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As I look up the trunk of this stout old maple tree in rural Mason County, it occurs to me how strong a maple tree has to be to hold up all of its branches and leaves. Then it occurs to me how life-like the tree looks. Knots look like eyes looking down at me. I can imagine it walking through the forest. Visually escaping reality can be very entertaining. F9 at 1/60, ISO 400, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

Ron and Donna Sanders live across the street from Betsy and me on Riverview Drive in Ludington. As I was pulling out of my driveway early this morning I noticed their yard light creating beams of light as it shone through one of their bushes. I could not resist making a photograph of the beautiful scene. F6.3 at 30 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

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

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

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

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

I love this view for more than the beauty of this red pine tree branch on a rainy morning. I appreciate it even more because this tree is one of hundreds my brother and I have watched grow on our land along the Pere Marquette River from seedlings to more than 15 feet high. I find all the trees, just one of the trees or a small part of one a joy to behold. F11 at 1/400, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 450mm

Sometimes this swampy area of our property along the Pere Marquette River is under water. With the unseasonably warm and dry year we have had, this is the driest I have ever seen our swamp. F8 at 1/80, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The roots of this tree, located in the swampy area of our property along the Pere Marquette River, really look like an octopus or some kind of swamp monster. At least this monster is beautiful. F7.1 at 1/100, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

I moved in twice as close on some roots of a giant tree in the swamp along the Pere Marquette River today in order to make this image. I felt that another perspective of this scene might look busy and disorganized, but by being mobile with my camera, I found a way to make order out of chaos. F7.1 at 1/80, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 23mm

A very young pine tree stands proud among more mature pines and hardwoods near the Pere Marquette River. With the much-needed rain we got overnight, I could almost see this little tree growing before my eyes. F20 at 1/60, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

Just as darkness is setting in on the woods near our cabin along the Pere Marquette River, the sun appears to have set some trees on fire. I love sitting in the woods and watching day turn to night. I love daylight but I love nightfall as well. F3.2 at 1/500, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm