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Fishermen fly a large national ensign while trolling for salmon on Lake Michigan. I like their American spirit; I wish them luck catching fish this evening. The intense sunlight penetrates the flag and projects the color while the rest of the scene remains colorless. F5.0 at 1/8000, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Cruising Lake Michigan

The 410-foot carferry Badger was completely reflected in a small puddle near its dock tonight during a dramatic sunset. I slowly walked into the middle of the puddle and after the water calmed back down, I made this image. Notice the large triangle in the foreground that comes to a point at the reflected smoke stack.

The carferry Badger makes the turn to head out of Ludington harbor on a summer evening.

Fast Tango passes close by Ludington while competing in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. I like the look of this moment in the viewfinder as the North American 40 and another sailboat race toward Mackinac Island. F4.0 at 1/5000, ISO 400, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

The sailboat Tranquility sails out of Ludington harbor toward Lake Michigan on one of the many tranquil evenings so far this summer. Even the clouds look tranquil tonight. F4.0 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 17 mm

The foot of Ferry Street has long been one of my favorite vantage points to look over Ludington harbor. Winter sunrises provide some of the best views. The carferry Badger is at left and the carferry City of Midland (since converted to a barge) at right.

With his trusty retriever Kelly II serving as bow lookout, Dick Underwood navigates through the early morning fog to another fishing spot on Pere Marquette Lake. Dick is one of those diehard anglers I admire because they are not just fair weather fishermen. F5.6 at 1/5000, ISO 125, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

The late afternoon sun made the Lake Michigan shoreline dance today in South Haven. I enjoyed watching this sailboat catch the wind and dart across the horizon. F22 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

Early this morning, my cousin Ryan and I met John Karakashian at Baldwin Bait and Tackle and then went salmon fishing with him on the Pere Marquette River. It was a beautiful day to float the National Wild & Scenic River.

The coldest, clear mornings are among my favorites for viewing and photographing the Ludington waterfront. I found this frosty scene with carferries as a backdrop early one winter morning along the shore of Pere Marquette Lake in Buttersville.

I love the iconic nature of this photograph. A gorgeous sailboat, a person fishing off the pier, and a beautiful Lake Michigan Lighthouse all bathed in blue and silver light. I captured this photo today 7:15 p.m. on the shoreline at South Haven, Michigan. F20 at 1/640, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 160mm

One of the high-performance sailboats from the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac looks fast even while made fast to a dock at Harbor Springs a few days after finishing one of the longest fresh-water races in the world. I am attracted to the shadows made by some of the many people attracted to the sleek vessel. F7.1 at 1/125, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 21mm

Ludington North Pier Light

After nearly 14 hours of driving, boating, and photographing, I decide I have earned my favorite Northern Michigan dinner, planked whitefish. Miraculously, I somehow get an outdoor table at Stafford's Pier House, 10 feet from the water and right in front of one of the most beautiful classic yachts I have ever seen. Fantastic summer evening, fantastic meal, and world-class Michigan view. It doesn't get any better than this. F4.5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

It was a great sailing day in Ludington today. With a stiff and steady wind, I watched several sailboats cruising the lakeshore. I was geeked when one of the bigger sailboats decided to pass the pier heads under full sail.

While photographing morning light striking an American Flag and flagpole at Ludington Municipal Marina, a rainbow appears in the western sky over the marina. This is a bright spot in a day that will be marred by yet another Lake Michigan drowning at Ludington. F5.6 at 1/250, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

James White, a 15-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan, gets some serious air on his wake board as he is pulled behind his dad's 18-foot Sea-Doo jet boat. James has only been wake boarding for five years, but already appears to be ready for the big leagues. F8 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 17mm

Lighthouse and Badger

Hamlin Lake is a great place to practice your sailing skills. For whatever reason, Hamlin Lake always seems to be windy. Today the wind was pretty strong and I had to motor our little Boston Whaler around quickly in order to keep pace with this beautiful little red sailboat. F6.3 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 10-17mm at 17mm