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It’s winter in West Michigan. We had a heinous storm last week with lots of wind. And a year ago about this time we had a similar storm with lots of wind. These storms churned up enough spray from Lake Michigan to coat the lights in Grand Haven and Muskegon with a thick blanket of ice.

The following gallery does not show howling winds, trees bending over, or heavy snowfall. These are images of winter, evoking what may be the imagination’s longing for an era of serenity and solitude in conflict with the mere means of survival for lighthouse keepers from days-gone-by.

There’s a lot of story-telling within these scenes. It was surreal experiencing it, noticing the way the ice bends as the winds changed directions.

Two different days separated by a year, two different lighthouses separated by fifteen miles.

Grand Haven on 1/8/2014 and Muskegon on 1/11/2015.

 

These are the Michigan’s Top Ten Waterfalls. This is not a scientifically measured survey. It is according to me, Jon Jacobson. The list is not solid and may change tomorrow. Plus, there are not actually ten waterfalls here. Top Ten is simply impossible.

Tahquamenon Falls

The top of the list is Tahquamenon Falls. Okay, so these are not in any particular order. It’s not really my favorite Michigan waterfall to visit. It is certainly the biggest and most popular though. Even in the dead of winter, the parking lot of packed. With snowmobiles.

Bond Falls

Do I have to pick a favorite? If I must, it would be Bond Falls. Without any real in-depth explanation, I think it would be my favorite because it is so multidimensional. You can spend a lot of time here just sitting back and enjoying the many differing angles from many different angles.

Munising Falls

Definitely one of my favorites, Munising Falls rounds out the top three with something in common with the previous two. They are all wheelchair accessible. The previous two waterfalls are truly in the wilderness. Munising Falls is in the city limits across the street from the med center. It is also part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

 

Spray Falls

I suppose I don’t really have ONE favorite waterfall. Let’s call Spray Falls tied for first as a favorite of mine. Why?  I mean, really, just look at it! It’s a creek. That plunges off a cliff. Straight into Lake Superior. This magnificent landmark is accessible either by boat, or a seven mile round-trip wilderness hike within the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Miners Falls

There is one more waterfall I would like to highlight as a Top Ten that is part of the Pictured Rocks. Miner’s Falls is a powerful and deep drop that makes a wonderful prize at the end of an easy one-mile hike. The view from the platform is nice. The ultimate experience, and you have to face some serious exertion, is to cross the line and make your way to the bottom of the canyon.

Agate Falls

If you insist on staying on the platform, no matter the circumstance, skip this one. The only way to really see Agate Falls is to go off the trail and make your way down the hill. It’s not easy but it’s not a rock climb either.

Canyon Falls

Along US-41, behind a rest area, is a trail that leads to Canyon Falls. It’s a short and easy walk. I’m reluctant to call this a hike because it is so easy, and, well because it’s behind the bathrooms. The small but well defined canyon is beautiful. And if you keep trekking beyond the waterfalls, and it’s a hot summer day, there is a popular swimming hole with the locals.

Wagner Falls

Again, in no particular order we make our way to number eight. Wagner Falls is another one of those easy, short, well-maintained trails. Of the dozen falls here, this may be the smallest. Yet it is one of the most beautiful. It is so incredibly close to the beaten path that it is difficult to pass up.

Manabezho Falls & Manido Falls

Number nine is the Presque Isle River. There is a short stretch of this river in the Porcupine Mountains with a number of waterfalls. The two that I am highlighting in the Top Ten is the Manabezho Falls and the Manido Falls.

Potawatomi Falls & Rainbow Falls

And wrapping up the Top Ten (dozen) list of Michigan waterfalls is a short stretch of the Black River, a mere few miles west of the Presque Isle River. A handful of waterfalls are easily accessed, including the Potawatomi Falls and Rainbow Falls.

Sable Falls

Let’s just call this a baker’s dozen. But which one? ONLY ONE? Okay, with so many more Michigan Waterfalls to select, let’s go with Sable Falls. Yet another within Pictured Rocks, this waterfall has a nice viewing platform and lots and lots of steps. Keep going down the path a little further and enjoy Lake Superior and the view of the Grand Sable Dunes.

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I’ve been LOVING the storms and wind this past week. This shot here is of Grand Haven but not from this past week. One of my favorite wind storms I’ve photographed was this one, from April 2007.

It was a dramatic one. The previous day was 70. On this particular day it was a strong constant wind and below freezing temps with blowing snow and sand!

 

I was even on the news that night!