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I have always wanted to stop along US10 about 20 minutes east of Evart, Michigan and photograph these amazing woods, but had never taken the time to do it until this morning. The mist and fog were making the trees seem even more mysterious and elegant than usual. This photograph is dedicated to the famous National Geographic photographer Sam Abell. Sam loves making "quiet" and "sensitive" photographs. When I met Sam, I discovered his personality is similar to his photographs. F11 at 1/50, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

I have watched these red pine trees on our land grow for several decades. They were already tall then. Now they tower several stories above me as I look up at them. The woodlands of Michigan are a marvel and I love hiking slowly to more fully take them in. That often means pausing to look up for a different visual experience and appreciation.

We took country back roads all the way to Lansing today for Week 18 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed." When we were near St. Johns, Michigan, we pulled off the road so I could make this photograph of a lone tree in an immense farm field. I can only imagine how many farmers have pulled their tractors into the shade of this tree for a cool rest on a hot summer day. F11 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The raindrops glistened in the light rain today along Grand River Avenue at one of the many busy entrances to the majestic campus of Michigan State University. I worked hard to micro-compose this photograph so "Class of 1938" was legible. F10 at 1/400, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

When I spotted my American Flag fluttering in the breeze as I look to make a picture of these blossoms, I know I have found my 365 picture of the day. It occurs to me that the beauty of America is one of the reasons so many American veterans have been willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice to defend her. F4.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Willow trees are mystical and beautiful. This morning I found this willow tree and its reflection south of Ludington and stood on the roof of my truck to make this photograph. I had to get up high so that the entire reflection showed up in the water. F11.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 46 mm

I am 17 minutes late for pizza with the grandkids but I just have to make a picture of these petals in my driveway that had come down with the rain. It takes a few minutes to zero in on the best composition but I think I have it now. Click. F16.0 at 0.6, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

I have used this same tree to frame pictures in both fall and winter. This morning

It is beginning to feel like summer and lo and behold there is a butterfly to make it appear even more summer-like. The butterfly swings in the evening breeze along with the tree branches. F3.5 at 1/100, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

The new walking paths inside Cartier Park in Ludington are great places to look for photographs. My daughter Julia pointed out these flowers to me. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

My dad, Sean, and I went golfing today at Hemlock Golf Course in Ludington. While we were golfing, a storm rolled in and it looked like we were going to get a lot of rain. Luckily for us, the rain held off. And luckily for me, I had my big camera with me in the golf cart.

Roots reach outward and downward, expanding the feeding and support network for a beech tree on the Michigan State University campus. I find the exposed roots more fascinating than the rest of the tree, which presents for me an attractive but far more familiar appearance. My grandmother taught me at a young age to look for the beauty beneath my feet. F22 at 1/5, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

My neighbor two doors down, Tom Nelson, has this beautiful tree blooming in his front yard. I pulled my truck into the mouth of my driveway, got out, and made this image with my telephoto lens. The light rain and diffused light really added to the atmosphere of this image. Greens, reds, and pinks always pop more in the rain.

This beautiful rhododendron plant on Gaylord Avenue in Ludington caught my eye as I was driving to work this morning. I loved how the bright light seemed to be focused on one small section of the giant bush. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I think Iris Road got its name because so many Iris flowers grew there before the Pere Marquette Township road was named. This morning on my way to work this particular flower looks picture-perfect from a distance. A closer look confirms my hunch. F4.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

Red admiral butterflies have been invading Northern Michigan this spring. This is one of dozens taking a liking today to an orchard on the Leelanau Peninsula. Butterflies are small and so my challenge is to find one willing to sit still on a blossom long enough for me to get close and in just the right position to make a good shot. F11 at 1/160, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

After emphasizing its detail in a much closer shot, I decide to create a looser image of a Red Admiral butterfly. In this case, I am attracted by the dynamic diagonal pattern of the branches and the oriental feeling conveyed by the branches and blossoms. F7.1 at 1/160, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

The large, mature forest at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area along Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is my favorite forest in Michigan. With its massive trees and endless amounts of green foliage covering the forest floor, I imagine that this is what most of the great state of Michigan must have looked like 200 years ago. F5.6 at 1/30, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

The tropical blue waters of Glen Lake never cease to amaze me, especially when viewed from Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The white billowy clouds and gorgeous sunshine made this view even more spectacular than usual. F8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

Tonight I headed to my Uncle Budde and Aunt Sheryl's house on Lake Michigan to photograph their beautiful flower garden. I manually exposed for the sky and set that exposure about two stops of light to the minus side because that would bring detail back into the sky. I then used fill flash to illuminate the flower, creating a moody photograph. F20.0 at 1/250, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm