Birch Trees

Aspen trees in the fall have always been one of my favorite subjects to photograph. This morning, while camera hunting at Legends Ranch, I knew where I wanted to head to make my image of the day. Just east of Island Blind, there is a picturesque stand of mature aspen trees. I had seen them the night before and noticed they were close to peak color. Today, they were finally at peak.

Acting on a tip from my son Brad, I head for Jagger Road east of Jebavy Drive to check out one of the few remaining stands of birch trees in the area. I like what I see, especially with the fall color leaves of nearby maple trees providing the backdrop. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I have photographed these trees three times in the last few weeks, but never felt satisfied with the results. Luckily, the trees are very close to our new house on Riverview Drive so I drive by them often. Tonight the light was soft and the bark on the trees was dry, which was the combination I needed. F22.0 at 1.3, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

A few trees around the area still have leaves on them, including this birch tree on Conrad Road. The rain and overcast light actually made the yellow leaves pop more in this photograph. F5.6 at 1/40, ISO 800, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

Today all is beautifully still on the Lake Michigan waterfront at Crosswinds but the snow fence lining the beach foretells of the windy, wintry weather to come. I am looking forward to snow. F11.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

Bob and Nancy Buchert are the newest owners of the home at 607 W. Pere Marquette in Ludington. This is the blue home on the corner of Pere Marquette and Ferry Street that I grew up in. While chatting with Bob and Nancy tonight in the front yard of their newly redone home, I noticed the magic light hitting the old birch trees in the backyard. I remember climbing these trees often as a kid.

After stopping at Ludington State Park to congratulate retiring Park Manager Dan Flaherty on his fine career, I have headed further into the park to look for a picture on a dark, rainy day. I like the view looking straight down while standing on this leaning tree trunk. F4.0 at 1/40, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

This is the largest white birch tree I have ever seen. My dad and I spotted it while we were driving on South Boundary Road at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. I love how the trunk makes a slow s-curve and the bright colors from the surrounding trees make the birch tree stand out even more. F9 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 24mm

A hiker weaves her way down the meandering trail through the mature white birch forest at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. The reward at the end of the trail is a small rental cabin in the woods less than 100 yards from Lake Superior. I want to rent that cabin someday. F11 at 1/60, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 86mm

I swear I did not place this leaf on this birch tree at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. As a photojournalist, I would call this a "found" picture. As an outdoor photographer, I consider it a discovery worthy of waiting for the sun to add some "magic light." The sun strikes the leaf before the breeze gets strong enough to blow it away. F8 at 1/250, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 185mm

The maple leaves are so bright that this birch trunk looks like it is on fire in the White Birch Forest along Lake Superior in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Grand Marais. F22 at 1/200, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

A Red Shoulder Hawk Perching on a Birch Tree

I am headed down Victory Corners Road between Ludington and Scottville to check out an old oak tree when this old birch tree catches my eye. Passing this beauty by is not an option. F6.3 at 1/25, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

This gnarly stand of trees along Conrad Road near the Pere Marquette River flats stands out because of strong side lighting. Looking for photos while driving is always fun, especially when you have a truck full of photographers. This morning I had three other sets of keen eyes helping me find photographs for Week 49 of the Tuesdays Project. F22 at 1/15, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

Something about the look of this stand of snow-coated poplar trees near Crystal Mountain reminds me of a Bev Doolittle painting. I find myself looking for the hidden Native Americans or horses often elusively portrayed in her famous paintings. I can't spot anything but trees; the scene intrigues me just the way it is. F8 at 1/200, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Something about the look of this stand of snow-coated poplar trees near Crystal Mountain reminds me of a Bev Doolittle painting. I find myself looking for the hidden Native Americans or horses often elusively portrayed in her famous paintings. I can't spot anything but trees; the scene intrigues me just the way it is. F8 at 1/200, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm