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While meandering back to our cabin along the Pere Marquette River, I spot at least a half dozen butterflies fluttering in the sunshine on the edge of a stand of large red pine trees. Patience and perseverance finally gets me as close as I want to get to one of the Red Admirals. The colorful butterflies seem to be springing up everywhere this April. F6.3 at 1/640, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

I have watched these goslings for weeks. I knew that I wanted to make a photo of them and tonight seemed like a good night for it, as they were perched on a mound surrounding their mom. As I was getting in position, the mom and goslings swam off their mound. Two other geese started to come near, and the daddy scared them away. It wasn’t the photo I was going for, but it turned out better than I envisioned.

My high school friends Bryan and Veronica Copenhaver have recently moved back to the area after living in Alaska for several years. Brian called me to say they had a white egret in their pond. Sean and the kids and I drove out there in the rain and found the bird. Just as I was rushing into position to make my first image, a truck drove by and scared the bird away. I ended up photographing this pair of geese on their pond instead.

This rabbit was so fat that it really didn't hop very well. It waddled around our neighborhood more like a little piglet. My daughter Julia got a huge kick out of watching our furry, fat neighbor. F4.0 at 1/80, ISO 1000, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Parents escort a squadron of Canada geese goslings on an evening voyage across Pere Marquette Lake. Perhaps the youngsters are practicing the precision V-formations they will be part of when they learn to fly. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200 mm at 200 mm

I was shocked to be standing in my kitchen and to look out the window at our bird feeders to see two indigo buntings and two scarlet tanagers all at the same time. I haven’t seen either of those species in my yard before, let alone four of them at the same time. I snuck back outside to my truck and got my camera and big lens just in time to get a photo of the one remaining scarlet tanager.

I love the ditch by my mailbox in the springtime. It is covered in yellow mustard weed and is a striking sight. I carefully made this image, showcasing one perfect stalk.

It is always fun shooting with others. Even though we might be a short distance from each other, we compose very unique images. Brad and I drove to Stony Lake today. We spent a good portion of the afternoon exploring woods of trilliums. The landowners are very generous to allow us to photograph these delicate flowers.

All primped after taking a bird bath in the Red Cedar River, a female cardinal awaits the arrival of a nearby male cardinal that has been pursuing her on the Michigan State University campus this spring afternoon. F6.3 at 1/1000, ISO 1600, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

A male cardinal tries to pinpoint a nearby female cardinal's "mating call" in a botanical garden at Michigan State University. The alluring call is actually coming from an application on my son Brad's iPhone. F7.1 at 1/800, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I was mowing my lawn today when a slight movement to my left caught my eye. This peering snake had eyes for me. As disgusted as I was, I knew it could make a cool photo for today. I hopped off and grabbed my gear. I gingerly walked towards the area to capture the snake. After I made a couple shots, it slithered away. It was only then that I realized how long it was! I ran quickly away in the opposite direction.

Growing up, some of my best memories are in the orchard at our family farm. Whether it was picking apples, playing baseball, or swinging on the tire swing, there was always activity amongst the apple trees. Joshua loves to climb this tree in my backyard, and while watching him one day, I noticed this specific clump of apple blossoms. I knew I had found my photo of the day.

I made my almost-daily stop at Northside Market near my home today to grab some stuff for dinner. When I came out and looked across Bryant Road, I spotted my first fawn of the season standing with her mom. My guess is this fawn had been born earlier today.

Dogwood Trees hold a special place in my family’s heart. For years they had stopped blooming on our farm while I was growing up and we were worried they would never bloom again. Then, one year, they started up again! We have several of these favorite trees around the farm. This one looked radiant tonight.

From its perch high above one of the outdoor botanical gardens on the Michigan State University campus, a young hawk keeps a sharp eye out for its next meal. It amazes me how well wildlife can coexist with the roughly 40,000 MSU students and thousands of other people on campus daily. F3.5 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Ed Sanders called me today from Lincoln Hills and told me they found a fawn near the clubhouse next to the driving range. I drove there a short time later and made this image. Using my biggest lens, so I could keep my distance from the fawn, I lay down on my stomach to get eye to eye with the tiny whitetail deer.

One of our workshop students and I stumbled upon this fawn near one of the trails north of the Beechwood Campground inside Ludington State Park this morning. The fog and light rain add to the mood. F2.8 at 1/25, ISO 400, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Near Beaumont Tower, a group of Michigan State University students are just out of sight getting their pictures taken in their caps and gowns. Meanwhile, this MSU lifer poses on the lawn with a reward for his own work on campus. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

My mom loves lily of the valley. We have many that grow around our garage at the farm. It seemed the perfect photo of the day to celebrate her 78th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Mama!