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To me, farming often seems like a romantic way to make a living. Just like photography or any other career, I am sure it has its up and downs. I bet if I were a farmer, my favorite time of the year would be the fall harvest. F6.3 at 1/640, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 30mm

As Dave Johnson and I were flying above Mason County today trying to photograph the extraordinary fall color in our area, we both noticed a unique field near Scottville, Michigan. From the air, the field looked like tan water and the island of hard woods in the middle of it appeared to be floating. Dave circled the field and banked the plane so I could get in just the right position to capture the uniqueness of the area below. F6.3 at 1/2500, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 70mm

Scottville, Michigan is located in the center of Mason County and the downtown area of the small farming community is just north of the Pere Marquette River. Like many small towns in Michigan, Scottville has a friendly atmosphere and a welcoming spirit. F6.3 at 1/640, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 30mm

I love the color complements and contrasts provided by overgrown asparagus plants and the green barn at the Green Farm north of Hart, Michigan. I decide to focus on the red seeds and use the rest of the scene as the backdrop. Bob Green, a former Michigan State University research microbiologist, explains to me that only the male plants sprout these colorful red seeds. The Greens have farmed in the Hart area since 1989. F5.6 at 1/125, ISO 200, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

One of the things I like to do most on my fall color tours is to get out of my vehicle and sit in the leaves along the right of way to immerse myself in the color. That is what I did on a drive down Conrad Road in Amber Township to experience leaves close-up while still taking in the country road and Polcin Farm with my wide-angle lens. F11 at 1/60, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

From day to day, or year to year, I love seeing the different looks of my most favorite tunnel of trees in the world. Today the tunnel of trees looks solid gold as a vehicle heads westward on Conrad Road toward Ludington. An image I made two autumns ago of this same tunnel is being displayed across the Midwest this fall on Pure Michigan billboards. F11 at 1/60, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

If this grand maple tree and old barn could talk, I wonder what stories they would tell about the history of farming and life along Conrad Road near Scottville, Michigan. The emerald green winter wheat surrounding the barn was planted by Pete Conrad. Pete rents the use of the land for farming from Tracy Thompson. F8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 26mm

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

It took over an hour for these cows to make their way over towards me. I mooed like a cow and crawled on all fours, but nothing worked to get the cows to come over and surround this old abandoned home. Finally, I got my iPhone out to play some music. Apparently, cows really enjoy Kelly Clarkson. F8 at 1/250, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 22mm

I have been wanting for several years to photograph one of the largest and most symmetrical oak trees I have ever seen. Today I have the opportunity to photograph the beautiful giant that has been growing on the John B. Sobanski farm long before the farm was established in 1919. The meticulously maintained farm is located southeast of Ludington along the Pere Marquette River. F16 at 0.4, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

As we enter the village of Boon, Michigan, my eye is drawn to an old barn on a nearby hill. An overnight snowfall dresses up the once grand structure that is fading away like so many of Michigan's old barns. F22 at 1/125, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 112mm

A few months ago I photographed this tree when it was full of leaves. Today, the tree is bare and all the leaves have blown away. With the driving snow, the scene looked delicate, yet strikingly beautiful. F8 at 1/25, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

Lone trees in the middle of farm fields have always been one of my favorite subjects to photograph. While driving around in a blizzard this morning I found this incredibly beautiful scene on Kinney Road. So far, this is the best lone tree photograph I have ever made. F11 at 1/10, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 78mm

Christmastime is one of my favorite seasons to drive through the Michigan countryside. I love seeing many of the farms decorated for Christmas. Roger and Marcia Hansen and their family spread Christmas cheer by placing this wreath on their beautiful barn on Conrad Road between Ludington and Scottville. F9 at 1/25, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

I can appreciate the work that went into cutting, hauling, splitting, and stacking this wood that will keep the outdoor furnace stoked at Cherry Hill Farm. However, today I am interested in how attractive the woodpiles look after this morning's fresh snowfall. F11 at 1/60, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 26mm

I believe that if John B. Sobanski were alive today he would be proud to see how well his homestead at the end of Victory Corners Road has been maintained by his descendents. Nestled along the Pere Marquette River, this has to be one of the most beautiful farms in Mason County. This monster oak tree looks beautiful all year long, but I think it looks best covered in snow. F22 at 1/15, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

I believe that if John B. Sobanski were alive today he would be proud to see how well his homestead at the end of Victory Corners Road has been maintained by his descendents. Nestled along the Pere Marquette River, this has to be one of the most beautiful farms in Mason County. This monster oak tree looks beautiful all year long, but I think it looks best covered in snow. F22 at 1/15, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

The old chicken coop and storage barn on the John B. Sobanski homestead in Amber Township was bathed in magic light this morning. With the giant clouds, blue sky, and sunshine, I felt like I was photographing a farm in Wyoming or Colorado. F8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

My friend, Brian Mulherin, is the outdoor writer at the Ludington Daily News. Today he tagged along with my dad and me to write a story about our Tuesdays Project for the paper. Brian spotted these icicles lining the snow covered eves of an old farm building on the John B. Sobanski homestead in Amber Township and pointed me in the right direction with my camera. F8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Someday I would love to photograph Roger Hansen working on rebuilding this old car in his machine shop at Cherry Hill Farm on Conrad Road. Until then, I will enjoy looking at our neighbor's car sitting next to his magnificent barn and photographing it in different seasons. F22 at 1/6, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm