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At the conclusion of the Coast Guard memorial service for one of my longtime best friends and shipmates, Tom Rau, the Senior Chief's hat rests in the helmsman's chair of Coast Guard Station Manistee's 47-foot motor lifeboat. The "Boat Smart" author, in spirit, led a last search and rescue mission. F14.0 at 1/40, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

As summer wanes, I get the urge to spend more and more time in the woods. Today something inside us draws Brad and me to drive to Hartwick Pines near Grayling to experience being in the largest stand of virgin white pines remaining in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Many of these trees tower more than 300 feet overhead. F22 at 0.8, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Ami Maglothin called me today to provide a photo tip that a great blue heron was hanging out in the marina across the street from Whitehall Industries on Madison Street. I headed there right away and found the heron hard at work fishing for food. Thanks for the great tip, Ami! F5.6 at 1/2500, ISO 400, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

One of Michigan's best-kept secrets is the giant white pine forest at the Hartwick Pines State Park, located just north of Grayling, Michigan. The forest is home to Michigan's largest section of native white pine trees. Some are over 300 years old. Most of Michigan would have looked like this forest 150 years ago before most of our state was logged off. F20 at 5 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 24mm

Stars become tracks in a moonlit sky during a nearly four-minute time exposure. I love the view of the trees and sky from the deck of our cabin on the Pere Marquette River. F5.0 at 236 seconds, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

This is only the second porcupine that I have had the pleasure of photographing. My dad and I spotted this awesome animal on a dead end road near Torch Lake. I look forward to my next photo encounter with a beautiful porcupine. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 3200, 300mm lens at 300mm

The bridge on Jebavy Drive over the Lincoln River seems wide while driving your vehicle on it, but as a pedestrian holding a camera, those cars seem mighty close zooming by at 55 miles per hour. While questioning my risk assessment, I made the shot just in time. F8.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

My dad and I try to be good stewards of the environment. Today, we spent a few hours walking through one of Michigan's oldest, tallest forests near Grayling, Michigan. F4 at 1/100, ISO 3200, 18-50mm lens at 20mm

A far cry from the snowy day five days ago, today looks and feels a lot like summer, with the thermometer surpassing the 60-degree mark. Jeff LaPrad takes the opportunity for one more sail into the sunset at the Ludington pierheads. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

This is what remains of the Mighty Monarch. The Mighty Monarch was one of the tallest white pine trees in the entire state of Michigan and lived for over 300 years just north of Grayling, Michigan. My dad and I photographed her remains today at the Hartwick Pines State Park. In 1992, a storm took the top off the gentle giant and in 1996, she died. She is now slowly returning to the Earth. F20 at 5 seconds, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

My focus is on the clear message and the clear view of nature out the window of the Chapel in the Pines at Hartwick Pines State Park. After making this available light image, I used fill flash to light up the interior log wall and a carved plaque beneath the cross containing "Nature's Prayer." In the end, I preferred the simplicity of the darker naturally lit image that keeps the focus on the natural cross outside. F4.5 at 1/30, ISO 200, 24-70mm lens at 32mm

The American Flag and the flags of all five Armed Forces of the United States and the POW-MIA Flag flutter in the breeze on Veteran's Day. The flags are located at the Veteran's Memorial on US 10 between Ludington and Scottville at Oak Grove Funeral Home. F6.3 at 1/640, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 17 mm

To end our shoot for Week 34 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed," my dad and I rushed to the shores of Lake Michigan in time to photograph the sunset in Charlevoix. Luckily, we avoided most traffic and construction and were able to get a few shots off before the sun dipped into the lake. F10 at 1/80, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

This sign at the entrance of Waterfront Park completely captures the essence of our beautiful little town. The Ludington area is quickly becoming one of the top tourist destinations in Michigan and I am proud to call it home. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

It has been a long day of traveling, searching for pictures and shooting, but that does not stop me from running to get my camera and tripod set up just in the nick of time to catch the sunset at Charlevoix, Michigan. Charlevoix has long been one of my favorite Michigan places to watch the sun set. F13 at 1/8, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

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I have been to this spot by the Lincoln River Outlet at Epworth Heights several times this year to try to make a picture. Today, the snow fence patterns and cloud patterns help complete the image I had envisioned. F7.1 at 1/60, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

Tonight, after the sun had gone below the horizon, I put my camera and tripod away and got in my truck and waited for my dad to finish shooting. After making a few phone calls home to talk to my wife and kids, I looked back out over Lake Michigan and could not believe my eyes. The afterglow over the lake had become incredibly vibrant and colorful. I quickly got my camera and tripod out again to make this image. F8 at 1/6, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 120mm

The Cartier Mansion was completed in 1905 and is a work of art inside and out. For a brief moment today, the sun started to shine while it was raining outside. I was trying to get to the beach to shoot, but could tell the light wasn't going to last. The Mansion became the closet outstanding target. F10.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

Twenty minutes earlier the Charlevoix pier was lined with people watching the sun setting. Now, as the afterglow color continues to become more saturated, I have the pier to myself while taking in what has to be one of the prettiest Lake Michigan skies of the summer. Lingering longer does pay handsome dividends. F9 at 0.4, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 34mm