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The rugged Lake Superior shoreline at Whitefish Point is a golden place to be on this August evening. Uprooted elsewhere by the power of Lake Superior waves, these trees have been carried by wind and wave energy to this prominent point and driven ashore. Seeing the forces of nature at work is one of the most fascinating aspects of being an outdoor photographer.

Hiking out the breakwater to the Ludington lighthouse is a tradition for summer visitors and area residents. I enjoy the hike, but often I like to watch from a distance and photograph the people as added ingredients to my pictures.

Moody Blues

My son Brad and I are always telling photographers that October is our favorite month for Michigan photography. On this mid-October evening, workshop students gathered at the Sable River Outlet are experiencing for themselves why we say that. It doesn't get much better than this!

July Bliss

Ludington State Park Vertical

It was the calm after the storm. Following a spring "southwester" that heaved waves onto the Lake Michigan shoreline, a giant puddle remained trapped on shore in front of Little Point Sable Lighthouse. I delighted in discovering this short-lived, but alluring, natural phenomenon.

Nothing says Ludington better than the carferry Badger and Ludington lighthouse. On this July evening the Lake Michigan Carferry passes the Ludington North Breakwater Light en route to its dock after ferrying passengers and vehicles from Wisconsin.

Ludington State Park

Ludington State Park

The walkway leading to the Ludington North Inner Pierhead Light is a popular spot for viewing summer sunsets. On this summer night, it was the view from a boat that provided a unique perspective of the sunset.

Nothing says Ludington better than the carferry Badger and Ludington lighthouse. On this July evening the Lake Michigan Carferry passes the Ludington North Breakwater Light en route to its dock after ferrying passengers and vehicles from Wisconsin. Nikon D800. F10 at 1/500, ISO 200. 14-24mm lens at 14mm. On a tripod without a flash. July 21, 2016 at 5:24pm.

Summer Nights Dream

A sunrise to rival the beauty of the evening primrose growing along the Pere Marquette River, south of Ludington, seemed too good to be true. It was true and the light and flowers were preserved on film.

Of the thousands of plums growing at The Gary Crane Farm, this one stands out as ripe for picking to be the subject of one of my photographs today in the u-pick orchard at Fennville. To me, my selection looks beautiful and delectable.

Crisp, haze-free air, brilliant light, billowy clouds - all the ingredients that made for a good day for photography - were present on this fine October morning. Throw in the Ludington North Breakwater, lighthouse, and the carferry Badger, and it gets even better. The final ingredient - a location from which to take the photo - brings the mixture together to make a picture better than the sum of its parts.

If you like to pick your own fruit, you have come to the right place. Michigan has u-pick farms scattered across the state. The signs leading me to The Gary Crane Farm in Fennville remind me of the old Burma-Shave signs our family passed by in my dad's '57 Ford convertible when I was a child.

A visitor to Crane Michigan Fruit Orchards, Fennville, enjoys picking from among a crate filled with peaches. Visitors to the u-pick farm may also choose to harvest fruit right from the trees. Visitors come from across Michigan and out of state to enjoy a fruit picking experience and the famous home-cooked meals at the Crane's Pie Pantry Restaurant & Bakery. I definitely will be back!

Generic Lightning

Regal River