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A mourning dove catches my eye as I hike near the Kensington Metro Park Nature Center. I think quickly but move slowly to frame the bird cleanly against a backdrop of trees beginning to turn color. The subtly beautiful creature stays still long enough for me to finish making a picture that feels good. F9 at 1/500, ISO 3200, 300mm lens at 300mm

Winter is just ducky at the Gustafsons' pond along Iris Road south of Ludington. Flowing water keeps the pond open and the ducks swimming. The ducks are a beautiful sight for the Gustafsons and passers-by. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 185 mm

Wild turkeys file down a trail at the Kensington Metro Park nature preserve. They seem unbothered by my intrusion into their habitat. I am impressed by how wild it is at Kensington even though the southeast Michigan park borders one of Michigan's busiest freeways and is within a short distance of big cities. F9 at 1/500, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

Photographing ice formations has always been one of my favorite things to do with my camera. The bright sunlight to the east this morning, combined with the dark clouds to the west, made for a glorious opportunity to create strong images along the channel inside Ludington Harbor. F22.0 at 1/10, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 160 mm

A great blue heron stands motionless, waiting for lunch to swim his way on a pond at Kensington Metro Park between Brighton and Milford, Michigan. I love the elegant posture, self-control, and patience of these keen hunters. F22 at 1/500, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. A deer adds to the beauty of snowy woodlands this morning as I stop on my way to work to appreciate the scene and capture this 2010 moment for others to see. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 500, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

My kids, Julia and Ethan, along with my niece Rachel and my nephews Ty and Austin, all love it when their uncle is home to play with them. We had our family Christmas party today and these six silly birds where having a blast. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 32 mm

I liked the delicate look of the patterns made by these grasses, lily pads, and reflections on a pond at Kensington Metro Park. I composed the image to feature only those elements that I found exciting.

It looks to me like this windmill is spinning clouds today. The windmill towers over the animal farm that is one of the added attractions of the Kensington Metro Park Farm Center. I guess in this case KFC does not stand for Kentucky Fried Chicken. F11 at 1/250, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

After making this picture and several other strong images this morning, I walked back into my dad's house with a big grin on my face. My sister-in-law, Stephanie Reed, wanted to know what the smirk was for. I showed her the back of my camera and told her that I love winter along Lake Michigan. F8.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 24 mm

Heading westward across Michigan via highways and byways, I come upon this scene near Fowlerville. The quality of light playing on the goldenrod, grasses, trees and barns makes this look like a textured country tapestry. F11 at 1/250, ISO 400, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

I have chased these birds and a hundred others for several blocks, taking pictures periodically, but knowing I was not making a strong picture. Now I finally have a handful of them right where I want them. F5.0 at 1/500, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Big-time farming is a big and impressive business in Michigan. Today is a corn harvest day for Jorgensen Farms in Williamston, Michigan. Two giant John Deere combines load a Jorgensen Farms semi before harvesting more corn. F11 at 1/500, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 16mm

I have really enjoyed buying Christmas ornaments for Julia and Ethan every year to add to our tree. Someday when my kids are grown, I hope they enjoy seeing these ornaments on their parents' tree as much as I enjoy seeing my old ornaments on my parents' Christmas trees every year. F2.8 at 0.3, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 22 mm

I have already made several images of the exterior of the famous Ada Covered Bridge in Ada, Michigan. Now, after moving inside, I find myself loving the geometric shapes of the bridge interior and the way light and shadow plays upon the timbers. Originally built in 1867, the bridge was restored in 1941. I think it is a work of art. F22 at 4 seconds, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

I have photographed my way westward across Michigan today. Clouds have been an important ingredient in several of my shots. Now my hunch that the supersized marshmallow clouds in the western sky are going to help create one of the most spectacular sunset light shows of the year is paying off. I have reached the Grand Haven shoreline just in time to see the sky on fire. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 130mm

Sitting in my living room during a family Christmas gathering, I noticed how these icicles looked like a hand and fingers. I set the camera to a slower shutter speed to capture the dripping water coming off the pinky finger. F16.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

This day started with a massive double rainbow in the west and now we have some of the largest, most distinct God beams I have ever seen. Days like today make my job as a photographer a whole lot easier, but more importantly, more fun. F11 at 1/60, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 145mm

By setting my camera aperture to F22 and shooting directly into the sun, I was able to make it appear like the Ludington North Breakwater Light had a crown of sunshine. Shooting on full auto would have never allowed for this look or feel. At our weekend workshops, we teach our students how to use their own cameras on full manual. F22 at 1/80, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm