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This is one of the lifeboats from the City of Flint 32. The City of Flint 32 was one of the many past carferries that put Ludington on the map when this port had the largest carferry fleet in the world. F5.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

While hanging out of the window of a small airplane and trying to photograph the Ludington City Beach, I noticed this beautiful speedboat anchored and enjoying the calm water on Lake Michigan. We teach our workshop students to look for scenes like this where there is a small person or object in the big world.

Envious

I love Ludington’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show as much as anyone. But I have to say I was more excited about the fireworks Mother Nature shot off over Ludington on May 3, 2019. I had a front row seat from the balcony of our home as the fireworks lit up the harbor.

Since I was a young child, I have been fascinated by the carferries and other large ships that traffic Ludington Harbor. This statue of a mariner stands tall and proud, very much like the ship captains I have been privileged to know.

Self-righting motor lifeboats like this Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel are designed to survive and thrive in high seas. This 44-foot vessel, 44359, crushes a large Lake Michigan wave during a patrol from Port Sheldon to Muskegon. I had the honor and privilege of driving 44s for over 25 years.

The United States Coast Guard motto of Semper Paratus means Always Ready. My dad and I have our trucks packed full of all kinds of clothing, photography gear, and safety equipment, including several hundred feet of high quality rope. Today we put at least 250 feet of that rope to good use in order to make this photograph on Grand Traverse Bay. With my cold-water survival suit on and my underwater camera around my neck, I made my way out to this moored sailboat. My dad was back on shore and tending the other end of the rope. I couldn't have done it without his help.

With the Detroit skyline in the background, a fishing boat speeds northward up the Detroit River. The cold of an early November morning cannot deter the avid fisherman from his pursuit. F7.1 at 1/2000, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

The 630-foot Calumet is being guided through the narrow waters of the Detroit River near Wyandotte, Michigan by two small tugs. The tug pulling from the bow is the Idaho and is just out of view in the photograph. The twin tug Wyoming is assisting the Calumet from the stern. F11 at 1/800, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 70mm

“Ice Break” and “Big Toot and Friends”

What a difference a day or so makes in Michigan! Before the infamous Bomb Cyclone winter storm hit Michigan in February 2019, I was drawn to the Ludington waterfront on a sunny morning to photograph three tugboats moored along the shore. I was happy with my shot. When the storm crossed over Lake Michigan from Wisconsin several days later, Ludington harbor looked more like Siberia. I knew right where to head to make a another good, but extremely different photograph.

Like a scene out of the past, a classic wooden speedboat docked at Pentwater Yacht Club brings back my visions of the 1950s and 1960s, when such boats were popular on area lakes.

Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat 47225 heads out the Grand Haven Channel for a "heavy weather" training exercise during Superstorm Sandy. At the helm is Senior Chief Kirk McKay, a Coast Guard Surfman highly trained in extremely heavy weather rescue boat operations. F4.5 at 1/2000, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

The 630-foot-long Great Lakes ore carrier Calumet gets two helping hands negotiating the Detroit River at Wyandotte from the Great Lakes Towing tugboats Idaho (in the lead) and Wyoming. The Calumet can carry nearly 20,000 tons of ore. F11 at 1/500, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 120mm

La Bella Vita

What a difference a day or so makes in Michigan! Before the infamous Bomb Cyclone winter storm hit Michigan in February 2019, I was drawn to the Ludington waterfront on a sunny morning to photograph three tugboats moored along the shore. I was happy with my shot. When the storm crossed over Lake Michigan from Wisconsin several days later, Ludington harbor looked more like Siberia. I knew right where to head to make a another good, but extremely different photograph.

The Algorail, a frequent visitor to the Ludington harbor, used two powerful spotlights to guide herself quietly into port. I set my camera to 800 ISO in order to stop the ship

Long after it had outlived its usefulness as a boat, a rusting hulk remains in the water on tiny Fox Lake in eastern Mason County. I wonder about its history and the enjoyment it probably brought people in years past. Even though half rusted away, I find it beautiful as a still life subject.

Having captained Coast Guard boats on Lake Michigan for 30 years, I especially identify with the Mariner's sculpture in Ludington's Waterfront Park. I have the greatest respect for all Great Lakes sailors, including those heading for Wisconsin this evening on the carferry Badger.

Did you know that the beautiful city of Port Huron, Michigan is the maritime capital of the Great Lakes? With seven miles of shoreline along the St. Clair River, hundreds of large transport ships pass by Port Huron every year. In this photograph the Algoma Transport is underway heading south as the Vega Desgagnes is docked at the Dow Chemical plant in Sarnia, Canada. F7.1 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

Sailing to the Moon