Barns

Roger and Marcia Hansen's barn looks like a Christmas card to me today, just as I thought it would. The Christmas wreath I noticed a few days earlier, combined with fresh snow, make the beautifully restored barn even more stunning than usual. F7.1 at 1/100, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

It is beginning to look at lot like Christmas at the Polcin farm. This scene looked like Christmas in the country when I chose to photograph it earlier today. But now I am back because the sun came out and I knew I could make a cheerier Christmas picture. F22.0 at 1/50, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

Heading westward across Michigan via highways and byways, I come upon this scene near Fowlerville. The quality of light playing on the goldenrod, grasses, trees and barns makes this look like a textured country tapestry. F11 at 1/250, ISO 400, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

The Iris family barn was part of the Barns and Byways tour this past October. I have always loved photographing this unique piece of Mason County history. Today with heavy frost covering every tree in sight, the multi-colored barn stood out even more than usual. F5.6 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I love the color complements and contrasts provided by overgrown asparagus plants and the green barn at the Green Farm north of Hart, Michigan. I decide to focus on the red seeds and use the rest of the scene as the backdrop. Bob Green, a former Michigan State University research microbiologist, explains to me that only the male plants sprout these colorful red seeds. The Greens have farmed in the Hart area since 1989. F5.6 at 1/125, ISO 200, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

One of the things I like to do most on my fall color tours is to get out of my vehicle and sit in the leaves along the right of way to immerse myself in the color. That is what I did on a drive down Conrad Road in Amber Township to experience leaves close-up while still taking in the country road and Polcin Farm with my wide-angle lens. F11 at 1/60, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

If this grand maple tree and old barn could talk, I wonder what stories they would tell about the history of farming and life along Conrad Road near Scottville, Michigan. The emerald green winter wheat surrounding the barn was planted by Pete Conrad. Pete rents the use of the land for farming from Tracy Thompson. F8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 26mm

I have been wanting for several years to photograph one of the largest and most symmetrical oak trees I have ever seen. Today I have the opportunity to photograph the beautiful giant that has been growing on the John B. Sobanski farm long before the farm was established in 1919. The meticulously maintained farm is located southeast of Ludington along the Pere Marquette River. F16 at 0.4, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

As we enter the village of Boon, Michigan, my eye is drawn to an old barn on a nearby hill. An overnight snowfall dresses up the once grand structure that is fading away like so many of Michigan's old barns. F22 at 1/125, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 112mm

Christmastime is one of my favorite seasons to drive through the Michigan countryside. I love seeing many of the farms decorated for Christmas. Roger and Marcia Hansen and their family spread Christmas cheer by placing this wreath on their beautiful barn on Conrad Road between Ludington and Scottville. F9 at 1/25, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

I believe that if John B. Sobanski were alive today he would be proud to see how well his homestead at the end of Victory Corners Road has been maintained by his descendents. Nestled along the Pere Marquette River, this has to be one of the most beautiful farms in Mason County. This monster oak tree looks beautiful all year long, but I think it looks best covered in snow. F22 at 1/15, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

I believe that if John B. Sobanski were alive today he would be proud to see how well his homestead at the end of Victory Corners Road has been maintained by his descendents. Nestled along the Pere Marquette River, this has to be one of the most beautiful farms in Mason County. This monster oak tree looks beautiful all year long, but I think it looks best covered in snow. F22 at 1/15, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

The old chicken coop and storage barn on the John B. Sobanski homestead in Amber Township was bathed in magic light this morning. With the giant clouds, blue sky, and sunshine, I felt like I was photographing a farm in Wyoming or Colorado. F8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

Someday I would love to photograph Roger Hansen working on rebuilding this old car in his machine shop at Cherry Hill Farm on Conrad Road. Until then, I will enjoy looking at our neighbor's car sitting next to his magnificent barn and photographing it in different seasons. F22 at 1/6, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Meandering our way through Oceana County, my son Brad and I venture down a side road near Crystal Valley that looks less traveled. After driving a short way, this classic old farm comes into view at the end of a snowy harvested cornfield. Everything about the farm, including its neatness and lofty location high atop a hill, looks grand to me. F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 120mm

This classic barn on South Custer Road between Sippy Road and Anthony Road looks like it will blow over in the next big wind storm. Maybe the tree that borders the barn is helping to keep it upright. I am just glad that I was able to document this beautiful piece of Mason County history before Mother Nature takes it down. F22 at 1/4, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

I have long admired the simple, beautiful style and upkeep of this whitewashed barn near Bear Lake, Michigan. Today the roof of the barn and surrounding trees are whitewashed with snow. I envision the scene as a sketch of winter in the Michigan countryside. F7.1 at 1/500, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 135mm