Search

Fall Trees

It is becoming harder and harder to find old barns to photograph. So many of them have succumbed to Mother Nature. The kids and I found this barn on Inman Road south of Ludington.

I truly appreciate those Michigan entrepreneurs who make the Michigan countryside more beautiful in the process of luring customers. The Iris Farm on M72 west of Traverse City is a stunning example of such a business. I am delighted to drive a hundred miles to take in this sight.

Horses, horse ranches, and equestrian clubs appear left and right as Brad and I travel one of the country lanes through the rolling hills of Metamora horse country. This is definitely some of the most beautiful Michigan countryside we have seen. During a lunch break in Metamora, we are told there are more horses in Metamora Township than there are people.

Tunnel of Trees Conrad Road in Winter

Guests can arrange to bring their horses with them when they stay at Bedrock Stables in Metamora. Manager Kyle Kedzierski leads a horse out of the stable at the country bed and breakfast in the heart of Metamora horse country.

Todd's Day 209 of 365

In the Teeth of Winter

I pass by this horse every week on my way to and from West Shore Community College. During the winter, Julie Schroeder's Arabian Aadaraan (aka Casey) tends to stay in the barn or close to the barn at the corner of Fisher and Peterson Roads. Today, I am glad to find the 29-year-old Arabian chestnut gelding basking in the sunshine close to the road. F3.2 at 1/800, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

Aging Beautifully

This rooster on Morton Road, owned by Mark and Katie Cooper, is definitely the cock of the walk! He thinks he is hot stuff and wanted me and the rest of the world to know it. F2.8 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Barn Shadows

A Michigan fruit grower has probably invested a small fortune in planting and caring for this orchard, hoping it will yield dividends this year and for many years to come. My dividend today is being able to see, appreciate, and photograph these trees planted on a ridge overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. F22 at 1/80, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 120mm

Traveling Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City when thousands of cherry trees are in bloom is one of those Michigan experiences that are unforgettable. This spot on M37 is one of many Old Mission locations where motorists can see orchards, rolling hills, and Grand Traverse Bay all at once. For landscape photography lovers like me these scenes provide the opportunity to make "grand scenic" pictures that feature a strong foreground, middleground, and background. F11 at 1/250, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 130mm

This grand old barn stands proud and strong on the backroads between Silver Lake and Pentwater. I thought it was cool how the pattern in the clouds matched the pattern in the old metal roof. I also really liked the vines growing on the barn

When I was born someone gave me a little white stuffed lamb that I later named Lambo. It was always my favorite. The bright white lamb at Shoup's farm that I photographed today for Week 15 of the Tuesdays Project brings an extra big smile to my face. F2.8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

My kids love our chickens. This is one of David Benjamin’s favorites. He suggested I make a portrait of the two of them for my photo of the day. How could I resist those beautiful faces?

After chasing the rooster that had gotten loose all around the yard at Shoup's farm, I set my focus on this beautiful hen. I loved the contrast between her gorgeous black and white feathers and her bright red face. By getting my 200mm telephoto macro lens right up against the fence of the chicken coop and setting my aperture to F2.8, I was able to make the fence in the foreground totally disappear and the shallow depth of field made the fence in the background very soft and not nearly as distracting. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

Cow Lick

The maples are a favorite spot for my kids and their cousins. It is close enough to my parents’ house that they can venture out without supervision, yet the trees feel miles away. My mom enjoys sitting on their porch watching them play. They spend a lot of time exploring here under what I call “The Triple Trees”.