Notes from the Woods

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Walls of Time | Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore SL9747-2

Written by Mark

Born and raised in Detroit, c. 323 ppm CO2, Mark Graf is a Michigan photographer, naturalist, and diver whose muse is summoned by exploring the endless connections in nature; land, sea, and sky.

Monday, July 1, 2013

In sorting through some of my archives, I found a couple of images from a trip up to Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the southern shore of Lake Superior near Munising.    I have already processed many images from this particular trip but found a couple that really speaks to a theme that is part of what makes this place so special.    These high cliff walls have millions of years of history written all over them.   Being next to them, not only are you insignificant in size, but also as part of time.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore wall of rock
Millions of years of layered rock give us a glimpse into the glacial past of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

It really makes me want to go back up there soon.

Pictured Rocks Cliff walls
Mineral stains in millions of years of history
graf nature photo divider

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12 Comments

  1. Chup anh cuoi

    What a beautiful place. I wish i could be there. Your pictures are so amazing. I love it so much.

    Thank for sharing.
    chup anh cuoi

    • Mark

      Thank you!

  2. Steven Duncan

    Hmm, interesting idea, I have some rock cliffs nearby where I live, I may have to make a point of getting out and photographing them. Thanks.

    • Mark

      Good luck with it Steven.

  3. Kevin J Railsback

    I love seeing images like this that show the span of time.
    Kind of like counting tree rings but on a much gender scale.

    If only those rocks could talk!

    • Mark

      Absolutely like counting tree rings! Thanks Kevin.

  4. Bernie Kasper

    Wonderful image Mark, this place is a must for me someday, really appreciate you sharing the beauty of this area !!

    • Mark

      I hope you get there someday soon Bernie.

  5. Paul

    Mark, you certainly do put Michigan in a good light! 🙂 Makes me even want to visit there … in the summer! It’s nice to go through the archives and enjoy, all over again.

    • Mark

      That is very nice of you to say Paul. If the photographs encourage someone to place some of these spots on their busy schedules, what more could a photographer ask for? 🙂

  6. Earl

    Mark, Observing these rock walls make our own span of existence seem puny, doesn’t it — certainly we as individuals are but a single period in the long novel of Earth, with even mankind as a whole rating but a sentence or two.

    Thanks for sharing.

    • Mark

      I agree 100% Earl, thanks.