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The carferry SS Badger is the last coal fired steamship in America. As she left Ludington this morning, I photographed her from the window of a small airplane piloted by Dave Johnson of Mason County Aviation. F9 at 1/1600, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 44mm

The SS Badger is a beautiful steamship from any angle. Today was the first time that I got to photograph her underway from an airplane. I was impressed by how elegantly the 410-foot carferry cut through the waters of Lake Michigan. F7.1 at 1/640, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

The end of Ferry Street has always proven to be a productive photography spot for my dad, Rachel, and me. This morning we had great light and clouds to the southeast. Sitting at the gallery downtown, I was pretty sure if I drove to the end of Ferry Street a few blocks away, I would find a powerful sky over the top of the Badger. My hunch was correct.

A far cry from the snowy day five days ago, today looks and feels a lot like summer, with the thermometer surpassing the 60-degree mark. Jeff LaPrad takes the opportunity for one more sail into the sunset at the Ludington pierheads. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 165 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

I knew steam would be rising from icy Lake Michigan when the sun came up on this 10-degree morning. I got out early to photograph Ludington harbor from near the Ludington South Breakwater Light. I am pleasantly surprised to see this outbound tug and barge come into view to complete my picture. F4.5 at 1/320, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

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

For well over a half-century the carferry SS Badger has graced the waterfront of her homeport of Ludington, Michigan. I never tire of seeing the lights of the ship and the city as the vessel and city landscape begin to be visible against the dawn sky. F11 at 4 seconds, ISO 1600, 24-70mm lens at 46mm

On the final leg of her cross-lake journey, the carferry SS Badger finishes a turn to port as the captain and wheelsman line the big ship up to steam between the pier heads of her home port. Passengers line the bow to get a first-hand look at Ludington harbor. F4 at 1/1250, ISO 1600, 500mm lens at 500mm

Jon Debruyn ventured out today onto Lake Michigan to battle the 18-foot waves that were smashing into his hometown of South Haven, Michigan. For almost an hour I photographed Jon as he navigated like a professional through the breaking surf. He rolled several times, but it never seemed to faze him. I was impressed to say the least. F8 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 200mm