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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Michigan data centers coming at a “surreal” pace

Posted on by farlane
Data Base by Terry Johnston

Data Base by Terry Johnston

I’ve been wanting to share The Gander’s Michigan Data Center Tracker (embedded below) for a while now. It documents how despite organized opposition in several dozen communities, more than 30 AI-related projects have been slated for Michigan since 2024.

Last week mLive editor John Hiner published an engaging editorial in which he observed that datacenters are coming at a surreal pace & Michigan policy makers need to catch up fast. It says in part:

The numbers alone boggle the mind. The project, dubbed “The Barn,” sits on roughly 1,000 acres. It will include about 1.7 million square feet of enclosed space for computers – the equivalent of 11 Costco warehouses under one roof. It’s expected to require 1.4 gigawatts of electricity – enough to power 1 million homes.

Residents in Saline Township, Lyon Township, Van Buren Township and elsewhere have raised concerns about electricity demand, water use, land use and quality of life. National polling suggests roughly seven in 10 Americans do not want to live near a data center. Some opposition is rooted in the specifics of individual projects. Some reflects a broader unease about artificial intelligence itself – what it may mean for jobs, creativity and society.

(mLive MLive investigative reporter Lucas) Smolcic Larson believes those concerns deserve to be taken seriously. But he also sees something larger at work: “A sort of power and information imbalance … where you’ve got a tiny community up against Google, which is one of the largest companies in the world.”

The debate is often framed as being for data centers or against them. That’s too simplistic. They are rapidly becoming essential infrastructure for a digital economy running on cloud computing and AI. The more important question is whether Michigan has built a public conversation – and a regulatory framework – that can keep up with the speed of development, while addressing that imbalance between mega-corporations and ordinary citizens.

It’s clear after watching Gov. Whitmer stand shoulder to shoulder with Sam Altman as they cut the ribbon on the controversial Barn project as she said “We’re used to people saying ‘f— no,’ and then doing it anyway” that Michigan has not come close to creating anything approaching public dialog beyond “We don’t want to lose data centers to Ohio.”

It’s been a while since I’ve featured a photo from Terry aka powerbooktrance. I hope he’s doing well! See more in his Reflective Windows gallery on Flickr.

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Michigan’s highest point will be getting taller

Posted on by farlane
Mt Arvon - Michigan's Highest Point by Gowtham

Mt Arvon – Michigan’s Highest Point by Gowtham

WDET-Detroit shares a Quinn Kleinfelter interview about the announcement tht Michigan’s highest peak Mt. Arvon will become old-growth forest in massive conservation project thanks to a conservation easement. They report that the project covers a much larger area (about 73,000 acres) in in the Upper Peninsula and will permanently protect Mt. Arvon and surrounding forestland in the Michigamme Highlands while allowing continued logging, recreation and public access.

I’ve featured this photo by Gowtham before, specifically on the post about Mt. Arvon being Michigan’s highest point. I have a couple more pics he’s shared in the Absolute Michigan photo group on Flickr & you can see more in his Michigan gallery.

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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!!

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Breakin’ the Law at “Michigan’s Best Beach”

Posted on by farlane
Breaking the Law by Eddie Apoc

Breakin the Law by Eddie Apoc

USA Today readers have crowned South Beach in South Haven as Michigan’s Best Beach, dislodging two-time reigning champion First Street Beach of Manistee. That link has all their top 10 but to be honest, any list of Michigan beaches that only includes beaches you can drive to in 5 hours or less from Chicago is pretty lame. Nothing on Lake Huron or Superior? No North Bar or Twelve Mile Beach? (their list is below)

I’m asking all of you to help fix this outrageous circumstance. Don’t give up your favorite secret hidey hole (looking at you Magic Carpet Beach), but share a beautiful beach near you in the comments or on the Facebook post & I’ll try and share some of these through the summer!

Eddie writes “Conan and I don’t care about the laws of men or Gods. We do what we want!!”

The photo is from a Lomo LC Wide camera (half frame) on Kodak Ultramax 400 film. See more in his Lomo LC Wide gallery & for sure follow him on Flickr for lots more photographic fun!!

USA Today’s List of Michigan’s Top 10 Beaches

  1. South Beach
  2. First Street Beach
  3. Stearns Park Beach
  4. Silver Beach County Park
  5. Pere Marquette Park
  1. Oval Beach
  2. Tiscornia Beach Park
  3. Esch Beach
  4. Grand Haven City Beach
  5. Warren Dunes State Park
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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!

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One Buck Chuck: New “one buck” rule for Michigan’s Lower Peninsula

Posted on by farlane
Best Buck by Beth Crawford

Best Buck by Beth Crawford

WKAR Public Media shares that the Natural Resources Commission is implementing a one-buck limit for deer hunters in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula:

The Natural Resources Commission met for 10 hours Wednesday to discuss the implementation of a one-buck rule for hunters in the 2027 hunting season. The goal is to incentivize the hunting of does, which would reduce Michigan’s deer overpopulation and balance out the doe-to-buck ratio.

More than 50 people spoke during the nearly five-hour-long public comment section 😱, and opinions on the one-buck ruling were varied.

…Commissioner David Nyberg said implementing the one-buck rule on the Lower Peninsula was a compromise among the commissions. “In an imperfect process this, this proposed amendment tries to get as close as possible to achieving what we’re hearing and what the science is showing that we can support Michigan,” he said.

Beth shares that to her amazement, this buck walked right up to her so of course she took the shot. See more in her Deer photo gallery on Flickr.

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World’s oldest Loons return to Seney, drama ensues

Posted on by farlane
Return of the Loons by Dani Fegan

Return of the Loons by Dani Fegan

The Seney National Wildlife Refuge shared a report by Damon McCormick of Common Coast Research & Conservation that provides a passionate look at the World’s Oldest Loons battling over breeding territory:

On Saturday morning, April 25, a female loon on I Pool beheld a relatively frequent spring sight: two males battling, with beating wings and stabbings bills, for control of the breeding territory. The observer was Fe, who was first color-marked as an E Pool mother in 1990, and who will thus turn at least 40 this summer. The hostilities were brutal but brief, and after only a minute one of the combatants discerned that this was not his day, after which he shortly took flight for less perilous waters. With the challenger vanquished, Fe and the unbanded victor, who was likely but not certainly her mate from 2025, initiated a circling round of bill dipping and jerk diving, aspects of courtship involved in forming, or re-forming, a pair bond for the season.

Concurrently on nearby H Pool, Fe’s former partner of 25 years, ABJ, was engaged in scouting for potential nest sites with his current companion, Aye-Aye, with whom he bred unsuccessfully on H last year. Although ABJ, who will turn 39 this June, hatched a record 32 chicks with Fe, since their split in April 2022 he has failed to produce further offspring, and she remains the only mate with whom he has ever sired young. Along with the broader Seney loon population, which includes color-marked adults who are embarking upon their 24th, 27th and 33rd Refuge seasons, ABJ and Fe and their respective partners will spend the next few weeks engaged in territorial defense, habitat assessment, copulation and nest building ahead of 27-29 days of egg incubation that, with luck, will culminate in the emergence of one or two downy fluffballs in early-mid June.

You can follow along with the saga of the oldest known loons with highlights like “The World’s Oldest Loon Divorcees” on the Seney Wildlife Refuge Facebook.

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Michigan DNR seeking information on Garden Peninsula Bald Eagle killings

Posted on by farlane
Eagle in flight... by Kevin Povenz

Eagle in flight… by Kevin Povenz

EDITOR’S NOTE/CONTENT WARNING: I’m really sorry that I have to share this awful news. The “DNR Facebook post” link below has a picture of the 5 dead eagles.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources officials are hoping someone can shed light on a recent series of deceased eagles in the Upper Peninsula’s Garden Peninsula where a staggering five bald eagles were found dead in a single area between April 3 and April 17. (WARNING: 5 dead Bald eagles on the DNR Facebook post)

“The DNR is requesting tips from the public to help solve this ongoing investigation,” said 1st Lt. Mark Zitnik, DNR Law Enforcement supervisor in Newberry. “We can confirm that the eagles did not die from natural causes, predators or vehicle collisions.”

Tipsters who provide information leading to the arrest and prosecution of any individuals may be eligible for a cash reward. Anyone with information is asked to contact the DNR’s Report All Poaching Hotline by calling or texting 800-292-7800. Tipsters may remain anonymous. Eagles are protected at the state & federal level with significant fines & restitution as well as potential prison time.

Kevin is the unquestioned Eagle King of Michigan in Pictures. He has shared hundreds of Bald eagle photos over the years, and took the photo above a decade ago when this eagle launched from a tree & came right at him. I’ve included a few below & you can see tons more in his massive Birds of Prey gallery and for sure follow him on Flickr or at Kevin Povnez Photos on Facebook for the latest!

Lots more photos & information from Kevin & others at the Bald eagle tag on Michigan in Pictures.

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Belle Isle privatization panned as “dystopian”

Posted on by farlane
Former Belle Isle Police Station & Jail by Will Jensen

Former Belle Isle Police Station & Jail by Will Jensen

Here is a followup to yesterday’s story on Belle Isle Freedom City. Janelle James of Bridge Michigan reports that the revamped & decades old proposal to buy Belle Isle and turn it into a privately funded housing, entertainment and retail district is being shut down Michigan officials and the Belle Isle Conservancy:

“This proposal is not something the Michigan DNR has been involved in and it’s not something the state is considering,” Tom Bissett, assistant chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, said in a statement. “Since assuming management of Belle Isle in 2014 through a lease with the city, the state has focused on investing in the historic park, recognizing the central role Belle Isle plays in the life of Detroit and its residents,” he said.

The Belle Isle Conservancy, a nonprofit that partners with the state and city to protect the island, was even more forceful in dismissing Lockwood’s redevelopment plans. “Belle Isle is a public park. Period,” said Meagan Elliott, president and CEO of the Belle Isle Conservancy. “The Belle Isle Conservancy has not been consulted at all on this dystopian plan. Our face-to-face community engagement this summer touched 12,000 people, showing that residents endorsed the idea of the Belle Isle Commons and more recreation offerings.” 

That seems like good news unless you are fans of turning one of Michigan’s most amazing parks into a mini-Dubai, but it’s positively great news once you dig into all the improvements to the park planned under the Belle Isle Commons., which includes plans to convert the historic Belle Isle police headquarters into a community and volunteer space.

Will took this photo back in 2017 when there were rumors of the station becoming a visitor center. See lots more stunning shots in his Belle Isle gallery on Flickr.

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