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I have witnessed God beams in the clouds over Lake Michigan hundreds of times, but tonight was the first time I experienced God beams below the surface. The underwater housing I am borrowing this summer allowed me to capture the beauty of the rays perfectly so that I could share them with the world. F5 at 1/250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

During a hike from our campsite to Fisherman's Island, my wife Debbie and I are mesmerized by the beauty of the rocky, shallow lake bottom as Lake Michigan waves undulate above the rocks. I shoot as some of the rocks are nearly uncovered between waves. I want to convey the beauty of the rocks and the clarity and liquidity of the water. F3.5 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I am one of many visitors and local residents alike gathered on the Lake Michigan shoreline at Leland to watch the sun set over North Manitou Island. Experiences like this are why Michigan is such a special place to live or to visit. F22 at 0.4, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 20mm

You know Lake Michigan is calm when you can see the reflection of people walking on the pier inside the channel. Tonight was a rare night in Ludington and I was happy to be documenting the tranquil sunset with my camera. F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

Magic light strikes the path to the Green family farm on Beaver Island. Ludington friends Tony and Betty Green invited Debbie and me to visit the 120-acre farm established by Tony's family nearly 150 years ago when they emigrated from Arranmore Island, Ireland to this Lake Michigan island. F4.0 at 1/40, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

Our friends Paul and Lisa Cooper have turned their new homestead on South Stiles Road into a little farm they call Carn Brea. Currently they have four mini horses and four of the cutest little sheep I have ever seen. This sheep looks huggable! F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

While en route home to Ludington an hour after photographing a gorgeous sunset on Lake Michigan at Leland, I am stunned and stopped by the afterglow at nearby Glen Lake. The quantity of light is mighty low but the quality of light is stunning. My trusty tripod permits my camera to accumulate enough light over time to make a good exposure. F5.6 at 30 seconds, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 20mm

Today was the big move. Betsy and I moved into our new house near the Lincoln River in Ludington earlier today with the help of some of our strong friends. I went into our backyard and made this photo near the creek that runs through our property. F22.0 at 10.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Seemingly out of nowhere, a storm front shows up on a sunny morning on the Crosswinds beach at Ludington. I love watching with an unobstructed view of the Lake Michigan shoreline as dramatic cloud formations like this one rush toward me. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 80, iPhone camera

A piece of Americana, Sleder's historic restaurant/saloon in Traverse City, has long been a stopping point for us. And so it is today. Amidst old stuffed animals on the walls, including a moose you can kiss, we have enjoyed great food and family times so good that the Reeds often seem to be on laughing gas. F10.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

Standing in front of this massive B-17 bomber at the Ludington airport tonight made me once again realize the freedoms we enjoy in America came at a very heavy cost. I was gripped with emotion as I saw the American flag flying behind this plane as the God beams rose up from the sunset. I wish I could hear every detail of every mission this Yankee Lady flew during World War II. She would tell us that "Freedom Is Not Free!" F10 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 32mm

It is hard to believe that fall is fast approaching. The proof is in this colorful leaf that I found in our backyard tonight. I love the fall and am looking forward to the change in season. F20.0 at 2.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

The sight of American Flags lining the front porch of the historic Epworth Hotel on the Lake Michigan shoreline north of Ludington always makes me pause and appreciate being an American. I have come here on the eve of the Fourth of July to photograph our nation's colors flying on the classic 1894 wooden structure because the scene always somehow reminds me of our American heritage. F7.1 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

I am partial to the B-24 "Liberator" bombers from World War II because my grandpa, Bud Reed, was a pilot on many B-24 bombing missions. However, after seeing this B-17 "Flying Fortress" in person tonight, I have to admit that the B-17 is a much prettier aircraft than the B-24. The B-24 was larger and could carry a heavier payload of bombs, but its lines are not nearly as graceful as the B-17. F8 at 1/200, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 14mm

Appropriately, one of the most famous American military aircraft of all time, the B-17 Flying Fortress, passes overhead while I am photographing American Flags at a historic hotel on the Lake Michigan shoreline. I have less than 15 seconds to change shooting gears and make this shot of the World War II bomber. F8 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

My 14-month-old son Ethan allowed me to borrow his toy chicken to make this photograph in our backyard. If you look really closely you will see a chicken sitting on a nest inside the stump. We had to put some humor in the 365 Project! F22.0 at 6.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 26 mm

My dad, Bud Reed, flew a Stearman airplane like this during pilot training in World War II so I am especially anxious to get an in-flight photograph of the open-cockpit biplane during its appearance in Ludington to celebrate the Fourth of July. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 100, 500mm lens at 500mm

Everything appears to be growing bigger, better and well ahead of schedule this year. The dune grass along the Lake Michigan shoreline is in full bloom at least two weeks early and this evening it looks picture perfect to me, along with the clouds that usually don't look this good until October. F4.0 at 1/400, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

My cousins, Jeff and Sara Tow, have been training for several months to make the 50-mile swim together across Lake Michigan in August. They have started a non-profit organization called "Through the Blue" to help raise awareness about post-partum depression, from which many men and women suffer. Find out more about their story at www.ThroughTheBlue.org F4.5 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 17mm

Today I walked across the street from our new house and explored the land along the Lincoln River. The grass and cattails were several feet above my head and showed no sign of slowing down their growth. It was also a mosquito heaven and I was dinner. The photo made the excursion worth it. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm