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Whoever thinks swamps are ugly has never really seen one. Look past preconceived notions or connotations. Spend time getting acquainted with the swampy areas of Ludington State Park. The result: seeing and savoring scenes like this one I discovered while hiking the Island Trail.

Fast Tango passes close by Ludington while competing in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac. I like the look of this moment in the viewfinder as the North American 40 and another sailboat race toward Mackinac Island. F4.0 at 1/5000, ISO 400, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

What makes the fire within you burn? What lights my life up the most is having deep conversations with friends, family, and complete strangers or chasing the light with my camera. Tonight while walking out to the North Breakwater Light in my hometown of Ludington, I enjoyed a couple of nice conversations with people I just met, followed by shooting a unique sunset being reflected onto Lake Michigan.

Nothing pops out of the countryside more than bright red Michigan tart cherries. They are so bright and shiny they glow in the daylight. I never get tired of taking photographic road trips through the orchard country of Michigan's West Shore counties.

Everyone aboard Sean McDonald's charter fishing boat Katch Me got to enjoy this beautiful sunrise on Lake Michigan today. The anticipation of reeling in a giant king salmon was as electric as the beautiful colors in the sunrise. F9 at 1/2500, ISO 6400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Big Sable Family Walking Cropped Vertical

Brad maneuvered our shallow draft photo shooting boat to help me compose this image of one of the most beautiful coves on Hamlin Lake. The shelter building near where the Island Trail meets the Ridge Trail is in the background. On windy days, the cove provides welcome shelter from the waves that often quickly kick up. Thankfully, Hamlin Lake was in a tranquil mood this summer morning.

The sailboat Tranquility sails out of Ludington harbor toward Lake Michigan on one of the many tranquil evenings so far this summer. Even the clouds look tranquil tonight. F4.0 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 17 mm

Vantage Point

Into the Wind

Dog Days of Summer

Dune Grass Light

Like cowboys riding into the sunset, bicyclists ride toward the sun on the Ludington waterfront on a splendid September evening.

A spider bridges the gap between clusters of blue vervain growing in the sand dunes south of the Sable River. I discovered the delicate flowers on one of many summer hikes I have made on these southern park trails that are far less traveled than most of the other trails in the State Park. I love the fresh views these trails provide as they weave through the sand, jack pines and wetlands tucked in the valleys between the dunes.

I enjoy visiting my Grandma Reed after work and having a drink with her. We sit in her kitchen and watch the different birds come to her feeders and chit chat. Every August she gets several humming birds that frequent her yard. I made it my mission to capture a photograph of one of the ruby red hummingbirds for her. After several failed attempts, I finally captured a moment that I was proud of.

Sunset Off of North Inner Pier in Ludington

Epworth Lights

Early this morning, my cousin Ryan and I met John Karakashian at Baldwin Bait and Tackle and then went salmon fishing with him on the Pere Marquette River. It was a beautiful day to float the National Wild & Scenic River.

The proof is in the pudding! The Ludington, Michigan area has been proclaimed by several national publications as one of the best places in America to view a sunset. This sunset afterglow confirms their findings.