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A world of natural wonders awaits those who walk a Great Lakes shoreline. Looking down, as my Grandma Benson taught me, I saw thousands of fascinating rocks as I hiked at 12-Mile Beach on Lake Superior. But this sight at the water’s edge stopped me in my tracks. I wanted to take this view home with me as a reminder of the beauty of autumn at the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

One of Michigan's most beautiful economic success stories is the renovation and adaptive reuse of many of the buildings of the former Traverse City State Hospital as shops, offices, restaurants, and more. As an artist, I appreciate seeing many of the historic buildings on the grounds of the Village at Grand Traverse Commons restored to their 19th century and early 20th century architectural grandeur. F9 at 1/800, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Barn Shadows

On my way to play basketball tonight, I noticed the shadow of the American flag on the side of West Shore Bank. I used my wide-angle lens to distort the building and make it appear larger and more castle-like than it already is. The gold light from the setting sun and blue sky also worked in my favor. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

A snowboarder cruises through the glades at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort near Thompsonville. Glade skiing and snowboarding has long been popular at ski resorts out West. Crystal Mountain is one of the Michigan ski areas that have developed more ski runs through the woods in recent years. I feel blessed to have been able to enjoy the exhilaration and beauty of skiing at Crystal for more than a half century. Skiing and snowboarding in Michigan rocks!

A Michigan fruit grower has probably invested a small fortune in planting and caring for this orchard, hoping it will yield dividends this year and for many years to come. My dividend today is being able to see, appreciate, and photograph these trees planted on a ridge overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. F22 at 1/80, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 120mm

Birch Forest Trail

Forest Vertigo

It looks like a field of dreams as I look at a meadow of mustard grass through my large telephoto lens. The view is equivalent to looking through 10-power binoculars. I focus farther away and closer until the picture feels just right. F4.0 at 1/640, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

The life and death cycle of a forest fascinates me. I have come to realize my life is just a speck in the evolution of any forest. These birch trees at Ludington State Park have fallen victim to birch bark disease. Diseased wood brought to the park by campers has helped spread tree diseases at the park and across much of Michigan. I wonder if birch trees and other diseased trees will stage a comeback generations from now.

Traveling Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City when thousands of cherry trees are in bloom is one of those Michigan experiences that are unforgettable. This spot on M37 is one of many Old Mission locations where motorists can see orchards, rolling hills, and Grand Traverse Bay all at once. For landscape photography lovers like me these scenes provide the opportunity to make "grand scenic" pictures that feature a strong foreground, middleground, and background. F11 at 1/250, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 130mm

Bucks at Hydro Electric Plant

My neighbor down the street, TJ Christiansen, has built a 16-foot giraffe out of four sheets of steel. It is shocking how realistic the magnificent piece of artwork is. He has nicknamed the giraffe Geoffrey. F16.0 at 1/60, ISO 500, 18-50 mm lens at 40 mm

Sitting in the middle of a Michigan field on a breezy summer day, I feel like I am watching a motion picture as the grasses and wildflowers sway in the breeze. Lowering my vantage point places me in the grass and makes the viewer of my images feel immersed in the grass with me.

A sudden snow squall on an April day diminishes the light falling on Old Mission Lighthouse but gives the scene a painterly feel. Using a telephoto lens and focusing on shoreline grasses instead of the lighthouse beyond gives the historic structure even more of an impressionistic feeling. F7.1 at 1/500, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Ludington North Pier

Butterfly Heaven

Butterfly and wildflowers at cabin

Field of Canada Golden Rod

When I look upon the heron rookery that Don and Mary Klemm told me I could find along US 10 west of Clare, all I can think is how eerily beautiful the scene looks. This great blue heron stood out among the many herons we watched. F4.0 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm