We spent some time on Belle Isle this weekend to take photos of our dear Polar Vortex.
Most everything was in a blanket of fog Thursday.
But Belle Isle is never really quiet. A family walked toward Sunset Point on the western tip of the island.
This girl was more interested in throwing snow balls than posing for Dad's photos.
Ducks took advantage of the water in an otherwise frozen Detroit River.
Hundreds of ducks.
By Friday the epic tons of snow started to recede.
Ice on the outside of the aquarium grew in curves from the wind. But, by Saturday, it had all melted away.
Hints of plants and grasses started to poke out.
Icy waters turned into slurpees.
Belle Isle took on an autumnal feel in some places, like this spot on the east side of the island.
It's balmy all year round inside the conservancy. The only hints of winter seen from inside are piles of snow on the window panes.
And the occasional Christmas ornament on a cactus.
A state park annual fee of $11 per car starts February 10. The fee does not apply to pedestrians, public transportation riders or bicycles.
