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Watching from atop the Ridge Trail as this lone vessel sailed north on a September Lake Michigan cruise, I couldn’t help but think of the hundreds of times I had cruised the same waters aboard Coast Guard rescue boats. When not too busy focusing on a mission, I was always awe-struck by the natural beauty and remoteness of the dunes and forests these recreational voyagers were undoubtedly appreciating this day. It made me long for those Coast Guard boat rides, both the calm ones and the really rough ones. Big Point Sable is on average the windiest spot on Lake Michigan.

An April night at Little Sable Light finds the 108-foot tower standing starkly against the twilight sky. I have made dozens of photo trips to the lighthouse near Silver Lake, often accompanied by my wife Debbie, sons Todd, Brad and Willie, and nephew Ryan. On this night we shot for a couple of hours as the light changed, and different pictures presented themselves. Whenever I go there, I think of the many good times we have shared looking, searching, waiting, talking, and shooting.

A clump of dune grass stands unassailable against winter's onslaught. I love to see the changes that snow brings to subjects that appealed to me in a different way before the snowfall.

Photographing life rings is one of my hobbies. The weathered appearance of this ring aboard the tugboat Karl E. Luedtke caught my eye while the Frankfort-based tug was working on a Ludington harbor improvement project. Photographing familiar objects, over time, is a good way to learn to see the objects and light better, and to watch my photography evolve.

I stood 20 feet out in Lake Michigan on a stormy summer evening with waves crashing into me as I tried to steady my tripod for a long 30-second exposure. Like so many times before, I was awestruck by the glamorous beauty of Big Point Sable Lighthouse. The Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers Association has done a brilliant job of restoring the lighthouse and bringing back its incredible grandeur.

Pentwater has to be one of the most charming places to visit in all of the United States, especially in the warm-weather months. Tonight Pentwater bustles with people enjoying the great weather at the start of Memorial Day weekend. F9.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Holy cow! This giant Snowysaurus stopped my vehicle in its tracks as I was driving along US 31 near Bear Lake. The eye-popping attraction amuses me every time I pass by Kampvilla RV Park. F4.5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

As Coast Guard helicopter 6544 escorts the carferry Badger out of port on the ship's first sailing of the season, I cannot help but think back to the hundreds of times during my 33 years aboard Coast Guard boats that we worked closely with the rescue copters. F5.6 at 1/320, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 130 mm

The Island Trail at Ludington State Park has always been one of my favorite places to hike with my family and friends. Today, I enjoyed photographing it while hanging out of an airplane window. The wind and angle of the sunlight created interesting patterns on the water.

A Canada goose keeps a watchful eye out as she escorts her goslings along a bank of the Sable River at Ludington State Park. I love seeing all the new life of spring in the Michigan outdoors.

It looks to me like a Michigan gator is about to chomp Lake Michigan this morning at Point Betsie north of Frankfort. You never know what you are going to find on a Great Lakes shoreline. Sometimes I get way too serious and intense about photography. This discovery is definitely brightening and lightening my photo day.

As I was photographing a snowy owl, I heard the loud honking of a flock of Canada geese heading my way. The golden afternoon light combined with the dark blue January sky was the perfect backdrop for this large bird as it flew overhead.

I love front row seats for watching Michigan storm fronts arrive. This evening my vantage point is picturesque Snug Harbor Marina in Pentwater. Within moments it has turned from daylight to dark and the wind has picked up from 15 to 45 knots. Gotta love it! F22 at 1.6 seconds, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

The nearly century old Alpena Light stands out on the Lake Huron shoreline. The distinctive light structure is also known as Thunder Bay River Lighthouse and the Alpena Breakwater Light. I got a close-up view as we passed by on the Lady Michigan shipwreck tour boat en route to Lake Huron from the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. F10 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Ludington State Park Workshop

Sunset at Ludington Lighthouse

The Never Ending Story

Legends Ranch

Highway to Heaven