The Eastern Red-backed Salamander is ready for a closeup

Posted on by farlane
Eastern Red-backed Salamander in Michigan by Lee Rentz

Eastern Red-backed Salamander in Michigan by Lee Rentz

Nick Scobel’s Herping Michigan blog is my go-to resource for information about newts & salamanders found in the Great Lakes State. His excellent article about Michigan’s amphibians says that the Red-backed Salamander (Plethodon cinereus) includes some great photos of male & female salamanders explains:

This colorful species is by far the most common species of salamander which inhabits Michigan. It is easily characterized by the red stripe which runs down its dorsum. However, this species comes in both a “redback” and “leadback” color phase.

The reason that this species is so common statewide is because of its general habitat preference. Redbacks are almost always associated with deciduous forests which may include northern hardwoods, oak-hickory, or beech-maple forests and can be found in either uplands or lowlands. They are often found under rocks, logs, leaf litter, and other sorts of debris on the forest floor.

Lee Rentz is a photographer & writer who recently caught a glimpse of this little critter at the Emily Min Hunt Nature Preserve in Presque Isle County. More great pics & writing in the Lee Rentz Photography Journal. and you can view & purchase his work on his website. You can also see other fascinating photos from Lee on Michigan in Pictures including one of glowing flying squirrels that definitely are a real thing in Michigan!!

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Under the waves at Point Betsie Lighthouse

Posted on by farlane
Peek underwater at Point Betsie Lighthouse by Craig Sterken Photography

Peek underwater at Point Betsie Lighthouse by Craig Sterken Photography

In the summer of 2026, Point Betsie Lighthouse in Benzie County will be replacing their iconic erosion protection system. They write:

Come see history in the making! This summer, the Shoreline Protection System (SPS) that guarded Point Betsie Lighthouse for the past 80 years, is being replaced with an all new system. Witness firsthand the building of the new SPS – a once in a lifetime opportunity – and share the experience with family and friends! Point Betsie Lighthouse grounds, museums, apartment, and gift shop are all expected to be open during normal operating hours all season.

Due to possible disturbance during SPS construction, bookings as short as 2 nights in the apartment will be allowed in 2026 during the peak season. Click here to reserve!

Follow Craig Sterken Photography on Facebook and view & purchase more great pics from the Michigan Lighthouses gallery or in the many other galleries on his website!

Lots more Point Betsie Lighthouse on Michigan in Pictures & check out the aerial video from mLive below for a better look at the SPS!

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Drones coming to the Great Lakes

Posted on by farlane
Saildrone Explorer by Navy Chief Petty Officer Roland Franklin

The US Coast Guard says that the USGS Great Lakes District will deploy autonomous drones to support Coast Guard missions on the Great Lakes from May to October this year:

The drones are wind- and solar-powered vessels the Coast Guard will use to monitor the Great Lakes, gather critical weather data for emergency response planning, track illicit activity and keep maritime borders safe.

The autonomous vessels are highly visible, equipped with radar, cameras and collision-avoidance artificial intelligence and monitored continuously by human operators who can take manual control if needed. Sail drones are equipped with sensors focused solely on maritime domain awareness, providing critical information on vessel activities, including vessels in distress or engaged in illegal operations.

Anyone else feeling nervous about the explosion of drones & datacenters we’ve seen over the last year or is that just me?

photo caption: A Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel operates in the Arabian Gulf during Exercise Phantom Scope, Oct. 7, 2022. During the bilateral exercise between the United States and United Kingdom, USVs operated in conjunction with crewed ships and naval command centers in Bahrain. Credit: Navy Chief Petty Officer Roland Franklin

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

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.

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Reflections

Posted on by farlane
Reflections by cncphotos

Reflections by cncphotos

“By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.” – Confucius

Hoping you are reflecting beautiful things.

I featured this amazing photo from cncphotos 9 years ago but figured most of you haven’t seen it, so here you go. See more in their Birds gallery on Flickr & follow them for their latest!

More about Great blue heron on Michigan in Pictures.

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

300k for May Day!

Posted on by farlane
Spring Blossom by diane charvat

Spring Blossom by diane charvat

I created the Absolute Michigan photo group on Flickr way back in April of 2012. Since then, the group has grown to nearly 4,000 photographers and earlier this week, one of them added the three hundred thousandth photo was added to the group which I think is pretty darned cool!!

Diane Charvat took the photo the other day at Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, and I was very happy when I learned that the 300,000th picture posted was by a longtime contributor to Michigan in Pictures whose work has been featured so often. You can see more great shots in her Frederick Meijer Gardens gallery and for sure view her latest on Flickr.

Speaking of the Absolute Michigan group, it’s a great place to check out photos of literally anything in Michigan with just a search. Here’s the most interesting pics shared of May in Michigan!

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Michigan’s nightmarish Spring weather is here to stay

Posted on by farlane
Cheboygan Flooding by MSP Emergency Management

Cheboygan Flooding by MSP Emergency Management

mLive shares that if you enjoyed Michigan’s tumultuous spring weather bursting dams and wiping our bridges, you’re in luck because scientists say that this disastrous flooding will only get worse as aging infrastructure meets extreme storms:

From record flooding to devastating ice storms, Michigan has been hit by a string of extreme weather disasters in recent years, and scientists say it’s exactly what a warming planet foretells. The latest example is widespread flooding this spring that pushed rivers and lakes over their banks, damaging homes, roads and bridges while raising concerns about dam safety across the state.

…Scientists say this pattern is consistent with a warming climate and serves as a warning that Michigan’s infrastructure must be upgraded to keep pace.

Research shows that for every 1-degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature, the atmosphere can hold about 4% more water vapor. That has contributed to a 45% increase in heavy downpours in the Midwest over more than six decades, according to Climate Central.

“The warming atmosphere can carry and transport more moisture,” said Andrew Gronewold, a hydrology researcher and associate professor at the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability. This water that’s getting dumped on us is being carried by a bigger bucket in the sky. It’s gathering moisture from the oceans. It gathers moisture from across land surface, across the continent, and a lot of it gets dumped right in our region here,” he said.

Read on for a whole lot more at mLive (note: you may need to access the story through their Facebook page).

When I found today’s photo, I also learned of a faith-based group called Mercy Chefs who worked to help feed people displaced by the flooding in Cheboygan. I also included a few Michigan Department of Natural Resources photos from the Cheboygan area in late April after their historic round of flooding & dam breaches. Lots more from recent years at the Flood tag on Michigan in Pictures.

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

Michigan Dark Sky Watch: Rockport State Recreation Area

Posted on by farlane
Rockport Recreation Area by SG Captures

Rockport Recreation Area by SG Captures

Sometimes I start projects and stick with them like cataloging the waterfalls of the Great Lakes State, profiling all of Michigans turtles, or finding Michigan’s tallest things. Many other times, I start them, see a squirrel, and promptly forget about them. Such is the case with an idea one of Sarah’s photos sparked 4 years ago today to profile all six of Michigan Dark Sky Preserves & our two Dark Sky Parks. Now there’s even an entire Dark Sky Island so let’s get busy!

Visit Alpena shares that Rockport State Recreation Area in northeast Michigan’s Presque Isle County was Michigan’s 100th State park and holds a variety of terrain and unique geologic, historic, and natural elements. They also share:

Rural isolation has its benefits. Being miles away from any major metropolitan area gives northeast Michigan an unique advantage for those who enjoy the mysteries revealed in the night sky. Our lack of concentrated light pollution makes the cosmos appear crisp and clear. Dark lands can be found at Rockport State Park Recreation Area where light emissions are among the lowest in the Great Lakes. Stars, meteors, planets and moons await your discovery.

More about Rockport Recreation Area and Michigan Dark Sky Parks, Preserves & Sanctuaries from the State of Michigan.

Sarah is a Michigan State Parks Photo Ambassador which seems like a very cool thing to be. You should definitely check out her website where you can view & purchase her work as well as her Facebook & sg.captures on Instagram!

Dark Skies at Rockport Recreation Area by SG Captures

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

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.

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon

It’s not your imagination: Meteors & fireballs are bigger this year

Posted on by farlane
Meteor Strike? by Matt Kazmierski

Meteor Strike? by Matt Kazmierski

The first quarter of 2026 has produced a significant surge in large fireball events, and the American Meteor Society says that the data shows a pattern that warrants serious investigation. This article is for sure wonky but the topline takeaway is that more sightings seen by more people, especially those accompanied by sonic booms mean bigger objects:

The AMS fireball reporting system has been in continuous operation since 2005 and reached maturity around 2016–2018, with annual Q1 event totals stabilizing in the range of 1,100–1,400 events. What follows is an analysis of Q1 data from 2011–2026, with particular attention to the 2021–2026 window where the reporting platform has been fully stable.

The most important finding from our analysis is that the total number of fireball events is not dramatically unusual. Q1 2026’s 2,046 total events is the highest on record but only marginally above 2022 (2,037) and 2021 (1,947). If this were simply a matter of more people filing reports, we would expect a proportional increase across all witness-count thresholds. That is not what we see.

…At the 25+ report threshold, 2026 has produced 61 events versus a 2021–2025 average of roughly 43—up about 42%. At 50+ reports, 2026 has 38 events versus an average of 18—more than double. And at 100+, the count of 14 is twice the average of 7. The signal gets stronger as the threshold rises, which is the hallmark of a genuine physical change in the incoming material, not a reporting artifact.

…If the fireballs were simply being seen by more people due to favorable conditions, we would not expect changes in the physical characteristics reported by witnesses. But the data shows an elevated rate of delayed sound reports—sonic booms reaching the ground—which requires objects that penetrate deep enough into the atmosphere to produce pressure waves.

You can (and should) read on for lots more if you are interested!

Matt shared this photo back in 2018 & says he was just kidding about the “meteor strike” part 😉 Check out his showcase on Flickr for more.

Here’s a video of a November 4, 2026 fireball captured from multiple weather cams on the Michigan Storm Chasers network.

Support Michigan in Pictures with Patreon