Fall

I am hunting this evening for the two big bucks I photographed in July at the Ludington Pumped Storage Plant when their antlers were in velvet. I think these big guys might be the same ones. F8.0 at 1/15, ISO 1250, 500 mm lens with 2X extender at 1000 mm

After I dropped the kids off to their dad for his weekend, I drove home from Hart the backway, through Pentwater. On my way there, on Lake Road, I came across this field of overgrown asparagus. I’ve always liked the way that it looks! The grain in the wood of this barn was the perfect subject to place with it. The hardest part was steadying the tripod against the wind!

Dave Johnson took Rachel and me flying today so that we could make images for our 366 Project. We flew over Rachel’s family farm and then followed the Pere Marquette River back towards Ludington. Partway between Scottville and Ludington, I opened the window of the plane and leaned out into the rushing air to make this image.

The color and patterns of these maple leaves in front of a birch tree on Hawley Road caught my eye a week ago. Today I am back to see if the leaves have peaked. They look great. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

As Brad and I were driving back to Hart to pick up the kids, we drove past St. Mary’s Lake. I decided to swing through by the boat launch. What a welcome treat!

My Uncle Budde and Aunt Sheryl have an extraordinarily beautiful home just north of the Ludington City Beach on Lake Michigan. This is the view out of their dining room. They both have excellent decorating style.

As Brad and I were driving back to Hart to pick up the kids, we drove past St. Mary’s Lake. I decided to swing through by the boat launch. What a welcome treat!

Several tom turkeys passed in front of my truck as I turned the corner from Conrad Road onto Meyers Road this morning. I threw on a larger lens and ran after the birds. The fall leaves on the ground add to the composition. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 500, 70-200 mm lens at 120 mm

Rachel and I and several other hunters were enjoying a five-course meal today at Legends Ranch when this guy came walking by the lodge. I photographed him with my iPhone through the window as the buck walked by in the rain.

October is the time for drama on the Lake Michigan shoreline. This afternoon I am so glad I made the decision to head to Little Sable Point to try to catch a peak moment of light, clouds and waves at the historic lighthouse. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 19 mm

I had my first experience hunting at Legends Ranch in Bitely, Michigan tonight. Although I didn’t see a shooter for me, it was a wonderful experience. I left the ranch and drove the 40 minutes back to Custer to pick up the kids from the farm. By the time I got them home it was almost 9:30 PM. I had to decide quickly on what my photo was going to be so I could get them in bed.

While walking with my friend and guide, Corey Ford, to the Stump Blind at Legends Ranch, we stopped in one of my favorite woods in the entire world, so I could make this image of the sunlight dancing through the trees. The fall in Michigan is by far my favorite time of year.

One of my favorite views is from this spot on First Street. You can see the huge base of the basswood tree at the end of my parents’ drive in the distance. You know you are “home” when you spot the tree. Tonight was particularly memorable.

I photographed 19 of these birch trees in January at Merdel Manufacturing on Day 12 of 365. Today I zero in for a closer shot featuring just three of the line of trees in fall color. F5.6 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 112 mm

Rachel had the opportunity to harvest her first ever whitetail buck tonight, and she made the most of it. She and I, along with her guide, Corey Ford, sat in Island Blind, and anxiously awaited the right moment. This gorgeous typical buck presented a shot, and Rachel followed her training, and made a great shot.

A fire hose snakes down Rath Avenue, delivering water from a hydrant to a house fire. Luckily, nobody was injured, the owner's dog was rescued, and the fire was extinguished. F7.1 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Todd and Brad have explored Legends Ranch with their cameras more times than they can count. This year was the first time that I joined along. Brad and I were working at capturing different lake views on their grounds when I noticed a huge buck resting near the water’s edge. Quietly, I worked on my composition before he moved.

The narrow bridge that carries cars over the channel from Bass Lake to Lake Michigan has a sign that says "No Fishing." There are not any signs saying "No Photographing." I am glad of that as I make this sunrise picture. F4.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

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.

We were exploring a different part of Legends Ranch today when a falcon flew above us. Luckily, I was ready with my camera.