Silver Lake Sand Dunes

Sahara Sands

The shoreline at Little Sable Point extends westward toward Wisconsin farther than any spot of land in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. I feel on top of the world looking southwest over Lake Michigan from the tower observation deck over 100 feet above the shore atop Little Sable Point Lighthouse.

Mac Woods Silver Lake Dunes

Mac Woods Silver Lake Dunes

Mac Woods Silver Lake Dunes

Rising dramatically from the Silver Lake shoreline, sections of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes look as grand as the Egyptian Pyramids to me on a September day. The light and shadow playing on the dunes often is the best after the masses have left. We love exploring the dunes during the quieter times of year, especially during September and October when the light is often magical.

The Silver Lake Sand Dunes are home to many good times and great memories for thousands of people. You can feel the energy that the bustling atmosphere produces. If you wander long enough, you can find areas on the dunes that look as if they have been untouched by humans for hundreds of years. When I was photographing this scene I was amazed at the apparent lack of human presence. It was not until I gave this photograph to my grandma, Bev Marble, for Christmas, that I was aware of the litter present in the scene.

Like seeing a wondrous mirage in a desert, it was hard to distinguish reality from illusion as I looked across Silver Lake shortly after sunrise on an October morning.

Heaven Blessed

Little Sable Breeze

Like nature's version of a Calder sculpture, a sand-blasted and sun-faded tree trunk juts forth from the Silver Lake sand dunes. It is amazing how much the dunes shift with the wind. Changing light also adds new discovery to each visit. I often wonder about the scenes I am missing on the days I am not here.

A ride on a Mac Wood's Dune Rides dune scooter provides a scenic view of the Silver Lake sand dunes. Even though I usually prefer to walk the pedestrian area of the dunes to slowly search for photographs, I love the fast-changing view from the dune scooters. I also appreciate that they stop at selected spots to provide time to savor, and photograph, some of the most spectacular scenic views in the world.

Dead trees buried by shifting sand stand out on the Silver Lake sand dunes. The trees look as if they could be a slalom course set up for the off-road vehicles that race up and down this portion of the Silver Lake State Park.

My son, Brad and I were looking for fresh views of the Silver Lake sand dunes on an August evening. I found this perspective, near the north end of the dunes, in a privately owned area undisturbed by tracks made by vehicles or people.

At the northern end of the Silver Lake sand dunes is a section of private dunes that I am privileged to wander. Many of the pieces of driftwood, polished by sand, water, and time, remain undisturbed on these dunes.

Being on the Silver Lake sand dunes on a warm summer evening feels so good. I wonder why I am not here more often. My wife, sons, and I go away talking about coming back soon. Yet, I know soon will probably not be as soon as we think.

I think it is so cool how the dune in the foreground of this photograph looks like a porcupine. This is a new vantage point my dad and I discovered today at the Silver Lake State Park. I am certain we will be back here many times in the future with our cameras and I can't wait. F8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

It is shocking to me that my dad and I have never been to this spot at the Silver Lake State Park before. We have driven our trucks within 100 yards of here, but we have never taken the time to get out of the vehicles and explore the other side of the creek at Ruckel's Bridge. Finding hidden treasures like this is a photographer's version of winning the lotto. F8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

What a way to celebrate the official arrival of Spring. It is Sunday evening and any visitors to the Silver Lake sand dunes at Silver Lake State Park have long since left their footprints behind. I alone am appreciating these grand dunes. I feel privileged. F22.0 at 1/40, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

Summer has not yet come to Silver Lake Sand Dunes but the world-class views have never left. This evening I am appreciating, by my lucky self, a dunetop view of untracked rows of wind-driven sand stretching toward Lake Michigan. I feel this is one of the best views in Michigan and the world.