Fall

My wife spotted the color in the sky as we were just starting to have our morning coffee together. She knows if she tells me about the light our coffee hour is over; she tells me anyway. Two minutes later I am shooting one of the best sunrises of the year as salmon fishing boats troll past the Badger and Spartan on Pere Marquette Lake. F4.0 at 0.25, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

I have long wanted to photograph the lighthouse on White Lake near Whitehall. Today, finally, I am here on my way back from hanging the photograph I entered in the ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids. The White River Light Station, built in 1876 and now a museum, looks storybook perfect. F8.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 22 mm

Betsy, Ethan, and I all have the flu today. It has not been a fun day to say the least, but making a photo of the day in our backyard does take my mind off of being sick for a little while. F8.0 at 1/60, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

The bees obviously know the cold weather months are ahead because they sure are busy this evening in a flower garden near Lake Michigan. Bees have fascinated me since childhood so I particularly enjoy photographing them. F4.5 at 1/500, ISO 100, 105 mm macro lens at 105 mm

I am playing one of the worst rounds of golf of my life at Lincoln Hills Golf Club when I spot these maple leaves near the 17th tee already turning color. I put down the golf club and pick up my camera. I am so much happier and capable with a camera in my hands. Passion and practice make all the difference. F4.5 at 1/200, ISO 250, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

My dad and I golfed today in the local chamber of commerce golf outing at Lincoln Hills Golf Club. Neither of us is able to golf often, but we seem to always laugh a lot when we do. I think other people laugh at us too. You can't take yourself too seriously in life! F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Looking like giant spray-painted hay bales, rolls of brightly colored drainage tube await installation in a farm field along US 10 east of Scottville. I am on my way to the Scottville Harvest Festival, which celebrates farming, so this picture seems appropriate for today's photo of the day. F8.0 at 1/320, ISO 200, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Driving down Conrad Road my dad noticed some sumac that had started to change color. He already had his photo of the day so he called me. Twenty minutes later when I showed up with my camera, this beautiful butterfly greeted me. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I have made the picture I set out to make at Epworth Heights this afternoon

These pigeons are a bright spot in a sad day. Angel, our beloved cat, died today. The pigeons are on a barn roof at Country Clinic, which gave us Angel nearly 20 years ago when he was an orphan kitty convalescing from the loss of a front leg. What a gift he turned out to be! F5.6 at 1/2000, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

After a birthday dinner for me at my house with the kids, we headed down to the beach to photograph the sunset. I love these hazy, but colorful nights along the Lake Michigan shoreline

Kasey had a cross country meet in Bear Lake this evening. I decided to take back roads home, from Manistee, on the search of a photo. To my luck, I saw this sandhill crane in a field. I safely pulled the van over and got in position. What a majestic bird!

Legends Ranch is my happy place. While walking to one of the blinds tonight to photograph some of the giant whitetail bucks, I came face to face with this gorgeous typical. Without using an actual deer call, I grunted at him and got him to come even closer to me.

Summit Park is one place I don’t visit as much as I should. It is such a great park and beach! I left work early to drive that way to explore for photographs. It was such a calm, peaceful afternoon!

The Fredericks family farm is one of the most uniquely attractive farms in Mason County. Slowing down or stopping when driving by the South Amber Road property provides more time to appreciate all the handmade folk art on the barn and elsewhere in the yard. F22.0 at 1/6, ISO 400, 24-70 mm lens at 29 mm

Indian Bridge over the Pere Marquette River is a popular spot for fishing. When the fishing is hot, it is lined with men, women, and families fishing. Tonight, the banks are empty, the river is calm enough that the vegetation and trees along it are reflected nicely. I was even blessed with magic light!

Running out of daylight, I headed into our backyard and found these leaves and birch stump. Using a sturdy tripod and hoping the wind stayed calm, I made this six-second exposure. It turned out sharper than expected. F22.0 at 6.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I was on my way to Brad’s when I passed by The Market on US-31. It was closed, but the cattails surrounding it were just waiting to be photographed. I used their exterior lights to add depth to the photo. Cattails always bring back memories of picking them at fair, and then forgetting them in the camper until we would find them exploded the next spring. My mom does not miss those days.

I have been watching leaves float by for 20 minutes on Hamlin Lake just above the dam at Ludington State Park. Finally, here is a fresh, colorful view that stands out immediately from all the others I have seen. F2.8 at 1/80, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 130 mm

This year, as I drop off or pick up the kids from their visitation with their dad, I try to take different routes looking for photo opportunities. I didn’t have to drive far when I saw this field and shade tree on South Custer Road.