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Looking like a sun worshipper, the face of a giant ice formation juts toward the sun along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Ludington State Park. The nature-made ice sculpture warms my heart on an ice-cold day. The beauty I find at almost every turn during winter in Michigan gives me a sunny attitude.

The beauty that lies within Cartier Park is one of Ludington's best kept secrets. I especially appreciate the drive along Lincoln Lake, where the view changes dramatically with the season, day, hour, and even minute. On a February day, the wind had sculpted away snow to create "waves" on top of the ice. The fragile artwork disappeared with the next snowfall, leaving only this photograph to document nature's creation.

The view of the clock tower of the Eaton County Courthouse stops my car faster than a stop sign. I am stunned by the beauty and condition of this structure built in the 1880s in Charlotte. Towering conifer trees in front of the courthouse appear to me to be an appropriate Michigan outdoors complement to the building.

An ice fisherman is oblivious to cold because good fishing luck could arrive at any time. I eagerly waited, on a bone-chilling winter morning, for the sun to rise over the Pere Marquette River. My perseverance netted a good catch. A day like this helps me understand ice fishermen better.

Ludington North Pier and Lots of Snow and Ice

Straits of Mackinac Ice Lighthouse

Alice's Wonderland

This icy sight greets Brad and me after a 150-mile drive to St. Joseph from Ludington on an ice-cold but sunny January 8th morning. Ice is already building up seaward from St. Joseph Lighthouse. Lake Michigan is on its way to freezing over before this winter ends.

Large Tree at the Ludington State Park

Winter Trees

Icy Trees at Weldon Creek Farm

Icy Trees at Weldon Creek Farm

I am looking forward to the Ludington New Year's Eve Ball Drop and fireworks tonight, but I am already being blown away this morning by the ice balls forming along the Lake Michigan shoreline by waves and spray from a December northwester. Large rocks protecting the Lincoln River Outlet channel wall at Epworth Heights are becoming increasingly large ice balls. The splashing water is also freezing on my waterproof North Face clothing. As I move, the ice coating on my clothing breaks with a crunching sound. Goodness gracious!

Winter had transformed Munising Falls from a rushing torrent of water to a motionless ice sculpture. The quietness on this windless January morning put me at peace and added to my enjoyment of one of my favorite Michigan waterfalls

Looking out from the Rock River Canyon Ice Caves, better known as the Eben Ice Caves, I was thinking that the rock ceiling and ice looked like a winter sunflower with “petals” of ice emanating from the center of the “flower.” Any way you look at them, these caves at Eben Junction near Chatham in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are impressive.

Ice Sea