader for Michigan like me, but it’s pretty clear that while we have an utterly incredible foundation that includes the manufacturing might that powered the rise of modern America, one of the strongest presence of major universities in the nation, more varied produce & farm products than any state but California, and a globally unique concentration of freshwater that gives us more shoreline than any state but Alaska, we’ve done a terrible job preserving what we have & investing in our future over the last several decades. I remain unshakeable in my feeling that there’s no place I’d rather live than right here, but I love this place enough to see that they have cause to rank our state near the bottom. What do you think?

Kevin’s photo captured my feeling about this ranking perfectly. He shares that he & his wife spent last weekend with good friends in Charlevoix for the Venetian Festival then headed to Mackinac Island for a couple nights, staying on their boat, consuming ice cream, and enjoying what the area provides. Follow Kevin on on Flickr or at Kevin Povenz Photos for his latest!

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Canadian wildfire smoke returns to Michigan today

Posted on by farlane

July 15 Wildfire smoke by Mackinac Bridge Authority

Michigan had over twenty days of smoke-induced air quality advisories in 2025, up from zero in 2024. Michigan Storm Chasers informs us that zero is not on the table for 2026 in the excellent Michigan air quality forecast for today on their Facebook page:

Our air quality begins to dip across the majority of the state as we head into the mid-afternoon hours today, July 15th, 2026. By sunset tonight, nearly the entire state will see 150+ μg/m³ AQI concentration, which translates to very unhealthy on the air quality index. Overnight, those winds out of the northwest do not stop, bumping parts of our area into the hazardous to everyone category at 250.5-500 μg/m³ AQI concentration if recent short-term model trends are correct.

Dangerous air quality levels like these are rare, so please take your respiratory health very seriously. Smoke concerns mixed with the already excessive heat concerns both today and tomorrow will also be a factor for higher mortality rates amongst all age/health groups, per research collected by the National Library of Medicine (NLM). All data shown is for fine particulate matter (PM2.5).

For sure follow Michigan Storm Chasers on Facebook and the MiStormChasers YouTube channel that often includes live reporting on Michigan weather events. You can also check out the smoke tag on Michigan in Pictures for a reminder of what last summer’s wildfire smoke was like.

The top pic from the Mackinac Bridge Authority webcam is a view looking north from Mackinaw City while the other is looking south across the Mighty Mac from St. Ignace.

Livestream from the Riviera Motel in Mackinaw City

Here’s what the webcam view looked like when I posted this…

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Gordie Howe Bridge opens July 27th!

Posted on by farlane

Ford Fireworks from Gordie Howe International Bridge

At the risk of being the boy who cried wolf, I’m sharing the news that on Friday, Canada and Michigan (with the support of the US government) agreed to open the Gordie Howe International Bridge on July 27, 2026:

Spanning the Detroit River between Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan, the six-lane, cable-stayed bridge features a main span of 853 metres, the longest of its kind in North America, and extends approximately 2.5 kilometres. The crossing also includes modern ports of entry on both sides of the border equipped with advanced screening and border management technologies, creating one of the most advanced and secure land border crossings in North America.

To support this opening and ensure that benefits are felt on both sides of the border, Canada and the United States have agreed to a series of cooperative measures focused on toll governance and transparency, as well as investments in the region, including through the establishment of a 15-year economic development fund tied to a portion of profits from bridge operations. The Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority will also work collaboratively with the Government of the United States on toll-rate adjustments, seeking concurrence for certain non-market related toll changes.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge shared these two shots of Detroit’s Ford Fireworks a couple of weeks ago. I also wanted to include this photo of a US & Canadian iron worker shaking hands in the middle after the two spans were connected in the center way back in June of 2024 because I love Canada & my Canadian friends!!

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Missed Connections: Gordie Howe Bridge Edition

Posted on by farlane
Connection Ceremony by Gordie Howe International Bridge

Connection Ceremony by Gordie Howe International Bridge

“Open the bridge!” – Lucas Legare

When I shared this photo two years ago of the Gordie Howe Bridge “topping out” ceremony when they connected the Canadian & US sides of the bridge, I had no idea building the bridge would be easier than opening it. I’d love to share news of when the now fully completed bridge will be opened, but since we are clearly on Manbaby Time at this point, the best I can do is this story about Lucas Legere, an actual child who has been waiting most of his life for the Gordie Howe to open.

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Gordie Howe International Bridge Ribbon Cutting is this Friday but the bridge itself opens on Monday which we didn’t know until hours after this post! (headline updated)

Posted on by farlane
Ready to Go by Gordie Howe International Bridge

Ready to Go by Gordie Howe International Bridge

Multiple news sources are confirming that the Gordie Howe International Bridge from Windsor, Canada to Detroit opens this Friday, June 12th 2026! The Freep story says in part:

Multiple news sources are confirming that the Gordie Howe International Bridge from Windsor, Canada to Detroit ribbon cutting happens this Friday, June 12th 2026 at 1pm! The updated Freep story says in part:

A source who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the matter said the ribbon cutting was planned for Friday in the early afternoon and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and former Gov. Rick Snyder were expected to be in attendance, though it was unclear if any federal officials would participate.

Although sources said a ribbon cutting is planned, it’s unclear exactly when the bridge will actually open to traffic after it takes place. One source with knowledge of the circumstances, who spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to speak publicly, indicated a deal between Canada and the Trump administration might allow the new bridge to open the week after the ribbon cutting, though the Free Press hadn’t confirmed that.

Stay tuned to Michpics for Gordie Howe Bridge updates, because if there’s anything we know about this issue, it’s that there unquestionably will be more drama.

Here’s some more shots shared by the Gordie Howe Bridge Facebook page – can’t wait to cross on a bike!!

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

The Gordie Howe Bridge will be opening…

Posted on by farlane

Gordie Gets Lit!! by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography

This Canadian Broadcasting Company article on issues surrounding the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge makes it pretty clear that the problem with opening the bridge is the problem with a whole of things these days:

For months, Canadian officials have maintained that the long-awaited opening of the $6.4 billion Gordie Howe International Bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ont., is dependent on various testing and commissioning tasks.

But fresh comments from a Canadian cabinet member as well as two top U.S. officials suggests there is a link between the current trade war and the new border crossing’s opening timeline. A White House official on Friday said the Trump administration “continues to engage with all of our trading partners to resolve longstanding unfair trade practices.”

…Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra said in a statement Friday that “[d]iscussions on the Gordie Howe Bridge continue.” CBC News had asked his office similar questions about the bridge’s opening and whether it’s tied to broader trade talks. Earlier this month, Hoekstra reportedly said that Trump himself has to sign off on the opening. “There’s a lot of issues right now between the U.S. and Canada. The bridge is one more,” he told the Detroit News.

Windsor Aerial Drone Photography shared these photos & the video below from the first lighting of the Gordie Howe Bridge on September 18, 2025. Follow them on Facebook for their latest and view & purchase their work at windsoraerialdronephotography.com.

Lots more of the gorgeous Gordie Howe International Bridge on Michigan in Pictures!

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Dancing Among (and above) the Clouds

Posted on by farlane
Dancing Among the Clouds by Eric Hackney

Dancing Among the Clouds by Eric Hackney

If you ever wonder how the sausage is made on Michigan in Pictures, it often goes a lot like this morning. I was about to repost Eric’s gorgeous photo of the Portage Lift Bridge from April 8, 2017 (seen below) when I stumbled on images from NASA’s Artemis II mission. Thoughts of astronauts looking down on us made me want to look up. That sent me to the Absolute Michigan photo group on Flickr to find a recent moon photo, and who should have a recent & perfect photo but Eric Hackney!!

For sure follow Eric on Flickr or Facebook for his latest and view & purchase his work on his website.

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Countdown to Canada: Gordie Howe Bridge opening soon?

Posted on by farlane
First Lighting of Gordie Howe Bridge by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography

First Lighting of Gordie Howe Bridge by Windsor Aerial Drone Photography

Yesterday the Gordie Howe International Bridge raised hopes that an opening is imminent when they shared the initial toll rates. Passenger vehicles will pay a standard flat toll rate of $8 CAD/$5.75 USD per crossing while commercial trucks, oversized vehicles, and larger passenger vehicles pay a standard per axle toll rate of $12 CAD/$8.75 USD. They also offer a Breakaway discount program.

While there are a number of unknowns that could impact opening, one thing to note is the date of Gordie Howe’s birthday: March 31st – 3/31 to the 313?

Michael took these photos and the awesome video below when they first lit the entire bridge on September 18, 2025. He wrote (in part) “For those fortunate enough to be in the area, the Gordie Howe International Bridge started testing their led lighting system and entire span of the Gordie Howe International Bridge was illuminated just in time for sunset. The testing actually began in late afternoon and by dusk the full spectacle of this magnificent structure could be seen for miles across Windsor and Detroit area.”

Fortunate indeed!! Check out a few more photos he shared to the Michigan in Pictures group and the video below. You can also view & purchase his work at Windsor Aerial Drone Photography.

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon