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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

Clouds bear down on Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline and begin to climb the bluff toward me at Sleeping Bear Dunes. Moments later my son Brad and I are literally in the cloud in near-zero visibility. What an incredible experience! F11 at 1/1600, ISO 280, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

My mom’s yellow roses climb the wall of the farm’s garage. Each year we welcome their sight. I hope to transplant some of them to our home soon.

For the last couple of years I had heard from many of my friends that they loved taking their kids to Lewis' Farm Market & Petting Farm in New Era, Michigan so Betsy and I loaded the family up today to check it out. We had a blast. I think Betsy and I had as much fun as the kids. Julia's favorite animal was the very friendly camel named Jeffrey. F2.8 at 1/125, ISO 1250, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Moments after videoing the granddaddy of clouds rushing toward him on the Lake Michigan shoreline, Brad Reed grins like a photography junkie that has just been smacked with the best video footage of his lifetime. He is on cloud nine literally in the clouds on the observation platform high atop the Sleeping Bear Dunes bluff. F11 at 1/640, ISO 280, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

My dad called me early this morning to tell me that he thought it might be a good sunrise. I crawled out of bed and drove to Lincoln Lake. I made this image near the bridge on M-116.

I am on a scouting mission for a photography workshop Brad and I will be teaching this week. As I head out the Island Trail at Ludington State Park this red-headed woodpecker chooses to land on a tree right in front of me. I keep my body motions slow but my fingers moving fast to get the correct exposure. One good shot is all I need. Click. F2.8 at 1/1250, ISO 200, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

What a way to end Week 19 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute." Where in the world can you find a better view of the sky and sunset than along the Lake Michigan shoreline? Nowhere, I think, as I view what Mother Nature has to offer this evening at Ludington. F3.5 at 1/200, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

After a dinner with family visiting from Cleveland, I noticed tiny daisies in the yard of their vacation home. It was covered in them! I crawled around until I saw a perspective I liked.

With huge telephoto lenses you can isolate the prettiest, most colorful parts of the sky in your photographs. The trick is to be patient and wait for something interesting to come into the viewfinder. After several minutes of enjoying the Lake Michigan sunset, a seagull flew into the scene. F5.6 at 1/6400, ISO 500, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

After spending the day photographing the Leelanau Peninsula, I return to Ludington in time to vote in the local school election. On my way home from voting I am rewarded with this uplifting Lake Michigan view from the bluffs of Buttersville. F11 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

Who would have thought when my wife Debbie provided a home to a three-legged, orphan kitty recovering at Country Clinic that he would still be with us 19 years later. Angel Tripod has attitude and gives me a little of it as I make this portrait. We are glad to still have his companionship and "Garfield" attitude. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm