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Storms seem to be popping up very quickly lately. We were still camping at “The Point” when the wind started to pick up. Everyone pitched in to pack up loose items. I then turned my attention to the clouds passing overhead above the Pere Marquette River.

I stand atop a dune at Oval Beach in Saugatuck, Michigan, looking northward into the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. More than 170 acres of rolling, open dunes, wetland, and woods are now accessible to the public for non-motorized recreation as a result of a $19 million land acquisition made through grants and donations to the West Michigan Land Conservancy. F6.3 at 1/6, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Clyde Butcher, famous for his black-and-white photographs of the Florida Everglades, often photographs huge cumulus clouds passing over the wetlands. Though I am standing in an overgrown asparagus field in Michigan, this scene on Conrad Road reminds me of some of Clyde's landscape images that often include a tree connecting land and sky. F13.0 at 1/80, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm

Betsy and I took the kids for a walk at Ludington State Park this morning. While hiking, we noticed a large tree that looked like it was billowing smoke from its trunk. To our amazement, it was just steam. As we continued walking, we saw several trees steaming. Eventually, the forest was filled with steam and sunlight. F4.5 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

The woods on our family farm always brings peace to my heart. Fair preparation was in full force this Thursday evening, and I needed a break from the organizing, planning, and packing. I took a walk down one of our lanes, breathing in the quiet air.

I have watched many storm clouds over the years. I have seen the sky change colors. Never have I ever seen a sky turn purple like tonight. I was so in awe I almost missed the photograph!

Whew! Beef and sheep shows were today at fair. It was a long, hot day. I am so proud of the kids and their hard work! Fair is so quiet this year, with no midway due to COVID-19. With only a handful of campers, it feels like a ghost town. I took a walk with my camera and fell in love with this orange sunset tonight.

The last day of fair is here. The auction was today, and the animals have sold. One last night to soak in the feel of a familiar tradition. I found this spot on the trail between the fairgrounds and the Walmart parking lot. You would never think it would look like this back in that little woods.

A purplish leaf fell to the ground today. I hope it’s not a sign that fall will come early.

I love the feeling of being among tall trees. It is hard to explain the feeling that I get looking up at them towards the sky.

While driving out M-116 along Ludington State Park, I had my eye on the gorgeous sunset over Lake Michigan. When I pulled off the road to shoot the sunset, I noticed the large moon. I got back in my truck and found a tree to put in my photo. I love surprise photographic opportunities like this. F22.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 95 mm

After Rachel and I finished eating a wonderful dinner outside at the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery on Old Mission Peninsula, we grabbed our camera gear and walked to photograph the setting sun over Grand Traverse Bay. We stopped so I could make this image of the sun dancing between the trees and their shadows on the lawn of the restaurant. I love finding unexpected photographs like this one.

It is hard to believe that fall is fast approaching. The proof is in this colorful leaf that I found in our backyard tonight. I love the fall and am looking forward to the change in season. F20.0 at 2.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

My 14-month-old son Ethan allowed me to borrow his toy chicken to make this photograph in our backyard. If you look really closely you will see a chicken sitting on a nest inside the stump. We had to put some humor in the 365 Project! F22.0 at 6.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 26 mm

I get excited when I see the turning of leaves for the first time each fall, if it is a fall that lasts a few months, and we have time to enjoy it! This tree in our yard is always one of the first to turn each fall.

Magic light graced my wife Debbie's birthday party at our family cabin along the Pere Marquette River. My brother Budde and I planted these red pine trees 10 years ago. Now they have become a beautiful presence on our land. Tonight they complement the sky. F4.5 at 1/400, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

Our 365 Project would not be possible if it were not for our general manager at the gallery, Sarah Genson. Today she came to visit us at our family cabin on the Pere Marquette River. If you look closely you can see her yellow sweater against the red siding. F11.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

The kids and I went on a hike with Carole and Jim Smith today out near their cottage on Hamlin Lake. We hiked to one of Carole’s favorite trees in the Manistee National Forest. Seeing this tree was love at first sight for me. I knew I had found my photo of the day!

Julia has done so well on her first year of the high school golf team. She has gotten to play in several varsity matches and is getting better by the day. Tonight, when I went to pick her up from practice, I could see her on the 18th hole. I parked the truck and grabbed my gear and made this image of her as she hit a beautiful iron shot.

I am having a hard time resisting picking one of these apples along Pere Marquette Highway but my ethics keep me concentrating on photographing them instead of eating them. I am not sure whose apples they are but I am glad the grower appears to have a good crop to harvest despite the heavy frost this spring. F8.0 at 1/400, ISO 200, 300 mm lens at 300 mm