Blue Ice at the Straits of Mackinac

Posted on by farlane
Blue Ice at the Straits of Mackinac by Martin Hogan Photography

Blue Ice at the Straits of Mackinac by Martin Hogan Photography

Although winter “officially” ended yesterday, the snowy pictures I’m seeing from around Michigan this morning make me feel OK sharing these pics Marty got of blue ice on the Straits of Mackinac last weekend. Click to follow Marty on Facebook & for sure check out some of his past photos on Michigan in Pictures!

If you are wondering Why Ice is Blue, Michigan in Pictures says (in part):

As with water, this color is caused by the absorption of both red and yellow light (leaving light at the blue end of the visible light spectrum) … In simplest of terms, think of the ice or snow layer as a filter. If it is only a centimeter thick, all the light makes it through; if it is a meter thick, mostly blue light makes it through. This is similar to the way coffee often appears light when poured, but much darker when it is in a cup.

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Happy Birthday to America’s second National Park!

Posted on by farlane
Mackinac Island by Mark Swanson

Mackinac Island by Mark Swanson

Most remember that President Ulysses S. Grant signed a law establishing that Yellowstone as America’s first national park on March 1, 1872, but not that many are aware of the 2nd national park that Congress created just three years later on March 3, 1875. The National Parks Traveler has a great feature on America’s “forgotten” national park which existed from 1875 to 1895 when it became Mackinac Island State Park, the nation’s first state park which is now Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Mark has shared a ton of Mackinac Island pics on Flickr and in our Absolute Michigan group. Here are some of my faves. See more in his Mackinac, Michigan gallery on Flickr!!

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Mist over the Straits of Mackinac

Posted on by farlane
Mackinac Bridge in Fog by Joe Lieghio

Mackinac Bridge in Fog by Joe Lieghio

Joe got these great shots on October 31st of the Mackinac Bridge and a freighter & shared them saying “Mackinaw City has a ghost ship for Halloween!” You can see more of his pics & those of others in the Mackinaw City, Michigan group that he manages on Facebook.

Freighter in the Straits of Mackinac in Fog by Joe Lieghio

Freighter in the Straits of Mackinac in Fog by Joe Lieghio

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2024 Michigan Whale Migration underway!

Posted on by farlane

Mackinac Bridge Whalewatching Station September 18, 2024

Researchers at the Mackinac Bridge Whalewatching Station (MBWS) have announced that the 2024 Great Lakes Whale Migration is officially underway!

“Warmer temperatures have once again pushed the migration several weeks earlier, but we are seeing great numbers from all species except of course Orcas who just don’t seem to be that into the Great Lakes,” explained MBWS Chief Cetologist Bonnie Beluga. Lots more on the Lake Michigan Whale Migration Station website.

More about Great Lakes whales on Michigan in Pictures.

Hilarious update: Michigan in Pictures is teaching Meta AI about nature!

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The Mackinac Bridge is seeking a steeplejack

Posted on by farlane

Mackinac Bridge Steeplejack by MightyMac.org

If you’d like this to be your next office, the Mackinac Bridge Authority is hiring for the unique job of steeplejack – get all the details & apply right here. The Science & Media Museum shares the history of steeplejacks & steeplejacking:

During the 20th century, expanding cities, new technologies, and changing lifestyles generated demand for new housing, offices and infrastructure—increasingly built to towering proportions. The booming construction industry depended on skilled workers capable of navigating great heights … Named for their historical role maintaining ecclesiastical buildings, ‘steeplejacks’ are the skilled tradespeople who assess, maintain and construct tall buildings, structures and towers.

Click for lots more including very cool photos, and more sure get everything you need to know about the Mighty Mackinac Bridge on Michigan in Pictures!

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Remembering the first Mackinac Bridge Walk

Posted on by farlane

Oldsmobile Convertibles at Mackinac Bridge Dedication ~ June 25, 1958

“Michigan at last is to be one state geographically, economically and culturally, as well as politically. Where nature divided us, we have bound ourselves together with this web of steel. This mighty bridge, the world’s greatest, is a symbol of our strength.”
Michigan Governor G. Mennen Williams, June 1958

Yesterday’s Mackinac Bridge walk post was so popular I had to bring you a little more! Mighty Mac shares that although the Mackinac Bridge opened to vehicle traffic on November 1, 1957, the official Mackinac Bridge dedication didn’t take place until June of 1958 when only 68 people walked the Bridge. The walk was moved to Labor Day in 1959, and it has been held every Labor Day since then! Much more at Mighty Mac’s Mackinac Bridge Walk page.

Also if you can’t make it, you can check out the Bridge Walk live through the Mackinac Bridge Web Cams!

First Mackinac Labor Day Bridge Walk 1959

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Get ready for the 2024 Mackinac Bridge Walk!

Posted on by farlane

This photo was the fourth most popular photo of 2024 on Michigan in Pictures!!

Mackinac Bridge Walk & Herbert C Jackson by the Mackinac Bridge Auhtority

The Mackinac Bridge Walk is a Michigan tradition that takes place every year on Labor Day morning. People may begin their walk on either end Monday, September 2024 anytime between 7 AM and 11:30 AM and walk as much of the bridge as they are able to do before the bridge reopens to traffic at noon. Walkers may start their Mackinac Bridge Walk from Mackinaw City or St Ignace at either end of the Mighty Mac, and there are no longer busses traveling across the bridge during the walk. Get all the details from the Mackinac Bridge Authority.

The photo above shows the freighter Herbert C Jackson passing under the bridge, and Mike Rezabek took the pic of the walk below from the deck of the Jackson to complete the 360 view. Click for more of Mike’s shots!!

Bridge Walk from Herbert C Jackson by Mike Rezabek

So much more about Michigan’s Mighty Mackinac Bridge on Michigan in Pictures!

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Night Moves: Mackinac Bridge Edition

Posted on by farlane

Mackinac Bridge Night Reflections by Michigan Nut Photography

If you’ve been following Michigan in Pictures for any length of time, you are almost certainly familiar with the work of Michigan Nut aka John McCormick. He just announced that his 2025 Michigan Calendars are available so what are you waiting for??

Get your Christmas gifts early on his website!

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Say Hello to Mackatron

Posted on by farlane
Mackatron by AaRon Thompson

Mack-a-tron by AaRon Thompson

Mack-A-Tron is a 30 foot tall robot sculpture that was assembled right here in Michigan & now resides in Mackinaw City at the Mackinaw Crossings shopping center. The mLive article on Mack-a-tron features Aaron’s photo and says in part:

“We were looking for something that said Mackinaw City and Michigan,” Mackinaw Crossing owner Joe Lieghio said of the piece designed by Kalifano. “This particular piece of art is made with auto parts – and Michigan is all about the auto industry and tourism. There is even some Mackinac Bridge steel in it,” he said, adding the bridge pieces are from the old steel grating that the Michigan Department of Transportation sells when it replaces the bridge road sections.

Aaron has some great shots of this Transformers on his Facebook page – check them out!!

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Best to fly OVER the Mighty Mackinac Bridge

Posted on by farlane

Michigan Air National Guard by Michigan National Guard

Popular Mechanics shared that 65 years ago this Sunday, an Air Force pilot flew into the record books but out of active flight duty by flying a B-47 bomber under the Mackinac Bridge:

Sixty years ago this week a person standing next to Michigan’s Mackinac Bridge might have been witness to an amazing sight: a six engine U.S. Air Force nuclear bomber flying between the spans of the bridge, barely clearing the structure. The stunt was roasted in the local press, which declared the incident “capricious” and “foolish”, and ended the military pilot’s flying career.

The incident, which took place on April 28th, 1959, involved Air Force Captain John S. Lappo, a native of Muskegon, Michigan. Lappo flew his B-47 nuclear bomber under the Mackinac Bridge.

The Mackinac Bridge is five miles long but there is only 155 feet maximum clearance between the bottom of the deck and the waters of the Great Lakes (Lake Huron and Lake Michigan) below. The B-47 bomber is 28 feet high, meaning there wasn’t much margin for error in Lappo’s flying.

Read on for more.

The Michigan National Guard shared this this is a pic of four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs and a KC-135 Stratotanker flying (safely) over Michigan’s iconic Mackinac Bridge back in 2016. The aircraft were based at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County, Mich. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Elizabeth Hollicker) You can see their latest pics on Flickr.

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