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The combination of fog and rising sun makes this huge tree stand out even more than usual in a farm field west of Chase, Michigan. My son Brad spotted the rolling field and tree as we were driving across the state to photograph Lake Huron. We try to be always ready and willing to stop to photograph magic moments that appear anywhere we travel in Michigan. F16 at 1/13, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 120mm

My dad and I made this hunting blind on the ground back in 1992 and I have sat there almost every opening day of deer season since. Every year I look forward to seeing the new growth and also to seeing which trees have fallen to the prevailing west winds of Mason County. F9.0 at 1/80, ISO 400, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

What a view I am enjoying at the dawn of a new day over woodlands, fields and farmland in Amber Township. This is truly a morning to savor and remember. F4.0 at 1/60, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

This photograph is shot on sacred ground. At least the Reed family considers the land sacred where our cedar island meets the swamp. Most years you would see standing water in this area where the Pere Marquette River backs up and floods the low lands on our property. F6.3 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

As I crested the top of a tall wooded bank along M32 today just east of Alpena, I was stunned to see the tree graveyard below. An old abandoned shale quarry had filled in with water over the years and many of the trees were unable to survive in the harsh environment. The dense cloud cover created a bright overcast lighting effect on the scene. I love how this photograph looks like it was taken in the wintertime. F10 at 1/800, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

Today all is beautifully still on the Lake Michigan waterfront at Crosswinds but the snow fence lining the beach foretells of the windy, wintry weather to come. I am looking forward to snow. F11.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

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

How many trees look as spectacular without leaves as this giant maple along Conrad Road? I photographed it on Day 209 with green leaves and on Day 290 when the leaves turned golden. Today the size and symmetry of its branches stand out. F4.5 at 1/640, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

This photograph represents the circle of life for trees. Healthy living trees that are starting to show their fall colors surround the dead tree in the middle. If you look closely you will also see a few tiny trees that are just starting their lives along the Lake Michigan shoreline at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, Michigan. F22 at 13 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Soon these leaves that are covering the bark of a giant old tree at Stearns Park in Ludington will be flaming red, yellow, and orange as another fall season in Michigan sets in. Today, however, I am drawn to the beautiful mix of yellow and green leaves. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

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.

When Julia, Ethan and I walked outside this morning to head off to daycare and work, Julia pointed up at the pink clouds and told me that I should go shoot the sunrise. I quickly loaded the munchkins in my truck and we headed for the Pere Marquette River flats on Conrad Road. F8.0 at 1/10, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

After stopping at Ludington State Park to congratulate retiring Park Manager Dan Flaherty on his fine career, I have headed further into the park to look for a picture on a dark, rainy day. I like the view looking straight down while standing on this leaning tree trunk. F4.0 at 1/40, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park is located on Lake Michigan at the south end of Muskegon, Michigan. Like many of the state parks in Michigan, Hoffmaster is extremely varied in its terrain and vegetation. One of my favorite spots at Hoffmaster is the tall wooded dune area just above the Little Black Creek Outlet near Lake Michigan. F8 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

For several years this pine tree near the corner of Tinkham Avenue and James Street in Ludington has been lit up for the Holiday Season. This year it has blue lights with a giant white star and it is stunning. A long exposure on a tripod turned the entire scene blue. F8.0 at 20.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

Although Nordhouse Lake has dried up and is covered with grasses and flowers this summer, I still find the view from this high spot along the south shore of the wilderness lake to be splendid. Best of all, Brad and I find this shady natural overlook to be the perfect spot to rest while savoring the view. We pause for a while to watch and listen to sandhill cranes on the far side of the lake bed. F18 at 1/60, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

The Manistee National Forest has been transformed overnight into a winter wonderland. After driving to the Walhalla area, I discover these snow-coated red pines on a two-track road east of Weldon Creek. F22.0 at 0.4, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

The moss-lined Ridge Trail in the Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness beckons me forward to see what is around the next bend and over the next hill. This is one of the most pristine trails in the only federal wilderness area in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. F16 at 1 second, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

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.

While many of the trees further upstream along the Pere Marquette River had already begun turning color, this green giant and another nearby still wore their summer colors. I liked the way they stood out on this late September Michigan morning.