To celebrate Michigan’s birthday, we would like to share a “snapshot” of our past year’s adventures throughout our beautiful and diverse state. Since Michigan’s birthday last year, Jess, myself, and our adventure puppies were blessed to be able to enjoy much of Michigan’s beauty. Visiting everywhere from Detroit (where we live), all the way to the far reaches of Upper Michigan and the Porcupine Mountains.
A brief Michigan background.
If you didn’t know, Michigan was first admitted into the Union on January 26, 1867. The name Michigan, finds it’s origins within the Ojibwe Indian word “mishigamaa” which loosely means “large lake”. Appropriate, we’d say.
If you’ve spend any time here, you already know that beauty is literally everywhere in Michigan. The shorelines of the Great Lakes provide some of the most stunning landscapes, and the deep secluded forests provide a mystique that can only be found in the woods. The cities too, are definitely not to be forgotten, highlighted by Detroit which is the largest city within Michigan’s boundaries.
Now, enjoy some of our favorite Michigan Photos!
As we go about our travels, you’ll rarely find us without a camera handy. We love to chronicle the beauty we find, and sometimes, ourselves as we seek out new and old haunts. Since you’re probably here for the pictures, we are excited to show you a few of our favorite scenes from Michigan’s 182’nd year.
Winter at Port Huron’s Blue Water Bridge
The winds were crazy on this cold January day in Port Huron! I don’t think I’ve ever seen water flow downstream so quickly, as it was here.
Spring thaw on the Detroit River
Springtime comes to Bald Mountain State Park
Bald Mountain State Recreation area is filled with diverse landscape and beautiful scenery. Here’s a couple shots from our early spring adventures there in 2019!
Summertime at the Porcupine Mountains
Lake of the Clouds simply never gets old. This time around, Jess and I did a bit more exploring here than we typically do when we visit Michigan’s best (in our opinion) state park.Heading back to the hotel, we simply had to stop and capture this unbelievably beautiful Lake Superior sunset!
Scott Falls in Munising
Having driven past this spot countless times… This year was the year we finally pulled over and enjoyed the view. So glad we did! Scott Falls is truly a beautiful spot to take in and enjoy (especially when traffic is low).
A Seney Wildlife Refuge sunset
We had settled on simply giving Seney a quick drive-through. Nature put on a show that we simply could not ignore! Truly, the beauty of Seney has us chomping at the bit to get back there.
The sun setting behind Detroit.
If you couldn’t tell, this is my favorite spot for a sunset in my own stomping grounds. This one, unlike the other, was taken in the heat of summer… The ice flows long gone by now.
An Autumn tradition, The Renaissance Festival
One of our favorite fall traditions is heading to the Renaissance Festival in Holly Michigan! We even managed to survive the day with our pups in tow (they were on their best behavior too). 🙂
Fall colors near Empire Michigan
On our way to the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, our friendly GPS took us down this amazing dirt road. It was an amazingly idyllic scene, and a type of shot I have been chasing for a while. So glad that Jess and I stopped here!
Autumn at the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive
You can’t go through Pierce Stocking scenic drive, and not take a picture of the covered bridge. Originally built in the 1960’s by Pierce Stocking, it was rebuilt in 1986 and has remained since then.A common scene on the winding roads through the Pierce Stocking Scenic DriveGlen Lake as seen from the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Fall comes to Southeast Michigan’s Holly State Recreation Area
We loved all of the scenes of fall at the Holly State Recreation Area this past October. Simply beautiful everywhere!
Crosswind’s Marsh in late fall
Jessica, Anoush, and Duncan pose for a shot at Crosswinds Marsh this last fall
The first snow at LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve
A new discovery just a month ago, was LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. Luckily, we were able to enjoy the first snow of the season at such a beautiful spot in Southeast Michigan!
So, there you have it! We hope you enjoyed our journey commemorating Michigan’s Birthday. Where are your favorite Michigan spots to visit and enjoy? There’s so many, we’d love to hear your stories…
Nothing in the world is more exciting to a photographer than, the perfect light at the perfect moment. However, if this convergence of events happened all the time, perfect light might become imperfect, and the amazing could become mundane.
Since the perfect scene is dictated by nature... a travel photographer must make the best use of the opportunity at hand. Attempting to make the mundane, extraordinary with creativity and a variety of techniques. This pretty much sums up my experience with nature and scenic photography. Which forces me to do my best to make the most of the opportunities at hand... regardless of what mother nature has planned. I look forward to sharing our adventures in Michigan, and showing off the beauty of our mitten-shaped corner of the world. While also sharing some of my knowledge of photography, which might be helpful in your adventures.
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