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The spiral staircase of New Presque Isle Light is as elegant as it is strong. The cast iron stairs once took the keeper, and now takes thousands of visitors, 138 steps to the top of one of the tallest lighthouses on the Great Lakes. F6.3 at 1/15, ISO 1600, 24-70mm lens at 26mm

One of the windows was broken out of a building on South James Street in Ludington. By getting as close as I could with my 70-200 mm lens I was able to show the detail in the glass as well as make the inside of the building disappear. I love this photograph. F8.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Tonight, the New Presque Isle Lighthouse north of Alpena, Michigan was casting a beautiful shadow of itself on the Earth just east of the tower. I composed this photograph so that the sky was not in the picture because, like my dad always taught me, if it doesn't add to a photograph, it probably detracts. The sky was just a boring blue color with no clouds or detail. By cropping out the sky, I can keep the viewer's eyes on the shadow of the lighthouse. F16 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 44mm

This is the highlight of tonight's sunset. For less than a minute the color in the sky is being reflected brilliantly on the railings of the new walkway in Ludington harbor. I expose for the highlights to make them stand out. F4.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

My son Brad checks out the view of Presque Isle and Lake Huron from high atop New Presque Isle Light, the tallest accessible lighthouse among the 149 Great Lakes Lighthouses. F5.6 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 105mm

It is hard to beat the intensity of the sunlight right at sunset in late November. While making this photograph it reminded me that I am blessed to live in such a beautiful and diverse area of the natural world. F3.5 at 1/20, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 38 mm

On my way home tonight I am surprised to see that the carferry Badger has been trimmed in lights for the holidays. It is twilight, the best time to make the lights stand out while still showing detail of the great ship. F5.6 at 8.0, ISO 100, 24-70 mm lens at 52 mm

You never know when a photographic opportunity is going to present itself. Just as I was taking a drink of water at the Plaza Caf

This statue of Patrick Garrity, Sr., appointed as lighthouse keeper at the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse by Abraham Lincoln in 1861, stands watch today in front of the remains of the original lighthouse built in 1840. Many people believe that the Old Presque Isle Lighthouse is haunted. I did not go inside the lighthouse to find out for myself. I did have goose bumps the entire time I was on the property and that was before I had heard the ghost stories! F14 at 1/25, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The turkey is almost done cooking and family members will soon be arriving at our cabin for Thanksgiving dinner. I am taking time out to savor an additional blessing

Happy Thanksgiving! Today in Ludington the weather was gray and ugly almost the entire day. But just before sunset, the sun broke through the cloud layer and everything turned neon orange and pink. Luckily, I was ready and waiting at the end of the new pier near the Loomis Street Boat Ramp. F22.0 at 1.0, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

Today was my first visit to the White River Light Station near Whitehall, Michigan. What a magnificent piece of Michigan maritime history. The building and lighthouse are gorgeous, but the coolest aspect of the light station is the museum inside. It is definitely worth a visit with your family! F11 at 1/80, ISO 100, 10-17mm lens at 13mm

How many trees look as spectacular without leaves as this giant maple along Conrad Road? I photographed it on Day 209 with green leaves and on Day 290 when the leaves turned golden. Today the size and symmetry of its branches stand out. F4.5 at 1/640, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

My son Brad is making a different image of the White River Light Station but is having the same thought I am. He remarks that this lighthouse, more than others we have photographed in Michigan, looks like a home with a lighthouse attached. I think this Whitehall, Michigan light station is definitely one of the most charming lighthouses on the Great Lakes. F8 at 1/500, ISO 100, 28mm lens at 28mm

The waves were rocking out on Lake Michigan today. I wanted to get in the water to shoot this wave, but it was too rough and too cold. I have been inspired lately by the photography of Clark Little. He shoots photos of waves from in the water; however, he has a waterproof system and lives in Hawaii. F5.6 at 1/2000, ISO 100, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

This photograph represents the circle of life for trees. Healthy living trees that are starting to show their fall colors surround the dead tree in the middle. If you look closely you will also see a few tiny trees that are just starting their lives along the Lake Michigan shoreline at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, Michigan. F22 at 13 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

A strong current keeps this offshoot of the Pere Marquette River from freezing today but I know it will eventually ice over. Today I am enjoying the beauty of branches turned into ice sculptures. F16.0 at 1/8, ISO 1000, 80-200 mm lens at 155 mm

Soon these leaves that are covering the bark of a giant old tree at Stearns Park in Ludington will be flaming red, yellow, and orange as another fall season in Michigan sets in. Today, however, I am drawn to the beautiful mix of yellow and green leaves. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

I enjoy trying to make order out of chaos with my camera. My dad spotted this fungus growing on the side of a tree at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park and I set upon making an artistic photograph of it. The hot muggy air was making the fungus steam, but unfortunately, my camera did not record that. F22 at 5 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 20mm