Kalamazoo Pics

Kalamazoo Streets at Night

2012-01-30T16:14:00.001-05:00

Untitled, originally uploaded by Danbak3r.

Here's another great arial shot of downtown Kalamazoo. This one is of a calm street lit up by street lights.

Downtown Kalamazoo

2012-01-27T11:29:00.001-05:00

IMG_3663_4_5_tonemapped-edit, originally uploaded by oek1000.

There really is no place quite like Kalamazoo!

Gene the Pumpkin Man

2010-10-26T17:10:00.001-04:00

Gene the Pumpkin Man - for 53 Years, originally uploaded by bill.d.

It's fall in Michigan...and that means pumpkins! And no one has more pumpkins than Gene the Pumpkin Man! If you haven't visited this location, you need to. It's a unique, fun experience...if you like pumpkins.

Food Dance Building

2009-12-02T22:19:00.001-05:00

DSC_0031, originally uploaded by zotttgeek.

This is the new Food Dance Cafe (www.fooddancecafe.com) downtown Kalamazoo. Check it out online!!!!

2 promos in one post

2009-10-22T08:21:00.001-04:00

WMU vs CMU #8, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

I have 2 promos in one post for the kalamazoo area. First, the Western Michigan Bronco athletics are, in my mind, becoming more fun to watch. Their football team has been decent this year, and I have been to several baseball, volleyball, and basketball games as well. Hopefully I can make it to a hockey game soon. So, check out some of the games. It's affordable, the fans are great, and they play some decent teams that are fun to watch.

Second, I have been taking a sports photography class through the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (http://www.kiarts.org/). This class is very well organized and I think I would highly recommend any class at the institute. It's a fun way to learn and grow as an individual.

This picture brings both these things together as I took this at a Western Michigan Football game as part of the sports photography class.

Kalamazoo Aerial View

2009-09-18T15:39:00.001-04:00

Kalamazoo Aerial View, originally uploaded by Dean Schreuder.

This is a great shot of Kalamazoo at night. Thanks so much for this post Dean!

Cathedral of Christ the King

2009-07-17T15:53:00.001-04:00

Cathedral of Christ the King, originally uploaded by bill.d.

This is quite the landmark in Kalamazoo. You can view this as you drive on I-94 between Westnedge and US-131. Of course, you can always get off and view it closer as well. This building is now owned by Kalamazoo Valley Family Church.

Air Zoo Free This Summer

2009-06-29T13:23:00.002-04:00

The Kalamazoo Air Zoo has free admission for this summer! I encourage everyone to take advantage of this offer. Rides still cost money, but the exhibits are free and you can get a good idea of what is inside without having to pay the pricey admission fee. This picture is from the Air Zoo website (www.airzoo.org) and there are more pictures available on the Kalamazoo Pics Flickr Pool.

Downtown by Evening

2009-03-21T21:04:00.001-04:00

Food Dance (Kalamazoo 1/365), originally uploaded by Dean Schreuder.

Here's a great shot of Michigan Avenue looking east at night. I enjoy the streaking car lights created by the longer exposure.

Narnia in Kalamazoo???

2009-03-21T21:02:00.001-04:00

Narnia, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

This picture was taken outside of Kalamazoo near Schoolcraft, MI at Miracle Camp and Retreat Center. The deep snow, footprints, and streetlight all came together for a great picture!

Foggy Post Christmas

2009-01-03T20:54:00.001-05:00

The Post-Christmas blahs, originally uploaded by bill.d.

This year we had a great white Christmas with more than a foot of snow on the ground. Two days later we had no snow with a 60 degree day with lots of of rain and wind. This is a great shot from downtown Bronson Park in Kalamazoo.

Community Presbyterian Church

2008-12-15T21:28:00.001-05:00

Community Presbyterian Church, originally uploaded by bill.d.

Kalamazoo has a rich religious heritage with several old fascinating churches. Here is one shot captured by bill.d. It uses HDR processing to bring a surrealistic effect to it. Google HDR to find out more about this image technique.

The Shortest Fall Ever

2008-11-23T21:05:00.001-05:00

Day 181-4, originally uploaded by jaypike.

An indian summer gave way to an early winter this past week as southwest Michigan received several inches of snow. This gave us about a month an a half of fall weather. Fortunately it was long enough for a great picture like this one.

Welcome to Kalamazoo

2008-06-21T11:25:00.001-04:00

DSC_0028_edited, originally uploaded by zotttgeek.

The night life in Kalamazoo is pretty good actually. There is a lot of restaurants, a great theater downtown, several well lit parks, and a lot of festivals and events.

Kalamazoo Train Station

2008-05-26T23:09:00.001-04:00

Kalamazoo Train Station, originally uploaded by JaySeaAre's Kite Aerial Photography.

This is a great pole arial shot of the Kalamazoo Train Station.

I must recommend taking the Amtrak last minute ticket to Chicago. My wife and I have gotten round trip tickets for $30 per person. Saves on parking in Chicago and the trip is quicker.

Total Eclipse of My Heart...er...Moon

2008-02-23T08:45:00.003-05:00

A couple of nights ago we were treated to a total eclipse of the moon here in the Kalamazoo area. It was quite the sight, and somewhat erie I must add, to see the moon slowly get taken over by the shadow of the earth.

This frame of the lunar eclipse was taken from Kalamazoo about 9:57p.m., just before the eclipse became total. It was shot by Gazette staff photographer Mark Bugnaski with a Canon EOS 20D camera using a Canon 300mm f2.8 lens. The shutter speed was 1/10 of a second, lens f stop was set at f4 and the ISO was set at 800. The camera was hand held. This photo was from the Kalamazoo Gazette website.

Hoosier Country???

2008-02-05T13:41:00.001-05:00

Hoosiers, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

Last night was a rainy, foggy winter night. The weather was warmer and all the snow was melting and it had created a very surreal sort of fog. I happened upon this barn on my way driving home. It felt like it was just out of the movie Hoosiers. I know it's not Indiana, but Southwest Michigan has much of the same charm.

It snowed last night

2008-02-04T12:36:00.001-05:00

It snowed last night, originally uploaded by zotttgeek.

The past few weeks here in Kalamazoo have been filled with lots of snow which makes the winter much more bearable. There are many places for outdoor snow activities in the Kalamazoo area from Bittersweet Ski Resort, Timber Ridge Ski, Echo Valley.

Don't forget the ice skating at Millenium Park in Portage. Thanks to zotttgeek for this great pic of the piles of snow!

Fall Has Faded

2007-12-14T21:40:00.001-05:00

Leaves Through Glass IMG_2281pp, originally uploaded by lovyprincess.

This picture reminds us that fall has officially faded and the winter Michigan snow is here to stay.

Gene the Pumpkin Man

2007-11-03T18:17:00.001-04:00

, originally uploaded by absolutman.

The Kalamazoo area is beautiful in the fall colors. The air is crisp and Michigan is playing Michigan St. in football this afternoon. It couldn't get much better than this.

Don't forget to take a trip out to Gene the Pumpkin Man's place on M-43 at some point each fall. There are pumpkins of course as well as other fall gourds and vegetables. If you get talking to him he will tell you story after story. It's a must for each year.

Gilmore Car Museum

2007-09-13T08:19:00.001-04:00

MGA, originally uploaded by absolutman.

The Gilmore Car Museum is located about 20 minutes from Kalamazoo. It features a 1930's gas station, a 1940's diner, a carriage house, and barns full of old cars. You can check out more at http://www.gilmorecarmuseum.org/.

Red Barn in the Rain

2007-08-21T14:05:00.001-04:00

Red Barn in the Rain.JPG, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

It has been raining for the past week it seems like in the Kalamazoo area. I have been wanting to take a picture of this barn for a while, but just never stopped when I was driving by. I couldn't resist as the rain created a cool hazy view around it. There are few rain spots in the picture, but I think it still turned out nice. The barn is located in Van Kal road off of CR 354.

Michigan's Trademark

2007-08-03T00:24:00.001-04:00

Cherry Bowl, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

The other day I was sitting on the porch eating a bowl of cherries and I decided to take a picture of the great fruit that Michigan is well known for. I would say that cherries are one of the highlights of Kalamazoo. I have enjoyed many days of sitting and spitting cherry seeds. It's the simple things in life...

Downtown Radisson

2007-08-02T00:12:00.001-04:00

IMG_0655, originally uploaded by kzooblue.

I haven't been able to blog recently with the business of the summer, but it is good to get back into the swing of things.

The Radisson Hotel is one of the landmarks of downtown Kalamazoo. The other day I was hanging out downtown with some friends and remembered what a good time Kalamazoo can be.

My wife and I particularly enjoy eating at Zazio's in the Radisson. It's pretty pricey, but it's work the extra money. Get the porterhouse steak.

Thanks to kzooblue for the great creative shot of the Radisson and it's parking deck.

Rural Country

2007-05-13T09:22:00.001-04:00

barn, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

There is nothing better than the rural areas around Kalamazoo. This photo was taken at a farm on V Ave southwest of the city. The tree, the barn, and the horses together made a great "trifecta" in this photo.

Tulips and Henderson Castle

2007-05-11T15:58:00.001-04:00

Tulips and Henderson Castle, originally uploaded by kzooblue.

The Henderson Castle is one of the landmarks of Kalamazoo. I always admire how imposing it is when I pass by it. This is a great shot of the castle in the background of some tulips. For more information on the castle visit www.hendersoncastle.com.

Cherry Orchard in Bloom

2007-05-10T12:33:00.000-04:00

IMG_0895, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

The other day I was driving and took this shot while the car was moving. I love how the first tree is in focus and everything else is a little blury. I often drive by cherry orchards outside of Lawton and would say that those along with vineyards characterize the area southwest of Kalamazoo. There’s nothing better than sitting outside on the back porch and spitting cherry pits into the grass!!!

Yarrow Golf

2007-05-06T12:30:00.000-04:00

yarrow clubhouse, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

Friday I had the opportunity to golf at Yarrow Golf Course which in my opinion is one of the nicest golf courses in Michigan…and quite possibly the nicest in Southwest Michigan. It is located in the small, yet quaint town of Augusta, Michigan. This town is a photo opportunity in and of itself. While we were there we got the chance to see some deer just off the cart path less than 20 feet away from us! If you’re a golfer…check out this course!

Scotts Mill

2007-05-04T12:15:00.000-04:00

Scotts Mill, originally uploaded by deu49097.

Great shots of Scotts Mill. The mill is located in Scotts, MI, in Kalamazoo County. The park has a lot of historical preservation of agriculture and farming.

More information is available at the Michigan travel directory.

Ritter Construction Building

2007-04-30T11:52:00.000-04:00

construction bw, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

I have always loved the Ritter Construction building on V Ave in Kalamazoo County between Lawton and Schoolcraft. I finally took the time to stop and get this shot the other night. The lighting was great and really made this picture look good in black and white.

Spring in Southwest Michigan

2007-04-25T11:50:00.000-04:00

dandilions across road, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

When the Dandelions come out you know that it's spring in Southwest Michigan!! They sure a pretty right now...

Portage Creek in Spring

2007-04-20T11:44:00.000-04:00

portage creek in spring, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

The other day I was out and about with my wife and we stopped by Portage Creek near Celery Flats. It was rushing with a little extra water from the late spring snow we got.

old house from parking deck

2007-04-17T11:43:00.000-04:00

old house from parking deck, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

This is a view of downtown Kalamazoo neighborhoods as viewed from the Bronson Parking Deck. There are many old historic homes in this area such as the one across the street.

Downtown Bridge

2007-04-16T11:30:00.000-04:00

Downtown Bridge, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

This is my first picture from downtown Kalamazoo. Most people take a picture looking the other direction at the taller buildings of Kalamazoo. I personally like this angle which shows more of the smaller buildings and the character of the city.

Michigan Orchard in Snow

2007-04-02T11:46:00.000-04:00

Michigan Orchard in Snow, originally uploaded by coonjamm.

This Cherry Orchard outside of Paw Paw, MI was particularly beautiful after a wet snow and a foggy morning. I love how looking under the trees makes you feel like you are in a canopy!

Welcome to the Kalamazoo Pics PhotoBlog!

2007-04-01T15:39:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the website dedicated to photos of Kalamazoo and area attractions. This website was started primarily as a hobby and as a way to explore the Kalamazoo area of West Michigan.

If you would like any of your photos featured on this blog please feel free to post them to the Kalamazoo Photos group on flickr.