Fall

It took over an hour for these cows to make their way over towards me. I mooed like a cow and crawled on all fours, but nothing worked to get the cows to come over and surround this old abandoned home. Finally, I got my iPhone out to play some music. Apparently, cows really enjoy Kelly Clarkson. F8 at 1/250, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 22mm

The leaves on this oak tree near Bridgman, Michigan, on the way to Warren Dunes State Park, brought me from 60 miles per hour to zero in seconds. I already had spotted a beautiful backdrop in the form of the giant rolling hills. Now I have the perfect subject to place in front of the wooded hills. F32 at 1/25, ISO 800, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

The blue line around the outside edge of this leaf stood out to me as I was walking through a creek near the corner of Peterson and Fisher roads. Rainy days can be perfect for photographing fall color. F22 at 1.3 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Standing in creeks and swamps can be detrimental to your boots. As I was focusing on making this picture, I did not realize that both of my boots were slowly sinking into some stinky, thick black muck. Luckily my boots were tall and tied on very tightly so they didn't come off as I yanked them out of the mud. It was all worth it for this photograph. F22 at 1 second, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

This unexpected view of vines intertwined with the bark of a tree catches my eye along the entrance road to Warren Dunes State Park. I always try to remain alert for the surprise photographic discoveries that are often more fascinating than the expected ones. F22 at 2.5 seconds, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

During my first visit to Warren Dunes State Park one of the first things that catches my eye is this graceful old tree on the beach that somehow remains alive and standing despite much of the sand surrounding its base having been blown away by strong lake winds. F22 at 0.3, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

In the summertime, hundreds of people would be having fun at Warren Dunes State Park. On this rainy October Tuesday afternoon I am the only person in sight. I enjoy making still-life photographs when everything is so still. F22 at 1/100, ISO 1600, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Recent windstorms have left behind some impressive sculptures on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. I previsualized the dunes appearing rippled following the big blows, but this exceeds my expectations. F32 at 1/50, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 29mm

A sand dune is to me one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Now paint that sand with the golden light of the setting sun and I am awestruck. I loved the feeling of being the only human being experiencing this view from atop the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.

After making a photograph of this red-tailed hawk from several hundred yards away, I drove to within 50 yards of him, got back out of my truck and made this image. Though red-tailed hawks are not as big as bald eagles they are equally beautiful and majestic, especially while in flight. F4 at 1/1600, ISO 3200, 600mm lens at 600mm

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

I have always loved willow trees. They somehow seem to have such soul. Willow trees bathed in magic light in November are some of the most beautiful trees in the world. F8 at 1/100, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 100mm

Being an avid whitetail deer hunter, I have had many daydreams about seeing a buck this large while hunting. With opening day of firearm deer season only two days away, I am hoping my dream will come true this year. If only this buck lived near our hunting property. F4 at 1/1250, ISO 3200, 600mm lens at 600mm

An impressively large whitetail buck is in full rut as he chases his girlfriend. I watched this chase go on for several minutes before the buck finally caught up to her. F4 at 1/1250, ISO 3200, 600mm lens at 600mm

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

The sun looks to me like it is falling out of the sky this evening. Adding to the illusion, a ship on the horizon appears in part to be floating above Lake Michigan like a mirage due to an atmospheric phenomenon. F22 at 1/13, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 185mm

This is the view of the Pere Marquette River from the upstairs bunkroom at our cabin. I never tire of gazing at this s-shaped bend of the PM River, especially on foggy mornings. F22 at 0.4, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 26mm

Fog simplifies the background of these trees along the border between our land and Cherry Hill Farm north of the Pere Marquette River. Usually the farm's big red barn stands out. Today the trees get to be the standouts. F5 at 1/320, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 450mm

The fog was two-brick thick at sunrise but now it has lifted enough to give this bend of the Pere Marquette River a dreamy look. I have enjoyed watching the river flow past this spot in front of our cabin for many years. It slows me down watching the water meander downstream. F29 at 20 seconds, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 34mm

A blue spruce tree seems to be reaching for the sun but the sun is nowhere in sight on this foggy morning. I like the way the spruce, being close to me, is distinct while the hardwood tree in the background is softened by the fog. Atmospheric days like today help create layers to images. The key is to be close to the foreground layer. F10 at 1/10, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 450mm