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The asparagus-picking season is over in this field along South Scottville Road. The plants are left for now to grow wild. This is the time of year when I start to find these fields very photogenic. I find the bright color, soft look and repetitive patterns of the overgrown plants eye-catching. F3.2 at 1/400, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

During a previous visit to Mackinac Island, I made a picture almost identical in composition to this one but it was a hazy summer day with poor light and washed out sky. Today I have great quality of light and a crisp, colorful sky. I previsualize a dramatic image with the same composition as last year but with a dynamic range of light that can make the crosses atop the church rocket out of the dark background. F22 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 20mm

I never get tired of photographing the Badger as she makes her way in or out of port. The carferry may be converting from a coal-fired steam system to a diesel-powered system soon. I hope for my sake as a photographer and for the sake of all the Ludington area that the Badger continues to set sail on Lake Michigan for another 50 years! F9.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Even a ship a thousand feet long is dwarfed by the several-mile-long Mackinac Bridge. The 1,000-footer, the Indiana Harbor, passes precisely through the center of the bridge's huge uprights, dwarfing the motor vehicles traveling across the bridge to and from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. F7.1 at 1/400, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 112mm

It is another uncharacteristically hot day in Northern Michigan and once again the eastern sky is filled with beautiful cumulus clouds this afternoon as I head to Pentwater to set up for the annual art fair on the Village Green. The Monton farm along the US 31 Freeway at the Mason-Oceana county line looks picture perfect. F16.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

Even a ship a thousand feet long is dwarfed by the several-mile-long Mackinac Bridge. The 1,000-footer, the Indiana Harbor, passes precisely through the center of the bridge's huge uprights, dwarfing the motor vehicles traveling across the bridge to and from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. F7.1 at 1/400, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 112mm

My dad has made several great photographs of this World War I memorial in Lakeview Cemetery, but I have never tried until today. The quality of light was great and luckily for me the American flags that were placed by local veterans were still on display. F9.0 at 1/80, ISO 250, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

A seaplane flies through the clouds above the Straits of Mackinac en route from Michigan's Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula. F4.5 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 80-200mm at 200mm

The rocky lakeshore along US31 south of Petoskey is, I believe, one of Michigan's most picturesque shoreline drives. I cannot resist making an image combining the patterns of the rocky shoreline and the dramatic sky looming overhead.

Alarm clock goes off at 5:45 A.M. and I roll out of bed. Get dressed, grab a quick bite to eat and fire up the truck. Heading to Pentwater for the Junior Women's Club Annual Art Fair. The sunrise is amazing. Stop on Old US 31 near the Pere Marquette River Flats and am finally awake enough to make this photograph. F9.0 at 1/500, ISO 250, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

For years our family has stopped on US31 near the Susan Creek Nature Preserve along Lake Michigan between Petoskey and Charlevoix to look for Petoskey stones. This vantage also provides a great view of the lake, and tonight I am witnessing one of the most cobalt blue skies I have ever seen. I am so glad that I have my camera, tripod, and waterproof shoes so I can capture the moment. F11 at 1.3 seconds, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

The rocks are what most intrigued me during a 2008 shoreline hike at Sleeping Bear Point. I love the color blue, so I was also therefore drawn to the blue look to the rocks in the shadowy twilight. It took me longer than it should have to understand that the natural world often looks richer in dimmer light than brighter light. With adequate exposure, magic often appears on film or sensors in very low light.

Neighbors on the Buttersville Peninsula have left a pleasing arrangement of beach chairs in front of their home. The soft blues of the evening sky and Lake Michigan complements the chairs. I am getting that tropical feeling that makes me want to relax in one of the chairs with a Shock Top beer. Instead I savor the view while making the picture. F22.0 at 2.5, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

Photographing Michigan is for Brad and me as much about experiencing Michigan as it is about making images. We have stopped along one of our favorite stretches of rocky shoreline between Petoskey and Charlevoix to immerse ourselves in Michigan artwork. F10 at 1/60, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Frank Banko was drawing a crowd of strangers and passers-by tonight along the Ludington waterfront as he played his electronic Roland accordion. I asked the group if they minded if I documented their fun with my camera. They told me it wasn't a problem as long as I sang and danced along. It was a great moment! F8.0 at 1/100, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

What a way to start my day. It is 5:58 a.m. as I am eased awake by the soft glow of the moon as it sets over Lake Michigan at Buttersville Park between Ludington and Pentwater. This is one of those gentle "wine shots" that are great to savor with a cup of coffee while the tripod holds my camera. F16 at 2 seconds, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 23mm

I am eye to eye with a rare Karner Blue butterfly. The imperiled butterfly lives for only about two weeks and is about the size of a quarter. The U.S. Forest Service Baldwin office has allowed me to assist seasonal biological technician Justin Bragg as a Karner Blue counting volunteer today. F10.0 at 1/200, ISO 800, 105 mm macro lens at 105 mm

Less than five minutes after photographing the moon setting in the western sky, I turn my attention to the eastern sky to watch the sunrise paint the clouds with light and color over the carferries SS Badger, at left, and SS Spartan. I am blessed to live within 500 yards of where my tripod is standing. Life is good on the Buttersville peninsula with Lake Michigan to the west and Ludington harbor to the east. F16 at 1/5, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 21mm

Today my dad and I were invited by Dr. Heather Keough of the Federal Forest Service to help count the Karner Blue Butterflies that live in the Manistee National Forest. The Karner Blue Butterflies are an endangered species. Dr. Keough and her team are trying to re-grow the Michigan savannah so that the rare creatures can reproduce naturally. F9.0 at 1/80, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Pulled by one tug and trailed by another, the historic Lake Michigan cruise ship SS Keewatin passes by Ludington in tandem tow en route to its new home in Canada. The 105-year-old Keewatin was docked for many years in Douglas, Michigan, where it served as a maritime museum. F2.8 at 1/800, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm