Blush Lake, Big Island Lake Wilderness Area, MI

Blush Lake, Big Island Lake Wilderness Area, MI
Blush Lake, Big Island Lake Wilderness Area, MI

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Long Rider Relic Rally at the Jack Pine Lodge, Manistique



The Long Riders Sportsman's Club held their 19th annual Relic Rally at the Jack Pine Lodge on M-94 just SE of Steuben, MI. This has become an annual fundraising event to support local charities. It appeared to be a huge success.


Cars and trucks lined the road, and snowmobiles filled the woods and trails. A parade, contests, races and displays of vintage snowmobiles and groomers provided for plenty to see and do. Music filled the air, and food and drink were available at the Snowmobile Concession Stand!



Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum also had some sleds on display.







Here are some of our favorite sleds from the lineup!



Sunday, February 13, 2011

Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse in Winter

Manistique Lighthouse Driving into Manistique from the east a few weeks back, a winter storm was brewing and strong winds gusting about 40mph were coming out of the SE. Waves were breaking on the Lighthouse and break-water at the outlet of the Manistique River making quite a sight.

Manistique Lighthouse The Manistique East Breakwater Lighthouse was first lit in 1916 to guide ships into safe harbor at the mouth of the Manistique River. Originally it had a Fresnel lens, but in 1969 the light was updated and automated. The Lighthouse stands 38' tall, and is made of steel plates. Originally the light stood in the lake, but the breakwater was extended out to the light as it stands today.

Manistique Lighthouse Manistique has a long boardwalk along the lakefront, and it is possible to walk out to the lighthouse when conditions are calm. There are no railings along the breakwater, and it can be slippery when wet, but the view is spectacular, but perhaps not as spectacular as these shots from shore.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Porqupine at Blush Lake, Big Island Lake Wilderness Area

Porqupine and Baby, Big Island Lake Wilderness Area
Porcupines I think are really interesting creatures. They are the second largest rodent in the north, next to beaver. They are largely solitary and nocturnal creatures, and are content to munch on leaves and buds and tree bark. Their only defense is their quills, which are very effective. The quills are barbed and hollow, and when they are stuck into the attackers flesh, they work their way in. This can fatally injure the attacker, either by the quill hitting a blood vessel, internal organ, or due to secondary infection setting in. These deter most predators except for the fisher, which are known to flip them, and attack their unquilled stomach.

Porcupines den in a hollow tree in winter, but during the summer they simply rest during the day in a tree. The female gives birth in the spring to a single baby, which is very well developed. As young as two weeks of age the baby begins to eat leaves and twigs. The baby stays with the mother for about six months.

The porcupines have a reputation for causing damage to property from chewing. We have not had problems with them, in part because we have a salt block on the far end of our property for wildlife. Porcupines love salt. I was on the deck enjoying the spring weather last year when I looked up and saw this porky. Then I noticed that there was a second, smaller one on the branch. I was lucky enough to be in a position to actually watch the little one nurse and get this shot on video. I clipped out a shot for this post. A rare view from our deck!