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Today Rachel and I took all five kids out to the cabin for some family fun. We hooked a sled up to our side-by-side and we all took turns doing some hot laps out in the fields. Joshua is a speed demon and a thrill seeker. I know for sure by Ethan’s grin, he was loving finally being able to drive the side-by-side without an adult next to him. I think Ethan and Joshua together could be trouble for years to come!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. A deer adds to the beauty of snowy woodlands this morning as I stop on my way to work to appreciate the scene and capture this 2010 moment for others to see. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 500, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

What a fun afternoon we had! We met Brad and the kids at their cabin. Brad took the kids and me sledding behind the Ranger, which we all loved! The sun was shining, and we had blue skies. You can’t ask for much more than that.

My kids, Julia and Ethan, along with my niece Rachel and my nephews Ty and Austin, all love it when their uncle is home to play with them. We had our family Christmas party today and these six silly birds where having a blast. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 32 mm

I liked the delicate look of the patterns made by these grasses, lily pads, and reflections on a pond at Kensington Metro Park. I composed the image to feature only those elements that I found exciting.

It looks to me like this windmill is spinning clouds today. The windmill towers over the animal farm that is one of the added attractions of the Kensington Metro Park Farm Center. I guess in this case KFC does not stand for Kentucky Fried Chicken. F11 at 1/250, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

I have successfully captured “The Triple Trees” in three seasons so far, and I am running out of days in our project. Brad and I were up north shooting today when we could see that tonight was the night for the winter shot. We raced back to the farm to set up. My camera was acting up, and I had to grab Brad’s camera to make the image before the light faded. I was thankful he happened to be there!

After making this picture and several other strong images this morning, I walked back into my dad's house with a big grin on my face. My sister-in-law, Stephanie Reed, wanted to know what the smirk was for. I showed her the back of my camera and told her that I love winter along Lake Michigan. F8.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 24 mm

Heading westward across Michigan via highways and byways, I come upon this scene near Fowlerville. The quality of light playing on the goldenrod, grasses, trees and barns makes this look like a textured country tapestry. F11 at 1/250, ISO 400, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

The Sauble River Outlet at the Ludington State Park was half frozen this morning. We are always looking for s-curves in nature to include in our photographs. The outlet can change shape drastically by the day. Today the ice helped define the s-curve I was looking for.

I have chased these birds and a hundred others for several blocks, taking pictures periodically, but knowing I was not making a strong picture. Now I finally have a handful of them right where I want them. F5.0 at 1/500, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Big-time farming is a big and impressive business in Michigan. Today is a corn harvest day for Jorgensen Farms in Williamston, Michigan. Two giant John Deere combines load a Jorgensen Farms semi before harvesting more corn. F11 at 1/500, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 16mm

My dad helped the kids make these yule logs for their parents. It was very sweet to see their excitement as they handed me this gift.

I have really enjoyed buying Christmas ornaments for Julia and Ethan every year to add to our tree. Someday when my kids are grown, I hope they enjoy seeing these ornaments on their parents' tree as much as I enjoy seeing my old ornaments on my parents' Christmas trees every year. F2.8 at 0.3, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 22 mm

I have already made several images of the exterior of the famous Ada Covered Bridge in Ada, Michigan. Now, after moving inside, I find myself loving the geometric shapes of the bridge interior and the way light and shadow plays upon the timbers. Originally built in 1867, the bridge was restored in 1941. I think it is a work of art. F22 at 4 seconds, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

We are so blessed to have the Ludington State Park in our backyard. People often ask us where our favorite to place to shoot photographs is. Without hesitation, I always say the Ludington State Park. These 5,300 acres are diverse, natural, and beautiful.

I have photographed my way westward across Michigan today. Clouds have been an important ingredient in several of my shots. Now my hunch that the supersized marshmallow clouds in the western sky are going to help create one of the most spectacular sunset light shows of the year is paying off. I have reached the Grand Haven shoreline just in time to see the sky on fire. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 130mm

I have shot “The Triple Trees” from the opposite direction four times for this project. It seemed fitting to capture the lane and favorite spot from this view. The kids and I have walked this lane many times in our lifetime. We are so blessed to have the farm to explore and create memories.

Sitting in my living room during a family Christmas gathering, I noticed how these icicles looked like a hand and fingers. I set the camera to a slower shutter speed to capture the dripping water coming off the pinky finger. F16.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm