Search

All primped after taking a bird bath in the Red Cedar River, a female cardinal awaits the arrival of a nearby male cardinal that has been pursuing her on the Michigan State University campus this spring afternoon. F6.3 at 1/1000, ISO 1600, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Mark Scott, who lives at Cherry Hill Farm on Conrad Road next to our hunting property, texted me today saying their cherry tree out front was in full blossom. I waited until the light got lower and headed that way. I am so glad he texted me. It was fun watching the sun light up the barn in the distance and the cherry tree in the foreground.

Lately when my dad and I have to drive someplace, we have been making an effort to go down roads we have never driven. Just south of Fremont, Michigan on a country road, my dad and I found this design made of shingles on the roof of an old barn. It was the best roof art I have ever seen. F11.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 116 mm

A male cardinal tries to pinpoint a nearby female cardinal's "mating call" in a botanical garden at Michigan State University. The alluring call is actually coming from an application on my son Brad's iPhone. F7.1 at 1/800, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I was mowing my lawn today when a slight movement to my left caught my eye. This peering snake had eyes for me. As disgusted as I was, I knew it could make a cool photo for today. I hopped off and grabbed my gear. I gingerly walked towards the area to capture the snake. After I made a couple shots, it slithered away. It was only then that I realized how long it was! I ran quickly away in the opposite direction.

I wonder how many times I walked past iconic Beaumont Tower while earning my B.A. degree in journalism at Michigan State University. I know this; I have always been a visual person and the beauty of the MSU campus made my college years there a lot more enjoyable and less stressful. I continue to find Beaumont Tower and the campus uplifting and inspiring. F9 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 18mm

I recently bought a new firepit for my backyard and tonight was our first time using it. With my camera on a tripod, I made this 30-second exposure. One of the tips we teach our workshop students is that they need to learn to see like their camera sees. My eye could see a lot more details in the shadows than you see in this photograph. But if I exposed to make the fire inside the pit look good, I knew the shadows would look black.

Willow trees are mystical and beautiful. This morning I found this willow tree and its reflection south of Ludington and stood on the roof of my truck to make this photograph. I had to get up high so that the entire reflection showed up in the water. F11.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 46 mm

My grandpa, Bud Reed, and my mom and dad went to Michigan State University and we all bleed "green and white." Today, while making an abstract photograph of the fountain in front of the MSU library, I noticed the water turned a bright green color. I looked up from my camera to see what had caused the color shift, and to my amazement, it was the reflection of Ludington native Kayla Fellow's graduation gown. I coached Kayla in soccer when she was a student at Ludington High School and now she is graduating from college. Where does the time go? F7.1 at 1/60, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Growing up, some of my best memories are in the orchard at our family farm. Whether it was picking apples, playing baseball, or swinging on the tire swing, there was always activity amongst the apple trees. Joshua loves to climb this tree in my backyard, and while watching him one day, I noticed this specific clump of apple blossoms. I knew I had found my photo of the day.

I am 17 minutes late for pizza with the grandkids but I just have to make a picture of these petals in my driveway that had come down with the rain. It takes a few minutes to zero in on the best composition but I think I have it now. Click. F16.0 at 0.6, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

I made my almost-daily stop at Northside Market near my home today to grab some stuff for dinner. When I came out and looked across Bryant Road, I spotted my first fawn of the season standing with her mom. My guess is this fawn had been born earlier today.

For many Michigan State University fans, students, and alumni, the Beaumont Tower is a national treasure and one of the ultimate iconic monuments in our great state of Michigan. I love visiting the campus with my camera in May. F10 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Dogwood Trees hold a special place in my family’s heart. For years they had stopped blooming on our farm while I was growing up and we were worried they would never bloom again. Then, one year, they started up again! We have several of these favorite trees around the farm. This one looked radiant tonight.

From its perch high above one of the outdoor botanical gardens on the Michigan State University campus, a young hawk keeps a sharp eye out for its next meal. It amazes me how well wildlife can coexist with the roughly 40,000 MSU students and thousands of other people on campus daily. F3.5 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Ed Sanders called me today from Lincoln Hills and told me they found a fawn near the clubhouse next to the driving range. I drove there a short time later and made this image. Using my biggest lens, so I could keep my distance from the fawn, I lay down on my stomach to get eye to eye with the tiny whitetail deer.

One of our workshop students and I stumbled upon this fawn near one of the trails north of the Beechwood Campground inside Ludington State Park this morning. The fog and light rain add to the mood. F2.8 at 1/25, ISO 400, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Near Beaumont Tower, a group of Michigan State University students are just out of sight getting their pictures taken in their caps and gowns. Meanwhile, this MSU lifer poses on the lawn with a reward for his own work on campus. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

My mom loves lily of the valley. We have many that grow around our garage at the farm. It seemed the perfect photo of the day to celebrate her 78th Birthday! Happy Birthday, Mama!

It is beginning to feel like summer and lo and behold there is a butterfly to make it appear even more summer-like. The butterfly swings in the evening breeze along with the tree branches. F3.5 at 1/100, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm