Happy National Lighthouse Day, Michigan!

Posted on by farlane
Eagle Harbor Lighthouse by Peter Tinetti

Eagle Harbor Lighthouse by Peter Tinetti

The American Lighthouse Foundation reminds us that it was on this day in 1789 that Congress approved an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouse, beacons, buoys and public piers. 200 years later, they established August 7, 1989 as National Lighthouse Day. Pure Michigan shares that Michigan has more lighthouses than any state, so hopefully we’ll be celebrating harder with donations & visits to some of Michigan’s 129 lighthouses!

This beauty is the Eagle Harbor Light on the Keweenaw Peninsula, first constructed in 1850. The Keweenaw Historical Society shares that some great history & the hours of the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse & Museum (open June – October). So many more Michigan lighthouses on Michigan in Pictures!

Peter took the photo above in September of 2017 & wrote that the mood of the lake can change from day to day and even hour to hour. I included one from an October storm where you can really see the sweet paint job on the Light’s iconic red brick tower plus a photo of the “Schoolhouse Light” on Grand Island off Munising. Head over to Flickr for his highlighted photos & hug a lighthouse today!!

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Lighthouse Seeks Volunteers. Purpose: Connection.

Posted on by farlane
Grand Haven Pier Sunset by Kevin Povenz

Grand Haven Pier Sunset by Kevin Povenz

“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” – Winston Churchill

A couple of weeks ago I shared the news that the Grand Haven Lighthouse is once again open for tours. That is reportedly going so well that they need the help of volunteers!

The Grand Haven Lighthouse is operated by one manager and a host of volunteers! Our manager, Kyle Roffey is doing an amazing job as is the volunteers that have helped us out so far. But…we don’t have enough volunteers! If you’ve been having fun volunteering, you can sign up for some more. If you have been out to see our Lighthouse and love it so much you’d like to spend more time in it, sign up to volunteer! If you’re someone that volunteers for stuff all the time and is looking for something new to do, sign up to be here with us … Only 4 hour shifts, so it doesn’t take up your whole day. It’s fun and easy! You will get and talk with several hundred people, all smiling cause they are so happy to be there! Please help us if you can! We want to be open all summer, but we can’t do it alone!

If you can, click click to volunteer!

Kevin took this photo way back in the summer of 2011 and speaking of talking to people, along witht he photo he shared, “My wife and two of my daughters camped at the Grand Haven State Park for a few days this week. Had a nice time, lots of sun and sand. I Just love meeting other photographers when you are somewhere taking pictures. Lots of fun! I would of never of gotten this shot if I did not start talking to this other photographer.“

A great reminder that connecting regardless of the pursuit, connecting with your fellow humans can make things better! Connect with Kevin on Flickr or at Kevin Povenz Photos for his latest!

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Grand Haven Lighthouse now open for tours!

Posted on by farlane
Across the Lake by Gary Syrba

Across the Lake by Gary Syrba

WOOD-TV shares that the Grand Haven Lighthouse is now open to the public for tours:

After many years of restoration work, the iconic 151-year-old lighthouse that sits at the end of the pier in Grand Haven opened to visitors Tuesday. Crowds passed through to get a look inside what’s known as the foghouse, which was abandoned and boarded up for years.

“I think it’s fabulous. I have volunteered in them before so I’m a big fan of lighthouses and I think it’s fun for people to have the opportunity to see what it was like then,” said visitor Jo Harding, who made the trip from Lansing to take a peek inside. “Too much of America, we tear things down. We don’t preserve them and I think it’s really nice and we actually preserve part of our history,” Harding said.

Amen to that Jo & good on the Grand Haven Lighthouse Conservancy & their donors for returning this historic beacon to the public! The lighthouse will be open (weather permitting) from 10am – 5pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays.

Gary took this photo a decade ago so you’ll probably want to visit Grand Haven to compare ;) For sure head over to Gary Syrba Photography to view & purchase his work including some tasty shots of Grand Haven!

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St. Joseph Summer Sunset

Posted on by farlane
June Sunset by Scott Glenn

June Sunset by Scott Glenn

Who else is ready for summer sunsets?

Scott shared this incredible sunset shot of the St. Joseph Lighthouse ten years ago. See more in his Lighthouses gallery & check out his latest photos on Flickr.

Many more Michigan sunsets on Michigan in Pictures. Sunrises too!

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See the March 3rd Blood Moon Eclipse in Michigan

Posted on by farlane
Blood Moon over Grand Haven by Randy Riksen Photography

Blood Moon over Grand Haven by Randy Riksen Photography

The Detroit Free Press shares that Michigan’s chances of viewing the “Blood Moon” eclipse early tomorrow morning will depend on the weather:

The “blood moon” eclipse takes place during March’s full moon, which will occur in the early morning of Tuesday, March 3. The full moon’s peak and eclipse’s totality to coincide at 6:38 a.m., according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. Clear skies permitting, the Worm Moon could be visible for part of the eclipse in Michigan, with the moon to set for local viewers during totality.

Our friends over at EarthSky explain that total eclipses can turn the moon a deep shade of red, and have lots more detail about viewing. They explain why this eclipse called a Blood Moon eclipse and that the shade of red on the moon will depend mostly on what’s happening in Earth’s atmosphere at the moment of the eclipse.

Randy took this photo of the October 2014 total lunar eclipse over the Grand Haven South Pierhead Lighthouse and says that keeping the camera still enough in the howling wind was a chore in itself!! View & purchase his work including some killer fishing photos on his website.

Lots more solar & lunar eclipse photos on Michigan in Pictures!

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Four Days in the Great Lakes Ice Factory

Posted on by farlane

Ice on St Joseph Lighthouse by Michigan Native Photography

These photos of the St. Joseph North Pier Outer Lighthouse on Lake Michigan taken just four days apart provide a dramatic example of how fast cold weather & high winds can build ice! For sure follow Michigan Native Photography on Facebook for their latest & more great Michigan photos.

In the Clutches of the Polar Vortex

Posted on by farlane
In the Clutches of the Polar Vortex by Brian Ertl

In the Clutches of the Polar Vortex by Brian Ertl

mLive shares that the National Weather Service has expanded the Extreme Cold Warning area across most of the state:

The only places not under an Extreme Cold Warning are the Southeast corner of the state – from Saginaw and The Thumb down to Flint, Ann Arbor and Detroit, as well as the Lansing and Jackson area along the southern rim of Michigan. Those southern and eastern spots are under a Cold Weather Advisory, as the cold is not expected to be quite as severe there.

The Extreme Cold Warning now covers the Upper Peninsula – where wind chills could plummet to -45 degrees over the next couple of days – and all of Northern Michigan and West Michigan. This extreme warning covers Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, Traverse City, Gaylord and the Tip of the Mitt, too.

That’s a big yikes from me! Brian took this when we were deep in the polar vortex of January of 2019 from the South Pier in Grand Haven. See his latest on Flickr and STAY WARM!

PS: If you want to tune into the current scene in Grand Haven, check out the Grand Haven South Pier Cam!

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Why last night’s northern lights were underwhelming

Posted on by farlane
Throwback to Nov 12 2025 by Watermark Photography

Throwback to Nov 12 2025 by Watermark Photography

It’s very rare that we have aurora alerts at the G4 storm level and rarer still that they disappoint so northern lights aficionados were pretty excited about the kP8/G4 Aurora Alert was issued for last night. While hopes were high & some good shots were taken, the actual output was surprisingly muted & short-lived. Our friends at EarthSky explain that this was due to the arrangement of the CME’s magnetic field limiting how much energy actually reached Earth’s atmosphere & shaping which regions saw auroras and which did not.

During the CME’s initial impact phase, the Bz briefly dipped strongly southward. So that allowed solar wind energy to flow efficiently into Earth’s magnetic field. This short-lived interaction quickly caused G4 (severe) geomagnetic storm levels, with Kp (another measure of Earth’s magnetic disturbance) exceeding 8.

Soon after the initial impact, the character of the severe geomagnetic storm changed dramatically. As Earth moved deeper into the core of the CME, the Bz – again, the orientation of the sun’s magnetic field – turned strongly northward. This sustained northward orientation sharply limited the transfer of transfer into Earth’s magnetosphere. And that was what restricted the auroras, despite the overall strength of the storm.

Jeff took this photo from Elberta Pier back in November of 2025 on a night the lights definitely did not disappoint! Follow Watermark Photography on Facebook and see more great shots in the A Little Night Music gallery on his website.

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Ice cleats are mandatory at Point Betsie Light

Posted on by farlane
Point Betsie Sunset by Watermark Photography

Point Betsie Sunset by Watermark Photography

Point Betsie Lighthouse on Lake Michigan just north of Frankfort is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Michigan, but it’s definitely an “ice cleats mandatory” location this time of year! If this view looks good to you, consider supporting the renovation of this iconic lighthouse on with a stay in the Keepers Quarters.

Jeff shares that Wednesday evening was his first time in a while seeing clear skies and sunset, and the ice sculptures made by the wind and breaking waves did not disappoint! There’s a couple more pics below. See (and purchase) this photo & others in the Winter Wonderland gallery on his website, and for sure follow Watermark Photography on Facebook for his latest.

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Light up your days with a Michigan Nut photo calendar!

Posted on by farlane
Winter Evening at Grand Haven Lighthouse by Michigan Nut Photography

Winter Evening at Grand Haven Lighthouse by Michigan Nut Photography

I would be completely remiss in my features of 2026 Michigan photo calendars if I left out one of Michigan in Pictures’ most enduring supporters, John McCormick of Michigan Nut Photography! His 2026 Michigan Wall Calendar is made right here in Michigan and features some dynamite photos from all over the Great Lakes State. He’s got all kinds of other photo-based gifts so head over to michigannutphotography.com today & make the Michigan lover on your list happy!

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