Skillagalee Island Light, Lk. MI, USA

Skillagalee or “Island of Pebbles “ is the exposed part of a gravel shoal 1/2 mile by 2 miles wide. The exposed part sits just 20 feet above the the breaking waves of upper Lake Michigan, invisible to ships. The island is getting smaller with this year’s high waters. It is seven miles out west of Cross Village on the way to Beaver Island.
This painting depicts a sunset reflecting on the third lighthouse built on the island in 1888 with an attached keeper’s quarters and out buildings. The 58’ tower is a painted white brick octagon hourglass shape with a 4th order Fresnel lens. The Port Sanilac light on Lake Huron is a twin design.
The light was automated in 1969 and the tower remains the only standing structure. The island was auctioned off in 2015 to private owners. The true owners are the sea gulls who have raised their young among the pebbles for centuries. They say you can smell the island before you see it downwind on a warm day.
It is difficult to get to, but maybe seen from the Beaver Island Ferry. For more details go to www.lighthousefriends.com For a print and cards go to my website www.michiganlighthouseart.com