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Halloween arrived in Mason County this morning with bucket loads of rain and even an occasional snowflake. But as experienced outdoor photographers, Brad and I know that nature’s nasty weather tricks can come with some unusually good treats. So back to Conrad Road I went to photograph the tunnel of trees between the Polcin and Greene farms for the fourth time in five days. The fourth time was the charm.

A classic red tractor helps give that good old-fashioned, at home on the farm feeling to Country Dairy. The dependable old tractor and grazing cows are among many appealing sights at the New Era dairy, which welcomes visitors with open arms to see and learn about dairy farming. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

Kinney Gold

Upon our arrival at Country Dairy in New Era, Michigan, Brad and I are immediately attracted to one of the dairy farm's unofficial greeters, Holstein "19445." She is amongst the many attractions at Country Dairy, which range from seeing cows up close and personal, to viewing and learning about real dairy farm operations, including tasting some of the farm's products at their restaurant and farm store. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 35mm

Mears Connection

I am back in the same orchard along Pere Marquette Highway near Kistler Road to take a picture at 11:00 A.M. as part of a worldwide photo shoot sponsored by the New York Times. This time I will include the blossoms I chose to leave out two days ago when the opportunity to photograph children playing in the dandelions presented itself. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

I'm a sucker for dandelions and this is turning out to be a great year to photograph them. Today I find them to be a colorful component in a picture of Kevin and Nancy Hansen's centennial farm, along with Victory Trinity Lutheran Church and some of the Victory Township countryside. F11.0 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 145 mm

Morning Stroll

Never Gets Old

I cannot even estimate how many times I have driven past this farm in my lifetime so far. On my way home this evening, it stopped me. I pulled over and carefully composed my image. I made sure that the silo was completely showing, and that there was enough green grass in the foreground to pull the viewer into the image.

Snow Barn r5

Nikon D810. F22.0 at 1/60, ISO 100. 14.0mm lens at 14.0mm. May 8, 2020 at 4:10pm.

It is the first day of my wife Debbie's vacation from nursing school and also my birthday. As we drive north to see what we can see and just get away together, these lambs playing on a farm along US 31 near Charlevoix cause us to make a U-turn for a closer look. What a nice present! F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

March often comes in like a lion, but during the month Michiganders can almost be assured that the sticky snow which comes with warmer temperatures will create some fairy tale worlds on Michigan country roads.

Holy cow! This must be Michigan. I can't believe my eyes as my wife and I drive inland from Petoskey to find the source of all that snow we have been seeing on some cars. Soon we are in the midst of the biggest, wettest snowflakes I have ever seen. I spot this red barn high atop a hill. It is a better background than I could have dreamed for. F2.8 at 1/1000, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

A newborn foal rests in the sunshine and partially in the shadow of its mother in a pasture on the Schultz farm on Iris Road south of Ludington. I take great pleasure in seeing the Schultz family's horses almost daily as I pass by to and from home. F8.0 at 1/400, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 130 mm

Sunflower Power

The Great Pumpkin Patch

We took country back roads all the way to Lansing today for Week 18 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed." When we were near St. Johns, Michigan, we pulled off the road so I could make this photograph of a lone tree in an immense farm field. I can only imagine how many farmers have pulled their tractors into the shade of this tree for a cool rest on a hot summer day. F11 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The rolling pastures, cold mist and fog, and beautiful cattle along Old 127 just north of Lansing reminded me of scenes from several British movies I have seen. After getting into position for making this photograph, I only had to wait three minutes for the cattle to spread out and make a gorgeous pattern in front of me. F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 105mm