Dutchman’s breeches by William Dolak
Bill shared this photo last week in the Michigan in Pictures group on Facebook & writes:
Dicentra cucullaria, or Dutchman’s breeches, is a perennial herbaceous plant, native to rich woods of eastern North America, with a disjunct population in the Columbia Basin.
The common name Dutchman’s breeches derives from their white flowers that look like white breeches.
Click for a couple more shots from Bill.
The Purple Ones by Andrew McFarlane
Here’s a rare Michpics pic from yours truly. It’s a shot of these incredible purple flowers that spread from the neighbor’s to my mother’s yard & bloom every spring.
See more flowers on Michigan in Pictures & have a wonderful weekend everyone!
This week I’ve started to see people posting their finds in the various morel hunting groups I’m in, so it’s time to declare the 2021 season officially underway! Michigan in Pictures has a ton of information about Michigan morels, including hunting tips & how to avoid the mildly toxic false morel.
Rick took this photo back in May of 2014 near Boyne City (home to a bangin’ morel festival) and you can see more in his Morel Mushrooms taken within 5 miles of Boyne City gallery on Flickr.
Five Minutes with STEVE by Shelbydiamondstar Photography
This spring has been big for fans of the aurora borealis. Shelby took created this photo of five, 1-min tracked shots blended with an untracked foreground shot the night of March 13/14th in Copper Harbor. It shows a phenomenon I’d never heard of, a Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement aka STEVE about which Space.com says (in part):
A typical aurora — sometimes called the northern lights or the southern lights, depending on the hemisphere in which it’s located — occurs when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s oxygen and nitrogen molecules. This interaction excites the molecules and causes them to glow.
But STEVE, formally known as Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement, is different. In the Northern Hemisphere, the phenomenon is visible from areas farther south than a typical aurora, and it looks like a ribbon of pink or mauve light. Sometimes, STEVE even has a “picket fence” appearance, with green columns of light passing through the ribbon. Auroras, by contrast, usually are shimmering green ribbons.
…The new study examined satellite data gathered above STEVE events in April 2008 and May 2016. The measurements included information about Earth’s magnetic and electrical fields in the magnetosphere, the region of Earth’s atmosphere where the planet’s magnetic field is stronger than any influence coming from the sun. Then, scientists compared the satellites’ findings with amateur photos of STEVE taken from the ground at the same time.
When STEVE was on display, the study authors realized, energetic electrons were pouring into Earth’s ionosphere, the layer of the planet’s atmosphere where atoms lose electrons due to solar and cosmic radiation. The friction that flood creates heats particles, which creates the pinkish glow, almost like an incandescent light bulb.
Satellite information further revealed how the “picket fence” aspect of STEVE develops. The data revealed waves moving from Earth’s magnetosphere to the ionosphere. In this region, the waves can both energize electrons and move them out of the magnetosphere, creating the picket-fence appearance, which happens simultaneously in the Northern and Southern hemispheres.
Lots more at Space.com.
You can comment on Shelby’s photo right here. For sure follow her on Facebook and view & purchase her work at shelbydiamondstar.com.
Lots more northern lights on Michigan in Pictures!
Here’s stunning shot from way back in 2008 that I’ve featured before. Check out Brooke’s Spring gallery on Flickr for more!
“Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully.”
~ Kristen Butler
Thomas captured an absolutely glorious sunset the other day. Keep up with his latest in his April 21 gallery on Flickr.
Mark took this the other day of a cherry orchard on the high hills of Leelanau County. Won’t be long before cherry blossoms return to Michigan!
Head over to Downstreamer on Flickr for Mark’s latest!
A Tree in the Fog by Joel Dinda
Joel took this photo 7 years ago in Eaton County’s Roxand Township. I’ve shared it before, but it’s too good not to share again! See more in his Fog & Mist gallery on Flickr.
Banded Iron Formation by Linda Grashoff
Back in August of 2007, Linda & her husband took one of their many trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula & visiting Grand Marais, Ishpeming and Copper Harbor. She visited the Jasper Knob just outside of Ishpeming & writes:
It is a banded iron formation. The layers consist of jasper (the red rock) and hematite (the silvery rock). I’m delighted to tell you that some biogeologists believe that banded iron formations were formed by my old pals, the iron bacteria.
Head over to her photo blog for a lot more pictures and for sure check out her book They Breathe Iron for more about iron bacteria.
Perfect Shadow by Jiafan(John) Xu
Jiafan definitely got the perfect shadow in this shot of a pair of herons building their nest. Head over to his Flickr for more shots of this industrious pair!
Michigan in Pictures 