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I almost missed spotting this picture. After backing up my Suburban on a country road between Evart and Clare, Michigan, for a second look, I stared in awe at a tapestry of various colored leaves clinging to the curving branches of a grand old maple tree in a farm field. I selected a large telephoto lens to focus only on an especially attractive portion of the tree.

The experience of zooming through my favorite country road tunnel of golden maple leaves is hard to capture with a still-shot camera. I have made many beautiful images showing the beauty of this stretch of Conrad Road in Amber Township between Ludington and Scottville. But I think this October 2020 image which I made by zooming my telephoto lens during the exposure best captures the moving picture sensation of driving through the tunnel.

I am back at the Andersen elk ranch on Amber Road to try once again to make an image I like of a big elk. Today he surprises me by ambling over to the edge of a neighboring enclosure to share a friendly moment with a younger elk. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

As I drive by the W.C. Cornwell Ranch north of Clare, Michigan, I get a quick look at a nice young buck trotting through one of the many pastures of the big centennial farm. From the looks of this deer, the eating is good at Cornwell Ranch. F10 at 1/800, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

The overcast sky appears to be dancing in the reflections on the surface of the Sable River today inside Ludington State Park. Using a telephoto lens I am able to isolate and photograph the prettiest part of the water. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 400, 70-200 mm lens at 190 mm

A fox darts for cover moments after I spotted it lying in a farm field south of Clare, Michigan. At first I thought I was seeing a fawn lying down in the grass. What a surprise to see a fox pop up. F9 at 1/800, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

I have seen a lot of beautiful farm fields but none more distinctive than this big rolling field at OK Farms north of Clare. Green Bay Packer fans have to love this green and gold Michigan field, featuring a mix of clover and wheat. Erma Kleinhardt, who has lived on the family farm all her life, said the field will be solid green with clover in time for her granddaughter's wedding next year. F16 at 1/125, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

My cousin Ryan Reed and his girlfriend Erica Karmeisool had a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the downtown building they bought on Ludington Avenue. When all the family arrived, they surprised us with a romantic wedding. Ryan's best friend, Pastor Chris Pedersen, flew from South Dakota to marry the couple on New Year's Eve. F5.0 at 1/8, ISO 1600, 18-55 mm lens at 40 mm

At first curious about the human visitor to OK Farms north of Clare, a Holstein suddenly shifts its attention to the bird that has landed on a wire right in front of the cow's face. Cows are very curious creatures. F9 at 1/250, ISO 200, 300mm lens at 300mm

Farming is big business in Clare, one of Michigan's busiest agricultural areas. The Johnston Elevator in downtown Clare has served several generations of farmers. I love that the traditional elevator building has been maintained as modern additions have been added. F5.6 at 1/400, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 32mm

An Amish farmer carries on the Amish tradition of using horses instead of a tractor for pulling power on his Clare, Michigan farm. However, a modern farm implement makes his planting job easier. The machine plants 15 rows at a time without the need to till. F8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

Picking out her pumpkin is a big task for 18-month-old Alice Stutzman. She checks some excellent prospects at Tice's Farm Market in Clare, Michigan. The pumpkin harvest is a traditional, colorful sign of the arrival of fall in Michigan. F11 at 1/125, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

There is a lot of truth in the saying, "There is no place like home." As I was photographing this beautiful sunset at the First Curve in the Ludington State Park, I was feeling very fortunate to live in Ludington my entire life. Thousands of people visit here every year and dream about the day they can retire to Ludington. I hope to forever call Ludington my home. F6.3 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 44mm

For decades many local high school and college-age kids have spent time exploring the cliffs south of Ludington. I have heard a few different names for the gorgeous cliffs, but the most common is Peter Pan Land. In this photo you can clearly see the sculpted beauty of the cliffs behind the SS Badger as she heads into port. All of this land is now privately owned and trespassing is frowned upon. F4.5 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 600mm lens at 600mm

Cresting a steep hill on US10, I am greeted by an impressive view of the sun setting over the Michigan countryside near Evart. I pull over quickly, grab the camera and tripod and try to make a picture that conveys the beauty of this rural Michigan landscape view. F4.5 at 1/1600, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

As the sun was getting ready to set over Lake Michigan tonight, I turned to the southeast and noticed the giant moon in the blue sky overhead. Luckily, I already had my giant 600mm F4 lens out and on the tripod. I pulled the 1.4 extender out of my bag and attached it between my camera body and the end of my lens to help zoom in on the vibrant moon even more. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 840mm

For years I have been seeing photos on Facebook of fall color at the Lake of the Clouds inside the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Earlier this year my dad and I decided that we would head to the Lake of the Clouds during peak color for our Tuesdays Project. I am so glad we did. It is one of the most beautiful views in all of America. I shot this photo in total darkness an hour before sunrise. I love that digital cameras see in the dark. F4.5 at 179 seconds, ISO 200, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

As the warm magic light hits the escarpment of the lookout at the Lake of the Clouds inside the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, I quickly position my camera and tripod at a steep angle to capture the fog rising above the Big Carp River far below. F8 at 1/30, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

If this is not God’s world I don’t know what is. I waited in the dark along with my son Brad for more than an hour for the sun to peek over the mountains at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. I felt like a very small person as the sun began to light the big, beautiful world around me at Lake of the Clouds in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.