Maple Sap Harvesting by David Marvin
Our recent weather has been perfect for maple sugaring! You can dig into the process at the maple syrup tag on Michigan in Pictures!
Dig into David’s Flickr for more!
Sap Season in Michigan
Frozen Lake Michigan & the Mighty Mac
Frozen Lake Michigan & the Mighty Mac by Shelbydiamondstar Photography
This will probably be my last pic for a little while from the Straits. Just couldn’t pass up Shelby’s shot! She writes: A frozen Lake Michigan provided the dramatic icy foreground for the Mighty Mac! I ‘m always in awe over the ever-changing and fascinating ways ice forms, cracks, and shifts. And when it is crystal clear like this – it just adds an entirely new dimension!
Head over to her Facebook page for more great shots!
Frankfort Light Dream Shot
Frankfort Light Dream Shot by Noah Sorensen
My friend Noah lives in Frankfort & shares:
I just actually hit one of my dream shots 30 minutes ago. I have been waiting years for this one. Felt so good to line it up, realize my timing, rise to the occasion, and just all smiles and tears. Completely made my day. Thankful for these moments and how happy photography can make me. #puremichigan #michigan
For reference, the top of the tower is 67 feet above Lake Michigan! Follow him on Facebook or Instagram and definitely follow your dreams!
Waterfall Wednesday: Lower Tahquamenon Falls
Lower Tahquamenon by Dan Gaken
GoWaterfalling explains that Lower Tahquamenon Falls is part of:
…Tahquamenon Falls State Park on MI-123. It is on the map and is easy to find, but it is a bit out of the way. There are three sections to the park: the Upper Falls, the Lower Falls, and the rivermouth campsite.
The lower falls are a series of cascades, that go around a small island, with several drops in the 10 foot range. You can rent a boat and go to the island, and walk around and see more views of the falls. There is a campground near the lower falls, and a concession stand where you can buy ice cream, drinks and souvenirs.
There is a trail between the upper and the lower falls. It is 4+ miles, with some ups and downs, mostly through woods well above the river. The river is quite calm between the two falls, and there is not much rock to see.
I know that I just featured a photo from Dan of the Upper Falls, but this one from Saturday was too good to pass up! See more in Dan’s Michigan’s Upper Peninsula gallery on Flickr!
Sunrise at Tahquamenon
Sunrise at Tahquamenon by Dan Gaken
Here’s a stunning moment from Tahquamenon Falls that Dan captured this weekend. More from Dan in his Michigan’s Upper Peninsula gallery on Flickr!
Restoring the Arctic Grayling to Michigan
Arctic Grayling by Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative
The Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative is a group of more than 50 partners working to restore self-sustaining populations of the Arctic grayling within its historical range in Michigan:
Arctic grayling thrived in Northern Michigan’s coldwater streams until the onset of the 20th Century. Fishermen and wildlife enthusiasts visited destinations such as the Au Sable River in Grayling for this iridescent fish. But by the 1930s, three factors contributed to the grayling’s demise: habitat destruction, unregulated harvest and predation/competition from non-native fish species. The local extinction of this wild fish was a tragic loss for Michigan.
The Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative documentary was created by a group of Troy Athens high school students & I encourage you to check it out!
Just Cruising at the Mighty Mac
Just Cruising by Marsha Morningstar
Seems like everyone’s going to the Straits these days to check out the ice at the Mackinac Bridge!
More from Marsha on her Flickr including a close up shot of these two cuties!
Blue Ice at the Mackinac Bridge
Julie shares:
Rode up to Mackinaw yesterday and checked out the blue ice. Huge chunks and most phenomenal. The ice, however, is not actually turning blue. The color is a result of the way sunlight is bouncing off this particular ice.
Sometimes, weather conditions — such as a lack of high winds — allow water to freeze slowly and evenly, resulting in ice composed of large crystals (unlike snow, which is formed quickly and made up of small crystals).
When light hits these big ice crystals, it can travel deep into the structures (compare this to snow, wherein light hits a sharp edge and reflects off of it right away, resulting in blinding white). When the light travels deeper into slowly formed ice, some of the red wavelengths of sunlight — which is the longest wavelength of visible light — get absorbed into the ice structure.
The blue, which is the shortest wavelength of visible light, bounces back out, meet our eyes, and results in a deep aqua color.
See more in her Winter gallery on Flickr!
Michigan Beach Fashion: February Edition
South Haven Area Fire-Rescue-EMS by William Dolak
We’re getting to the portion of the winter where the ice begins to build out on the Great Lakes. As a person who grew up on Lake Michigan, I’ve enjoyed the ice safely for decades & will undoubtedly continue to do so and also to share photos of the incredible beauty of the frozen lakes. I want to make sure however that folks understand venturing on the ice in winter can be deadly, particularly if you don’t take precautions. Though EMT workers know this and train to help people in peril, if you fall into one of the Great Lakes, you will very probably die. You can read more of my thoughts on this post on Michigan in Pictures.
Bill took this last weekend in South Haven & writes:
It’s 16 degrees at the beach – this is what the cool kids are wearing on South Beach, South Haven. These three are with the South Haven Area Fire-Rescue-EMS and were out to practice a little cold-water rescue, ‘cuz, unfortunately, someone is gonna need it sooner or later.
See the photo bigger in our Michigan in Pictures Group on Facebook & for sure follow him on Flickr!
Waves at Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Silver Dunes Sand Waves by Charles Bonham
In case any of you are feeling like me & longing for a little warmth, here’s a shot from a couple years ago at Silver Lake Sand Dunes. Head over to Charles’ Flickr for his latest!
More dunes on Michigan in Pictures!
Michigan in Pictures 