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Hundreds of seagulls were having a feeding frenzy early this morning as the sun was turning the Lake Michigan shoreline in downtown Ludington beautiful colors. The high winds were creating breaking waves over the pier. Mornings like this make me feel so alive and thankful to live, work, and play in such a majestic area as Mason County.

Underway and making way, slow but sure, a turtle plodded along the beach near the Ludington State Park Beach House. The turtle’s slow pace gave me time to create an artistic composition that emphasized the beauty of its tracks. The highlights and shadows resulting from the bright, low-in-the-sky evening light raking across the beach made the tracks more distinct and more beautiful. This is one of my son Brad’s favorite images of mine. Brad was ecstatic when he saw the Fuji Velvia slide of this image after I dug it out of the slide storage box it had been living in for years.

Summer is Near - panoramic

Daylight is fast fading away when I finally find a picture that feels good. The combination of the diverse patterns and textures of the log, feather and sand make for a good mix. F32.0 at 20.0, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

I love to meander through Michigan's orchard country. Today my friend David Hackert has given me the privilege of photographing one of his family's orchards south of Ludington. I am grateful.

Summer is Near

I find the "real deal" far more impressive than any fake lawn ornament I have ever seen. Even the placement struck me as ideal as I stopped my truck along a country road near Twin Lake to make a still-life image while the farmyard attraction stays still. Stopping also gives me time to truly appreciate the tender loving care the owners of the Ponderosa have given to their fine old barn.

Bass Lake Outlet North of Pentwater is a secluded place I look forward to coming back to, the next day or next season, with great anticipation. Wading in its shallow stream that meanders in everchanging routes toward Lake Michigan or taking up a spectacular vantage point to watch night fall, is a favorite pastime.

Earlier in the day Brad and I were shown this Charlevoix spot and thought it had good potential for an evening shoot with students taking part in our photography workshop. Now at 6:39 P.M. I can hardly believe the glorious light as I make this picture after helping some students make some strong images of their own design. F9.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

Sunset Bay

I am certain I have watched more than 10,000 sunsets and afterglows. This one, along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Ludington State Park on May 24, 2014, was one of the prettiest I have ever witnessed.

Queen Anne’s Lace attracts me in summer as I travel the highways and byways of Michigan. On this still morning winter worked its magic to create this and many other “snow flowers” along a country road near Crystal Valley. Gotta love winter!

I have to laugh and smile looking at the face I see on the trunk of this birch tree. We take some pictures just for the fun of it. F11.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

For several years now the incredibly large overturned stump on the northwest shores of Lost Lake inside the Ludington State Park has been a favorite place for photographers and hikers to explore and document. Today I decided to use my macro lens and show the beautiful wood grains and textures of the dying wood. The wind, rain, and sunlight have bleached the wood and turned it a gorgeous blond color.

The old oak tree continues to grow as the house and barn continue to fade away. I see more than a picture here; I see a story to be told with my camera. It is an evolving story of the tree and the farm growing old together. I wish I knew more of the story, including whether the tree was already growing along Schoenherr Road in rural Mason County when the original homesteaders arrived, probably more than a century ago.

The Lincoln - panoramic

The Lincoln

I am looking on the forest floor for one of those interesting details of nature when this hair from a deer that did not survive the winter catches my eye. I find this detail beautiful even though I am saddened about the deer. F18.0 at 1/60, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 185 mm

Rachel and I went for a hike together with our cameras today. The sunshine was a welcome treat as we explored the Ludington State Park.