Sun Pillar vs Sun Pillar

Posted on by farlane

Sun Pillars by Stephen Michael Mannina

Atmospheric Optics explains that the mesmerizing solar phenomena known as sun pillars are:

…Typically visible near sunset or sunrise, pillars can reach heights of 5 to 10 degrees, and occasionally even higher. While they may appear as vertical rays, they are actually the collective glints of millions of ice crystals. When it comes to colors, pillars are truly a sight to behold. They take on hues that reflect the sun and surrounding clouds, ranging from brilliant white to various shades of yellow, red, or purple. Depending on the locations of the cloud crystals, pillars can even manifest as several vertically strung patches of light. As the light interacts with the ice crystals in the atmosphere, it creates a stunning display that captivates observers.

Yesterday morning, I came across this photo by Stephen right before I saw him making a positive comment on a photo that Sean – the photographer I featured yesterday – had taken. This was soon after I had seen photos Neil Weaver had taken at an ice cave photography workshop along with fellow Michpics photographer Aubrieta Hope. It made me realize that a huge and underrated part of Michigan in Pictures is the community of real live human beings that are as passionate about their fellow photographers as they are about introducing people to their favorite parts of Michigan. That’s a long way of saying that I am going to be working on ways to showcase the people out there clicking the shutter. One way will be to revive the Michigan Photographer Profiles with a focus on the photographers on my Michigan Photographers page. Stay tuned!!

Thanks to Stephen for allowing me to share both of these awesome sun pillar shots. He’s facing a problem that many photographers face: figuring out which of these two photos is the best to submit for a photography contest? Have a vote? Share it in the comments below or on his Facebook post and for sure view & purchase his work on his website!

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Fire & Ice, Real & Fake

Posted on by farlane
Fire and Ice by Snapped by Sean Photography

Fire and Ice by Snappd by Sean Photography

Snappd by Sean Photography is one of my favorite follows on Facebook because in addition to great shots like this, he also maintains a lively back and forth with his fans. If you have become as exhausted as I am by the stream of AI fakes & stolen photographs that has taken over social media, let me suggest that you follow him and some of the other real live photographers on my Michigan Photographers page. In addition to taking views (and money) away from pixel grifters, you will be supporting the fine men & women who are out there taking the actual photographs that are being ripped off!

Sean is a Detroit-based photographer, birdwatcher & UAV drone pilot. He took this last month from Belle Isle in the Detroit River. You can see what he’s up to today on Facebook and follow him on Instagram as well!

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Superior Crystal

Posted on by farlane
Superior Crystal by Aubrietta Hope

Superior Crystal by Aubrieta Hope

Aubrieta shared this incredible shot of a sunset over Lake Superior in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Follow Michigan scenery on Facebook for her latest and view & purchase her work on her website.

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Ice cleats are mandatory at Point Betsie Light

Posted on by farlane
Point Betsie Sunset by Watermark Photography

Point Betsie Sunset by Watermark Photography

Point Betsie Lighthouse on Lake Michigan just north of Frankfort is one of the most photographed lighthouses in Michigan, but it’s definitely an “ice cleats mandatory” location this time of year! If this view looks good to you, consider supporting the renovation of this iconic lighthouse on with a stay in the Keepers Quarters.

Jeff shares that Wednesday evening was his first time in a while seeing clear skies and sunset, and the ice sculptures made by the wind and breaking waves did not disappoint! There’s a couple more pics below. See (and purchase) this photo & others in the Winter Wonderland gallery on his website, and for sure follow Watermark Photography on Facebook for his latest.

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Light up your days with a Michigan Nut photo calendar!

Posted on by farlane
Winter Evening at Grand Haven Lighthouse by Michigan Nut Photography

Winter Evening at Grand Haven Lighthouse by Michigan Nut Photography

I would be completely remiss in my features of 2026 Michigan photo calendars if I left out one of Michigan in Pictures’ most enduring supporters, John McCormick of Michigan Nut Photography! His 2026 Michigan Wall Calendar is made right here in Michigan and features some dynamite photos from all over the Great Lakes State. He’s got all kinds of other photo-based gifts so head over to michigannutphotography.com today & make the Michigan lover on your list happy!

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Happy 55th, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!

Posted on by farlane

via Leelanau.com…

At the End of the Trail by James Banks

At the End of the Trail by James Banks

Today is the 55th birthday of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Normally, I would lead with a photo of the Dunes, but the creation of the National Lakeshore on October 21, 1970 preserved a whole lot more!!

Here is the tale of the tape on Michigan’s magnificent national lakeshore as of August 1, 2024!

  • Annual Visits – 1,589,248
  • Employees – 46 permanent, 83 seasonal
  • Volunteer Hours – 58,389 from 1,659 volunteers
  • Natural and Cultural Resources
  • Area – 71,318 acres
  • Lake Michigan Shoreline – 65 miles (35 miles on the mainland)
  • Inland Lakes – 26
  • Miles of rivers and streams – 12
  • Terrestrial plant species – 908
  • Bird species – 246
  • Federally threatened or endangered species – 6
  • Historic structures on List of Classified Structures – 369
  • Sites on National Register of Historic Places – 8
  • Cultural Landscapes – 9 (4,500 acres)
  • Prehistoric archeological sites – 150
  • Historic boats – 21
  • Lighthouse – 1
  • Historic artifacts – 70,158
  • Archived documents – 21,325
  • Infrastructure
  • Buildings – 370
  • Employee housing units – 38
  • Campgrounds – 9 (357 sites)
  • Picnic Areas – 5
  • Visitor Centers – 3
  • Outdoor ampitheaters – 2
  • Miles of roads – 23
  • Covered bridge – 1 (Pierce Stocking Drive)
  • Miles of trails – 105
  • Lake access ramps – 9
  • Signs and wayside exhibits – 3572
  • Major photovoltaic power systems – 3
  • Motor vehicles in fleet – 54
  • Large boats – 8

James took these in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore back in fall of 2023. See lots more great shots in his Top 100 gallery on Flickr!

I also added a hand colored photo of “the Bear” from 1940 by Leelanau photography legend Fred Dickinson whose work you can see at the Dickinson Photo Gallery on Glen Lake & who you can read more about on Leelanau.com.

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Seagulls probably live longer than you think

Posted on by farlane
Herring and Ring-billed Gulls by John Dykstra

Herring and Ring-billed Gulls by John Dykstra

Recently, I was more than a little shaken to that seagulls can live for DECADES! All About Birds shares that the oldest recorded American Herring Gull was at least 29 years, 3 months old when it was seen in the wild in Michigan in 2015 and identified by its band, and they have reportedly lived as many as FIFTY YEARS in captivity. Also, while they prefer drinking freshwater, they can drink seawater thanks to special glands located over the eyes allow them to excrete the salt when they must.

The Ring-billed gull is somewhat smaller & distinguished from the Herring gull by yellow legs (instead of pinkish) and of course the black ring around the bill. Many and possibly most Ring-billed Gulls return to breed at the colony where they hatched year after year, often nesting within a few meters of last year’s nest site. The oldest recorded Ring-billed Gull was at least 27 1/2 years old, so probably be nicer to them on the beach because they will be back there for years! ;)

John took these photos mostly near Manistee. See more in his Michigan gallery on Flickr!

PS: Even though the first photo was taken way back in 2010, there’s a fair chance that one or both of these birds is still flying today!! 😳

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Michigan’s smoky summer is not in your imagination

Posted on by farlane
Lakeside by Mark Ellefson

Lakeside by Mark Ellefson

If you’ve been thinking that this summer is smokier than most, you are not wrong according to WKAR Public Media and Michigan State University’s Knight Center for Environmental Journalism:

So far, smoke-induced air quality advisories have been issued for more than 20 days. Last year, there were none due to wildfires.

…Atmospheric conditions and wind direction bring smoke from Canada into Michigan. High-and low-pressure systems are common ways smoke is transported, said Rebecca Hansen, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Grand Rapids office. Most recently, all those cloudless skies—due to a high-pressure system—helped blow the smoke right into the state, she said. ‘”Due to the light winds moving around, that’s helping the smoke stay over the area too … Canada has been experiencing warmer and drier conditions, and that definitely increases the wildfire risk,” Hansen said.

Mark took this in the UP a few days ago. See more on his Flickr.

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August 7th is National Lighthouse Day!

Posted on by farlane
Sunset Fire by Brian Ertl

Sunset Fire by Brian Ertl

National Lighthouse Day is an un-official celebration of lighthouses and the commitment and service of those who tended America’s lights for generations. It’s an especially big deal in Michigan because we are home to more lighthouses than any other state in the country, with over 120 lighthouses keeping watch along the 3,200 miles of Great Lakes shoreline!!

The American Lighthouse Foundation explains that the 1789 Act for Establishment and support of Lighthouse, Beacons, Buoys, and Public Piers enabled a huge amount of commerce by guaranteeing that lighthouses and other marine safety infrastructure would be funded nationally. National Lighthouse Day was officially celebrated on August 7, 1989 to mark the 200th anniversary signing, but Congress has yet to officially name it a national holiday.

Brian took the above shot of the Grand Haven Lighthouse earlier this year & the one below back in June of 2020 – love the way the sun lights the light! See his latest on Flickr.

…and learn about many more Michigan lighthouses on Michigan in Pictures!

Grand Haven Pier Sunset by Brian Ertl

Grand Haven Pier Sunset by Brian Ertl

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Macomb’s Miller mad about Canada’s smoke

Posted on by farlane
Smokey Belle Isle Sunset by Ryan Jake Jakubowski

Smokey Belle Isle Sunset by Ryan Jake Jakubowski

The Detroit News reports that as Michigan has extended its 10th air quality advisory of the season, Macomb County’s Candice Miller is calling on Canada to do more about wildfires that are degrading Michigan’s air quality:

“Breathing in the Canadian wildfires smoke cannot be the new normal,” said Candice Miller, Macomb County public works commissioner.

Since June, wildfires in Canada have caused decreased air quality in bordering states in the U.S., prompting the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to so far issue ten advisories warning against unhealthy breathing conditions. Miller called for U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra to press Canadian officials to increase efforts combating wildfires and improve forestry management.

“Ambassador Hoekstra needs to make some noise,” Miller said. “Smoke from Canada wildfires should not be a regular part or our summers but unfortunately that’s become the norm in our state and others. It’s unacceptable for our friends in Canada to simply say, ‘The fires will burn out’ or ‘Wait until December.’”

…During mid-afternoon on Thursday, the air quality index in central Macomb County was between 140 to 150, a range described as “unhealthy for sensitive groups.” “That description misses the mark, in my opinion. Smoke is unhealthy for all groups,” Miller said. At the same time in the Marquette area, the air quality index was 139, a day after measuring 161. In Seney, in the central portion of the Upper Peninsula, the reading was 160 during the morning of July 30, the highest in the state.

Ryan took these photos last night on Belle Isle at sunset. Click the pic above to follow Ryan & see more on Facebook and for sure check out J&C Photography to view & purchase his work and to hire him for photographic services including drone photography & some very cool 360 degree panoramas.

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