upper peninsula

Don’t lose your bowl at O Kun de Kun Falls!

Posted on August 2, 2011August 4, 2011 by farlane

O Kun de Kun Falls, photo by Splash of Sunset Photography

Go Waterfalling says that O Kun de Kun Falls

O Kun de Kun Falls is one of the largest of the waterfalls in Ontanagon county. It is not as large as Bond Falls or Agate Falls, but it is just as scenic and far wilder. It is a mile plus hike to O Kun de Kun Falls and there are no fences or signs. The waterfall is also unusual in that it is an actual plunge falls. Only a handful of the many waterfalls around Lake Superior are plunge falls. You can go behind the falls if you want, but you need to be careful and sure footed.

The trail head to the falls is located on the east side of US 45 about 8 miles north of Bruce Crossing. There are signs for the parking area. The trail to the falls is part of the North Country Trail. It is a 1.3 mile fairly level hike to the falls. Before you reach the main falls you will reach a smaller 10′ plunge upstream. Keep going! The first time I tried to visit O Kun de Kun I stopped at the upper falls, thinking I had reached my destination. The real falls is just a short distance downstream. The trail crosses a suspension bridge below the falls. If you have not gone far enough to see the bridge, keep going.

If you’re wondering about the name of the falls, it was after a famous chief. If you’re wondering about the title of this post, Pasty.com explains:

The name “Ontonagon” is derived from the Ojibway word “nontounagon,” which means “I lost my bowl.” Local legend surrounding the name stems from the story that a member of Chief O-Kun-De-Kun’s band was washing bowls near the mouth of the river when she was startled by an unkempt stranger in a canoe. The woman inadvertently dropped one of the bowls into the river and exclaimed “nontounagon”. The white man took her declaration to be a reply to his question about the name of the area.

Check this out bigger and in Matthew’s great Waterfalls of the Western UP album.

Learn about Bond Falls, Agate Falls abd more Michigan Waterfalls on Michigan in Pictures!

Grand Marais Harbor Light

Posted on July 21, 2011July 21, 2011 by Michigan in Pictures

Grand Marais Harbor Light, photo by James Marvin Phelps.

I looked for a winter lighthouse photo … I hope it reminds us all to be thankful for summer’s warmth…

The Grand Marais Light page from Terry Pepper says:

“Big Marsh” is the direct translation of the French “Grand Marais.” While the name was given by Voyageurs in the early seventeenth century, many subsequent observers were puzzled, since no marshes have ever been known to exist here. However, it is believed that the Voyageurs had their own unique vocabulary, and it is likely that “Marais” referred to a cove, or harbor of refuge.

…While the fur trade declined, lumber camps began to spring up along Superior’s south shore, and Grand Marais soon found itself in the center of a lumbering boom, with stacks of lumber on its docks awaiting the arrival of vessels to carry the forest’s bounty to the southern lakes.

With the associated increase in maritime traffic through the late 1870’s, the absence of a safe haven for mariners coasting the treacherous waters between Whitefish Bay and Grand Island became a matter of grave concern to maritime interests. Deducing that the natural harbor could be modified to serve as an excellent harbor of refuge, the Army Corps of Engineers embarked on an ambitious harbor improvement project at Grand Marais in 1881. Work continued over the following ten years, with the construction of a 5,770-foot timber pile breakwater stretching across the bay from Lonesome Point to a dredged channel at the western shore. Two protective piers were constructed on each side of the channel, and the protected harbor area dredged to a depth of 40 feet, allowing access to the protection of the harbor by the largest vessels of the day.

There’s much, much more at the link above (including historical photos). Also see The Grand Marais Lifesaving Station on Michigan in Pictures.

Check this out biggerand in James’ Grand Marais slideshow. You can purchase a print right here!

You can build a home for little raptors like the Northern Saw Whet Owl!

Posted on July 15, 2011April 27, 2016 by Michigan in Pictures

saw whet owl, photo by Sherri & Dan.

My friend Michael told me about Ned the Saw Whet Owl, an avian ambassador that Rebecca Lessard of the nonprofit Wings of Wonder is using to tell folks about nest boxes that you can build for small raptors (pdf). Ned is just 7″ tall and belongs to the smallest species of owl native to Michigan. Click Ned’s link above to see just how tiny he is!

This home will also house a screech owl and another bird recently featured – the American Kestrel (Michigan’s smallest raptor).

The Owl Pages have this to say about the Northern Saw-whet Owl – Aegolius acadicus:

European explorers first discovered this Owl in a North American colony called Acadia (now Nova Scotia). The Latinised word “acadius” refers to this territory. The common name “Saw-whet” comes from these Owls unique calls described below. The Saw-whet Owl is also called Acadian Owl, blind Owl, Kirkland’s Owl, the saw-filer, the sawyer, sparrow Owl, white-fronted Owl, Farmland Owl, Little Nightbird, Queen Charlotte Owl, and even the Whet-saw Owl.

The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a very small, short-bodied, Owl with a relatively short tail. The overly large head has no ear tufts and may appear distorted due to an asymmetrical skull. They look small when perched and tend to shuffle their feet, but in flight appear larger because of their broad wings.

…Northern Saw-whet Owls are strictly Nocturnal, with activity beginning at late dusk. During the day, they depend on plumage for camouflage when roosting in foliage, usually close to the ground.

You can hear their call at the link above and learn more at Wikipedia and All About Birds who explain that their defense upon discovery is to sit still and not fly, leading people to perceive them as “tame.”

Check this out way bigger than a saw whet owl and in Sherri & Dan’s slideshow. They took the shot at Whitefish Point Bird Observatory – read more at that link!

Many more Michigan birds on Michigan in Pictures.

Wagner Falls, Munising, MI

Posted on June 23, 2011June 23, 2011 by Michigan in Pictures

Wagner Falls, Munising, MI, photo by Whitney Lake.

Stephen Wagner at Go Waterfalling has this to say about Wagner Falls: Picturesque, easy to visit, and you got to love the name. ;)

It’s one of several waterfalls in the Munising area.

View this photo on black and in Whitney Lake’s Michigan slideshow.

MANY more Michigan waterfalls on Michigan in Pictures!

Safe Harbor, Copper Harbor

Posted on June 14, 2011June 14, 2011 by Michigan in Pictures

Safe Harbor, photo by 13Miles.

Copper Harbor, July 3rd, 2010

Check this out background big and in Dixie’s slideshow.

More boats on Michigan in Pictures…

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

Posted on April 25, 2011April 25, 2011 by Michigan in Pictures

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.

Surfing Superior

Posted on April 19, 2011November 15, 2015 by Michigan in Pictures

Surfing Superior, photo by PhotoYoop.

Cory writes:

A mid spring storm brought cold temperatures and about 4 inches of snow to the U.P. But it also brought waves, and when she builds them, she calls them, and they come. These surfers traveled all the way from from Chicago and Milwaukee to surf the Great Lake.
Lake Superior, 4-17-11

Check this out bigger and in his The Yoop – U.P. slideshow. See many (many) more in his Surfing Superior 2011 set of photos on Facebook.

More surfing on Michigan in Pictures!

NMU Attempts to Break Skateboard Record

Posted on April 8, 2011April 11, 2011 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.

Five Things You Need to Know about Michigan in Pictures

Posted on March 8, 2011March 8, 2011 by farlane

Untitled, photo by ansonredford

Yesterday was the busiest day ever on Michigan in Pictures thanks to Pure Michigan featuring us on the PureMichigan.org Facebook. It’s so great that they noticed us and I wanted to post a little note of thanks and also to let new folks know a thing or two about Michigan in Pictures, so (stealing a page from Absolute Michigan) here we go with Five Things You Need to Know about Michigan in Pictures:

Founded in December of 2005 by the same folks who produce Absolute Michigan, Michigan in Pictures has been around for a while, longer even than Pure Michigan! In that time, we’ve posted a photo a day (except for Sunday), and that means we have hundreds of posts – 1654 to be exact – about just about everything, including the Lake of the Clouds in the Porcupine Wilderness State Park.
In addition to searching for photos, you can also click the categories in the right bar or below every photo to see pictures of everything from Michigan parks to lighthouses to historical photos to wallpaper for your computer background!
A common question is “How do I get my photos on Michigan in Pictures?” You can click here for the long answer, but the short answer is that most of the photos come from the Absolute Michigan pool on the photo site Flickr. If you want a chance to see your photo featured here, add them to that group on Flickr!
One of the things that we feel pretty strongly is that photographers need to be recognized for their work, so we always try and give you something about the photographer and links to other places you can see their work. We always respect copyright and urge you to do the same!
You can also share your photos with us and our readers on the Michigan in Pictures Facebook.

Anyway, thanks for reading Michigan in Pictures and please feel welcome to subscribe to Michigan in Pictures for new posts by email using the form at the top right!

Anson took this photo in September of 2006 – check it out background boomtacular and in his Porcupine Mountains slideshow!