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I wish everyone could experience the rush my dad and I feel when we are photographing an approaching Lake Michigan storm front. The power, drama, and beauty that is created when the sun is shining and a storm is approaching from the west is what I dream about photographing all year long. F9 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The peach colored sky with the pink, purple, and light green rays in this photograph is one of the most unique light shows I have experienced on Lake Michigan. I stood a few feet into Lake Michigan to get a sense of immediacy in this photograph so the viewers can feel like they are in the water with me. F4 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 20mm

“Top Shelf” – Storm cloud races ashore near Big Sable Point

Turquios Moon

Bubble Gum Sky

Best Place to Be

We went on another family hike today. This time we explored the pedestrian section of the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. It was a windy day at the top of the dunes, but that made for great designs in the sand. I lay on my stomach to make this image.

I stood on the Pentwater beach tonight hoping to photograph the lighthouse in the storm. However, the best light was to the north, so I turned around and shot towards Ludington. Looking through my viewfinder, I shot photos like a sniper, only pulling the trigger when I felt the roll of the waves looked great. Shoot less and see more

When I looked out over Lake Michigan from my truck at the first curve inside the Ludington State Park, I chuckled to myself when I realized this huge storm cloud looked like a dragon. This photo reminds me of Smaug from The Hobbit.

I am looking forward to the Ludington New Year's Eve Ball Drop and fireworks tonight, but I am already being blown away this morning by the ice balls forming along the Lake Michigan shoreline by waves and spray from a December northwester. Large rocks protecting the Lincoln River Outlet channel wall at Epworth Heights are becoming increasingly large ice balls. The splashing water is also freezing on my waterproof North Face clothing. As I move, the ice coating on my clothing breaks with a crunching sound. Goodness gracious!

It is always nice when Rachel and I can get out to shoot photos together. Unfortunately, it happens very little. Tonight, we made the most of it and had fun shooting the subtle Lake Michigan sunset near Ludington.

For the first time in weeks, due to COVID-19, Brad and I went shooting together. We ventured to the Lake Michigan shoreline and he shot from a higher viewpoint while I climbed down on rocks for a different perspective. It was fun to shoot together again.

Sometimes the sky and clouds are so beautiful and colorful that it is best to leave Lake Michigan out of the frame. The water tonight looked dark and boring, so I aimed my camera higher into the sky and made this image.

I don’t have many images from the Manistee area, so I decided to head there tonight. It was very windy and difficult to steady my tripod, but worth the effort. Lake Michigan sunsets never get old!

For the second time in less than a week I am back at Summit Park rock hunting along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I am looking for that picture perfect wet rock to photograph in the golden light just before sunset. I find two I really like but this one stands out as the clear choice. F3.3 at 1/30, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

Brad and I are always trying to discover different spectacular vantage points from which to view Michigan. Tonight we have hiked to the Empire Bluff for the first time. I stop short of the bluff at this overlook spot because I just can't resist making an image of the view northward toward Empire, South Bar Lake, and Sleeping Bear. I am content here but can't help wondering what Brad is seeing from the bluff's edge.

In the Teeth of Winter

It looked like the clouds were weeping today along the Lake Michigan shoreline in downtown Ludington. We have photographed God beams often and several big rainstorms, but these clouds and rays looked different. I was excited to capture this phenomenon with my camera so I could better explain to people what I witnessed.

I originally had chosen a different image for my photo of the day, but I kept going back to this one and decided to swap them out. After I made my initial photo at Stearns Beach, I headed back to my van. Before putting my gear away, I decided to try an abstract shot. I placed my camera on my tripod and zoomed in on the spot of color above the horizon. Panning my camera side to side while exposing gave it a very painterly feel.

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