Michigan Supreme Court ruling blocks Line 5 pipeline

Posted on by farlane
Pyramid Silhouette by Andrew L McFarlane

Pyramid Silhouette by Andrew L McFarlane

“Yesterday, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that state regulators failed to fully consider the environmental impacts of Enbridge’s Line 5 tunnel. This was a landmark victory for Tribal nations across the area thanks to the hard work of Earthjustice and the Native American Rights Fund along with the Bay Mills Indian Community, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi.

“The Sault Tribe firmly believes that culturally and environmentally, there should be no oil pipeline underneath the Straits of Mackinac. We applaud our sister tribes for challenging the state’s permitting system.” -Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians Chairman Austin Lowes

I would like to applaud all five Tribal nations for standing up on behalf of the waters & people of Michigan. You can read about the details of the 58-page ruling by the Michigan Supreme Court to vacate a key permit for the Line 5 pipeline across the Straits of Mackinac on environmental grounds in Bridge Magazine. I’ve also included some informative images & a simulation of a spill from the good people at Oil & Water Don’t Mix who have been fighting this extremely risky pipeline.

Today’s photo is one that I took of my daughter on Pyramid Point in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore back in 2005. You can see Lake Michigan & North Manitou Island in the background. I decided to use my own photo because this issue is intensely personal for me given how much of my life has revolved around the Lake Michigan half of the world’s greatest lake. Relaxation, wonder, income, peace – I love this mighty lake and feel so blessed to have the Native people of this land standing strong to fight for it. Feel free to share a photo in the comments below of why you love Lake Michigan/Huron!

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Spectacular Skies over Ludington

Posted on by farlane
Falling Skies in Ludington by Todd and Brad Reed Photography

Falling Skies over Ludington by Brad Reed

Ludington photographer Brad Reed shared a selection of absolutely incredible shots of the skies over Ludington & Lake Michigan on Wednesday. Click either pic to view them all!

Follow Todd & Brad Reed Photography on Facebook and view & purchase their work on their website or in their gallery in downtown Ludington!

Spectacular Skies by Brad Reed

Spectacular Skies by Brad Reed

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Have an awesome summer, Michigan!

Posted on by farlane
Awesome day at Sleeping Bear Dunes by Craig Sterken Photography

Awesome day at Sleeping Bear Dunes by Craig Sterken Photography

Sharing Craig’s awesome photo of the awesome Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to ask you all of you what is the ONE PLACE you feel is essential for a truly awesome summer in the Great Lakes State? I’ll feature some of them to help everyone get the most out of Michigan!

Follow Craig on Facebook for his latest and view & purchase his work on his website.

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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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Fly High at the Grand Haven Kite Festival!

Posted on by farlane
When Pigs Fly by The Kite Festival at Grand Haven

When Pigs Fly by The Kite Festival at Grand Haven

The annual Kite Festival at Grand Haven takes place THIS Saturday (May 16th, 2026) from 10am – 5pm and Sunday 11am – 5pm at the Grand Haven State Park beach! (Wind and weather permitting)

PS: Thanks to Michigan Native Photography for reminding me – for sure check out his awesome pics on Facebook!

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Grand Haven After Burn

Posted on by farlane
Grand Haven After Burn by SG Captures

Grand Haven After Burn by SG Captures

Sarah shares that Sometimes, the actual sunset itself isn’t terribly ‘earth shattering’….but the after burn sure is! Such as the case last evening, when the sky erupted into the most brilliant of vibrant color! I also hit the jackpot with the outer pier being beautifully covered in what remained of melted snow and ice!

Regrettably she learned too late something that any digital photographer fears – all of her images from last night had been inadvertently saved as JPEGs 🫤 Still, it’s a dynamite shot! Head over to her Facebook or Instagram for her latest, and view & purchase her work on her website.

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Ice Cave Season on the Sleeping Bear Lakeshore

Posted on by farlane

via Leelanau.com…

Empire Ice Caves by Robin Lane

Empire Ice Caves by Robin Lane

Robin shared these otherworldly shots of the ice caves on Empire Beach in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore earlier this week. Click the pics to see them bigger & follow her on Instagram for more!

As with any time we share photos of ice caves, we need to caution you that you can 100% lose your life exploring ice caves. Be smart.

It can be dangerous because you might think you’re walking on solid ground, when actually you’re out over the water. Due to the layered nature of shelf ice, even if you’re out over four feet of water, if you were to fall through a thin spot in the ice, you could find yourself trapped in an ice cavern and even though you may not be fully submerged in the water, you’re unable to get out because the walls of the cavern are ice and impossible to climb.

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Training for Trouble: Ice Rescue Edition

Posted on by farlane
Training for Trouble by South Haven Area Emergency Services

Training for Trouble by South Haven Area Emergency Services

Preparedness for all kinds of emergency situations is vitally important for first responders. While the fantastic forms wrought by wind & water draw folks onto Great Lakes ice, they also risk creating nightmare scenarios for rescue. South Haven Area Emergency Services shared these photos from the other day when several staff donned cold water suits and ventured into frigid Lake Michigan and onto the ice formations along the shoreline to practice rescue techniques.

Here’s a few more photos from the training and another from an actual rescue of a person fell who while on the Lake Michigan ice shelf approximately 100 yards offshore! Follow them on Facebook for the latest.

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ICE out of everywhere on January 30th

Posted on by farlane
Fortress of Iciclitute by Andrew McFarlane

Fortress of Iciclitute by Andrew McFarlane

Like many businesses & individuals across the nation, Michigan in Pictures will be participating in the nationwide Ice Out of Everywhere general strike on Friday, January 30th. The protest calls on Americans who believe that the Administration’s immigration enforcement campaign is violating our Constitution and national fabric to voice their displeasure with a nationwide day of no school, no work and no shopping.

You of course are free to do whatever you want, but if this post offends you, trust that I will almost certainly offend you again.

No post Friday – stay safe & see you next week everyone!

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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.