Photo of the Week: Belle Isle State Park Anna Scripps Conservatory Under Construction

Metal scaffolding surrounds the domed glass house of the conservatory, the green aquarium building nearby reflects the sunshine.

When I went birding at Belle Isle State Park in Detroit this weekend, I saw scaffolding is now in place over the dome at the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. One of my favorite places to escape the winter cold before the Covid pandemic, the conservatory closed in November 2022 to begin renovations, including: First step… Continue reading Photo of the Week: Belle Isle State Park Anna Scripps Conservatory Under Construction

Photo of the Week: Fairy Doors Scavenger Hunt Returns to Belle Isle

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources logo on a mossy plaque on the ground, surrounded by miniature shovel, truck, green evergreen trees next to a blue bird house.

When it’s a gray and cloudy day in November, what can you do outside?

Head to Belle Isle State Park, of course, for a scavenger hunt to find the fairies!

Which is what I did this weekend, when the Fairy Doors returned to the Belle Isle Aquarium and Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory for the second year.

Continue reading Photo of the Week: Fairy Doors Scavenger Hunt Returns to Belle Isle

Photo of the Week: Fairy Doors at Belle Isle State Park

Brown fairy door labeled Jurassic Park is surrounded by colorful miniature dinosaurs on the wood mulch ground

The fairies landed at Belle Isle State Park in Detroit, Michigan this month.

Created by the Belle Isle Conservancy, the self-guided fairy doors scavenger hunt is a welcome outdoor exhibit at one of my favorite state parks.

I visit Belle Isle several times a month for birding—it’s one of the best birding locations in the state.

But this weekend I spent time exploring the grounds of Belle Isle Aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory in search of the 17 fairy doors hidden on the grounds. Continue reading Photo of the Week: Fairy Doors at Belle Isle State Park