Seul Choix Point Lighthouse

Seul Choix Point Lighthouse by photofrenzy2000

Seul Choix Point Lighthouse by Gary Brink

The Seul Choix Point Lighthouse (aerial map) is operated by the Gulliver Historical Society and DNR as a park & museum. Terry Pepper’s Seeing the Light’s page for Seul Choix Pointe Light explains:

At the dawn of the 1880’s, the volume of maritime traffic passing between harbors on the western shore of Lake Michigan and Green Bay and the Straits of Mackinac exploded. While the St. Helena Island light station lighted the eastern entry into the Straits, mariners were forced to navigate blind along 100 miles of unlighted upper peninsula coastline before the Poverty Island light came into view at the western end of the passage. With treacherous storms frequent at both ends of the navigation season, mariners frequently chose to ride out such storms in the lee of points protruding into the lake along this 100-mile stretch of unlighted shoreline.

Seeking to both make identification of such a refuge easier, and to mark the shore at an interim point between the two existing lights, the Lighthouse Board recommended that establishment of a light station on the end of Point Patterson, approximately midway between St. Helena Island and Manistique.

It took nearly 20 years to complete – read on for more about what was apparently the Cadillac of lighthouses. The light is also reputed to be haunted, and you can read a lot more about that in The Haunting of Seul Choix Point Lighthouse on Michigan in Pictures.

Gary took this back in October of 2011. See more great pics in his showcase on Flickr.

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Midnight Light

Midnight Light by Michigan Nut Photography

Midnight Light by Michigan Nut Photography

John shared this stunning photo of the Frankfort Lighthouse nine September 25ths ago when he and his wife (and his new Nikon D850) hung out on Frankfort Pier watching the night fisherman and midnight boaters. See the latest from John at Michigan Nut Photography on Facebook and view & purchase his work (including this photo) in the Michigan Lighthouses gallery on his website!

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Michigan taking a second look at Line 5 permit

Three Fires Confederacy Bridge Walk by Sarah Rice for Earthjustice

Three Fires Confederacy Bridge Walk by Sarah Rice for Earthjustice

“We do not own the Great Lakes. We are borrowing them from future generations, and it is our responsibility to return them whole.” -Bay Mills Indian Community President Whitney Gravelle

Earthjustice reports that Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the director of Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) announced yesterday that EGLE will undertake a new review of the permits that Enbridge secured in July to construct its proposed Line 5 oil tunnel project below the Straits of Mackinac:

In a letter to Enbridge President and CEO Gregory Ebel, Gov. Whitmer also called on Enbridge to begin working on a planned, orderly transition to an alternative to both the existing dual pipelines and the tunnel.

Bay Mills Indian Community President Whitney Gravelle said: “This Labor Day, Tribal Nations and water protectors came together in solidarity to walk with the water across the Mackinac Bridge and send a clear message: Line 5 does not belong in the heart of the Great Lakes. Tribal citizens, elders, and children came together as Anishinaabe people and as sovereign Tribal Nations, carrying water, praying, and standing up for the treaty rights our ancestors reserved for us. Our unity was a reminder that the Tribes have been right all along.

The photo is from the Three Fires Confederacy Bridge Walk For Water on the Mackinac Bridge Monday, September 7, 2026. As a person who loves Lakes Michigan & Huron and all the benefits for tourism, recreation, and of course photography they offer, thank you to all the tribes of the Three Fires Confederacy for working hard to protect the lifeblood of the Great Lakes State!

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Michigan Supreme Court ruling blocks Line 5 pipeline

Pyramid Silhouette by Andrew L McFarlane

Pyramid Silhouette by Andrew L McFarlane

“Yesterday, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that state regulators failed to fully consider the environmental impacts of Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel. This was a landmark victory for Tribal nations across the area thanks to the hard work of Earthjustice and the Native American Rights Fund along with the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.

“The Sault Tribe firmly believes that culturally and environmentally, there should be no oil pipeline underneath the Straits of Mackinac. We applaud our sister tribes for challenging the state’s permitting system.” -Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Chairman Austin Lowes

I would like to applaud all five Tribal nations for standing up on behalf of the waters & people of Michigan. You can read about the details of the 58-page ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court to vacate a key permit for the Line 5 pipeline across the Straits of Mackinac on environmental grounds in Bridge Magazine. I’ve also included some informative images & a simulation of a spill from the good people at Oil & Water Don’t Mix who have been fighting this extremely risky pipeline.

Today’s photo is one that I took of my daughter on Pyramid Point in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore back in 2005. You can see Lake Michigan & North Manitou Island in the background. I decided to use my own photo because this issue is intensely personal for me given how much of my life has revolved around the Lake Michigan half of the world’s greatest lake. Relaxation, wonder, income, peace – I love this mighty lake and feel so blessed to have the Native people of this land standing strong to fight for it. Feel free to share a photo in the comments below of why you love Lake Michigan/Huron!

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That Michigan Vibe is not AI

Michigan Vibe by Heather Aldridge

Michigan Vibe by Heather Aldridge

“By far, the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it.” —Eliezer Yudkowsky

Heather took this picture 5 years ago when she rode her bike to the pier in Frankfort for sunrise & was delighted with the Michigan cloud next to the bluff as was I because – WOW! 😍

Reposting even though it will have some people shouting about AI, just as they were about suspicions of photoshop when I originally shared it. I do this in hopes you will feel the truth that none of these AI reimaginings have an iota of the impact that seeing a marvel like this in real life holds.

View Heather’s photo on Facebook & here’s hoping you have a magical day!

Check out more Michigan amazingness on Michigan in Pictures.

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Lighthouse Seeks Volunteers. Purpose: Connection.

Grand Haven Pier Sunset by Kevin Povenz

Grand Haven Pier Sunset by Kevin Povenz

“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” – Winston Churchill

A couple of weeks ago I shared the news that the Grand Haven Lighthouse is once again open for tours. That is reportedly going so well that they need the help of volunteers!

The Grand Haven Lighthouse is operated by one manager and a host of volunteers! Our manager, Kyle Roffey is doing an amazing job as is the volunteers that have helped us out so far. But…we don’t have enough volunteers! If you’ve been having fun volunteering, you can sign up for some more. If you have been out to see our Lighthouse and love it so much you’d like to spend more time in it, sign up to volunteer! If you’re someone that volunteers for stuff all the time and is looking for something new to do, sign up to be here with us … Only 4 hour shifts, so it doesn’t take up your whole day. It’s fun and easy! You will get and talk with several hundred people, all smiling cause they are so happy to be there! Please help us if you can! We want to be open all summer, but we can’t do it alone!

If you can, click click to volunteer!

Kevin took this photo way back in the summer of 2011 and speaking of talking to people, along witht he photo he shared, “My wife and two of my daughters camped at the Grand Haven State Park for a few days this week. Had a nice time, lots of sun and sand. I Just love meeting other photographers when you are somewhere taking pictures. Lots of fun! I would of never of gotten this shot if I did not start talking to this other photographer.“

A great reminder that connecting regardless of the pursuit, connecting with your fellow humans can make things better! Connect with Kevin on Flickr or at Kevin Povenz Photos for his latest!

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Talkin ’bout a heatwave (again)

Sunset at the Beach by charles hildebrandt

Sunset at the Beach by charles hildebrandt

I shared this photo 6 years ago today on June 30, 2020 along with a West Michigan Fox-17 report that the longest heatwave in West Michigan history was on the way. mLive’s Mark Torregrossa shares that although this year’s heatwave won’t be particularly long, it also won’t be particularly comfortable:

Michigan is under an extreme heat warning for the south and southwest regions, with an extreme heat watch for the east side of the state. Heat indexes are expected to reach 105 degrees, which is significant for Michigan’s climate despite being relatively common in southern states like Texas. An afternoon above 90 degrees is considered hot for Michigan in the middle of summer, and residents should take this heat seriously, regardless of comparisons to warmer climates. The warnings use a sliding scale based on what populations are accustomed to experiencing.

The hottest days of this heat wave will be Wednesday and Thursday, with temperatures reaching 90 to 95 degrees across most of the state. In the southeast, particularly in paved areas with lots of concrete and asphalt, temperatures may approach 100 degrees. This would be the first 100-degree reading in southeast Michigan since 2012, making it a 14-year gap. Tuesday through Thursday will see the state fully under the “hot dome,” with even northern areas like Traverse City reaching near 90 degrees. The capped atmosphere will be too hot to produce many thunderstorms during the peak heat.

I shared this photo that Charles took on Ottawa Beach in Holland with the 2020 post – felt perfect to bring it back. Check out his latest on his Flickr & stay cool everyone!

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Spectacular Skies over Ludington

Falling Skies in Ludington by Todd and Brad Reed Photography

Falling Skies over Ludington by Brad Reed

Ludington photographer Brad Reed shared a selection of absolutely incredible shots of the skies over Ludington & Lake Michigan on Wednesday. Click either pic to view them all!

Follow Todd & Brad Reed Photography on Facebook and view & purchase their work on their website or in their gallery in downtown Ludington!

Spectacular Skies by Brad Reed

Spectacular Skies by Brad Reed

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Have an awesome summer, Michigan!

Awesome day at Sleeping Bear Dunes by Craig Sterken Photography

Awesome day at Sleeping Bear Dunes by Craig Sterken Photography

Sharing Craig’s awesome photo of the awesome Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to ask you all of you what is the ONE PLACE you feel is essential for a truly awesome summer in the Great Lakes State? I’ll feature some of them to help everyone get the most out of Michigan!

Follow Craig on Facebook for his latest and view & purchase his work on his website.

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St. Joseph Summer Sunset

June Sunset by Scott Glenn

June Sunset by Scott Glenn

Who else is ready for summer sunsets?

Scott shared this incredible sunset shot of the St. Joseph Lighthouse ten years ago. See more in his Lighthouses gallery & check out his latest photos on Flickr.

Many more Michigan sunsets on Michigan in Pictures. Sunrises too!

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