Search

Rolling Into Empire

Sleepy Morning

The beauty that lies within Cartier Park is one of Ludington's best kept secrets. I especially appreciate the drive along Lincoln Lake, where the view changes dramatically with the season, day, hour, and even minute. On a February day, the wind had sculpted away snow to create "waves" on top of the ice. The fragile artwork disappeared with the next snowfall, leaving only this photograph to document nature's creation.

The sand dunes at Big Point Sable were formed several thousand years ago. Wind and water have been changing them ever since. I took this aerial photograph more than 20 years ago, when rising Lake Michigan water levels were threatening to wash Big Point Sable Lighthouse away. Most of the ponds visible between dunes in this scene were dry when I last explored this region.

After striking down at its prey, the blue heron comes up with its catch so quickly that, according to the electronic data recorded by my digital camera, only one second elapsed between the previous photograph and this one.

As the sun rose over Hamlin Lake this morning during our Picture Perfect Weekend Workshop, I made this image of water ripples. I explained to all the students around me that I have discovered the key to these images is to rob the ISO bank and put that extra light into more depth of field and a faster shutter speed.

Viewers of ABC's Good Morning America selected Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as the most beautiful place in America. Whether or not you agree, just this single view from one of the Stocking Drive scenic overlooks proves Sleeping Bear is a spectacular place. D800, F9 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

My dad and I have been trying all winter to take aerial photographs of Hamlin Lake for "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed" but we have had so little snow this year it was never worth our time or money. Our luck finally changed this Tuesday when Dave Johnson from Mason County Aviation took me up in his plane and I captured this photo of Hamlin Lake covered in ice.

Rushing Water

Sable Skies

Snaking Around

The Beach House at Ludington State Park stand out as the only building along the Lake Michigan shoreline for miles. It has been a landmark for mariners and a gathering spot for park visitors since the 1930s. During the times of year when few people see the beach house, it continues to stand out under all types of weather.

After pausing briefly with its catch, the blue heron extends its neck and dumps the fish down the hatch. My parents live near the Ludington State Park. They are most happy if the herons find the fishing good on the Sable River rather than the goldfish pond in their backyard.

As the sun quickly set tonight, I hustled into position to photograph the new carferry sculpture in front of Harbor View Marina. I had envisioned this photo several months ago while sitting at my computer desk at work. Now it was time to make it come to life. Luckily for me, the sunset was excellent. F22.0 at 1/13, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

My daughter Julia spotted this scene as soon as we got out of the truck at the Muskegon State Park. I handed her her camera bag and tripod and she was off. After she made a similar image, I moved a little bit lower and to the right and captured this image. I like her shot better.

Viewers of ABC's Good Morning America selected Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as the most beautiful place in America. Whether or not you agree, just this single view from one of the Stocking Drive scenic overlooks proves Sleeping Bear is a spectacular place. D800, F9 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

As I hung out the open window of a small airplane this morning over Big Sable Point Lighthouse at Ludington State Park, I was struck by how cool the shadow of the lighthouse was. The shadow reminded me of learning about sun dials in elementary school.

Sunset at Ludington State Park

Sea-Rays

Autumn Eyecatcher