"Country Roads" Winter in rural Montcalm County MichiganSnow covered trees hanging across a country road in Lower Michigan

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.

Horses running in the snow after a snow stormHorses running in the snow in Michigan. Michigan winter photography.

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.

"Fresh Tracks" countryside road in WinterFresh tracks in the snow on a countryside road in Michigan

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.

Fresh Winter snow at a Michigan barn and farm ( Old Barns Gallery )Snow covered hay bales and trees at a Michigan barn & farm

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.

"Fieldstone Barns of Antrim" Antrim County, East Jordan MichiganPigeons huddle for warmth on the roof of this Century old field-stone Barn in this cold January evening scene. The Fresh powdery snow slides off it's steep sides.



I have seen many old barns in my Michigan travels, but this one amazes me, and is now my favorite. Everywhere I went on the back roads of this area, of East Jordan and Mancelona, I found something old built from field-stone . An old Gothic Czechoslovakian church clad with stone, old homesteads, foundations, and other structures like the dam walls in the photo I uploaded yesterday.

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 Michiganfounded in 1885 by Bohemian immigrants and named for the patron saint of Czechoslovakia, Saint John Nepomucene,. The settlers of this area, most of whom emigrated from Prague, Czech Republic, named their community Praga. This Gothic Revival church was built as a frame structure in 1890; the steeple and bell were added in 1893, in 1926 the church was clad in fieldstone.

"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.