SUMMER IN MICHIGAN-2024
Other photos that were taken in the State of Michigan in the Summer of 2024 outside of Isle Royale.
Michigan is a state not normally talked about for its natural beauty, at least compared to California, Washington, Colorado, Utah or even an East Coast state like North Carolina or New Hampshire. It does not have any tall peaks or beautiful valleys in a mountain range with dramatic landscapes that you would use for your screensaver, however I do think this is probably the most underrated state, beauty-wise in the United States. Over a few days over August of 2024, I spent my time in the Great Lake State to catch up on shooting quality photos since I had not realistically spent time here since early 2021.
TAWAS POINT
Referred to as “the Cape Cod of the Midwest”, I can see why it got that moniker. This lighthouse in Tawas Point State Park, just outside of Tawas City, was constructed in 1853 and is one of the few remaining lighthouse in the United States that still uses a “Fresnel lens” for the lighthouse. This lighthouse is likely the most photographed in the state, I just wanted to add my submission to that. This was taken at the beach past the bushes which give an illusion of being hidden in the woods.
OSCODA PIER
On the western side of the lower peninsula of Michigan on Lake Huron lies Oscoda, a small town that blooms in the summer. I spent the first night here and found out the hotel I was staying at had a overlook of Lake Huron with a boardwalk. I woke up early and had the boardwalk to myself at sunrise. I took this photo just before the sun rose above the horizon.
SLEEPING BEAR DUNES
Sleeping Bear Dunes, located along the northwest coast of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, is a stunning natural landscape that captivates visitors with its dramatic scenery. The area features towering sand dunes that rise up to 450 feet above Lake Michigan, offering breathtaking views of the crystal-clear waters and lush forests below. I took this photo just to say I was there, this day I did not bring my tri-pod with me so I could not do the long exposure shots I had planned to do which was a shame because the clouds were looking prime for that.
TAHQUAMENON FALLS
Tahquamenon Falls is one of Michigan's most captivating natural wonders, located in the heart of the state's Upper Peninsula. The falls, known for their stunning amber waters, are fed by tannins leached from the surrounding cedar swamps, giving them a unique coloration that sets them apart from other waterfalls. The main waterfall, seen above, drops around 50 feet and creating a mesmerizing display. This is the Upper Falls which is four miles upstream from Lower Falls, which I did shoot but the shadows and the sun was not co-perating with me that afternoon. Even then, I was still ecstatic I finally came here.
MUNISING FALLS
Inside Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising is this tall yet somewhat dry waterfall. This drop of over 50 feet flows down from a sandstone cliff into the small brook below. Other than during spring thaw, water rarely flows in big amounts down this waterfall.
CANYON FALLS
This waterfall is off the side of Route 41 along the way to Houghton in the Upper Peninsula is Canyon Falls. The falls which are a part of the Canyon Gorge is a small gorge in the hills of Upper Michigan which produce this waterfall. With water from the Sturgeon River going over 25 feet down, this set of falls is one of my favorite that I have seen in the state.
SAINT IGNACE
North of the Straights of Mackinac is a small park overlooking the bridge that connects the two Michigan’s, in here is probably one of the more scenic places in the state to see the sunset in, the lighting for the bridge was not working for me so to make that day worth it, I went and shot this long exposure over in the rocks looking west. With hues of orange and blue in the sky with the contrast of the dark rocks makes this one of my favorites of this trip.
