beach

More from Michigan: Lighthouse Park Sunrise edition

Posted on July 11, 2024July 11, 2024 by farlane

One of the reasons I started Michigan in Pictures almost 30 years ago (wow!) was that I remembered how much I missed the beautiful variety of my home state when I wasn’t living here. Another equally important reason was that I hoped to help those of us who live here – including myself – get more out enjoyment from the amazing bounty Michigan has to offer.

Along those lines, my friend Caitlin shared some really great wisdom the other day that she’s letting me share with all of you:

I have a thing for getting up in the middle of the night and driving to big water to watch the sun rise. I stretch and breathe into the sunrise and then I rise and move and dance while the beach has few occupants. I peruse the rocks for treasure, also while dancing.

I swam, I snacked, I napped in both my hammock and on my air couch before heading home. There was a “one out one in” line at the beach entrance when I left at 2:30. I giggled to myself as it was already cloudy and PACKED with people by then… I had a wonderful day of recovery and solitude. I am proud to be free to get up and go where I want, when I want, and how I want. Early mornings on a day off might not be ideal to everyone but to me, this is it ✨

Sounds ideal to me too! You may not be able to see her post, but you can check out Caitlin’s latest photos at ChasingPrudence on Instagram. Here’s more about Lighthouse Park.

2024 West Michigan Photo Contest

Posted on July 2, 2024 by farlane

Hoffmaster State Park Rainbow by Lillian Dotzlaf

The West Michigan Tourist Association invites you to participate in their 2024 West Michigan Photo Contest. Prizes include packages from some great businesses & they are looking for traveler photo submissions from the entire west half of Michigan – all the way from the Indiana border to Mackinac Island and into the Upper Peninsula.

“We love getting to see all of the amazing photos from all throughout West Michigan – it’s a highlight of the summer!” said Kaylie Pomper, Marketing Manager. “We love seeing so many different perspectives from the photos shared with us. It’s a great way to see involvement from the communities that make up our beautiful state.”

Pomper also noted that photos do not need to be taken this month in order to submit them to the photo contest. “If you have West Michigan photos from your past visits to the area, we encourage you to enter those as well! West Michigan is photogenic all seasons of the year, so don’t feel that you’re only limited to submitting summer photos.”

All photo entries must be received by July 29th, 2024. Judges will be awarding prizes in the categories of “Beach/Lake Photo; Travelers Exploring Iconic West Michigan Destinations; Downtown Photo; Fairs & Festivals Photo” with an additional prize awarded via public voting by WMTA’s Facebook audience.

Lillian won the public vote last year & shared “I am elated I won the public vote category with the rainbow photo I took just after my Dad passed away. I am so blessed to call this place home. Thank you WMTA for giving me the opportunity and to Mackinac Island for the phenomenal prize package. I know I’ve got an extra angel looking out for me.”

Indeed!! Check out Lillian’s work on Instagram and at Little Lill’s Photography on Facebook!

Meet me on the Deck in Muskegon!

Posted on June 12, 2024June 13, 2024 by farlane

The Deck in Muskegon by The Deck

NOTE: I thought that Adrian Soto of Social GR had taken these photos, but they were taken by the restaurant. Still very cool!

Adrian Soto of Social GR was at The Deck in Muskegon the other day and shared their photos, writing “🌴 Another great restaurant that makes you forget you’re in Michigan and feel like you’re somewhere in the Caribbean is The Deck in Muskegon! 🌺🍹 With its vibrant atmosphere, dishes, and refreshing drinks, it’s the perfect spot to transport yourself to paradise. 🌞✨“

A big thanks to Felicia Rivera for finding these photos & for sure check out Adrian’s adventures in food & fun on his Facebook or at Social GR.

What’s YOUR favorite waterfront hangout in Michigan?? I’ve always been a huge fan of the view from The Cove & Rick’s Cafe in Leland’s Fishtown, but I’d love to hear about your favorite place!!

Piping Plover Protection

Posted on May 22, 2024May 22, 2024 by farlane

Piping Plover Chick by Bill VanderMolen

If you’re on the Lake Michigan shore this weekend, there’s a chance you may see one of these small shorebirds scurrying along the water’s edge with some unique legwear. The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore page on piping plovers begins:

The Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) is an endangered shorebird. They are sand-colored on the back and white below. During the breeding season adults have a black forehead band between the eyes and a single black band around the neck. (Its larger relative the Killdeer is commonly seen at parks, playgrounds, and golf courses, and has two dark bands around the neck.) Piping Plovers nest only on beaches and prefer beaches with cobble. There are three small populations: one in the Great Plains, one on the Atlantic Coast, and the one here in the Great Lakes. They winter together on the Gulf Coast but travel to the separate areas during the breeding season.

…The greatest concentration of piping plovers in the Great Lakes occurs at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The areas around the nests are roped off during the breeding season to protect the birds from disturbances that would cause them to abandon their nests. Also, plover eggs and small chicks are very well camouflaged. Well-meaning plover watchers could easily step on them if allowed in the nesting area.

…As part of the piping plover monitoring and recovery efforts, each bird is banded with colored bands that identify it. Color bands allow researchers and park staff to keep track of longevity, faithfulness to nest sites and mates, and genetics, among other things.

Lots more including pictures on the Park website.

Bill took this back in July of 2018. See his latest on Instagram!

Michigan Beach Gem Season

Posted on April 11, 2022 by farlane

Miners Beach Gems by Steven M Last

The warming temps are definitely bringing out the rockhounds on Michigan’s Great Lakes beaches! Stephen got this beauty shot featuring a rose quartz in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising. See more on his Flickr & happy hunting!

More Michigan rocks & stones on Michigan in Pictures.

Michigan March Meltdown

Posted on March 18, 2022 by farlane

Ice Melting by Mark Swanson

While it’s cooler today, yesterday was something to enjoy across the southern half of the state unbelievably balmy temps recorded in places like Kalamazoo (72), Detroit (73), Flint (70) and 72 in St. Joseph where Mark got this sweet shot at Grand Mere Beach a couple weeks ago. Guessing it’s all gone by now!

See more in Mark’s 2022 gallery on Flickr & enjoy your weekend everyone!

Pebble with a view

Posted on February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 by farlane

Pebble on the beach by Mark Swanson

I don’t know the technical term for the process that creates these pebbles on pedestals on sandy beaches in the winter, but I do know I love it!

Mark took this photo last week on Silver Beach in St. Joseph. See more in his 2022 gallery on Flickr.

Leland Blue

Posted on January 12, 2022 by farlane

via Leelanau.com…

Leland Blue Stone by Cortney Brenner

In last week’s post about an unidentified blue mineral discovered at the Adventure Mine on the Keweenaw Peninsula, I offered my personal theory that the color is due to the same reaction that created “Leland bluestones”. A couple people asked what the heck a Leland blue is, so here you go:

In the Glen Arbor Sun, Sandra Serra Bradshaw shares that Leland Bluestones were born over 100 years ago in the fires of the Leland Lake Superior Iron Company:

Between the years of 1870 to 1884, the Leland Lake Superior Iron Company operated an iron smelter north of the mouth of the river. They supplied the voracious furnace with ore from the Upper Peninsula. The charcoal they needed was made from local maple and beech timber that was produced in 14 beehive kilns that were kept near the smelting furnace. It produced up to an amazing 40 tons of iron per day. In 1884, the plant was sold to the Leland Lumber Co., which operated a sawmill on the site. Other sawmills and shingle mills operated in Leland during the years between 1885 through 1900.

Back then Leland was a smog-filled industrial town, the main industry of which was anchored by the iron company. The smelting industry failed because of large overhead costs and the lack of a good harbor in Leland. Interestingly, the remains of the industry, including heaps of slag, were dumped into the harbor and today, that has resulted in something as a precious collectible for many. As raw ore was heated, the desired iron ore was separated from various natural impurities. When those impurities cooled, it resulted in a stone-like slag. Hence the Leland Blue Stones were born!

The Leland Blue is a bit of a misleading title to this little man-made gem as it is the mix of blue glass with other chemicals — but this varying chemical medley can also cause the slag to appear in colors of purple, gray, or in shades of green. Today, people relish finding this slag material on the shores of Leland’s beaches. It is not only collectible as a stone, but also sought for as jewelry.

City of Gold

Posted on January 11, 2022 by farlane

City of Gold IX by Andrew McFarlane

OK here’s one of my pics of the frozen Lake Michigan shore of Leelanau County from back in January of 2009. I chose one with sun because I would like to see the sun! See more in my Frozen Shore gallery on Flickr and STAY WARM!!