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While photographing two baby skunks playing about 25 yards away, my peripheral vision senses movement on my left. I look up to see this baby skunk no more than 15 yards away emerging from a barn. Attracted to its gorgeous white coat, I swing the camera to shoot, hoping the skunk is not repelled enough by me to spray. Baby skunks have scent glands from the day they are born and can spray when only eight days old. F4 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 700mm

Three of nine baby skunks spotted in a farmyard south of Ludington parade past me after playing and hunting for food on a late spring morning. My vantage point provides a clear view of the widely varying black and white patterns of their coats. F4 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 700mm

Three of nine baby skunks spotted in a farmyard south of Ludington parade past me after playing and hunting for food on a late spring morning. My vantage point provides a clear view of the widely varying black and white patterns of their coats. F4 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 700mm

I don’t know what kind of strange fungi this is in my front yard, but it is very large and super cool looking. My new yard never ceases to amaze me with all of its fun surprises.

Baby skunks come nose to nose while playing in a farmyard on a June morning. The skunks are among nine babies born this month at Larry and Jo Sholtey's farm along South Lakeshore Drive south of Ludington. The playful youngsters have been providing excellent entertainment for the Sholteys and their guests. F4 at 1/500, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 700mm

Baby skunks come nose to nose while playing in a farmyard on a June morning. The skunks are among nine babies born this month at Larry and Jo Sholtey's farm along South Lakeshore Drive south of Ludington. The playful youngsters have been providing excellent entertainment for the Sholteys and their guests. F4 at 1/500, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 700mm

The calendar still says it is spring but this mid-June view through my large telephoto lens at South Haven beach sure looks and feels like summer to me. It is a splendid day to be on the Lake Michigan shoreline photographing Week 24 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute." F6.3 at 1/1000, ISO 200, 300mm lens at 300mm

While looking out my bathroom window tonight, I spotted this goldfinch on our butterfly bush. I grabbed my camera gear and quietly snuck around the side of my house to capture this image before the tiny, beautiful bird flew away.

I have tried to make a photograph of the grapes up in Bespop’s grape arbor for several years. Either I was too late, or the animals had already eaten them when I have tried before. This year, I was determined. I made almost daily visits to the arbor and finally decided the time was right.

My Grandpa and Grandma Reed had a fishpond built in their backyard and transplanted their goldfish from their house on the Pere Marquette River in Walhalla to their new pond at their house in Ludington. Now my brother and his family live in that house and they have become the keepers of Grandma’s fish. With our underwater housing, I got in the pond and made this image in honor of our grandma.

Seagulls are beautiful birds. A lot of people don't like them and I have even heard people call them "flying rats." Personally, I love seagulls and I never get tired of watching them adapt to the weather throughout the year on the shores of Lake Michigan. F5.6 at 1/2500, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 600mm

The Ludington Municipal Marina has recently expanded its capacity by converting its north edge into a day dock and seawall. One of the many benefits of the recent expansion is that the new wall has allowed the marina to better accommodate large boats. This week, the 80-foot Burger named Chateau Thierry was trying out the new dock. F8.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 27 mm

A visit to the Lavender Labyrinth at Cherry Point Farm & Market has been a tradition since I discovered it several years ago. The light was striking when I decided to make the drive south for a visit. I had the labyrinth almost to myself as I peacefully wandered through. The bees were especially attracted to this lavender. Quickly, I composed this hard-working bee. I loved the sunlight on the wings.

My dad and I decided to try a new adventure and see if we could get our little Boston Whaler from his house at Crosswinds on Lake Michigan to our cabin a few miles up the Pere Marquette River. After several attempts, we found a path that was deep enough. Along the way, we each were able to make a few good photographs. F2.8 at 1/1250, ISO 1000, 300 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 450 mm

While at a Westmaas family gathering today near McBain, Michigan, a friendly snake came slithering by to greet us as we were setting up the picnic tables in the front yard of the family homestead. I couldn’t wait to show Rachel. She hates snakes with a passion. I had to get her back for her Day 206 photo of the giant yellow and black spider she made a few weeks earlier.

Driving along a dirt road at Gun Lake in eastern Mason County I encounter a slower form of transportation. I stop the car and lie down on the ground to get face-to-face to better see and show the beauty of this creature before he finishes crossing the road. Since I have interrupted his journey across the road, I make certain he makes it all the way across before I drive away. F4.5 at 1/250, ISO 320, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

What should appear inside the window of an old house but two fawns that look far less surprised than I. I have stopped at the old dwelling while looking at flowers in the yard of the building I thought to be vacant. I am laughing out loud as I make this image of the new tenants. F5 at 1/800, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

One of my greatest pleasures in outdoor photography in Michigan is watching the world come to life throughout the spring. Two days before the end of spring a fast-growing fawn hides in grasses that have sprung to life in the Michigan outdoors. F6.3 at 1/100, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

A newborn bison and its mother share time together in their pasture at Gleason Farms & Pheasant Preserve near Scottville, Michigan. I appreciate that bison are being raised at more Michigan farms than ever before. The massive animals present a picture of America's past. F6.3 at 1/2500, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

Newborn elk calves are guarded and watched over by their mothers at the Amber Elk Ranch between Ludington and Scottville, Michigan. The guided tours and other activities at the Conrad Road ranch have become a very popular West Michigan family attraction. F8 at 1/1600, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm