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While taking back roads up to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore tonight, we drove by this old McCormick-Deering tractor. I had my dad turn the Suburban around so I could hop out and make this photograph. Both the tractor and the massive old maple tree are timeless beauties. I wonder which one is older? F10 at 1/125, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Did you know northern Michigan is an excellent place to grow lavender? Linda and Roy Longworth have created a successful lavender farm near Horton Bay, Michigan. The 45th parallel in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres is ideal for growing lavender and Horton Bay is located on the 45th parallel. The Longworth's have over 8,000 lavender plants and 30 different varieties. The gift shop is a treat to the senses. Go visit them and help them spread their success story around the country. D800, F11 at 1/160, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

Traveling by horse and buggy is a way of life for the Amish families who have settled iin Riverton and the surrounding areas. On the verge of spring. I was photographing a Riverton farm near sunset when a horse and buggy came down Hawley Road at a fast pace. Even though the Amish choose a simpler way of life, they always seem to be on the move, undaunted by hard work, or lack of life's luxuries. I appreciate that they always seem to have time to give a cheerful wave as they pass by.

While making this photograph near Walkerville, Michigan, I felt that this old abandoned house had a human characteristic to it. When trying to come up with a name for the photograph, my sister-in-law, Stephanie Reed, suggested Old Man Winter because she could see an old man with a long beard in the house and grasses. As soon as she mentioned that, I knew exactly what she was talking about.

Being a farm girl, this farm near Gaylord, Michigan, caught my eye. Wading through knee-deep snow, I worked my way to achieve the composition I wanted. The subtle sunset was the perfect accent piece.

While growing up, my grandpa, Bill Marble, had a reddish horse named Rose. I thought she was beautiful and have always liked horses that color. Today, not far from Fremont, Michigan my dad and I stumbled upon this gorgeous red rider.

 Most days I drive along Fountain Road from my home on Ford Lake, to Jebavy drive and then into town. I love the peacefulness of this drive, the country view, and the special feeling I get to start my days with. Being a country girl, I am always in awe of the beauty of the countryside. There have been many mornings that I pass by scenes, seeing the potential someday, but maybe it wasn’t THAT day. Other mornings I see the potential in front of me, but I am in a hurry to get into town and start my work day, and the scene quickly passes me by, on these days I regret not stopping and making the image that I have now only in my memories. This particular morning the sunrise was so beautiful I had to stop, I just couldn’t drive by without capturing this image. Now, I’m happy that I not only have this scene in my memories, but also in a way that I can share with others.

Photographers should pay farmers to grow sunflowers! When I think of million dollar view, I think of a field of sunflowers in the country as with this scene found along Beyer Road in northern Mason County. I pray the farmers who grow them make a handsome profit to continue to plant them.

Too magical to be real, a white horse made an already beautiful Michigan fall color view truly magnificent. One never knows what wonder will appear when traveling the byways of West Michigan.

The fire barn at White Pine Village screams with color every day as I pass it by on my way to and from home. But it has never looked brighter or more splendid to me than today during one of the biggest, most beautiful snowfalls of the winter. F11.0 at 1/125, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

I have been known to moo out loud at cows to get their attention. Usually, it doesn't work, and they just look at me like I am an idiot; but today it enticed this little one to come closer to me and my camera. My dad has taught me a lot of tricks of the trade over the years.

Lake effect snow is dreaded by many, but not by many outdoor photographers. I am out early this morning traveling the countryside near the Lake Michigan shoreline, looking for a picture perfect scene. Here it is!

I feel like I can look into the heart and soul of this horse as I view it up close and personal through my camera. Brad and I discovered this gorgeous creature along county highway B31 near Fremont during a more than 250-mile Tuesday photo excursion along West Michigan highways and byways.

Winter mornings on the farm don't get any prettier than this one. I have driven nearly 100 miles to make this image of my favorite barn in the countryside of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. I am ecstatic about the payoff!

Some of the first and last snowfalls of the season are often the most picturesque because of the better odds of higher temperatures that produce snow that sticks like glue. On this early November morning, I made certain I was at Ludington State Park shortly after daylight to start my search for snow shots before the wind started stirring and blowing the snow off the trees. When I spotted this scene along the Sable River I knew I had found what I was looking for

I have long admired and photographed this neatly-kept farm at the top of a high hill along US31 north of Manistee. On this late November morning, after a fresh snowfall, Olsen Hill Farm looks especially inviting. I spend a few minutes finding today's best vantage point. Now it looks and feels right to me. Click.

Friends had told me about a white horse pastured along old U.S. 31 between Ludington and Pentwater. On several photo trips in that direction I never saw the horse. As my son Brad and I drove to Pentwater one evening to photograph some summer scenes, I spotted a white horse. Undoubtedly, this was the horse and the scene that had excited others. I was thankful for the tips and the opportunity to make the photograph.

While I was helping the kids work with their 4-H animals, I was distracted by the clouds in the sky. I could visualize how dramatic they would be over our barn. I ran to grab my gear and set up the shot before they blew away. We have all spent many hours in this barn over the years. It is another one of our special buildings.

It has been interesting watching this old abandoned home near Silver Lake change over the last 20 years. My guess is that within the next year or two a good portion of it will collapse.