Search

The sweeping view of the C-shaped shoreline from the Ludington city beach northward toward Epworth Heights has always appealed to me. I especially like it when Epworth comes to life for a new season and the cottages begin lighting up at night. F4.5 at 30.0, ISO 100, 80-200 mm at 80 mm

One of the beautiful signs of spring is the emergence of the marsh marigolds along the Pere Marquette River. Did these beauties appear overnight or did I fail to see them yesterday? How often do we overlook the natural beauty that is right there to behold? Too often, I think. I am trying to slow down more these days to allow more time to see what there is to see. In Michigan, beauty is all around us; I never tire of looking for it. F9 at 1/160, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

Rachel hates snakes with a passion. I hate spiders equally as much. We like to torture each other and text random snake and spider photos to each other. While mushroom hunting with Paul and Lisa Cooper today, I shot photos of this large snake with my iPhone and then sent one to Rachel. I know paybacks will be coming my way soon.

Later tonight my dad and I have to present a slide show at the West Michigan Birding Festival, so I got up early this morning and set out to make at least one more good image of birds. I headed to Lincoln Lake to see what I could find. After many failed attempts, I finally got one photograph that was sharp and well composed. F9.0 at 1/2000, ISO 800, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

While meandering back to our cabin along the Pere Marquette River, I spot at least a half dozen butterflies fluttering in the sunshine on the edge of a stand of large red pine trees. Patience and perseverance finally gets me as close as I want to get to one of the Red Admirals. The colorful butterflies seem to be springing up everywhere this April. F6.3 at 1/640, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

I have watched these goslings for weeks. I knew that I wanted to make a photo of them and tonight seemed like a good night for it, as they were perched on a mound surrounding their mom. As I was getting in position, the mom and goslings swam off their mound. Two other geese started to come near, and the daddy scared them away. It wasn’t the photo I was going for, but it turned out better than I envisioned.

During a walk with grandchildren Rachel, Ty, and Austin near their Waterford home, we take time to appreciate the tulips planted in a neighbor's garden. F4.5 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 185 mm

This tree located at the north entrance to Stearns Park beach has given my dad and I so many great photographic opportunities the last 40 years. We have made dozens of beautiful images of this quiet giant and tonight it looks even more magnificent than usual. This cottonwood tree just keeps on giving joy, beauty, and shade to thousands of passersby every year. F10 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

My high school friends Bryan and Veronica Copenhaver have recently moved back to the area after living in Alaska for several years. Brian called me to say they had a white egret in their pond. Sean and the kids and I drove out there in the rain and found the bird. Just as I was rushing into position to make my first image, a truck drove by and scared the bird away. I ended up photographing this pair of geese on their pond instead.

This rabbit was so fat that it really didn't hop very well. It waddled around our neighborhood more like a little piglet. My daughter Julia got a huge kick out of watching our furry, fat neighbor. F4.0 at 1/80, ISO 1000, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

The great state of Michigan has more freshwater shoreline than any state in America, yet for the most part, Michigan's beauty is still a secret to the majority of Americans. Tonight, the Lake Michigan shoreline is whispering quiet secrets to my heart as I photograph her simple, elegant beauty near the First Curve at Ludington State Park. F11 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

I was drawn to Lake Michigan this evening. I sat and enjoyed the sounds and the smells of the lake before making this image.

Parents escort a squadron of Canada geese goslings on an evening voyage across Pere Marquette Lake. Perhaps the youngsters are practicing the precision V-formations they will be part of when they learn to fly. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200 mm at 200 mm

Lower Lake Michigan water levels have left high and dry what looks to me like the keel and attached segments of a shipwreck on the shoreline near the First Curve of Ludington State Park. The construction, including iron bolts, looks similar to remnants of a 1800s schooner I saw recently along Lake Superior near Munising. F11 at 1/8, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

I was shocked to be standing in my kitchen and to look out the window at our bird feeders to see two indigo buntings and two scarlet tanagers all at the same time. I haven’t seen either of those species in my yard before, let alone four of them at the same time. I snuck back outside to my truck and got my camera and big lens just in time to get a photo of the one remaining scarlet tanager.

Shooting reflections of trees in the Sable River has become a favorite pastime of mine when I need to clear my head and get away from the stress of life. Tonight I enjoyed the peace and quiet of Ludington State Park and waited for the light to fall in just the right spots to make this photograph work. F22.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

I love the ditch by my mailbox in the springtime. It is covered in yellow mustard weed and is a striking sight. I carefully made this image, showcasing one perfect stalk.

I have always wanted to stop along US10 about 20 minutes east of Evart, Michigan and photograph these amazing woods, but had never taken the time to do it until this morning. The mist and fog were making the trees seem even more mysterious and elegant than usual. This photograph is dedicated to the famous National Geographic photographer Sam Abell. Sam loves making "quiet" and "sensitive" photographs. When I met Sam, I discovered his personality is similar to his photographs. F11 at 1/50, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

Rachel and I went for a ride today looking for photos. We headed towards Stony Lake to check that area out. Not finding anything to photograph at the lake, we headed south towards one of our favorite places to see trillium. Sure enough, the forest was full of them. After asking permission of the landowners, Rachel and I walked the property looking for standout flowers

I have watched these red pine trees on our land grow for several decades. They were already tall then. Now they tower several stories above me as I look up at them. The woodlands of Michigan are a marvel and I love hiking slowly to more fully take them in. That often means pausing to look up for a different visual experience and appreciation.