Will the renovated Scott Fountain be in color?

Posted on by farlane
James Scott Memorial Fountain by Darryl Wattenberg

James Scott Memorial Fountain by Darryl Wattenberg

I learned last week from Raw Detroit that they will soon be removing the construction barriers around the James Scott Memorial Fountain on Belle Isle. One of the questions a lot of folks have been asking is whether or not the renovated fountain will have colored lights like in Darryl’s photo from 2014. The article doesn’t say, but they note that the iconic Vermont white marble fountain with 109 water outlets shaped like dolphins, turtles, lions, and human figures, and a center jet that can throw water 125 feet in the air won’t have the water turned back on til Spring of 2027.

Check out some of Darryl’s most popular pics on Flickr

You can read more about the controversial history of the James Scott Memorial Fountain on Michigan in Pictures. Here’s a video of the the fountain at night:

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A Salute to Michigan’s Workers on Labor Day

Posted on by farlane
Detroit Industry Mural Diego Rivera

Detroit Industry by Maia C

A very happy Labor Day to everyone! Here’s a photo I originally shared eleven Labor Days ago. The struggle is every bit as real today as it was when Diego Rivera began painting the wall of the DIA’s Garden Court in 1932.

See more in Maia’s Rivera Court, Detroit Institute of Arts gallery & follow her on Flickr for her latest!

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Renaissance Center Reflections

Posted on by farlane
Renaissance Center Reflection by Snappd By Sean Photography

Renaissance Center Reflection by Snappd By Sean Photography

WXYZ shares that Bedrock Detroit and General Motors want Detroiters to weigh in on plans to redesign the Renaissance Center and 30 acres of land east of the building. The Riverfront Community Hub is located at 521 Atwater Street (just east of the building on the river). They’re is open Wednesday through Friday from 11-6pm and Saturdays from 11-4pm.

If you can’t share your vision for the future of this iconic Detroit landmark in person, you can fill out the survey online.

When I read about the call for input on the Ren Cen, I knew exactly which photo of Sean’s I was gonna select! I’m featuring another he took in early August and also one from a vivid colored night on Hart Plaza earlier this week! Follow Snappd By Sean Photography on Facebook or Instagram for his latest!

Lots more Renaissance Center on Michigan in Pictures!

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Near-total Lunar Eclipse coming August 27th!

Posted on by farlane

Lunar Eclipse at the Penobscot by Tom Hughes

Space.com shares that we’re just one week away from a near total lunar eclipse on the evening of August 27-28, 2026:

Stargazers on the night side of Earth (that’s us!) will catch their first glimpse of our planet’s umbra (the darkest, innermost part of its shadow) creeping onto the moon’s surface at 10:33 p.m. EDT on Aug. 27. The vast shadow will continue its advance across the crater-scarred landscape in the hours that follow, until it hits the point of maximum eclipse at 12:12 a.m. EDT on Aug. 28.

Around this time, you may notice the shadowed region of the moon take on a reddish-orange color, as sunlight filtered through Earth’s atmosphere is bent onto the lunar surface — a phenomenon often referred to as a “Blood Moon” during a total eclipse.

I first shared this amazing shot of a partial lunar eclipse over the Detroit skyline way back in 2015. See more great photos from Tom on Flickr.

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Here comes the 2026 Woodward Dream Cruise

Posted on by farlane
Golden Rod by pkHyperFocal

Golden Rod by pkHyperFocal

The annual Woodward Dream Cruise takes place this Saturday, August 15 from 9am – 9pm in suburban Detroit. The Dream Cruise is North America’s largest one-day automotive event, drawing nearly one million people and 40,000 classic cars annually from across the nation and globe to communities along the iconic Woodward Avenue.

PK HyperFocal captured this beauty at the 2015 Woodward Dream Cruise. See more in their awesome Wheels gallery on Flickr.

Fare thee well, Tarik Skubal … you were amazing

Posted on by farlane
Farewell Tarik Skubal by Detroit Tigers

Farewell Tarik Skubal by Detroit Tigers

“I want to live in the moment. There’s a lot of stuff going on around me that I have no control in. I try to be pretty present all the time. And when the fans get on their feet like that and give you a pretty good ovation, it’s special. It’ll never not be special, and it’s something I’ve always appreciated. And hopefully they feel the same way. Hopefully they feel like I’ve given everything to the team, to the city, because I truly have.” -Tarik Skubal, after his 1000th strikeout

I am one of the many fans who thinks that back-to-back Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal has pitched his last game for the Detroit Tigers, and I am going to process by disappointment by telling you all of the accomplishments of one of the greatest left hand pitchers in Tiger history.

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Gateway to Michigan’s 2000-mile Iron Belle Trail

Posted on by farlane
Belle Isle by charles hildebrandt

Belle Isle by charles hildebrandt

The 2000-mile+ Iron Belle Trail from Detroit to Ironwood, Michigan is the longest state-designated trail in the United States. The trail winds through over half of Michigan’s counties and is unique in that it has two routes: a biking route that travels along the eastern side of the state using existing bike paths, lanes, and designated routes; and a hiking route that follows the western side of the Lower Peninsula, incorporating sidewalks, trails and a significant portion of the North Country National Scenic Trail. If you click the link to the State of Michigan, they have a map of both sections of the Iron Bell Trail trail and their status!

FF Journal shares the sculpture stands on Belle Isle as the southern gateway of the Iron Belle Trail and is called One World Under Michigan Stars. The 25′ diameter sculpture steel sculpture weighs 8 tons and was created at Detroit Design Center by Erik & Israel Nordin.

Charles took this back in June of 2023. Head over to Flickr for his latest!

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Happy 325th Birthday, Detroit!

Posted on by farlane
City of Gold by Mark Hewer Photography

City of Gold by Mark Hewer Photography

Friday is the 325th anniversary of the founding of Detroit on July 24, 1701 by Antoine de la Mothe, Sieur de Cadillac. The Detroit Historical Society has an excellent writeup on the Founding of Detroit that explains they “chose the narrowest part of the river, on a high point of the north shore, unfettered by any island and thereby easy to defend, as the site for Fort Pontchartrain, in honor of the French marine minister who approved their trip. The full name, Fort Pontchartrain du détroit, gave Detroit its French name. The area had been known by many names to various Indigenous peoples, including Waawiiyaataanong, meaning “where the river bends.” In the photo, it would be located behind the short white building on the left that is closest to the river.

I have apparently been saving this absolutely gorgeous photo of Detroit at sunset as seen from Windsor for two years! When Mark shared it, he wrote “Hey Detroit 🇺🇲 thanks from your friends over in Windsor 🇨🇦 for such a world-class skyline to look at. 🙏The view never gets old! ❤️the D #detroit”

While the photo wasn’t taken in Michigan, most of the pixels are in Michigan, and I want to send every bit as much cross border love back to Mark & all the lovely people of Canada! For sure follow Mark Hewer Photography on Facebook for all kinds of great shots of Detroit from across the river!

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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!!

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Fountain of Fire (OR “How you know it’s hot according to the National Park Service)

Posted on by farlane
Fountain of Fire by Snappd by Sean

Fountain of Fire by Snappd by Sean

I was 100% gonna save this smokin hot photo of Dodge Fountain on Detroit’s Hart Plaza for a post when the Pistons kick off next season, but when Sean shared this hilarious tweet from the National Park Service I knew it was time.

You know it's hot when you go outside and it's hot. -National Park Service

You do indeed know it’s hot simply by walking out the door. With the brutal conditions expected to last into the weekend, please take care of yourself & everyone in your life, especially children & pets who don’t understand the risks!

Snappd by Sean Photography is one of my favorite Facebook follows, mixing humorous & thought provoking content with dynamite photography. Check him out @snappd_by_seann on Instagram too!

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