Old Vernor's Sign

A building was recently demolished on the south side of the 7500 block of West McNichols in Detroit.  An adjacent building sported a slightly faded, but still vibrant advertisement for Vernor's ginger ale.  Like the Faygo wall advertisement I photographed in 2013, which has since been vandalized, this piece of Detroit and Michigan history will probably not remain untouched for very long.  Click this link for the location should you wish to visit the sign before it is gone.

Silver Sedum

Silver Sedum in the Belle Isle Conservatory in Detroit.

Belle Isle Conservatory - Detroit, Michigan

The Tomb Of Lewis Cass

As famous Michiganders go, Lewis Cass stands as one of the most famous of all.  He served as our territorial governor 1813 to 1831, during which time he is credited with designing the state seal of Michigan.  A stylized version of the seal appears on his tombstone.

After serving as the territorial governor, Cass went on to serve as the United States Secretary of War, Ambassador to France, United States Senator for Michigan, and United States Secretary of State.  In 1848, he ran for President, losing to Zachary Taylor.  When he vacated the his Senate seat in 1857, my favorite historical Michigander, Zachariah Chandler, was elected in his stead.  Until recently, statues of Cass and Chandler stood in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall representing Michigan.  However, Chandler's statue was replaced by Gerald Ford a few years ago.  Both Cass and Chandler are interred in Detroit's Elmwood Cemetery.  The obelisk marking Chandler's grave rests about 100 yards to the east of Cass's tomb, separated by a pond.

Better Made Chips - Detroit, Michigan

Nothing's better than Better Made potato chips, processed in Detroit at the factory on Gratiot.  Unfortunately, the surrounding neighborhood has seen much better days.

Bald Eagle

Polar Bear

It was a cold winter...

Bear Fountain

The Detroit Zoo's iconic bear fountain.

Black And White Rhino

Lazy Day At The Zoo

Jump-Starting Spring

While I have thoroughly enjoyed the long winter, I would really like spring to get here soon so the dragonflies and butterflies will start flying again and I can photograph them.  As spring still seems a ways off, Valerie and I traveled to the Detroit Zoo last weekend so that I could at least photograph some butterflies there.  These are all tropical species and cannot be seen natively here in Michigan.

To The Point

The Spirit Of Detroit

Hulk Smash Detroit!

Faygo Wall Advertisement

I have been searching for this Faygo sign for a while.  I finally located it and had the opportunity to photograph it this weekend.

Interior Of Detroit's Guardian Building