I've read that Point Betsie light near Frankfort, MI is the most photographed light in the state. Visit it on any given evening during the "tourist season" and you'll believe it. There are usually dozens of families that come to the beach to see the old girl light up at sundown, usually to sporadic applause. I've been there many times, and I consider it my "home" lighthouse, even though it's a 7 hour drive from my house.
The history of this light is quite interesting, proably it's most notable milestone is that this was the last light on the great lakes to be completely automated, in 1984.
I learned a lot about this light from www.terrypepper.com/lights/index.htm , it's a really thorough lighthouse site, I encourage y'all to go and take a look sometime.
Anyway, this is a photo I took of my girl in the fall of 2001 while on vacation. The sun was beginning to set, and it cast a beautiful pink hue on everything, making for a beautiful scene. I wasn't very knowledgeable in photography at the time, so there's a lot more I could have done with this scene, but there'll be plenty more chances. I hope you enjoy this photo, I'll be posting more periodically.

Beautiful picture!! Thanks for sharing it with us. We hope to see more in the future.

Eskilady

Nice pic, Mike. What is the purpose of those blocks in the picture? Are they meant to break up a wave if it gets that close to the light?

Bob

Great picture Mike. I think Bob is right when he says that the blocks are meant to break up the wave action and stop erosion. Keep the pictures coming, I love them.

Bert

Sharp picture Mike! I think those are some kind of wave breakers, If I remember correctly there is not one but two rows of those upright steel corrugated break walls

Nice picture! Thanks for sharing.

I have heard that Pt. Betsie was the most photographed lighthouse too and that blows my mind. Heck, with the heavy numbers of people at Grand Haven(they have a campground right next to it) and South Haven during the summer, plus the lights at Mackinac, it's tough to figure. I do see people there at Pt. Betsie when I go, but never more than 20-30. Heck, stranger things have happened, but great work with the pink hues. Looks like a great end to a beautiful day.
JB

You guys are right about the blocks, they are a part of a large revetment that was poured in front of the light in the 1960s to stop erosion on the dune. As soon as the light was built in the 1800s they began having erosion problems, so they built a wooden breakwall. Over the years they improved & rebuilt the revetment until they made this one.
Here's a link to an aerial photo I found online that shows the whole thing. It's pretty impressive sight.
I'm glad you guys are enjoying the pics, I'll keep em coming as long as you keep looking at em.

Betsie Aerial

Mike - I'm not sure of the source of your aerial image, but if it was not something YOU took, we shouldn't be displaying the PICTURE here. It probably is protected by copyright. Can you remove the image and INSTEAD include a LINK to the PAGE with the IMAGE on it?

Thanks,

John

Sorry about the snafu, the photo is gone and I replaced it with a link to the page. I'm actually surprised I found the page again, but I dug it up in google.

Here's one that I took this spring from down the beach south of the light. While not a dramatic shot, I like the peaceful feel of the poplars in the rear and the revetment out in front with a blue sky overhead.

WOW Great picture Mike

Between this and the pictures Gary keeps posting I'm biting at the bit to see the lighthouses on the West side of Michigan! I've seen all the lighthouses on the mainland of Michigan on the East side, now I just need to get to the West side. I will be back next week and plan to drive west then. :p More blistering cold ahead!
:rolleyes:

What are you talking about blistering cold, BonnieJean... this is shorts and T-shirt weather here in Michigan!

Gary

Shorts and T-shirts!!! Are you a snowman? It didn't get up over 27 the whole time I was there last week. My body is still chapped from the cold there! :p

Maybe Gary goes out in shorts and tee shirts, but I guess I'm a wimp, I tend to layer a bit more and keep the tee shirt under the sweatshirt and parka.
But often times it's worth it to brave the cold, especially on the western shore. Been seeing some great sunset color lately (inshore and sans camera). I regret the time when I just ignored the fact that I had several lights close enough for a day trip. Guess I'm trying to make up for it now.
So bundle up, get out there and hit that shutter!!