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I used my external Nikon flash to light up the foreground in this image that I made along the Island Trail at Ludington State Park. Without the flash, the foreground would have been completely black. I always have my external flash mounted on top of my camera so it is nearby when I need it. F22 at 1/4, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

This elusive hairy woodpecker climbs a tree so fast I struggle to keep the stunning bird in my viewfinder. The woodpecker uses its stiff tail feathers as a prop to be able to climb and cling to the tree. F2.8 at 1/8000, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

A mature buck eats a blade of grass while staring me down this morning along the shores of Lake Michigan. I never tire of photographing big bucks. F2.8 at 1/640, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

This tree is less than a hundred yards from my dad's deer hunting blind in the swamp along the Pere Marquette River. I have always marveled at its unique shape and size. Today, I finally took the time to document this beautiful piece of artwork made by God. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

This gnarly stand of trees along Conrad Road near the Pere Marquette River flats stands out because of strong side lighting. Looking for photos while driving is always fun, especially when you have a truck full of photographers. This morning I had three other sets of keen eyes helping me find photographs for Week 49 of the Tuesdays Project. F22 at 1/15, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

A pair of crows seems to be watching with curiosity as another crow takes flight from atop a birch tree. Their pose makes me think the lingering pair are wondering why the third bird is departing instead of continuing to bask in the sun on their lofty perch. F3.2 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

The dunes further inland at Ludington State Park don't get explored nearly as much as those along the shoreline. A whole new world awaits those who head into the dunes less traveled. F5 at 1/200, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

Dune Walking

Dune Walking

When it comes to scenic Michigan highways, M116 in the Ludington State Park might be the shortest but it remains my favorite. Except for the roadway, there is little manmade intrusion along one of the most beautiful stretches of shoreline in America. F5 at 1/200, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Even on a cold and windy night along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the light from the setting sun will warm your soul and make you look forward to its return the next day. F8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Those last few minutes of sunlight along Lake Michigan often turn everything a brilliant golden color. That is my favorite time of day to photograph the dune grass along the Lake Michigan shoreline. F5 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The golden sunlight says goodbye to us tonight as we photograph along the shores of Lake Michigan at the Ludington State Park. It is always fun making images of the jetties at the First Curve along M116. F9 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

Looking at a classic building like the original part of Ludington Public Library is like reading a classic book; neither ever goes out of style and both become more revered with time. I am so grateful for the preservation and restoration of the library built in 1905-06 with funding from a Carnegie Grant and from the City of Ludington. The Wilson family and many other friends of the library made the recent restoration and expansion possible. F22 at 8 seconds, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

A few months ago I photographed this tree when it was full of leaves. Today, the tree is bare and all the leaves have blown away. With the driving snow, the scene looked delicate, yet strikingly beautiful. F8 at 1/25, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

This morning, as I stood on the edge of a farm field near the corner of Schwass Road and Hawley Road, it was snowing so hard that I could barely see the three massive wind turbines in the distance. Normally, the wind turbines are visible from miles away. The wind was blowing pretty strong so the blades were really bending. Even with the driving snow and the whipping blades, the countryside seemed so peaceful and still. F8 at 1/25, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

Betsy, Julia, Ethan, and I picked out our Christmas tree a few weeks ago and decorated it together. We bought it pre-cut from a local tree farm. This row of evergreen trees along Hawley Road reminds me of the good old days when my parents took us out in the woods with a saw to cut down our own tree. Maybe next year I will do that with my kids. F8 at 1/15, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

Lone trees in the middle of farm fields have always been one of my favorite subjects to photograph. While driving around in a blizzard this morning I found this incredibly beautiful scene on Kinney Road. So far, this is the best lone tree photograph I have ever made. F11 at 1/10, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 78mm

One of Santa's reindeer appears to be on the loose this morning along Hawley Road south of Ludington. I captured this moment as she flew through the snow during a short-lived blizzard that hit Mason County. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

One of Santa's reindeer appears to be on the loose this morning along Hawley Road south of Ludington. I captured this moment as she flew through the snow during a short-lived blizzard that hit Mason County. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm