National Park Summer Internships in Sleeping Bear

Posted on by farlane
Let's get Backpacking by Lee Eckstrom

Let’s get Backpacking by Lee Eckstrom

The post about summer jobs available through the Michigan DNR was really popular so here’s a related opportunity via Leelanau.com …

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is currently seeking summer interns interested in gaining hands-on experience in areas including wildlife and plant communities, history and cultural resources & outdoor recreation and stewardship while exploring one of the most beautiful places in the country.

Benefits include:

  • Cross-training opportunities in multiple fields
  • Contribute to meaningful projects that make a real impact
  • Opportunity to work alongside NPS professionals
  • Housing (in Empire) for some mainland staff

Head over to the Lakeshore’s website for available internship opportunities and all the details.

Lee took this while backpacking with his Boy Scout Troop on North Manitou Island way back in 2008. You can see more from the island & Leelanau County in his Manitou Island Backpacking gallery on Flickr.

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Believe in Summer

Posted on by farlane
Tiki Resort-Oscoda MI by Charles Bonham

Tiki Resort-Oscoda MI by Charles Bonham

Since tomorrow’s post is already reserved for everyone’s favorite long range winter weather forecaster, I figured it was about time to remind everyone that summer will come. Eventually.

Here are two pics from Charles of the joyfully painted Mai Tiki Resort on Lake Huron in Oscoda demonstrating that you can find a little spot of summer in Michigan even on the coldest day. See his latest on Flickr & stay warm!

Mai Tiki Resort by Charles Bonham

Mai Tiki Resort by Charles Bonham

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Sunset on a steamy summer

Posted on by farlane
Steaming into Sunset by Diann*

Steaming into Sunset by Diann

Summer is pretty much in the books, and Fox 2 Detroit shares that Summer 2025 was a hot one for a unique reason that bodes poorly for our future:

Because the summer of 2025 is not over, it’s not included in the rankings. But as of Aug. 14, the average daily temperature is 74.3 degrees – making it one of the hottest.

Here’s the difference: this year’s overnight lows have been some of the highest ever. The region has dealt with multi-day periods of sustained heat unlike any other year.

“When people talk about how hot it was back in 88, they’re right to do so,” FOX 2’s meteorologist Derek Kevra said. “But what they got was some relief days. We have had very few relief days this year.”

In the summer of 1988, there were seven days when overnight lows fell into the 40s and 26 days with overnight lows in the 50s. The summer this year has had barely any nights when temperatures fell that low. That included a 150-hour stretch where temperatures didn’t even fall below 70 degrees. Over the entire month of July, only three days have fallen into the 50s.

This isn’t the first time I’ve shared Diann’s photo of the coal powered SS Badger steaming out of its home port of Ludington back on Labor Day 2008 & it won’t be the last! Here are a few others that I’ve featured over the years – see more in her Third Coast gallery on Flickr.

More Michigan-focused climate change posts on Michigan in Pictures.

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Sizzlin’ Summer Solstice!

Posted on by farlane
Summer Sizzler by Sue Zajac

Summer Sizzler by Sue Zajac

Summer officially begins with the summer solstice at 10:42pm tonight, and to make sure we get the memo, Mother Nature is including a weeklong heatwave that starts today!

Sue took this way back in 2007. See more in her Superb Skies gallery on Flickr!

More summer fun on Michigan in Pictures!

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Loosen up, summer’s almost over

Posted on by farlane
Formal Day at the Beach by Jonathan Brandt

Formal Day at the Beach by Jonathan Brandt

I just realized that summer is almost over, and I hope that we can all act accordingly!!

I have featured Jonathan’s photo of Grand Haven’s “Formal Day at the Beach” before & I will undoubtedly share it again!! Near as I can tell, the event no longer happens but it looks super fun. See the latest from Jonathan on his Flickr.

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Blue Skies & Butterflies

Posted on by farlane

Blue Skies and Butterflies by Jacqueline Verdun

The Ann Arbor Observer has a classic feature titled The Biggest Butterfly: Seeking Giant Swallowtails that says in part:

The aptly named giant swallowtail is the biggest butterfly in Michigan. Form your two index fingers into pointers and touch them to each other: if you take a large glove size, the butterfly’s maximum wingspan is approximately the length of both fingers put together. The field guides say around six inches.

The giant swallowtail’s coloration is as spectacular as its size. From the top, its wings look dark brown to black, with yellow dot ribboning and a yellow eye-shaped spot on the end of each wing. When the wings are raised, the bottom is revealed to be a subtle cream interrupted by wavy blue and rust bands.

This species spends its Michigan winter in the pupa stage and emerges in two broods each summer, the first in May through June, the second in July through early September.

Jacqueline took this gorgeous photo a decade ago on August 20, 2014. You can check out another shot she took of this butterfly right here & see more in her Macro Insects etc gallery.

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Firefly Boom

Posted on by farlane

Fireflies in a Jar by Jamelah E

Bridge Michigan shares that Michigan is seeing more fireflies than usual this year, thanks to an early spring followed by drought-like conditions:

Michigan families should enjoy them while they can, says Ben Pfeiffer, founder of the nonprofit organization Firefly Conservation & Research, who projects a continued decline in the bugs. The numbers seen in Michigan skies this summer, Pfeiffer warns, are “likely the best that it’s ever going to be.”

This summer’s lightning bug explosion is a result of drought-like weather preceded by warmer Spring conditions. This matured larvae into adult fireflies earlier. It’s during the adult stage, which lasts about two months, that fireflies show off their distinctive bioluminescence.

The long-term decrease in the firefly population is caused by an increase in light pollution and pesticide use. Fireflies mate through glow patterns and require a dark environment. Bright white LED light interrupts the fireflies’ ability to see each other. Pesticides used outside, especially in soil, to kill insects like spiders or beetles can harm fireflies as well.

Read more in Bridge.

Jamelah shared this photo waaaaay back in 2005 & I thought it a great one to bring back. She wrote “I think deep down I’m still 5, because last night I had an incredible amount of fun catching fireflies,” and honestly SAME every time I do it!! See more in her Summer gallery on Flickr & read/see her work at Jamelah.net.

PS: Michigan in Pictures has some cool features on bioluminescent animals & plants including flying squirrels!!

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Enjoy 2024’s longest day!

Posted on by farlane
Solstice Sunset by Kent Babb

Solstice Sunset by Kent Babb

The Summer Solstice happens today (June 20th) at 4:51pm. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is the moment when the sun reaches its highest and northernmost point in the sky. In addition to being the moment that summer officially begins, it also happens on the longest day of the year.

Kent took this in Charlevoix on the solstice in 2019. See his latest shots on his Flickr!

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Michigan Strawberry Season is underway!

Posted on by farlane

via Leelanau.com

Strawberry Season at Bardenhagen Berries Farm

Strawberry Season at Bardenhagen Berries Farm

Bardenhagen Berries Farm of Lake Leelanau, Michigan reports:

We checked to see if the berries were ready to pick and it turns out they ARE!! We’ll have strawberries at our farmstand at 7990 E Horn Road, Lake Leelanau today until they sell out. The photos show the first flat of the day picked, as well as the first customers to receive this year’s berries!

If you’re in the area, you can pre-order berries or weekly CSA through their website.

Have you had any fresh Michigan strawberries yet?? Where’s your favorite place to pick them up?? Share in the comments or on the post on the Michpics Facebook!

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That Summertime Vibe…

Posted on by farlane

Summertime by Charles Bonham

Summertime by Charles Bonham

This pic of a kid deep in his vibes in Leland’s Fishtown from a decade ago is one of my all-time favorite photos. It’s also kind of perfect for news from mLive meteorologist Mark Torregrossa that Michigan (well southern Michigan at least) might hit 70 degrees multiple times next week! Mark offers the caveat that the problem with temperature forecasts in Michigan in April & May is that even light north winds can work with Lake Michigan or Huron to push cold air down the lake. Pretty cool article – check it out at mLive.

See more in Charles’s Funky Photos and/or Leland/MI Fishtown galleries on Flickr!

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