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Nature, in transition between fall and winter, presented a rare double feature on a mid-October day near Hamlin Lake. The earliest snows of the season often cling to the trees the best and hang on long enough to still look pretty when I discover them.

Lake Michigan Afterglow

Epworth Illuminated

Heaven On Conrad

Little Sable On A rainy Day

Searching for an autumn sunrise on Emerson Lake, in Eastern Mason County. I spotted mist rising through the trees on the opposite side of U.S. 10. Walking about 20 yards into the woods I came upon a lake. According to Stanley Gerybo, owner of the adjacent Fox Lake Resort, the tiny lke is Fox Lake. He and his wife, Justine, have owned it for 33 years. Fox Lake typifies the myriad of sumptuous places, between Big and Little Sable Points, that most people never see. These spots are special to those who own them, or those privileged to see them.

Marram grass bends against a south wind as the sun sets on an October evening along the Lake Michigan shoreline at an area of Ludington State Park long referred to as the "Second Curve." The hearty dune grass thrives in an often-severe environment, standing up to the wind and sand that buries it as the grass and its roots slow and stop blowing sand grains.

At 5:05pm tonight when I left work from our downtown Ludington photo gallery, I looked up at the sky and knew I needed to go shoot the sunset and waves a few blocks away. I parked next to the south concession stand inside of the Ludington City Beach and walked to the edge of the water inside the pier heads. The wind was kicking and the sunset was incredibly intense. After only a few minutes of shooting, I knew I had made my shot. The drive to continually push on a get better as a photographer was ingrained in me by my father. He was right next to me shooting and making his own art. Life is good!

Iced

A tree along the nature trail at West Shore Community College stood out from the others because of the artful pattern of fungus on it.

Laughing All The Way

A November gale shook my Jeep, as if one of those coin-operated kiddy rides, when I pulled into the Ludington beach. I knew I was looking at a great picture; making it would be the challenge. A bean bag on the roof of my rocking vehicle was out of the question. The 35-millimeter camera and telephoto lens shook like Jell-O on my heavy tripod. Searching for a solution, I spotted a sturdy lifeguard tower. I climbed it, lay on the floor with the camera and lens braced in the top of my soft camera bag, and shot away.

With a good perch and a good view, a heron fishes on a pond near Lincoln Lake.

Local Shoreline

Loving the Light

 

While my son Brad was focusing on Northern Lights over Big Sable Point Lighthouse, I have concentrated my attention on the Milky Way decorating the Aurora sky.

Since I was a young boy I have noticed the beauty of lush green moss and enjoyed its soft cushiony texture under my feet. At the north end of the Cedar Campground in the Ludington State Park there is a steep bank that fills with thick moss every year. I had to wait until October for the fallen leaves, the moss, and the light to come together in a way that was photographically pleasing.

The view on Old Mission Peninsula from a scenic overlook along Center Road across a portion of the Chateau Grand Traverse Winery vineyards toward Grand Traverse Bay is splendid this October evening.

While photographing maple trees that created a fall color canopy over Conrad Road, I looked closer. Across a farm field, the color and light made parts of a back-lit tree stand out against the shady woods.