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My son Brad often finds himself in Lake Michigan over his head while capturing spectacular images of waves crashing around him. He is "in it to win it" and finds the results worth any discomfort he experiences. An underwater housing protects the camera. Some days I think Brad needs to be inside a housing when he is being swallowed up by a wave. F16 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I wish you could have seen the giant grin on my face as this six-foot-tall Lake Michigan roller was about to body slam me and knock me off my feet. Luckily, I was shooting with my Nikon D7000 inside a specially made underwater housing that kept my camera dry and safe. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

Some day I would love to go back to Hawaii. If I did I would certainly take some surfing lessons. For now, I will continue body surfing in Lake Michigan with my camera. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

It is a good thing my son Brad does CrossFit training almost every day because fighting off breaking Lake Michigan waves while trying to make good images in Lake Michigan is strenuous work. I observe that Brad seems to thrive on his photography battles with the big lake. F22 at 1/100, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 165mm

The dramatic storm clouds in the distance and the brilliant sunlight combined to create an incredible light show for me today as I stood in Lake Michigan and photographed these monster breaking waves. This wave looked like a fine crystal sculpture, but had the power of a freight train. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

The dramatic storm clouds in the distance and the brilliant sunlight combined to create an incredible light show for me today as I stood in Lake Michigan and photographed these monster breaking waves. This wave looked like a fine crystal sculpture, but had the power of a freight train. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

During that golden hour before sunset, I am struck by the thousands of dimpled impressions left behind by hikers to the Lake Michigan shoreline observation area in the Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness. Within a couple months, when the cold and snow arrives, footprints will be few and far between as fewer and fewer people will venture to this warm weather mecca. F13 at 1/60, ISO 400, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

The summer of 2012 is coming to a close. It has been a great summer for photographing the beauty of Michigan. I am generally not a fan of really hot summers, but the warm weather definitely heated up Lake Michigan and made it much more enjoyable for swimming and family fun. F22 at 1/8, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

The brilliant sunlight hitting the newly rebuilt walkway leading to the top of a tall sand dune at the Lake Michigan Campground became the focus of this image. If you and your family have not explored the beautiful Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness Area between Ludington and Manistee, the Lake Michigan Campground is a great place to start. F8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The golden light of the setting sun is showcasing the zigzag pattern Porter Creek is taking this evening. I love the way this outlet changes shape and course as the water finds the path of least resistance to Lake Michigan. It is one of countless magical natural places in the Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness. F8 at 1/640, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

Enjoying the End of Summer

Calm and beautiful is the best way to describe the Pere Marquette River Flats. My favorite time of the day on the river is sunrise. This morning, the sunrise is gold and blue. This is heaven on earth to me. F9 at 1/250, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

The high winds coming off Lake Michigan this afternoon mixed with the bright sunshine made the green dune grass dance. It looked like giant green waves of water flowing back and forth. My job was to wait until the clouds in the background mimicked the trees. After an enjoyable five minute wait, the clouds were just where I wanted them to be. F11 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Life is good in Ludington. Bring your family and friends here year round and you will find some of the most beautiful lakeshore in the entire country. On this mid-September day, I had the entire Ludington State Park to myself. Priceless! F11 at 1/320, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 35mm

While I was making a sunrise photograph this morning along the Pere Marquette River, my uncle, Rod Marble, called to tell me he was looking at the largest double rainbow he had ever seen. I stood up, turned around, and almost fainted. I instantly knew where I needed to head. My destination was Cherry Hill Farm on Conrad Road. F4.5 at 1/250, ISO 100, 14mm lens at 14mm

Roger and Marcia Hansen own two donkeys at their family farm on Conrad Road. These donkeys keep me entertained all year long every time I drive by. I used my widest angled lens and got extremely close to this white donkey in order to make his head look twice the size it should. This photograph will always remind me of "Donkey" from Shrek. F14 at 1/250, ISO 400, 14mm lens at 14mm

After a drizzly start to my hiking day at Kensington Metro Park, diffused sunlight creates a soft glow on leaves along one of the park's many miles of trails. I use a large telephoto lens and fast shutter speed to make only a cluster of maple leaves stand out sharply in the forest. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 3200, 300mm lens at 300mm

A sandhill crane pops up out of the grass for a look while playing hide-and-seek with me at Kensington Metro Park. I took many photographs of sandhill cranes today, some showing an entire bird or birds, but I find this tighter shot riveting and much less expected. F4.5 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

A mourning dove catches my eye as I hike near the Kensington Metro Park Nature Center. I think quickly but move slowly to frame the bird cleanly against a backdrop of trees beginning to turn color. The subtly beautiful creature stays still long enough for me to finish making a picture that feels good. F9 at 1/500, ISO 3200, 300mm lens at 300mm