Photographic Proof of the Michigan Cougar!

Posted on by farlane

Marquette County Cougar, photo by Michigan Wildlife Conservancy

A trail cam in southern Marquette County operated by the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy (MWC) recently captured the above photo of a cougar. Dr. Patrick Rusz, Director of Wildlife Programs for the MWC and retired DNR forester Michael Zuidema verified the trail camera’s location on a well-worn wildlife trail atop a wooded ridge. The camera has also photographed wolves, coyotes, fishers and numerous other species at the same site over a four year period.

The MWC is publicizing this photograph because it may be the best, clearest photograph of a wild Michigan cougar ever taken. It is also unusually interesting because Mr. Zuidema has recorded over twenty credible cougar sightings in the same vicinity since the 1970s. These include several sightings within a few miles of the trail camera location.

Dr. Rusz stated that “the long history of sighting reports in the area indicates the cougar photographed on June 1 may be part of a resident population rather than a wandering cat from a western state.” Dr. Rusz has studied cougars for the Conservancy for 14 years and is co-author of a peer-reviewed study that confirmed cougars in both peninsulas of Michigan by analyses of DNA in droppings. He has also identified a long list of additional physical evidence dating back to 1966, and notes that Michigan State College zoologist Richard Manville documented several cougar sightings or incidents when he inventoried the fauna of Marquette County’s Huron Mountains from 1939 to 1942.

“The MDNR cougar team should now look at the very good evidence of a remnant cougar population collected before 2008,” said Bill Taylor, President of the Conservancy. “They could still easily verify cougar photos taken in the 1990’s in Alcona and Oscoda Counties in the Lower Peninsula and some others. The vegetation and other landmarks needed to confirm the photos are still there.”

You can compare the photograph above with photos of a wolf, coyote, raccoon, and porcupine taken by the same camera in the same location at the MWC website at www.miwildlife.org.

The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy is a non-profit citizens group established to restore Michigan’s wildlife legacy. They have restored more than 8,200 acres of wetlands, 2,500 acres of prairies and grasslands, and hundreds of miles of trout streams, and helped with several rare species recoveries and the creation of many backyard habitats.

More about cougars in Michigan on Michigan in Pictures and weigh in with your comments below or on the Absolute Michigan Facebook!

Mystery Monday: Who Was R.S. Chamberlin?

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Mystery!

Mystery!, photo by I am Jacques Strappe.

Yesterday Marjorie went hiking on a mountain near Marquette where she came across this carving that reads R.S. Chamberlin 10 20 1872. She writes:

Near the highest point of the mountain was a small outcrop of rock. This was carved into it — though it had been hidden by grass and pine needles until one in our party found it by chance and cleared it all away.

Check it out bigger, see more photos from the day in her slideshow and if you have ideas as to the identity of R.S. Chamberlin, post them here!

PS: Lots more (including a great profile) from Marjorie on Michigan in Pictures!

Frozen Rescue: Coast Guard Training in Marquette

Posted on by farlane

01192012_emergency_9854_autolvl_crop

01192012_emergency_9854_autolvl_crop, photo by CreateWithKim

Kim says that yesterday she braved -19 degree windchills in Marquette to take photos and came across the Coast Guard practicing rescues. This photo shows five rescuers heading out to rescue two drowning victims. See some more photos of the Great Lakes’ most vital branch of the armed forces in action on the Marquette Coast Guard Facebook page.

Check it out bigger or see this and a couple more photos from the training in Kim’s slideshow.

View another photo and read more about the Marquette Lower Harbor Ore Dock on Michigan in Pictures. Have fun this weekend and stay safe!

Dead River Falls

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Dead River Falls

Dead River Falls, photo by johndecember.

The Waterfall Record, a new discovery for me, has this to say about Dead River Falls:

There are some waterfalls that I’ve visited where I’ve had high expectations, and it’s not that I’m terribly disappointed, but not I’m not always sure what the attraction is. On the other hand, there are other waterfalls where my expectations are very low, and I am overwhelmed when I finally see the waterfall. There are two very impressive waterfalls on the Dead River right near Marquette.

I wasn’t expecting much because of the description I read in the book about Michigan waterfalls. I hadn’t seen any pictures, so I really didn’t know what to expect. The first waterfall is not that exciting, but wow, the 2nd waterfall is truly amazing. I wasn’t sure whether to keep walking along, but I did. The 3rd waterfall is small, but I decided to keep going. There was one turn along the trail where I suddenly realized that the 4th waterfall was going to be spectacular. It was early May, and the amount of snow melt created a great surprise. The waterfall is maybe 30′ tall or so, but the amount of water flowing over the falls was amazing. This group of waterfalls isn’t advertised that much, so you’ll likely be alone.

Also, I should mention, if I haven’t already, that the trail leading to the falls, while not terribly dangerous, would be best described as precarious at a few specific points. At one point, you’ll be hugging the dirt trail that is only feet from a river that is flowing VERY fast, at least in May. If you’re not careful, you’ll be carried away by the very swift current. As long as you’re paying close attention, I think you’ll be ok.

Read on for directions and a photo of the indeed impressive Upper Falls, and also to check out over 60 more Michigan waterfalls. Note that the site author says that on a June 2011 visit he encountered a No Trespassing sign due to work at the falls so maybe call the Marquette CVB to check before making the trek…

Check this photo out bigger and check out the area on John’s map.

Many (many) more Michigan waterfalls on Michigan in Pictures.

Superior Seas and November in Michigan

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Superior Seas

Superior Seas, photo by PhotoYoop.

“NOVEMBER, n. The eleventh twelfth of a weariness.”
~ Ambrose Bierce

From simple weariness of the changing weather to the terrible fury of November storms, the month of November can take a heavy toll on Michiganders.

Fortunately, there’s great events all across the state to help us get through. With indoor enjoyment at events like Restaurant Week in Grand Rapids (Nov 3-13), the East Lansing Film Festival and the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music in Kalamazoo (Nov 10-12) to more hardy pursuits like Opening Day & Deer Season and tomorrow’s Iceman Cometh bike race in Traverse City, our November Michigan Event Calendar has you covered!

We even have FOUR tickets to give away to the Grand Rapids Wine, Beer & Food Festival (Nov 17-19) – click to check it out and chase away Mr. Bierce’s November weariness!

Cory took this shot in October on Presque Isle in Marquette, but it’s certainly indicative of what you’ll see on Lake Superior in November! Check it out bigger and in Cory’s The Yoop – U.P. slideshow.

September Storm on Lake Superior

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

September Storm

September Storm, photo by gkretovic.

Incredible wave action on Lake Superior in Marquette from a few days ago.

Check it out bigger and in Greg’s Upper Peninsula of Michigan slideshow.

You can purchase this and other photos at MichiganNaturePhotos.com and stay connected on Facebook. Speaking of Facebook, Greg has a great slideshow there that includes this pic and several more including a cool surfing shot!

The Bow and the Marquette Ore Dock

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

The Bow

The Bow, photo by p.Gordon.

Hunt’s Guide to the UP has this to say about the Lower Harbor Ore Dock in Marquette:

Once rail cars moved onto this massive sandstone dock to unload iron ore into the holds of waiting ore carriers via “pockets” or chutes. After a 1971 strike the Lake Superior & Ishpeming rail line through downtown was no longer used. The newer ore dock by Presque Isle was enough to meet later needs. As part of a plan to redevelop the Lower Harbor and South Rail Yards, the 3,000-foot trestle approaching the docks was torn down, removing a longtime landmark across Front Street and opening up a long waterfront corridor for public use.

via the YouTube you can see a super-sweet video of a stand up paddleboarder making a complete circuit of the ore dock

Check this out big as a freighter and in p Gordon’s Great Lakes Ships slideshow.

More Marquette on Michigan in Pictures.

Michigan moose viewing isn’t hard when there’s a Bull Moose in the road

Posted on by Michigan in Pictures

Bull Moose

Bull Moose, photo by Pure Michigan.

The entry for Alces alces (moose) at the UM Animal Diversity Web says that what we call “moose” are known as Eurasian elk in Europe. Moose live near water ponds, lakes, rivers and swamps that hold their favorite foods and help keep them cool. Their large bodies, inability to sweat and the heat produced by fermentation in their guts mean they can’t endure temperatures above 80 degrees for long. Also see Moose on Wikipedia.

Moose are native to Michigan but although Michigan granted moose full legal protection in 1889, moose had disappeared from the Lower Peninsula in the 1890s and only a handful remained in the Upper Peninsula. (Moose in Michigan whitepaper). The February survey of Michigan moose estimates 500 total moose, with about 433 of these concentrated in Marquette, Baraga and northern Iron counties.

The DNR’s Guide to Moose Viewing in the Upper Peninsula includes maps and suggests that to while moose locations are difficult to predicta:

…there are three areas where visitors would do well to begin their quest. The center of the moose country in the western U.P. is Van Riper State Park. In the eastern Upper Peninsula, Tahquamenon Falls State Park and Seney National Wildlife Refuge offer the best chances of seeing moose.

…Look for moose in the early morning and evening when summer temperatures are coolest.

Moose often are associated with water, so areas around beaver ponds and along the edges of lakes, streams, and swamps are good places to look. Van Riper and Tahquamenon Falls state parks have moose information centers with interpretive materials including a kiosk and a video on Michigan moose recovery efforts. Interpretive staff can provide the latest information on the local herd and recent sightings. In addition to moose, loons, eagles, black bears, deer, foxes, and even wolves may be seen in moose country.

Caution must be taken when watching moose. Moose should not be approached. They can be unpredictable and aggressive. Most dangerous are cow moose with young, or bulls during the mating season (September and October).

Pure Michigan has the name “Susan Ballreich on this photo so I assume she caught the shot of the bull moose on the Peshekee Grade road near Marquette. Check it out bigger and in their massive Fall 2010 slideshow.

NMU Attempts to Break Skateboard Record

Posted on by farlane

Here’s some shots from the day!

Superior Dome Skate, photo by Tim Rossland

The North Wind at Northern Michigan University in Marquette reports on an attempt this Sunday (April 10) to break the Guinness world record for largest skateboard parade:

The parade is sponsored by NMU Skate & Snow and the Marquette Informal Longboarding Federation. NMU President Les Wong will be the Grand Marshall.

The current record is 250 riders. Co-founder Jeremy Johnson believes that number will be shattered.

…The parade will start near the Thomas Fine Arts building, running through the Academic Mall, along parking lot 17 toward Whitman Hall before finishing on Elizabeth J. Harden Drive. Riders can register in the Academic Mall and at Whitman Hall the day of the event starting at 11 a.m. and are encouraged to bring extra longboards and skateboards for other participants.

The organizers have planned a big day with live music, prizes, free stuff and after party. You can get the details on Facebook where over 1400 are attending or maybe attending.

You can see this photo bigger right here and see more photos from their skate at the Superior Dome here.

March 11, 2011 Northern Lights over Lake Superior

Posted on by farlane

Editor’s note: I had planned a post about Michigan St. Patrick’s Day parades, some of which take place today or tomorrow. Check out  information for St. Paddy’s celebrations in Detroit, Bay City, Clare, Flint,Kalamazoo, Grand Ledge, Saugatuck, Traverse City and Muskegon. Sorry about that, but when the Aurora Borealis calls, I’m picking up the phone!

March 11 Northern Lights over Lake Superior, photo by Shawn Malone

Last week Michigan in Pictures featured an article saying that the prospects for Northern Lights viewing in Michigan were looking great for the next couple of years. Thanks to Pure Michigan’s Facebook, that post became the most popular ever.

Yesterday on Facebook (does it look like I’m spending too much time there??) I saw that photographer Shawn Malone of Lake Superior Photo had captured a fantastic series of northern lights shots over the frozen landscape of Lake Superior near Marquette in the early morning of March 11th. She writes:

Nice to see the northern lights back, I caught the tail end of the strongest part of the display. These were taken along the Lake Superior shore near Marquette MI.

Lights were bright, brightest I’ve seen them in years. Snow did a good job reflecting the light hitting it.

See the whole gallery on Facebook. Shawn and Brian haven’t posted the photos to their site yet, but when they do, they’ll likely be in the Northern Lights section which includes some truly jaw-dropping photos!

If you’re interesting in keeping up with geo-magnetic forecasts, I would recommend NOAA’s Space Weather site, which includes the ability to subscribe for updates (link to “Email Products” at the bottom of the page). Definitely tune into the Northern Lights on Michigan in Pictures, and if you see the aurora, post a comment on the Michigan Northern Lights Log!