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Debbie and I are en route to Chicago to attend two weddings. I have been looking for my picture of the day for what seems like miles on end when I spot one of my favorite sights of summer

This wild blue flag iris was spotted by my dad on Blueberry Island at the Ludington State Park today as we floated by on our little boat. We waited about 30 minutes for the sunlight to become less intense in the late afternoon before we beached our boat on the island so I could get out and make this photograph. With the aid of some cloud cover, we now had soft diffused light overhead, which helped make this iris glow. F8 at 1/500, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 170mm

I don’t know what kind of strange fungi this is in my front yard, but it is very large and super cool looking. My new yard never ceases to amaze me with all of its fun surprises.

Yes, purple loosestrife is an invasive species. And, yes, it is beautiful. This year it has invaded the wetland area along the north side of Ludington South Breakwater. I will enjoy it until someone sees fit to eliminate it. F2.8 at 1/800, ISO 200, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Hoary puccoon flowers stand out amidst the rolling dunes of the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. These flowers are among the many natural gems waiting to be discovered here by hikers and photographers. The Natural Resources Trust Fund provided more than half the $19 million needed to purchase and preserve the 173 acres of prime real estate for the public. More than 900 families and individuals have pitched in to help make the land acquisition possible. F5.6 at 1/60, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

The roadside along Pere Marquette Highway at Kibby Creek looks like a garden this morning. I love watching to see what is going to grow next from spring to fall along Michigan roads. F4.0 at 1/400, ISO 200, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I have tried to make a photograph of the grapes up in Bespop’s grape arbor for several years. Either I was too late, or the animals had already eaten them when I have tried before. This year, I was determined. I made almost daily visits to the arbor and finally decided the time was right.

The brilliance of these cardinal flowers rockets out from one of my favorite estuaries along South Lakeshore Drive near Bass Lake. The oriental-looking plants look even more sensational close-up than they did when I first spotted them during one of our favorite summer pastimes

My dad had done the legwork on getting permission from the owners for Team Reed to be able to photograph these sunflowers on Conrad Road near Amber Elk Ranch. Julia, Ethan, and I waited until just before sunset to head out to shoot because I had previsualized this type of photograph. Within a few minutes, I had made this image and then proceeded to take portraits of my kids with this beautiful backdrop.

Swaying in the summer breeze, Queen Anne's lace paints an impressionistic picture on my digital camera's sensor during a long exposure. The field in Summit Township looks and feels to me like a Monet painting. I want the photograph to feel the same way. F22.0 at 1.6, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

A visit to the Lavender Labyrinth at Cherry Point Farm & Market has been a tradition since I discovered it several years ago. The light was striking when I decided to make the drive south for a visit. I had the labyrinth almost to myself as I peacefully wandered through. The bees were especially attracted to this lavender. Quickly, I composed this hard-working bee. I loved the sunlight on the wings.

Betsy and I took the kids for a run tonight in the jogging stroller on our normal route through the beach and around the marinas in Ludington. When we were almost home, Julia wanted to get out and smell our neighbor's flowers. Julia informed me that these purple flowers were African Daisies. Not bad for four and a half years old! F2.8 at 1/640, ISO 400, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

It was another busy day between work and fair. It is difficult to make any photographs during the fair shows, because I am helping the kids and do not have time. I knew these flowers had started to bloom in the yard, and I liked the dark tones of my dining room table. I knew the two would work well together.

One dose of day lily colors and shapes arouses my visual senses. A double dose of day lilies sends my visual senses to a different dimension. I have been looking for wild day lilies all afternoon while scouting for pictures in West Michigan. I wind up finding them on my own land near the Pere Marquette River. Brought to the United States as a horticultural garden plant, day lilies are now widely naturalized in Michigan. F8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

After being loaned an underwater housing for my camera this summer, I lay in bed one night trying to previsualize several different compositions that I could make with the new system. One of the photos that kept popping back into my mind was a half underwater shot of a water lily at the Ludington State Park. Knowing that lilies love still, warm water, I was certain I would be able to make my photo on Lost Lake. It turned out way better than I ever imagined it would! F8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 11.5mm

After being loaned an underwater housing for my camera this summer, I lay in bed one night trying to previsualize several different compositions that I could make with the new system. One of the photos that kept popping back into my mind was a half underwater shot of a water lily at the Ludington State Park. Knowing that lilies love still, warm water, I was certain I would be able to make my photo on Lost Lake. It turned out way better than I ever imagined it would! F8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 11.5mm

On a few days during the 365 Project, it has been very difficult to pick which photo to use for the photo of the day. Facebook has been helpful because we can have our fans vote for their favorite. This butterfly I photographed at Big Sable Lighthouse after our photo talk was the winner. Thanks for all the great comments and your votes! F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I never get bored trying to photograph sunflowers. I look forward to that challenge every year. I was really drawn to the dynamic light hitting this sunflower tonight on Jebavy Drive.

I had Rose of Sharon bushes at my old house. I wished that I could have taken them with me. Much to my surprise, when I moved into our current home, a Rose of Sharon bloomed in our front yard!

Sometimes as photographers, we like to challenge ourselves to find a photograph with only one specific lens. Today I chose my 85mm prime F1.4 lens. I put that on my camera body, grabbed my tripod, and an extra battery, and left all the other equipment in my truck and then I took a hike at our hunting property along the Pere Marquette River. I found these wildflowers and went to work.