Winter in the heartland areas of Michigan are truly beautiful. There's no road salt applied to the unpaved back-roads so they stay white, snowy and scenic much longer. This photo was taken on the road we live on in rural Montcalm County; it was the morning after a winter storm had dropped several inches of fresh snow. The drooping snow-laden pine boughs made it seem as though I was driving through a tunnel.
These horses were enjoying themselves running in the fresh powdery snow. I stopped to photograph them for a few minutes and they seemed intrigued by that, but then they wanted to show off their running skills. It was very peaceful to watch. Horses are incredibly resilient and adapt to Michigan's snow and cold quite easily.
The road crews are always busy clearing snow from the main roads first after a snow storm, so we get to play in it with our 4-wheel drive vehicles for a day or two until the back-roads get plowed. Many people in the country carry tow-straps and shovels in their cars and trucks - so if you do slip off into the ditch it doesn't take long at all and someone is there to help.
I think we are fortunate to still have all of the beautiful historic farms and barns in Michigan's countryside. Seeing these farms is a glimpse from the past, it's the same view you would've gotten many many years ago. This historic Michigan farm and barn is just down the road from our home here in Montcalm County. The snowy winter scene was taken on Christmas Day, 2014.
Pigeons huddle for warmth on the roof of this Century old field-stone Barn. I've seen many old barns in my Michigan travels but this one is by far the most interesting and unique. Everywhere I went on the back roads in the East Jordan area, I discovered old structures built from field-stone; an old Gothic Czechoslovakian church clad with stone, old homesteads, and other structures.
"Praga" Saint John Nepomucene Gothic Revival Church, East Jordan Michigan
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. You can see my entire Michigan Winter gallery here, or see all of my Michigan photo galleries. If you have a moment, please feel free to share this post via the social media share buttons provided.
Thank you very much!
-John
John McCormick is a lifelong Michigan resident and has been interested in Michigan Nature Photography for over 30 years. Michigan is a beautiful place to live and photographing that beauty is his absolute passion. To follow his recent work be sure to "like" his Facebook page.