Eben Ice Caves: Fortress of Solitude, Michigan Branch
January 31, 2011
Ice Caves_3986, photo by Mike Hainstock.
Mike took a trip to the Eben Ice Caves (click that link for the what & where) with the Superiorland Photography Club. He took the opportunity to try out his Vivitar 285 flashes, wireless triggers and some colored gels, and fellow Absolute Michigan group member Kim Nixon was there as well.
See this bigger in Mike’s Eben Ice Caves slideshow and also check out the most interesting Eben Ice Cave shots on Flickr!
Lake Michigan (and Michigan) on Ice
January 29, 2011
Lake Michigan on Ice, photo by Happyhiker4.
Mark writes that there was a somewhat rare occurrence on the Northwestern shore of Michigan’s lower peninsula – the sun actually came out!
Check it out bigger in his slideshow and have a wonderful winter weekend!
PS: Speaking of ice, there’s the Zehnders Snowfest 2011 this weekend in Frankenmuth. It’s celebrating its 20th anniversary as one of the nation’s top snow sculpting events.
PPS: Speaking of ice sculpting, apparently the Virgin Mary has made an appearance in Michigan, on ice.
PPPS: Much more Michigan ice on Michigan in Pictures!
Will the Road To Oz wind through Michigan?
January 28, 2011
The answer is YES!
The Road To Oz, photo by DetroitDerek Photography.
In Road to ‘Oz’ may lead Johnny Depp to Michigan, the Freep reports that the Michigan Film Incentive may be about to land a whopper!
Michigan’s biggest Hollywood movie project yet — a $105-million production at a huge new studio in Pontiac — has won approval for a $40-million tax credit that alone comprises more than 60% of all credits for 26 projects approved in the last six months of 2010.
Many signs hint that the movie is “Oz: The Great and Powerful,” a Disney prequel to the classic “Wizard of Oz” with Michigan native Sam Raimi directing and Johnny Depp negotiating for the lead role.
The Disney film would be the first major project for the Raleigh Studios in Pontiac, an $80-million reconstruction of a former General Motors plant. Once completed, the studio is set to have nine sound stages with a total of more than 175,000 square feet and about twice as much office and other space, according to the Raleigh Studios Web site.
Derek’s wife Kerry took this shot – see it bigger and more in his My Faves slideshow.
Make it a Michigan Valentine’s Day!
January 27, 2011
Onward & Upward (Series), photo by LadyDragonflyCC – Frozen Series Loaded.
Valentine’s Day is not far off, so we thought it would be a good idea to start folks thinking about how to Make it a Michigan Valentine’s Day! That link goes to our Facebook, but if that’s not your thing, you can comment below. Get some great ideas for gifts & getaways in Celebrate Valentine’s Day the Michigan Way on Absolute Michigan.
With this photo I was also hoping to share the thought that Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be extravagant or involved … simple and from the heart works really well a lot of the time.
See it background big and see more in LadyDragonflyCC’s Frozen Possibilities slideshow.
Happy Birthday Michigan!
January 26, 2011
Fireworks over the Capitol, photo by City Saunter.
January 26, 2011 is Michigan’s 174th Birthday. You can learn about Michigan’s rough & rocky road to Statehood on Absolute Michigan.
Check this out bigger in Ariniko’s Lansing slideshow and here’s hoping you find something about Michigan to celebrate today!!
PS: Also check out her City Saunter project to walk every street in Lansing!
Greater Buffalo or “When I grow up I want to be an aircraft carrier”
January 25, 2011
Greater Buffalo, photo by joeldinda.
Joel’s Borucki’s Lakers set features photos some great old photos along with history of the vessels. He uploaded one the other day of the steamer Greater Buffalo heading toward Lake Erie on the Detroit River that was taken in August 4, 1939. On another photo of the Greater Buffalo he writes that this photo is easily the most interesting ship in the Borucki picture collection and says:
Greater Buffalo, shown here passing under the Ambassador Bridge, was launched at Lorain on October 27, 1923, for the Detroit and Cleveland Navigation Company, and made her first trip on May 13, 1925. She could carry 300 crew members and 1,200 passengers between Buffalo and Detroit on an overnight basis. Her sister ship Greater Detroit alternated on the run with her. These two Frank Kirby-designed ships were the last, largest, and (perhaps) fastest sidewheel passenger ships built on the lakes; when they were launched their construction costs were reported as $3.5 million apiece.
Greater Buffalo was requisitioned by the Navy in 1942, converted to an aircraft carrier and renamed USS Sable; she and USS Wolverine (the former Seeandbee–another Kirby design, and the other “fastest” claimant) worked as training ships out of Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago. She was retired after the war and broken up in 1948.
There’s a couple more photos of the Greater Buffalo/U.S.S. Sable in the UD Mercy Marine Historical Collection.
Check it out big as a battleship and in Joel’s Borucki’s Lakers slideshow.
Project Monday: Detroit Urbex Film & 100 Largest American Cities
January 24, 2011
The Best I Ever Had, photo by Thomas Hawk.
sl33stak aka Jamie MacDonald is one of the photographers of the Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr. About his Motor City Explorers. An Urbex Love Story at Kickstarter he writes:
I am trying to get a project off the ground at Kickstarter and need YOUR help. How? I need a few Detroit urbex’rs willing to be the subject of the documentary, and I need exposure! In order to do this I need to get enough funding to cover my expenses in creating this short film.
If you are interested and can pledge a few dollars that would be great. If not, can you spread the word? Let as many people know as possible? If you are interested in participating as either a subject, or a guide, or just want to come along for the ride then Flickr mail me!! I am shooting for June to film this.
Speaking of projects, one of Flickr’s most prolific photographers is Thomas Hawk. One of his projects is to document the 100 Largest American Cities. This photo appears in his massive #11, Detroit, MI set (slideshow) and you could (and should) check it out background bigalicious.
New Year’s Resolution Case Study #77: The Tufted Titmouse
January 22, 2011
Im not Fat, Im Fluffy!, photo by Spring Noel.
All About Birds says that the Tufted Titmouse is common in eastern deciduous forests and a frequent visitor to feeders. They eat mostly insects in the summer but aren’t above seeds, nuts, and berries and (in the case of this fellow) cheesecake and jelly donuts. Fun facts:
- Experiments with Tufted Titmice indicate they always choose the largest seeds they can when foraging. (see above)
- Tufted Titmice hoard food in fall and winter, a behavior they share with many of their relatives, including the chickadees and tits. Titmice take advantage of a bird feeder’s bounty by storing many of the seeds they get. Usually, the storage sites are within 130 feet of the feeder. The birds take only one seed per trip and usually shell the seeds before hiding them.
- Tufted Titmice nest in tree holes (and nest boxes), but they can’t excavate their own nest cavities. Instead, they use natural holes and cavities left by woodpeckers.
- Tufted Titmice often line the inner cup of their nest with hair, sometimes plucked directly from living animals. The list of hair types identified from old nests includes raccoons, opossums, mice, woodchucks, squirrels, rabbits, livestock, pets, and even humans.
- The oldest known wild Tufted Titmouse lived to be 13 years 3 months old.
Check out Birding in Michigan’s Ode to the Tufted Titmouse and see more birds on Michigan in Pictures.
See this bigger in Spring’s Birds slideshow.
Mr. Ambassador, the Governor is on the line
January 21, 2011
Good Morning Detroit / Explored, photo by . : : v i S H a l : : ..
In Michigan Governor Rick Snyder delivered his first State of the State address, he expressed support for the proposed Detroit River International Crossing bridge saying (in part):
Last year, Canada was the top market for our products. In 2009, Michigan did roughly $4 billion in trade with Canada . We also know that one out of every eight jobs in Detroit is in the export industry. In Grand Rapids, it’s one out of seven…
To satisfy growing demand, we must move forward towards building a bridge, a new bridge from Detroit to Windsor, The Detroit River International River Crossing.
This project isn’t just a Detroit issue. Every farmer and manufacturer in our state can tell you why it’s important to have world trade. This new bridge will create jobs, strengthen our economy, help establish Michigan as a hub for global commerce. So let’s work together so this opportunity does not slip away.
Sounds like a sensible idea to me. The owners of Ambassador Bridge don’t seem to agree…
Check this out big as a bridge and see more in Vishal’s Detroit slideshow.
Also see the Ambassador Bridge slideshow!
Ice, Ice, Baby
January 20, 2011
Icicle Trees and Cold Lake, photo by Pettman’s Photographic Memories.
Michigan is under the big chill right now, ranging from -4.2 in Escanaba to a balmy 22.8 in Holland.
Check this out background bigtacular and in Ian’s winter slideshow.
More ice & snow on Michigan in Pictures, including some nifty Michigan winter wallpaper.
