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After a two-mile hike in the hot August sun, I walked back to my truck with my head down, disappointed that I hadn't made any good pictures. I was pleasantly surprised to find this caterpillar 10 yards from my truck. I quickly put my macro lens on my camera and got down on my hands and knees to make this photograph.

While searching for piping plovers that abandoned their protected nesting site in the sand dunes north of Big Sable Point, I observe this delicate Halloween pennant dragonfly land near a pond tucked between dunes. I stealth closer, then photograph it with a telephoto lens. Thus I avoid scaring the dragonfly away and keep the background out of focus to simplify the picture and make the small insect stand out.

This little guy posed for me in my backyard this morning. The black fur against the white snow is what got my attention.

I love macro photography because it allows me to journey into new worlds where the details of subjects create a completely new visual experience. Living near Lake Michigan, I had seen thousands of these sometimes pesky Asian lady beetles. I had no idea they wore such a determined look on their faces until I got down in their world with my macro lens.

Swans Over Ludington

I love how these three whitetail bucks blend in so well with the large dune and grass at the first curve inside the Ludington State Park. The buck on the left is by far the biggest buck I have ever seen at the State Park. I was shooting photographs of the shoreline and turned around and spotted these guys sneaking behind me.

365 Week

I have photographed mute swans hundreds of times and now try to look for peak moments that will produce more original and interesting pictures. This proud swan rose up as I was observing it on the Sauble River at Ludington State Park.

The January Thaw is in full swing today, creating lots of puddles. I know when I see this lone seagull reflected in a puddle near the west end of Ludington Avenue that I have found the shot I was seeking. F4.0 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Mute swans are not native to Michigan and have made themselves unpopular with many naturalists in recent years, partially due to their interference with other native species of waterfowl. From my standpoint, I understand efforts to reduce their population. At the same time, I love seeing splendid mute swans like this one I photographed on Lincoln Lake in 2017.

The S-curve shapes of this tree along the Lake Michigan shoreline at Ludington State Park have long caught my eye. Today as I pass by in my car on M-116 a crow sits atop this tree like a beautiful ornament. It stays in just the right spot long enough to make the picture. I am very pleased to have found this quieter picture. F2.8 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I arrived at my parent’s farm with a goal in mind. The dogwood trees were in full bloom, and I really wanted to make a great image of them before they were gone for the season. I got out of the van with my tripod and camera in hand. I looked back at the tree, then ahead trying to visualize where I needed to set my gear up. As I looked back a second time I heard and felt something run right past my leg. I was so startled that I screamed, and jumped not knowing what kind of animal it was. When I turned around to take a look, I saw a fawn running through the woods. I got two shots off before it disappeared. I was hand holding a bigger lens, and didn’t have time to change any settings. I was worried that they wouldn’t turn out, but when I looked at them on the computer I was very happy! Success!

I never have had the opportunity to see a fox, much less photograph one, before this day! I had just finished making an image in the Ludington State Park. I was almost to my van when I saw a fox flash across M-116 and head towards the dunes! I switched lenses and was off. Thankfully, he took time to pause, and I captured him in this rare setting..

 I was on my way into work when I spotted this beautiful snowy owl perched on top of a barn on Fountain Road. It was so peaceful; I was able to shoot it quite a while before finally heading on my way. I was surprised to see it, as they typically disappear from our area come springtime. The snowfall we had last week worked in my favor!

 

Panorama Black Bear

 

Following Mama Bear

A captive mature bull elk basks in the morning sunlight in northern Mason County. The light and shadow in this image create nice repetitive patterns.