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I love to catch those real moments when people are reacting to something around them. As a family emerged in their little boat from under the Bass Lake Channel Bridge, they were captivated by something they saw along the shore. For me, that moment reflects the essence of what is so great about family adventures in the Michigan outdoors. F6.3 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 92mm

Sunset at Stearns Beach on a Thursday

365 Week 11

Fall Leaves on Conrad Road

Badger Mirage

Upper Tahquamenon Falls

Hamlin Lake Workshop and Northern Lights Panoramic

A male mallard came in hot for a landing on the Sauble River at the Ludington State Park this morning. With a 1/500 of a second shutter speed, I was able to pan with the bird and make a sharp image. In the low light, I had to “rob” the ISO bank up to 12,800.

Like a giant teapot in a tempest, the Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse is almost completely engulfed in a roiling sea at the height of a November 1, 2020, storm. I observed this storm for more than three hours, photographing during times of peak waves and peak light. The light in particular changed dramatically. This was one of the rare moments when the waves were the brightest and the storm clouds the darkest. I watch and wait a lot, yet try to remain always ready to trip the shutter.

Fall Leaves on Conrad Road

Fall Leaves near a barn on Conrad Road

Fall on Conrad Road

I made this picture on the Island Trails in the Ludington State Park. The bright blue areas of the photograph are Hamlin Lake. My father-in-law, Don Verduin, and I spent a great deal of time trying to find the perfect wild iris to photograph. Don actually found this flower first and was kind enough to let me in on his treasure.

While standing on the frozen shores of Lake Michigan at the First Curve beach inside Ludington State Park, I am amazed to see how much ice has frozen to the old jetties. I keep thinking to myself that the jetties now look like two polar bears side by side. F9.0 at 1/5, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Rain Dance by Brad Reed The rain rarely stops my dad and me from getting outdoors to photograph. Today, we stood in the freezing rain and fog along the shores of Mona Lake near Muskegon, Michigan, to photograph bald eagles. Our good friend, Louise Olson, had told us several eagles congregate near the lake's east edge by some open water. Sure enough, we were not even out of the truck yet and could see several eagles. The rain and fog are what make this photograph more unique. D7000, F5.6 at 1/2000, ISO 3200, 600mm lens at 850mm

Wearing my life jacket and ice grippers on my boots this morning, I slowly walked and crawled my way out to the Ludington North Breakwater Light to photograph. My local knowledge and experience had taught me that if I got close enough to the lighthouse, I would probably see a reflection of it on the ice. As expected, the reflection was there. Now all I had to do was wait for the big splash. As you can imagine, I got very wet and cold.

After running four blocks to my vehicle to grab the lens that earlier I had decided I was not going to need, I get my telephoto lens mounted just in time to capture this image at Harbor Springs. I should know better than to leave one of my main lenses behind. I would hate to have lost my chance to record this view in one of Michigan's most picturesque harbors. F3.5 at 1/60, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Looking at the dozens of boats gathered on a Tuesday afternoon at a favorite spot for boaters on Torch Lake, I wonder how many boats would be there on a nice weekend boating day. Any pleasant summer day is a great day for boating on one of Michigan's most beautiful and biggest inland lakes. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 92mm

See with Your Heart

Sunset on the 4th of July