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The clouds were spectacular today and the sunlight danced off the bright blue sky creating the perfect backdrop for almost any subject. I choose to make Little Sable Point Lighthouse the star of my photograph. F16.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

Cattails, known as "punks" by some, were glowing this morning along Long Bridge Road just southeast of Pentwater. I created a pyramid at the base of the photo with the short, dark grasses and then also positioned my camera so the tall cattails created another pyramid. I love how this photograph feels. F8 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 30mm

I compose this shot of cattails along the Pentwater River with my largest telephoto lens. On my Nikon D7000 camera body, which does not have a full-frame sensor, my 500-millimeter lens is making an image that is the equivalent of 750 millimeters or a 15-power scope. The resulting compression and shallow depth of field or focus helps me make a dreamy-looking image that emphasizes the fuzziness and large amount of cattails. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 500mm

This is the second day in a row that I have been up at 5:00 A.M. to be in position to photograph the sunrise around 6:15 A.M. It was totally worth it. This photograph was taken in the farm fields on our hunting property along Conrad Road near the Pere Marquette River. Again, I used a huge telephoto lens to isolate the most intense part of the sky. F10.0 at 1/5000, ISO 100, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

Canada geese are beautiful creatures. I think a lot of Michiganders take their beauty for granted because we are so used to seeing them all the time. They are loud and can make a mess of a yard in a hurry, but they are truly picturesque. F5.6 at 1/800, ISO 800, 600mm lens at 840mm

Showing off for the girls, a tom turkey struts through a West Michigan orchard. This is one of those "wing shots" for which you need to be prepared. My camera with zoom telephoto lens was preset to a high shutter speed and high ISO in anticipation of moving wildlife that often have to be "shot" quickly without the aid of a tripod or monopod. F4.5 at 1/320, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I am dedicating this photo to my wife Betsy because she is always commenting on how beautiful a Michigan forest is in the springtime. The forest along Conrad Road near the Pere Marquette River flats is very layered and dense. I loved how the light was hitting the trees in the foreground and then appeared to slowly fade into the background. F22.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Turkey vultures are one of the ugliest birds on the planet when seen up close while perched or on the ground. But when they take flight, wow, are they beautiful fliers. This one soars over my head while I am searching for the $500 pair of glasses I lost yesterday while stalking deer and coyotes at our river property. F3.2 at 1/4000, ISO 320, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I have spent much of my life along the Pere Marquette River and have seen many deer swimming in the river. At this moment I am experiencing a first: a deer has decided to leap in the river and cross directly in front of our drift boat. At automobile speeds, our vessel would have hit it. Deer swim fast so at river current speed our boat left the deer time to safely cross and join its mother on the opposite bank. F3.5 at 1/800, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

With this 365 project I have been trying to shoot more atmospheric photographs. This is forcing me to shoot more on foggy days and hazy days. This scene is near the bird lookout on the corner of Conrad Road and Old US 31. F8.0 at 1/160, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Michigan views like this one on the Pere Marquette River make me feel unbelievably fortunate to be a guest in nature's home. As we float past these deer, they pause long enough to decide whether we are forest friends or foes. Photographing from a moving boat is like watching a moving picture. I study the constantly changing relationship between the deer and the forest, clicking the shutter to "stop the movie" and make still-shots only at what I see as optimum moments. Anticipating, seeing, and acting quickly are the keys to voyage photography. F2.8 at 1/640, ISO 1600, 80-200mm lens at 155mm

This softball-size wonder of nature stood out like a white stop light in the green grass along the roadside south of Ludington. I stopped my vehicle for a better look. The close-up view is far more impressive than the one from behind the steering wheel. F8.0 at 1/250, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I swing my camera like a shotgun to get and stay on target with this suddenly appearing female wood duck as it performs a high-speed fly-by on the Pere Marquette River. I love the rush of spotting fast-flying wildlife and trying to make good "wing shots" of them. F3.5 at 1/640, ISO 1600, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

My daughter Julia did it again; she found my photo of the day. While I was busy doing yard work, Julia was exploring in her mother's flower garden and she came upon this tiny little bug. Her screams of excitement got my attention and as I was walking over to see what she had found, Julia was already telling me to go get my camera. F13.0 at 1/13, ISO 100, 105 mm macro lens at 105 mm

Flowers along the border of Harbor View Marina sway to the tempo of the brisk breeze. A long exposure allows the camera to paint the movement of the flowers. F11.0 at 1/5, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

My favorite yard in all of Ludington is at Mrs. Graczyk's house on the corner of Loomis and Gaylord Avenue. Every inch of her yard is full of flowers and it has a natural look to it. I found this bumblebee while trying to make a photo of Mrs. Graczyk's flowers. F5.6 at 1/80, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

This fawn was born near my home recently and I have been trying to get a good picture of it for days. Now here it is, right in front of me on the Buttersville peninsula in a beautiful quality of light with a nice wooded background. I savor the view and make the picture. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 138 mm

The Pere Marquette River has a national blue ribbon fishery rating due to the number of fish caught out of the river and the scenic beauty of the entire river area. I love the blue ribbons of water that were flashing above the gorgeous river rock this afternoon. My camera captured the beauty perfectly. F6.3 at 1/320, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

If you have not been to the new Sandcastles Children's Museum in Ludington then you are missing out on great family fun. The museum is as cool on the outside as it is inside. The mural on the side of the building is a great addition to downtown Ludington, too! F5.0 at 1/50, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

The fishing was a bit slow on the river tonight for everyone. One of the guides did land this little rainbow trout smolt. I had him hold onto it long enough for me to make this photograph. I am looking forward to when I get a picture of a mature rainbow trout caught in the fly-only zone of the Pere Marquette River near Baldwin, Michigan. F2.8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 160mm