D is for Detroit
My hometown… So many different faces, perceptions, misconceptions, challenges, cultures, and environments. It is also quite a big “D” to take on for a single post in this AtoZ Challenge. It’s a difficult subject to keep simple. Detroit means a great number of things to many different people, holding a rich history, and revitalized future.
Century Plant at Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, Detroit, Michigan
I don’t imagine many people think of nature or landscape photography when the subject of this city comes up. However, like most large cities, it is there if you look hard enough. It isn’t as grand or slap you in the face impressive as some other parts of Michigan, but it is there.
The city’s deep automotive manufacturing roots have certainly made that a historical priority in land allocation. But as the city rebuild’s itself, there are many that would like to see green spaces become part of that future. Just take a visit to Detroit Future City or the Greening of Detroit sites to see all of the activity and progress so far. Detroit is projected to look very, very different by 2033 and beyond.
And while the future gives us a lot to look forward to, there is a lot there today, right here, right now. Excellent nature photography opportunities can be found at these places in the city proper such as:
- The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
- Belle Isle park with the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory that holds 13 acres of plants
- Elmwood Cemetery became Detroit’s first Arboretum in 2015
- Milliken State Park – the first urban state park
Expand the area to the surrounding suburbs, and the list grows exponentially. I look forward to repeat visits to all of these areas and to what the future holds. It’s only going to get better.
A small tree reaches for the light, inside the abandoned Packard Plant, Detroit, Michigan
I think her grandmother lived in Oak Park. Will have to ask my wife if your family name sounds familiar when I get home tonight
The second image causes me to almost forget the first image. Love it! And, I do enjoy the challenge to find images of nature within the city limits. I’m going to hang a few images this coming November in a local coffeehouse and thinking my theme will be the cities natural areas. We must look for them and make sure we keep them.
That’s great on the coffee house! It is a great theme to study these days. I have read some studies that predict people will be moving closer and into cities more as resources become more scarce and costs rise.
Both images are great….but I really love that plant reaching for light in an abandoned plant!
Thanks Howard. I wasn’t so sure about posting a “ruin” image that the city has become so known for, but this one seemed symbolic.
My wife is from the Detroit area originally (Huntingdon Woods…..behind the zoo), so I am quite familiar…..
Wow, I was living just on the north side of the zoo during much of my childhood. (Oak Park) Could hear the seals barking from time to time. My uncle used to live over in Huntington Woods (Mike Nickele)
Didn’t sound familiar to my wife. Her grandmother lived on Kenwood in Oak Oark.