{"id":556306,"date":"2026-05-01T15:44:29","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/?p=556306"},"modified":"2026-05-01T15:44:29","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T15:44:29","slug":"these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/?p=556306","title":{"rendered":"These 15 Stunning Images Highlight the Splendor of the Great Lakes and Will Captivate You With the Marvels of Nature"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2 class=\"tagline article-tagline\" itemprop=\"description\">The photographs of Lakes Huron, Erie, Superior, Michigan, and Ontario are derived from entries submitted to the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest<\/h2>\n<figure class=\"article-image lead-article-image\">\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature.webp\" alt=\"Sunset over a lake\" itemprop=\"image\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>                The sun sets behind the Duluth hills in Minnesota, casting a warm light on the glimmering waters of Lake Superior.<br \/>\n              <span class=\"credit\">Brittany Borgan, Minnesota, 2025<\/span><br \/>\n            <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Not every body of water can be labeled a great lake. The five Sweetwater Seas form the largest surface freshwater system globally. Similar to oceans, their saline equivalents, these lakes are recognized for their substantial capacity, profound basins, and powerful storm potential, yet they differ from oceans due to their relatively minor tides and dependence on terrestrial precipitation instead of marine currents. Situated in the Midwest region of the United States and extending into portions of Canada, the Great Lakes and the surrounding area support a population of 30 million people. Experience it yourself.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-1.webp\" alt=\"Green sky with a tree by a lake\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      An unobstructed viewpoint on the banks of Lake Superior serves as an ideal spot to admire an aurora performance.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Cameron Wilcox, Michigan, 2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-2.webp\" alt=\"A lone duck stands peacefully on a concrete barrier\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      A solitary duck stands calmly on a concrete ledge, looking out over Lake Ontario towards the horizon.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Oleksii Derevianko, Canada, 2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-3.webp\" alt=\"A lodge next to Lake Superior at sunset\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      The Lutsen Lodge was formerly a notable site along the shores of Lake Superior.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Theodore Sadler, Minnesota, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-4.webp\" alt=\"boulders break the still surface of Lake Michigan\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      Scattered boulders disrupt the tranquil surface of Lake Michigan.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Valleri Ames, Michigan, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-5.webp\" alt=\"Sunrise over Lake Superior\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      Sunlight pierces through the clouds above Lake Superior, creating a fiery radiance in the sky.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Evan Cooley, Michigan, 2021<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-6.webp\" alt=\"A lightning bolt pierces the clouds, reaching into the water of Lake Erie.\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      A lightning bolt reaches into the clouds, striking the waters of Lake Erie.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Steven Easton, Canada, 2010<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-7.webp\" alt=\"Sunset by Lake Michigan\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      A variety of tree species flourish in the sandy, moist soil at Lake Michigan\u2019s Foster Avenue Beach.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Kevin Dephillips, Illinois, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-8.webp\" alt=\"2 Red-necked grebes sit next to Lake Ontario one laying an egg\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      Red-necked grebes breed on the beaches of Lake Ontario, with one laying a light blue egg.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Yan Zhang, Canada, 2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-9.webp\" alt=\"Sunset over Lake Huron\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      Georgian Bay in Ontario, Canada, is a segment of Lake Huron, half of which flows through Michigan. Waters near the shore freeze each winter, and when the ice eventually breaks and melts, it creates floes.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Zhenhuan Zhou, Canada, 2022<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-10.webp\" alt=\"The northern lights put on a spectacular show above Lake Erie.\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      The aurora borealis displays a stunning performance above Lake Erie.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Dawn Wilson, Ohio, 2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-11.webp\" alt=\"A frozen Lake Ontario\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      Resembling water lilies, shards of ice scatter across Lake Ontario\u2019s icy surface.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Sylvia Johnson, Canada, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-12.webp\" alt=\"The evening sky above Lake Huron\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      The evening sky over Lake Huron presents hues of gold, copper, and bronze as sunlight filters through clouds before descending.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Kathy Canada, Michigan, 2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-13.webp\" alt=\"northern lights dance in the sky above Lake Michigan\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      The colorful northern lights dance in the sky above Lake Michigan as a silhouetted figure absorbs the sight.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">Cameron Wilcox, Michigan, 2024<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"article-image \">\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/these-15-stunning-images-highlight-the-splendor-of-the-great-lakes-and-will-captivate-you-with-the-marvels-of-nature-14.webp\" alt=\"A billowing cloud hovers above Lake Erie.\" loading=\"lazy\"><figcaption class=\"caption\">\n<p>      A large cloud drifts above Lake Erie.<\/p>\n<p>      <span class=\"credit\">L.E. \u201cSkip\u201d Bradley, Ohio, 2008<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div id=\"id_related_pages\" class=\"widget-related-articles\">\n<h3>You Might Also Enjoy<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"author-box by-line single-author no-photo footer-author-box\" readability=\"1.8064516129032\">\n<div class=\"author-text\" readability=\"8.1290322580645\">\n<p class=\"author\" itemprop=\"author\">\n            <span class=\"author-name\">Tracy Scott Forson<\/span><\/p>\n<p>            <span class=\"separator\">|<\/span> Read More\n          <\/p>\n<p class=\"author-bio-text\">Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at <em>Smithsonian<\/em> magazine.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"author-box by-line single-author no-photo footer-author-box\" readability=\"0.65384615384615\">\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"expedia\" readability=\"9\">\n<h3>Considering Your Upcoming Trip?<\/h3>\n<p>Discover fantastic travel offers<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimer\" readability=\"9\">\n      <i class=\"fa fa-asterisk\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/p>\n<p>\n        <strong>A Note to our Readers<\/strong><br \/>\n        Smithsonian magazine takes part in affiliate link advertising programs. If you acquire an item via these links, we earn a payment.\n      <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<section class=\"tag-list\">\n<nav class=\"nav-tags\">\n<\/nav>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The photographs of Lakes Huron, Erie, Superior, Michigan, and Ontario are derived from entries submitted to the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The sun sets behind the Duluth hills in Minnesota, casting a warm light on the glimmering waters of Lake Superior. Brittany Borgan, Minnesota, 2025 Not every body of water can be labeled a great lake. The five Sweetwater Seas [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":556307,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-556306","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=556306"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/556306\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/556307"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=556306"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=556306"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/winklersart.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=556306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}