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There are so many hidden gems around Mason County. This Custer view is pretty unbeatable!

These windmills are a topic of great controversy. Today, the white stood out against the blue sky and green field.

Betsy and I are in the process of selling our home and buying a new one in Ludington. We had to drive home to Ludington today from our vacation in Manistee to meet with our realtor. On our morning drive back to Ludington, we passed a farm field with freshly rolled crops. The fog and rain made for a very atmospheric morning. F22.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

When I think of Bespop, I often picture him in this area of his yard, near his grape arbor. Of course, he would be leaning on his cane, wearing his straw fedora hat, and smoking his pipe of cherry tobacco. I miss his smile. I miss his laugh.

I know I have mentioned our family’s front field before. Tonight, I visited it again. The golden magic light and the field were mesmerizing!

We spend most evenings working with the fair animals. Several of my nieces and nephews house their animals at the farm too, so it is usually hard work but fun to spend time with cousins. And how can you beat this view?

The woods on our family farm always brings peace to my heart. Fair preparation was in full force this Thursday evening, and I needed a break from the organizing, planning, and packing. I took a walk down one of our lanes, breathing in the quiet air.

How often do I drive by the crops in Michigan farm fields without giving much thought to what a contribution American farmers make to our great nation? I tend instead to be focused on the beauty of these crops and farmlands as I travel the highways and byways of Michigan. This farm crop was visual food for my artistic soul when I discovered it while driving along Victory Drive in rural Mason County. F22 at 1/15, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

When I see "amber waves of grain" in the American landscape, I feel blessed to live in America where we have so much farmland and an abundance of food. I appreciate Michigan farms like the Andersen farm on Andersen Road in northern Mason County. F22 at 1/30, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 175mm

This tire swing in our apple orchard was hours of fun for me! My sisters would see how high we could get it swinging. On windy days, we would look out the window and say the ghost was playing with it that day. My kids love taking turns on it now.

It is difficult shooting the sunset at home, due to our neighbor’s sprinkler irrigation system running north and south in the field to the west. I have had to work hard to compose shots where the sprinkler doesn’t take away from the feel of the image.

Storm clouds can be mesmerizing as they rapidly fly across the sky. These particular clouds seemed to have a wave motion to them. I waited for them to position themselves above the trees in the way that I was envisioning.

Looking like giant spray-painted hay bales, rolls of brightly colored drainage tube await installation in a farm field along US 10 east of Scottville. I am on my way to the Scottville Harvest Festival, which celebrates farming, so this picture seems appropriate for today's photo of the day. F8.0 at 1/320, ISO 200, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

As the sun rises over the Northern Michigan countryside, I find myself mesmerized by the sight of corn waving lazily in the morning breeze. It makes me crave Michigan-made Kellogg's Corn Flakes. F2.8 at 1/640, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Ralph Lundberg stands by a bale of straw on the sprawling Lundberg Brothers Farm south of Scottville, Michigan. The patchwork of big fields beyond is part of the 1,200 acres of land the Lundbergs farm for their dairy operation. Farming, like most career paths, has its ups and downs, but I think it is one of the noblest Michigan professions. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 20mm

Ralph Lundberg stands by a bale of straw on the sprawling Lundberg Brothers Farm south of Scottville, Michigan. The patchwork of big fields beyond is part of the 1,200 acres of land the Lundbergs farm for their dairy operation. Farming, like most career paths, has its ups and downs, but I think it is one of the noblest Michigan professions. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 20mm

Of the more than 100 bales of straw in a farm field south of Scottville, Michigan, this one appears to me the most photogenic. It lies close to a country road right-of-way lined with Queen Anne's lace. I like the way the flowers provide a visual vignette. F3.2 at 1/800, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Wanting to photograph some lightning this evening, I decide to head for one of the high spots of Ludington's "fruit country." I am able to catch this bolt as it strikes near windmills recently erected amidst the orchards. F4.5 at 1/60, ISO 800, 14-24mm lens at 19mm

We were eating dinner at the farm when I could tell through the window that it was rainbow weather. I rushed outside to see a huge double rainbow to the east. I composed my photo to include each of the bright red colored trees on either side of the photo.

The clouds all day today were magnificent! I had allergy testing in Muskegon in the morning; when that ended, I had to pick up the boys from school and head to Mesick for one of Kasey’s meets. I was focused on cheering on the teams and not shooting. When we arrived home, the clouds to the east were still there and they had turned bright pink.