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The persistent fishermen who troll Ludington harbor, day after day, in their tiny boats are reminiscent of Ernest Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea. I marvel how they often catch fish when larger fishing vessels go empty-handed. I admire their simplistic approach to fishing as much as I do their patience, perseverance, and willingness to face the elements. Outdoor photographers could learn much from these fishermen.

Leland is one of the most historic and well-preserved fishing towns on the Great Lakes. I love going there with my camera and stepping back in time. Today was the first time I had photographed Leland in the snow. The snow really helped define the rooflines and textures of the old wooden buildings.

The bow of the fish tug Joy is covered with snow on Valentine's Day at Leland, Michigan. The fish tug Janice Sue lies at her mooring on the opposite side of the channel.

If you have not made a journey to Leland, Michigan, I highly recommend you make it a point to visit. Leland's most famous attribute is Fishtown, a historic Lake Michigan commercial fishing village. Leland is on M22 at the mouth of the Leland River. If you time your visit correctly, you can watch the two working fish tugs, Janice Sue and Joy, unload their catches of Lake Michigan whitefish.

I wonder how many winters this old commercial fishing tug has endured. Today it and its tender lie frozen in the ice on Pere Marquette Lake.

Dozens of powerboats and sailboats have passed by us on this gorgeous fall night. Lake Michigan will soon be too rough for pleasure boating. We all soaked in the sunshine tonight.

Fish Town in Leland showcases Michigan's Great Lakes commercial fishing heritage while also featuring shopping, dining, and boat cruises. Leland is one of dozens of picturesque Great Lakes small port villages, towns, and cities.

I am hustling to capture this moment after seeing these canoers fishing on Lincoln Lake. The Dummy Bridge at Epworth Heights provides the backdrop. F3.2 at 1/320, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I had an Ernest Hemmingway moment on the Pere Marquette River tonight. We had anchored our drift boat along the shore so that our guide, Josh Mead, could grill us a homemade pork chop dinner with all the fixings. As we enjoyed our gourmet meal, an old-fashioned wooden drift boat slowly slipped past us. I grabbed my camera and waited for a defining moment. I wondered how many times my great-grandparents floated this same stretch of the river in wooden drift boats. F6.3 at 1/100, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 112mm

Fireworks in Ludington

Fireworks in Ludington on the 4th of July

Fireworks in Ludington on the 4th of July

I have always admired the bravery of the commercial fishermen who venture onto Lake Michigan year around whenever possible. While making this shot of the Indian-owned and operated fishing tug Eagle, I wonder about the rugged vessel's life history; oh, if she could talk! F4.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

I have always admired the bravery of the commercial fishermen who venture onto Lake Michigan year around whenever possible. While making this shot of the Indian-owned and operated fishing tug Eagle, I wonder about the rugged vessel's life history; oh, if she could talk! F4.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

On my way home from Ludington State Park I have just enough time to shoot the sunset after finishing a photo tips program Brad and I put on at Big Sable Point Lighthouse. What a summer for sunsets this continues to be. F4.0 at 1/500, ISO 800, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Looking downstream from the Leland River dam, it is easy to imagine what this fishing village looked like a century ago. The citizens of Leland have gone to great lengths to preserve the historic look of this still active commercial fishing port.

Tonight there were more boats salmon fishing near the Ludington harbor than I have ever seen, and several of them were busy catching fish. I wanted to be out there fishing with my older brother, but he wasn't able to make it home this year. Maybe next year! F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 1000, 70-200 mm lens at 160 mm

We took another family hike today along the Sauble River at the Ludington State Park. Not far from the dam, I made this image of some people enjoying their quiet kayaking adventure together. I really loved the reflection of the trees in the water and the fun clouds in the background.

There is something about the crispness of all the blue and white colors one sees looking eastward at Round Lake from downtown Charlevoix at the height of the summer boating season. Charlevoix is one of Michigan's most picturesque and popular boating harbors. F13 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 15mm

Fishermen fly a large national ensign while trolling for salmon on Lake Michigan. I like their American spirit; I wish them luck catching fish this evening. The intense sunlight penetrates the flag and projects the color while the rest of the scene remains colorless. F5.0 at 1/8000, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm