The US/Canada border is marked by boundary monuments and a cleared line through forested areas near the Montana/Alberta border line. Image: Flickr, Carolyn Cuskey
Photographers have sought to capture international borders, revealing tension, beauty and sometimes stark contrasts. While some borders are nearly invisible between friendly nations, others surprise with their distinction.
How about along the Canadian/U.S. border in the Great Lakes region? That’s our challenge to readers. Provide an image illustrating that border relationship and we’ll run it in an Echo post. If we get enough, we’ll poll readers on their favorites.
This could be challenging, despite the border stretching over 5,500 miles across the continent.
The land boundary between the U.S. and Canada is dotted with geographic reference-points and 20-foot wide “vistas,” according to the International Boundary Commission.
The Commission maintains a clear-cut Canadian/U.S. border so it remains visible, although, as this video shows, it’s more irregular than most people think:
The distinct line seen in the border caught the eye of a recent photo blog and prompted our latest reader challenge.
This could be tricky because most of the border in the Great Lakes region is, well, wet. You’re not going to exactly see a distinct line cutting across Lake Superior. But for Great Lakes border inspiration, check these images out:
International Bridge connects the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. and Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. Image: Flickr, Billy Wilson
Port of Entry between Port Huron, Mich. and Sarnia, Ont. Image: AirPhoto
The Ambassador Bridge is a suspension bridge connecting Detroit, Mich. to Windsor, Ont. Image: AirPhoto
Niagara Falls on the border of New York and Ontario. Image: Flickr, Ivan Grynov
Haskell Free Library in Derby Line, Vt. was deliberately built on the US/Canada border. Image: Flickr, Nekonomist
Submit your own nominations to GreatLakesEcho@gmail.com. Provide your name, a short image description and the date the photo was taken.
Original or open source photos from the border will be featured in our regular series — Photo Friday.