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While enjoying a family bonfire in my backyard, I looked up at the trees above my head and noticed how nice the light looked on the leaves and trunks of the trees. In a few short minutes I had my picture of the day.

I am photographing a boat in Harbor View Marina when I see a more unique view. The sheet steel wall of the marina is reflected beautifully in the water. I love the color and the undulating patterns on the water. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Today was the first time I experienced being above the clouds along the Lake Michigan shoreline without being in an airplane. The scenic overlook at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is over 450 feet above Lake Michigan and was a great vantage point to photograph this rare phenomenon. The hike down the steep dune is fast and sometimes furious. The hike up is torturous, especially on your calf muscles. F16 at 1/100, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

I could see the makings of a shelf cloud over Lake Michigan, so I headed to the lakeshore from work. As I was making several images of the small cloud, I could see a paddle boarder coming my way. I thought he was very brave! I waited until he was in front of me and had the paddle in a position I wanted. Thanks to social media, later I was able to find out who he was and give him a free print!

Maude's Garage in downtown Ludington has quickly become one of the most photographed spots in all of Ludington. Shirley Reeds, who owns Maude's, has an amazing ability to make art out of other people's junk. I love the old Ford truck she has placed in front of her store on Ludington Avenue. F22.0 at 0.6, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

A couple standing on the edge of a 450-foot-high Sleeping Bear Dunes bluff find themselves above the clouds as a cold front sweeps across Lake Michigan toward them. F10 at 1/800, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

I love living so close to Cartier Park now. The kids and I can walk there pretty quickly from home. Tonight, we walked there together and we spent time enjoying the beauty of the dame’s rocket flowers.

Whitetail deer are beautiful by themselves. This one looks especially pretty amidst cow vetch and green grasses. The doe glances my way momentarily after spotting me. I make two exposures and leave. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area was voted the most beautiful place in America in August 2011 by ABC's Good Morning America. The view today from the top of one of the tallest dunes at Sleeping Bear helps prove why ABC was correct in their judgment. When you can stand above the clouds on a sand mountain and look down at the endless turquoise waters of Lake Michigan, you know you are experiencing a world-class view. F22 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

After dinner at Brad’s house, the kids played there while I ran to the Sauble River outlet to shoot the sunset. I liked seeing the different variety of waves lapping to shore.

The Lamplighter Bed & Breakfast is one of several beautiful bed and breakfast homes on Ludington Avenue. Recently, many local innkeepers have formed an association and are working together to market their businesses. It is an exciting time to own a business in Ludington because everyone is working together to market the area and each other. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

This is the view looking over the edge of the 450-foot-high Lake Michigan shoreline bluff at Sleeping Bear Dunes. My vantage point is from one of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore scenic lookouts along the 7.4-mile Pierce Stocking Drive. F16 at 1/320, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

After dinner the kids and I were in the backyard and we heard a strange noise coming from the woods behind the house. When I went to investigate, I found a family of baby raccoons walking across the ground. I ran to my truck and got my big lens. By the time I got back the babies had climbed part way up a very tall tree. This little guy was the only one in the sunlight.

Being alone in the rain on a weather deck of the carferry Badger as the ship departs Ludington harbor takes me back 40 years to the days when I stood lookout duty in all sorts of inclement weather on the North Atlantic aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Unimac. Tonight I can make this picture and retreat to the comfort of the Badger's interior. F4.0 at 1/50, ISO 1600, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

A massive storm cloud rolled in quickly off Lake Michigan and devoured my dad, me, and several naive spectators this afternoon at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Being 450 feet above Lake Michigan allowed us a vantage point that was above the clouds. When the storm cloud finally hit us, we were lost in a freezing cold sea of white nothingness. It was a religious experience to say the least. F11 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 23mm

The kids and I took a drive around the farm with my mom and dad tonight. I have always enjoyed the shape of this tree. In the far background, you can see our barn and farmhouse. It is a picture-perfect setting.

Photography is like an action sport for my dad and me. Earlier today when I saw these clouds, I knew they were going to be the background of my photo of the day; I just needed to find a strong foreground and middle ground. Once I found this barn and old truck, I had to run and eventually army crawl in order to make a strong composition. F16.0 at 1/250, ISO 400, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Like an enormous tidal wave, a shelf cloud hundreds of feet high extends out of sight as it sweeps ashore. I have an eye-level view of the fast-approaching front from the observation platform built atop a 450-foot-high dune bluff on the Lake Michigan shoreline at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. F11 at 1/1250, ISO 280, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

My brother and sister-in-law’s yard has a large variety of beautiful flowers and plants throughout. Today I worked at capturing this poppy in magic light. To me this flower looks like a strange bug with big eyes and a large mouth.

Noah Penn throws a large wake as he screams across the surface of Lake Michigan while kite surfing south of Ludington's South Breakwater. The expert kite surfer wears a helmet and face shield for protection. He often allows the kite and wind to launch him more than 20 feet skyward. I wish I could do that. F4.5 at 1/3200, ISO 200, 500 mm lens at 500 mm