|
|
| Site-Map | What's New |
Photos of Bois Blanc (Bob-Lo) Island |
Site-Map | What's New |
|
Bois Blanc Island is commonly known as Bob-lo by the island's
residents and is the largest of the three islands in the Mackinaw
straits. The island is 12 miles long and 6 miles wide.
Archeological evidence indicates the island was first inhabited
as early as 60 AD. However most relics indicate early inhabitation
dating between 800 and 1400 AD.
Bois Blanc island, as well as lands in Ohio, Illinois, and Michigan
was ceded to the US in 1795 by a treaty with Chippewa Indian
Chief Matchekewis. The US first opened the island to settlers
in 1884. The island is mostly undeveloped, heavily forested, and marshy. The island's name "Bois Blanc" means white wood in French. Although the island is heavily forested with birch trees, the name refers to the island's Basswood Trees, which is white under the bark and was prized for its use in making rope. The island is also heavily forested in sugar maple trees, which was tapped and used for maple syrup production for many years and only halted in recent years due to overly stringent Michigan laws. Until 1950, the island was logged for lumber to support the development of Mackinaw Island. This forested island is a haven for wildlife including deer, wild turkey, eagles, loons, vulchers, Sand Hill Cranes, Hummingbirds and a variety of other lesser known species of mammals and birds. As recently as 1990, the island only had 45 permanent residents. Now, with just over 400 cottages and homes on the island, the vast majority of visitors are still only seasonal. Commercial access to the island is available via ferry from Cheboygan, MI. Contact Plaunt Transportation for ferry schedules. Larger versions of these photos of Bois Blanc Island in Michigan can be viewed by using a mouse rollover or by using the Slideshow below. I hope you enjoy my photos of Bois Blanc Island. |
| Point to any image for an enlargement | Use the arrow keys to center enlargements |
Marsh Reflections This beautiful marsh was in an isolated area of Bois Blanc Island, south of the Bois Blanc Lighthouse. |
Four Wheeling In May, when this photo was taken, the four-wheel drive tracks can be underwater in many places. |
Dillinger Cabin #1234 The story on Bois Blanc Island is that this cabin was used by Dillinger as a hideout during his crime spree in the 30's. |
Me and a Ruffed Grouse While photographing the marsh shown above, this Ruffed Grouse came out of the woods, walked right up to me and proceeded to follow me around for about 15 minutes. Quite amazing! It even hopped into our four wheeler as we were about to leave. |
Ruffed Grouse At times, this Ruffed Grouse was so close to me, I coudn't even take its picture. |
White-Tailed Deer #1410 Bois Blanc Isand is full of wildlife, including Golden Eagles, Wild Turkeys, Sand Hill Cranes, beaver, White-Tailed Deer, Loons and on and on. It is truly a nature paradise. |
Sandhill Crane #1410 We discovered this Sandhill Crane in some lowland on Bois Blanc Island. |
Daytime Bat We discovered this bat flying around our four wheeler in the afternoon. |
Big Rock #1384 Bois Blanc Island is heavily forested. We found this docile Garter snake there. |
Bois Blanc Lighthouse #1313 |
Bois Blanc Lighthouse Plaque This photo of the Bois Blanc Lighthouse plaque shows some of the history of the lighthouse. |
North Shore in Mist #1377 This is a photo of Bois Blanc Island's north shore in mist. |
Dutchman's Breeches #1303 In May, Bois Blanc Island erupts in wildflowers. This is a photo of Dutchman's Breeches. |
Trillium #1416 This is a photo of a Large-Flowered Trillium in bloom on Bois Blanc Island. |
Wild Iris #1436 This is a photo of Wild Irises in bloom on Bois Blanc Island. |
Bearberry This is a photo of a Bearberry wildlflower on Bois Blanc Island. |
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Bois Blanc Island is full of beautiful wildflowers throughout the sping. This is a Jack-in-the-Pulpit. |
Wild Strawberries #1261 In May, Bois Blanc Island erupts in wildflowers, including wild strawberries like these. |
Polygala This is a photo of the orchid-like wildflower known as Polygala, found on Bois Blanc Island. |
Trout Lilly This is the wildflower known as a Trout Lilly. |
Rough-Edged Hepatica These are a wildflower known as Rough-Edged Hepatica. |
Bois Blanc North Shore #1314 This is a photo of the north shore of Bois Blanc Island. |
Mergansers #1393 The shores of Bois Blanc Island is full of birds, these Mergansers were a common sight. |
Big Rock #1384 Bois Blanc Island is heavily forested. We discovered this huge boulder - probably fifteen feet tall standing by itself surrounded by forest. |
Photos of Birds (page 2) |
Bois Blanc (page 2) |
|
Robert Stephens |
|
Free DHTML scripts provided by Dynamic Drive |
Top |
| Flowers | Landscapes | People | Temples | Abstracts | Flight | Wildlife | Special Interests |
|
About my gallery |
FAQ |
Site Map |
All photographs are the property of Robert Stephens and TheWorldinLight Photographic Gallery. Unauthorized reproduction or use is prohibited by US copyright law. |
