Critters Along the Lakeshore

Watchful Rabbit 

Freshwater Snail

 I have hiked many remote and wild areas of the lakeshore and they are full of wildlife.










Just south of Alpena, I walked through Squaw Bay.  That's where I saw these freshwater snails thriving.

Many Freshwater Snails

Amphibians are vulnerable to toxins, so I was always glad to see leopard frogs.  They are a reliable indicator species that the water in the area is healthy.

Leopard Frog

White-tailed Deer

I saw many deer in the Northern Michigan woods.  Often a spotted fawn trailed a watchful doe.

Baby Groundhog

This baby groundhog was more curious than afraid of me.  
This snake was sleeping on the lakeshore near Cross Village, but it coiled into a defensive position when I approached.  Thanks to my Facebook friends for helping to identify it as a Northern Water Snake!  

Northern Water Snake

Rockport Quarry

I have always been a bit of a rock hound, so when I read about an abandoned quarry (now a state park) on my route, I planned to check it out.




The Rockport Quarry is located NE of Alpena along the Lake Huron shoreline.




On the way there, I came across nice specimens of fossilized coral.




This large pile of rocks are the tailings from the quarry operation. Note the people in the shot to grasp the scale.




The next photo is of the actual quarry. It's difficult to capture how large an operation this was. This quarry is over 300 acres and was the site where limestone was extracted for the supporting structures of the Mackinac Bridge!




I wish I had more time to poke around. Since I am backpacking, the only thing I took from the site were photos.








This baby groundhog (final photo) was more curious than frightened, so I chatted with him for a bit.

Learn more about this park HERE

Location:NE of Alpena, MI