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Raging Manabezho

The 410-foot carferry Badger was completely reflected in a small puddle near its dock tonight during a dramatic sunset. I slowly walked into the middle of the puddle and after the water calmed back down, I made this image. Notice the large triangle in the foreground that comes to a point at the reflected smoke stack.

I abruptly awoke one Sunday morning at 5 a.m. and could not get a haunting image of the Pere Marquette River out of my mind. I was positive that if I ventured out to our property and stood in the exact location I had envisioned, I would see a beautiful sunrise. I shot out of bed and was on my way. I guess you could say I got bit by the photo bug in my sleep.

The carferry Badger makes the turn to head out of Ludington harbor on a summer evening.

This remains one of the most priceless moments I have ever captured with a camera. On an unseasonably cold October day, I saw a flock of sheep marching single-file across a field. I sought permission from Bernal Burke to venture into his Carr Settlement fields. I arrived where the sheep were heading with just enough time to set up my camera. The lead sheep turned sideways, and the next sheep in line followed his lead, setting up a barricade to protect the flock. As they maneuvered, huge snowflakes began to fall. It was the first snow of the season, and the lead sheep did not appear happy. For many years after my camera froze that moment, a framed print of this image usually hung in a prominent spot in our art fair tent. The image caused a lot of laughter as art fair patrons attempted to mimic the lead sheep’s expression and even try to make sheep sounds. It made people happy and brought us some comic relief from our long weekend grind on the Michigan art fair circuit. I will always be grateful to Bernal Burke for being so kind, accommodating and trusting to allow me to roam freely on his land. Besides being a farmer, Bernal served for many years as the Mason County Treasurer. I always admired and respected him when, as a reporter, I covered county government. I admired him as a farmer just as much. I believe we shared mutual respect, which meant the world to me.

I didn't start out to shoot another ice shot today, but I find this one simply stunning. I shoot some shots with seagulls in the foreground, others with seagulls flying. Then I make this picture with no seagulls because I decide the birds are distracting the viewer from appreciating the beauty of the ice-coated rocks that caught my eye in the first place. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

Fast Tango passes close by Ludington while competing in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. I like the look of this moment in the viewfinder as the North American 40 and another sailboat race toward Mackinac Island. F4.0 at 1/5000, ISO 400, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

This sign above Pere Marquette Sport Center in downtown Ludington leaps out with its message to fishermen. I have fond memories of going into this store as a boy to buy bait and other sporting goods with my grandfathers, father and brother. It was called Tuck's Sport Shop then and was owned by our neighbors, Tuck and Ivadel Daugherty. F11.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 100 mm

What makes the fire within you burn? What lights my life up the most is having deep conversations with friends, family, and complete strangers or chasing the light with my camera. Tonight while walking out to the North Breakwater Light in my hometown of Ludington, I enjoyed a couple of nice conversations with people I just met, followed by shooting a unique sunset being reflected onto Lake Michigan.

Nothing pops out of the countryside more than bright red Michigan tart cherries. They are so bright and shiny they glow in the daylight. I never get tired of taking photographic road trips through the orchard country of Michigan's West Shore counties.

The ice on Pere Marquette Lake is breaking up with the January thaw. While I would prefer a more severe winter to photograph, I can't complain about the view in front of me this morning.

Everyone aboard Sean McDonald's charter fishing boat Katch Me got to enjoy this beautiful sunrise on Lake Michigan today. The anticipation of reeling in a giant king salmon was as electric as the beautiful colors in the sunrise. F9 at 1/2500, ISO 6400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Big Sable Family Walking Cropped Vertical

Taken at Gerlach Workshop in Munising

Ludingtons Lady

Reflecting Pool

Some of you may recognize this house as the original location of the Todd Reed Gallery. My dad and stepmom lived in this house from 1990 through 2000 and the gallery was in the living room for most of that time period. We had a lot of great times as a family in this house and enjoyed great neighbors, too. F8.0 at 1/80, ISO 640, 18-50 mm lens at 26 mm

The sailboat Tranquility sails out of Ludington harbor toward Lake Michigan on one of the many tranquil evenings so far this summer. Even the clouds look tranquil tonight. F4.0 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 17 mm

Pointe aux Barques Light is a long, slow drive across the state of Michigan from Ludington, but it is so worth the journey. The lighthouse is located at the very top of Michigan's thumb. If you haven't been there, go soon and bring your camera!