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Ami Maglothin called me today to provide a photo tip that a great blue heron was hanging out in the marina across the street from Whitehall Industries on Madison Street. I headed there right away and found the heron hard at work fishing for food. Thanks for the great tip, Ami! F5.6 at 1/2500, ISO 400, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

It was a calm morning today in the deer hunting woods. Not many deer were moving, and we had a lot of rain on and off. I was glad to be sitting in a waterproof tower and not in my open-air pit blind today. For a few minutes we had a break in the clouds and a tiny bit of sunlight appeared. I used my iPhone to make this image out of our apple orchard tower.

This is only the second porcupine that I have had the pleasure of photographing. My dad and I spotted this awesome animal on a dead end road near Torch Lake. I look forward to my next photo encounter with a beautiful porcupine. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 3200, 300mm lens at 300mm

After a chilly and windy opening day of rifle season, David and I were headed in for a warm dinner. The foggy atmosphere surrounding the field was a perfect black-and-white setting.

I switched deer hunting towers for the second night of the season. Tonight, I sat in my brother’s blind and the rain turned to a beautiful, sticky snow. Within a half hour, I watched this scene turn from brown and kind of ugly, to a winter wonderland. The deer loved the snow too because they finally started moving after the snow fell.

For the third night of deer season, I moved back into the apple orchard tower. It was another slow night of hunting, but the magic light appeared, and I was ready with my iPhone.

I find cardinals and blue spruce trees both to be among the most beautiful living things. At this moment I am hoping the flighty cardinal stays still long enough for me to pull the trigger on this shot from my blind. Click. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 800, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I am about to get back in the truck after taking a picture near Alpena, Michigan when a bumblebee flies past me and lands on a knapweed flower. Bumblebees have fascinated me since childhood. Their colorful, fuzzy bodies and buzzing sound make them my favorite Michigan insect. F9 at 1/500, ISO 400, 105mm lens at 105mm

My dad and I have both photographed Queen Anne's Lace several times this year for the Tuesdays Project, but today I tried to do it in a more unique way. I used my 105mm macro lens and got extremely close to one section of a dew-covered Queen Anne's Lace. I love how macro photography can make the ordinary look extraordinary. F14 at 1/500, ISO 800, 105mm lens at 105mm

Queen Annes Lace

I did the last few work projects, and then hit the stores for Thanksgiving groceries. I helped my mom get the farmhouse ready for dinner tomorrow before I went home. The house is especially quiet without the kids here. Lately, I can feel the depression trying to pull me in. I had decided earlier in the day that I was done with the 366 Project. I am not happy with the photos lately; 40 minutes before today was out, I forced myself to make an image.

Four large sandhill cranes made their way across M32 in Northeast Michigan this morning. I was glad my dad could stop the Suburban fast enough for me to get out my giant telephoto lens and tripod in time to capture these magnificent creatures in flight. F5.6 at 1/2000, ISO 800, 600mm lens at 840mm

As I was driving on Old US-31 through the Pere Marquette River Flats, I spotted this mature bald eagle. I pulled over and knew if I waited long enough, the bird would eventually fly away. I wanted to capture that moment just as it took flight. The five-minute wait was worth it.

The sunshine is a welcome sight today! I love long casting shadows.

Bob and Nancy Buchert are the newest owners of the home at 607 W. Pere Marquette in Ludington. This is the blue home on the corner of Pere Marquette and Ferry Street that I grew up in. While chatting with Bob and Nancy tonight in the front yard of their newly redone home, I noticed the magic light hitting the old birch trees in the backyard. I remember climbing these trees often as a kid.

The light was bland today, and it didn’t appear as if there would be any color for sunset. I took a walk around the yard to see what I could see. I am always amazed at pine trees and their structure.

A male American goldfinch perched on a flower at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon looks canary yellow to me. I later learn that wild canary is another name for the brilliant yellow bird. I see why. F4.5 at 1/640, ISO 3200, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

All I can think of is Peter Cottontail on the bunny trail as I spot a rabbit on a wildflower-lined trail at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon. The song about Peter Cottontail runs through my head, causing me to smile as I push the shutter button before the bunny decides to hop down the trail. F4.5 at 1/500, ISO 3200, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Happy 9th Birthday, Bubba! It was difficult to say goodbye to the kids tonight. I have always been with them on their birthdays for the entire day. I tried to find a photo that would cheer me up tonight. These trees decorated in Christmas lights in front of Lake Michigan helped.

After a quick trip to Muskegon to say hi and give Kasey a 12th Birthday hug, Brad and I headed north. Finally, Michigan was being graced with a winter wonderland! We had been waiting weeks for a snowfall that clings to the trees. I love when the foliage of the forest bends from the weight of the fallen snow. It makes me want to make a snow angel and look up at the big flakes as they cascade down towards me.