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Evening Tranquility

Seagulls along Lake Michigan have a reputation for being less than desirable. They seem to have pinpoint accuracy when it comes to leaving their marks on car windshields. I have also seen many seagulls pester Ludington tourists for a taste of their House of Flavors ice cream, or help themselves to picnic lunches while beachgoers enjoy a swim. All that aside, I think seagulls are beautiful creatures and they are a joy to photograph.

A mute swan cruises the Sauble River near its outlet to Lake Michigan on a winter afternoon. Waterfowl flock to the river in winter to find open water. Bird watchers and photographers also flock there.

Kingfishers are incredible in their ability to dive down and grab fish out of the water. The hunt appears effortless and amazingly graceful. I wonder if this kingfisher chuckled to see that a human angler obviously needed more practice with his or her casting skills, thus the fishing line stuck in the tree.

Perhaps calling out to attract a springtime mate, a red-winged blackbird perches along a marsh near Hamlin Lake. As common as red-winged blackbirds are in Michigan, I never tire of seeing them and never take their beauty for granted.

I have been photographing seagulls on the Ludington waterfront the past few weeks. Today I like the gray-blue sky that makes the falling snow stand out. I just need a cooperative gull to glide past. This one is soaring beautifully. Thank you, bird! F8.0 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Sometimes you just get lucky when you are making photographs. Initially what caught my eye in this scene were the two stumps and their reflections. As I was hustling to set up my tripod, two starlings appeared and had a face-off over before me, possibly over a potential mate. I quickly snapped the shutter just before the birds flew off, chasing each other all the way.

You never know what you will find in the Meijer parking lot. This great blue heron was hanging out in the drainage ditch on the west end of the Meijer parking lot. Luckily, I always have my camera and big lens with me. What makes this image pop is the incredible morning light hitting the majestic bird.

A blue jay pauses along the Sable River before spotting the photographer tucked in some nearby bushes trying to stay hidden while waiting for one of the State Park's resident otters to come into view. Sure enough, the small bird spots me and sounds out its familiar sharp alarm, announcing to all the wildlife within a mile that danger is here. My presence revealed, I decide to give up on the otter for now and turn my camera's attention to the one who blew my cover.

Baby Birds

Songbirds have a way of making everyone smile. This little guy is so round and cute, and he gives me hope of a nearing spring. F3.5 at 1/250, ISO 640, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I spot turkeys almost daily along Iris Road south of Ludington but this morning they look more splendid than ever. Hold that pose while I grab that camera off the car seat. Thank you, turkeys! F8.0 at 1/60, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Snowy Owl

Deep within the forest in the northern part of Ludington State Park lies a pond that my son Brad and I have discovered to be a delightful place. We watched this male wood duck and several others for more than an hour on a late September morning. We waited patiently for them to come closer and then looked for those magic moments when the splendid ducks fit in perfectly with their marshy home.

Snowy Owl Vertical

Cardinals have always been my mom’s and my favorite. After my brother, Kevin, passed away, they are a welcome sight. I made this image to show my mom that he was visiting us this day.

Cherry Point Farm

Having multiple camera lenses is a blessing and a curse. After a long snowy hike back from Big Point Sable Lighthouse, I spotted six bald eagles in a row of tall white pines about a quarter mile ahead. Of course, I had my wide-angle lens on my camera, and I scrambled for my telephoto as each bird took flight and soared overhead. Once I had the proper equipment ready, a seventh bird, an immature bald eagle, came into view.

Eagle Flying over Legends Ranch