Is the disrespect for Michigan in US State Rankings deserved?

Posted on by farlane

Mackinac Bridge….. by Kevin Povenz

I was going to write some commentary about US News & World Report’s latest ranking US States that has Michigan as #46 of the 50 states. Then I read the writeup on Michigan & looked at the facts. It wasn’t easy for a lifelong cheerleader for Michigan like me, but it’s pretty clear that while we have an utterly incredible foundation that includes the manufacturing might that powered the rise of modern America, one of the strongest presence of major universities in the nation, more varied produce & farm products than any state but California, and a globally unique concentration of freshwater that gives us more shoreline than any state but Alaska, we’ve done a terrible job preserving what we have & investing in our future over the last several decades. I remain unshakeable in my feeling that there’s no place I’d rather live than right here, but I love this place enough to see that they have cause to rank our state near the bottom. What do you think?

Kevin’s photo captured my feeling about this ranking perfectly. He shares that he & his wife spent last weekend with good friends in Charlevoix for the Venetian Festival then headed to Mackinac Island for a couple nights, staying on their boat, consuming ice cream, and enjoying what the area provides. Follow Kevin on on Flickr or at Kevin Povenz Photos for his latest!

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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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It’s Sunflower Season in Michigan

Posted on by farlane
Send Farm Sunflowers by John Russell

Send Brother’s Sunflowers by John Russell

In her Complete List Of Sunflower Fields To Visit In Michigan, Searra Liggett shares that sunflowers begin to bloom as early as July, with typical peak time in August. They can last through September, sometimes October and you should for sure check out her list of sunflower fields that includes U-Picks!

John shared a shot of the sunflowers that are currently painting Send Brother’s farm in Acme Township a brilliant yellow. He reminds you to be respectful of the fields (and trespassing laws) if you do stop here or anywhere for a photo! See the latest from John at TCPhoto on Facebook.

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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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Buttercup World

Posted on by farlane
Buttercup World by Mark Smith

Buttercup World by Mark Smith

It wouldn’t take much to convince me to move to Buttercup World...

Michigan has almost 20 species of buttercup, but I’m pretty sure this is Swamp Buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus). Michigan Flora from the University of Michigan Herbarium says that one place it’s found is in Houdek Dunes on the Leelanau Peninsula and that it grows in moist to usually dry upland places (oak forests, sandy knolls, etc.). The other two, more widespread varieties have practically the same habitats and may indeed grow together; they are characteristic of wet areas in forests and thickets along streams, ponds, and lakes, as well as ravines and in deciduous or cedar swamps.

I also just learned that UM Herbarium released a new Michigan plant identification app earlier this month!

Wikipedia adds the fun fact that “Ranunculus” means “little frog” in Latin & refers to its preference for wet environments. They also add the un-fun fact that all parts of the plant are mildly toxic if eaten and could cause minor skin irritation if touched. The foliage is poisonous for mammals such as cows, which avoid eating it, but small rodents and birds like turkey & grouse love the seeds!

Mark took this a while back in late June. You can see his latest on Facebook and view & purchase his work at Leelanau Landscapes.

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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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Waterfall Wednesday: Gabbro Falls & Friends edition

Posted on by farlane
Gabbro Falls from Above

Gabbro Falls by Eric Hackney Photography

I shared this photo way back in 2015 with the comment that in addition to stalking the Petit Portal, it appeared I was stalking Eric Hackney as well. It’s been a minute since I have featured one of his photos, so I thought I would dust this post off & add some of my favorites from Eric that I’ve shared over the years along with still timely information about Gabbro Falls from GoWaterfalling:

Gabbro Falls is on the Black River and is as impressive, if not more impressive, than its more celebrated neighbors downstream along the Black River Scenic Byway. This is a largely wild waterfall with no fences or barriers of any kind. It consists of three separate drops. When the water is high there is a fourth drop that is the height of the other three combined. The main drop falls into a narrow crevice between two large rock formations. Gabbro Falls is relatively easy to find but there is some confusing information out there. The waterfall is also known as Baker’s Falls, and it is often mistakenly called Garbo Falls (gabbro is a type of rock). There is also a Neepikon Falls upstream, but it is just an unremarkable rapid.

Read on for tips on visiting and pages about nearby waterfalls on the Black River.

See more from the western edge of the Upper Peninsula in Eric’s 6-27-15: Gogebic County Adventures I album that includes Gabbro Falls, Rainbow Falls, Potawatomi Falls, and Gorge Falls. Definitely follow Eric at Eric on Facebook and view & purchase photos on his website. Click for posts about Upper Hungarian Falls & Slate River Falls by featuring Eric’s pics!

Upper Hungarian Falls by Eric Hackney
Slate River Falls Splendor by Eric Hackney
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Charlotte leaving Oliver for Theodore

Posted on by farlane
Red Fox Pups (Vulpes vulpes) by John Dykstra

Red Fox Pups (Vulpes vulpes) by John Dykstra

I shared this photo back in 2021 with the news that Michigan’s top baby names were Oliver & Charlotte. Although Charlotte remains atop the Social Security Administration Baby Name List five years later (followed by Amelia, Sophia, Eleanor & Evelyn), Oliver has been passed on the 2025 most popular baby name list by Theodore & Noah with Henry & James rounding out the top 5. Andrew is down at 62 – 20+ spots below when I was born. How is your name faring these days?

See more dynamite shots in John’s Michigan gallery on Flickr!

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That Michigan Vibe is not AI

Posted on by farlane
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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The ashes of Canada

Posted on by farlane
The Ashes of Canada by Bill's Pictures

The Ashes of Canada by Bill’s Pictures

“It started life as a sapling, growing over the decades. It avoided fires until now and the last remnants of its being floated all the way here to land on you. That’s saddening. A beautiful tree to ash.” – A.S.

I live in southeast Michigan hundreds of miles from the fires that are choking our skies, but last night a solitary ash floated down & landed on my glasses. When I texted my best friend yesterday to tell them, they replied with the heartbreaking words above 😔

Bill took this photo yesterday in Plainwell & shared it in the Michigan in Pictures group on Facebook. I hope that you will share your pictures of what you’re seeing today and every day in there & that you follow Bill’s Pictures on Facebook!

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