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My Grandpa and Grandma Reed had a fishpond built in their backyard and transplanted their goldfish from their house on the Pere Marquette River in Walhalla to their new pond at their house in Ludington. Now my brother and his family live in that house and they have become the keepers of Grandma’s fish. With our underwater housing, I got in the pond and made this image in honor of our grandma.

Seagulls are beautiful birds. A lot of people don't like them and I have even heard people call them "flying rats." Personally, I love seagulls and I never get tired of watching them adapt to the weather throughout the year on the shores of Lake Michigan. F5.6 at 1/2500, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 600mm

The Ludington Municipal Marina has recently expanded its capacity by converting its north edge into a day dock and seawall. One of the many benefits of the recent expansion is that the new wall has allowed the marina to better accommodate large boats. This week, the 80-foot Burger named Chateau Thierry was trying out the new dock. F8.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 27 mm

A visit to the Lavender Labyrinth at Cherry Point Farm & Market has been a tradition since I discovered it several years ago. The light was striking when I decided to make the drive south for a visit. I had the labyrinth almost to myself as I peacefully wandered through. The bees were especially attracted to this lavender. Quickly, I composed this hard-working bee. I loved the sunlight on the wings.

My dad and I decided to try a new adventure and see if we could get our little Boston Whaler from his house at Crosswinds on Lake Michigan to our cabin a few miles up the Pere Marquette River. After several attempts, we found a path that was deep enough. Along the way, we each were able to make a few good photographs. F2.8 at 1/1250, ISO 1000, 300 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 450 mm

Driving along a dirt road at Gun Lake in eastern Mason County I encounter a slower form of transportation. I stop the car and lie down on the ground to get face-to-face to better see and show the beauty of this creature before he finishes crossing the road. Since I have interrupted his journey across the road, I make certain he makes it all the way across before I drive away. F4.5 at 1/250, ISO 320, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

What should appear inside the window of an old house but two fawns that look far less surprised than I. I have stopped at the old dwelling while looking at flowers in the yard of the building I thought to be vacant. I am laughing out loud as I make this image of the new tenants. F5 at 1/800, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

One of my greatest pleasures in outdoor photography in Michigan is watching the world come to life throughout the spring. Two days before the end of spring a fast-growing fawn hides in grasses that have sprung to life in the Michigan outdoors. F6.3 at 1/100, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

A newborn bison and its mother share time together in their pasture at Gleason Farms & Pheasant Preserve near Scottville, Michigan. I appreciate that bison are being raised at more Michigan farms than ever before. The massive animals present a picture of America's past. F6.3 at 1/2500, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

Newborn elk calves are guarded and watched over by their mothers at the Amber Elk Ranch between Ludington and Scottville, Michigan. The guided tours and other activities at the Conrad Road ranch have become a very popular West Michigan family attraction. F8 at 1/1600, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

On a few days during the 365 Project, it has been very difficult to pick which photo to use for the photo of the day. Facebook has been helpful because we can have our fans vote for their favorite. This butterfly I photographed at Big Sable Lighthouse after our photo talk was the winner. Thanks for all the great comments and your votes! F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Tonight, Julia, Ethan, Aiden, and I decided to play 9 holes of golf at Lakeside Links south of Ludington. As Aiden was about to tee off, I looked up and spotted these Canada geese flying in a large V-shaped formation. I grabbed my camera out of the back of the golf cart and went to work making this image.

On the second foggy morning in a row I am on my way to photograph a barn on Amber Road in this soft, diffused light. I am almost there when a bunch of dew-covered spider webs along the roadside catch my eye. On closer inspection, this spider web and its creator demand my attention. F9.0 at 1/160, ISO 640, 105 mm macro lens at 105 mm

My stepmom Debbie hates frogs and toads. Tonight while we were having a picnic at her and my dad's house, I found this toad and photographed it with my macro lens. I was tempted to take the toad in the house and scare her, but I knew she would probably get me back some day with a big, nasty spider. F10.0 at 1/250, ISO 320, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

A doe stood under one of our flowering bushes this afternoon in our backyard when I came home to eat lunch. She just stood quietly eating and looked at me while I walked close to her to make this image.

Jen Satterfield had her three-year-old German Shepard, Bella Carlisle, fetching a water bottle in Lake Michigan tonight near the Loomis Street Boat Ramp. I couldn't resist walking over with my camera for a closer look. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 800, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

With one of her youngsters safely tucked behind her, an adult otter clutched her other baby after a swimming and food hunting expedition on the Leland River at Fish Town. A mooring line ran between them. The scene reminded me of swimmers hugging between lanes after finishing a race. I am certain this was an emotional moment for the otters.

A mother otter looks back to make certain her other baby is coming after a swim at Fish Town in Leland, Michigan. The otter family lives on the far side of the Leland River, away from most of the businesses in Fish Town, affording privacy from the hundreds of people usually enjoying Fish Town. F2.8 at 1/800, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

About the size and weight of a ping pong ball, a newborn piping plover scurries along the Lake Michigan shoreline on its spindly legs. Naturalists helped the rare bird get its life started by erecting a protective cage over the nest its parents made on a highly trafficked area of West Michigan beach. F4.5 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 500mm

With or without all the "bling" it is wearing, an adult piping plover is simply a beautiful creature. The bands help researchers keep track of the endangered bird, enabling them to know exactly which bird this is no matter where it travels. This plover and its mate are among less than 60 mating pairs currently identified along the Great Lakes. F4.5 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 500mm