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November Radiance

I love the view of Lake Michigan as you crest the hill leading to the Buttersville Peninsula. Today it is spectacular. As I compose this shot I am reminded of many Coast Guard boat rides on days like this. I can almost hear my former shipmate, Chief Doug Lee, smiling and declaring on the wildest of those rides: "Gotta love it, boys!" F3.2 at 1/200, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I love the view of Lake Michigan as you crest the hill leading to the Buttersville Peninsula. Today it is spectacular. As I compose this shot I am reminded of many Coast Guard boat rides on days like this. I can almost hear my former shipmate, Chief Doug Lee, smiling and declaring on the wildest of those rides: "Gotta love it, boys!" F3.2 at 1/200, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I have witnessed several thousand sunsets on the Ludington waterfront, but I never tire of looking for that next spectacular one, especially for the ones that are dramatically different from all the others. On this April evening, a front was approaching from the northwest just as the sun was setting. The bottom of the clouds looked like fiery flames as they swept toward shore. I am glad I was there to witness and make art of this sunset.

I love photographing the morning light as it hits the Lake Michigan shoreline. Today the lighthouse clearly has a bright side and a shadow side, making the photograph more dimensional. F5.6 at 1/320, ISO 500, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

Enjoying Ludington

Seas roiling like a cauldron of churning, boiling water are bathed in storm light during one of the most spectacular Lake Michigan gales of November I have ever seen. Gulls soar above the Ludington lighthouse, on the lookout for fish churned with the waves.

As I lay on my stomach at the end of the inner North breakwall, an icy cold wave crashed over my head. I braced myself for the cold shock and pressed the shutter button at the same time. It all happened so fast, that I was not sure if I captured the moment. I continued to lie in the snow and shoot, but another wave never came. Fortunately, my first shot turned out.

I photographed two deer in a stand of sumac and was pleased with the shot until I saw this view of the Ludington South Breakwater Light right after sunset. The tube-shaped light tower is usually unattractive but tonight it looks like a lit candle dripping wax. I concentrate on keeping my biggest lens still on the tripod. F4.0 at 1/50, ISO 800, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Enjoying the Glow

Seaward

Enjoying the Sunset

Frankfort Lighthouse and Lower Laker

Charlevoix has always been a favorite vacation place for my dad and my stepmom, Debbie. I have been there several times with them. We love photographing Lake Charlevoix and also their beautiful red lighthouse on Lake Michigan. I drove over three hours in a snowstorm to make this image. I am so glad I did!

Frankfort Lighthouse

Yesterday my dad and I stood on the north shore of Grand Haven for almost six hours and photographed during the storm. The waves were running 15 feet with an occasional 18-footer. This was the largest wave we saw all day hit the lighthouse and it was well over 20 feet tall. The spray went over 100 feet in the air. I named the photo "Fuel Injected" because after shooting, on the drive back home to Ludington last night, my dad said that having all that wind in his face for so long made him feel alive and fuel injected.

Ludington Lighthouse During Storm

The Ludington North Breakwater Light looked wonderful this morning! I made a pit stop before heading to work to capture the ice, clouds, and magic light.

 

Grand Traverse Light