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Displaying more lights than a Christmas tree, the carferry Badger stays very alive even while docked in Ludington Harbor between Lake Michigan crossings. The coal-fired steamship carries passengers and automobiles between Michigan and Wisconsin.

If you have not made a journey to Leland, Michigan, I highly recommend you make it a point to visit. Leland's most famous attribute is Fishtown, a historic Lake Michigan commercial fishing village. Leland is on M22 at the mouth of the Leland River. If you time your visit correctly, you can watch the two working fish tugs, Janice Sue and Joy, unload their catches of Lake Michigan whitefish.

For over a hundred years, these particular dunes on Hamlin Lake have been a popular picnic area for boaters. As a kid, my parents took my brothers and me here often. Now I enjoy taking my kids to the "Hamlin Dunes." F6.3 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

I am feeling envious as I watch a Coast Guard self-righting motor lifeboat head out of Grand Haven harbor for training in the big waves generated by Superstorm Sandy. I was privileged to drive Coast Guard motor lifeboats in big seas on Lake Michigan for 30 years before retiring from the Coast Guard Reserve in 2005. I miss the roller coaster rides on these 47-footers and the 44-footers that preceded them. F5.6 at 1/1600, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 175mm

Peaceful Evening

Peaceful Evening - Panoramic

I have been watching several months for just the right light to photograph the sailboats lining the Ludington Yacht Club peninsula on Pere Marquette Lake. One August evening, storm clouds and the golden light of an approaching sunset made the scene extraordinary. A rainbow added the crowning touch.

My uncle, Rod Marble, and a few other woodworkers helped the late Jim Roussin build this beautiful wood boat. As a young boy growing up in Ludington, I would always get excited seeing the Liberty underway. I am not sure when she was last in the water, but I hope to see her afloat soon. F8.0 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 24 mm

A smartly flemished line finished off the squared-away appearance of a six-man Coast Guard rowing surfboat housed in the VanOort U.S. Coast Guard Boathouse at the Michigan Maritime Museum. The craft is part of an exhibit featuring the nation’s only complete and restored collection of the last three types of wooden rescue craft used by the Coast Guard.

Michael Wolff of Ludington enjoys a leisurely kayak ride in the Ludington channel tonight just before sunset. It is so nice when locals can enjoy being tourists in our own town. Ludington is hard to beat on a warm summer night. F9 at 1/320, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

When a fast-moving Lake Michigan storm front comes through, I am always on the lookout for the sky spectacle that may follow. Tonight my weather knowledge pays off. This view of the SS Badger heading out of Ludington harbor greets me as I hustle to the waterfront after photographing a storm front at Pentwater. F8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 20mm

During a two-boat, Coast Guard Auxiliary Safety Patrol from the Holland area to Muskegon, I wanted to make an image from the 44-foot patrol boat I am on of the 41-foot patrol boat passing by Coast Guard City USA, Grand Haven, Michigan. I am grateful to the Auxiliarists who have made this voyage possible for Brad and me. Nikon D800. F6.3 at 1/1600, ISO 800. 70-200mm lens at 82mm. Handheld without a flash. October 22, 2017 at 12:15pm.

I wonder how many winters this old commercial fishing tug has endured. Today it and its tender lie frozen in the ice on Pere Marquette Lake.

During a two-boat, Coast Guard Auxiliary Safety Patrol from the Holland area to Muskegon, I wanted to make an image from the 44-foot patrol boat I am on of the 41-foot patrol boat passing by Coast Guard City USA, Grand Haven, Michigan. I am grateful to the Auxiliarists who have made this voyage possible for Brad and me.

Nobody is going to believe this is real. I can't believe what I am seeing. The clouds, the rain, the haze, the sun, the big waves, the Badger, and the color! Surreal. These were the thoughts running through my head the evening of August 20, 2009 as I was shooting this photograph during one of our weekday summer workshops. I was just glad our students were there to verify that this dream actually happened.

Racing Home

Nobody is going to believe this is real. I can't believe what I am seeing. The clouds, the rain, the haze, the sun, the big waves, the Badger, and the color! Surreal. These were the thoughts running through my head the evening of August 20, 2009 as I was shooting this photograph during one of our weekday summer workshops. I was just glad our students were there to verify that this dream actually happened.

A boat ride on a tranquil summer evening has always been one of the finest life experiences. During one of my Lake Michigan sunset cruise/photo excursions on my trusty 13-foot Boston Whaler, this classic-looking runabout passed by as I was waiting for the carferry Badger to leave port. The beautiful watercraft reminded me of my childhood days aboard a classic wood speedboat.

On summer mornings, Pentwater can look magical. Sailboats, and other watercraft, line the waterfront of the quaint village and lie at anchor scattered about Pentwater Point marinas on this morning when light and atmosphere created an extraordinary view for a few magical moments.

Having 35 years of local knowledge is the only reason I was able to make this photograph. While standing on Conrad Road between Ludington and Scottville, I hypothesized that if I were near the Buttersville campground that I would be able to line the rainbow up with the Ludington North Breakwater Light. Just as I arrived at the campground beach, the SS Badger was heading out the harbor. One second after shooting this photograph the rainbow disappeared. F13 at 1/400, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 170mm