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This tree graces the Ludington beach near the entrance to Stearns Park. It often frames picturesque views of Lake Michigan. On this night the tree takes center stage, leaving an anchored freighter to play supporting role.

Some of my favorite Christmas tree ornaments that my family has are the rocking horses that Hallmark put out in the 1980s. This last Christmas, I enjoyed pointing them out to my daughter Julia. This scene near Crystal Mountain Ski Resort in Benzie County reminded of those horses. F3.5 at 1/200, ISO 640, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

For seven years, I have been trying to make this image of an albino squirrel that lives at my Papa Bill and Nana Bev's house near Hamlin Grocery north of Ludington. On Christmas Eve, it finally all came together. As I was making this image, I was trying to ignore my older brother Tad as he shot me with the dart gun that he got for Christmas. Some things never change!

Given the choice between the Yellow Brick Road and this path to the beach along Lake Michigan in Buttersville, I would choose this path. I felt like I struck gold when I spotted it after rushing to get to the shoreline before sunset. I knew from the golden light painting the countryside along the US31 freeway south of Ludington that if I could just get to the beach in time I would have the opportunity to make an image that would look and feel far more like summer than winter. My instincts were well rewarded.

Point Aux Barques Guardian

Buckley Rollway

I have always been fascinated with birch trees. When I was little, I would try to carefully peel back the bark and use it to write letters on.

Ablaze in color, maple leaves stand out against a backdrop of pine trees along Hamlin Lake near the Hamlin Dam. The fall color hot spots at Ludington State Park remain the same year after year but the colors change based on the weather and the quality and direction of light at the moment of viewing.

I have photographed the tree-lined west side of Merdel Manufacturing in Ludington many times, but I think this is the best I have ever seen it look. The trunks of the white birch trees always stand out against the red building. The fresh snowfall simplifies the color palette, allowing the trees and red wall to stand out even more than usual. F4.5 at 1/40, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12mm

It is getting dark now, so I turn my attention to Lake Michigan. A tripod, very slow shutter speed, and decision to focus on the reflections right in front of the lens combine to create a dreamy looking shot that I wind up liking a lot more than I ever imagined.

Warning mariners of treacherous shoal waters extending two miles into Lake Huron, Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse stands guard on a winter afternoon at the entrance to Saginaw Bay as it has for more than 150 years. The handsome lighthouse is located at the tip of Michigan's Thumb region.

A Cold Morning at Big Sable

Buckley Rollway

Tahquamenon Falls was surprisingly busy this winter day as many others enjoyed the magical light along with us. The contrast of dark water before it tumbled over the crest and showed its true tannins caught my attention. I set up in the farthest corner of the viewing platform and worked hard to include each ripple and movement that I wanted.

I pulled the truck off the road this morning on the way to go skiing at Crystal Mountain to photograph this majestic old barn and Christmas trees on US-31 between Scottville and Manistee. I love the layers in this picture. It has a distinct foreground, middle ground, and background.

 

The State Park Sand Dunes

Winter is a quiet time at Ludington State Park, a time when rental boats are of no practical value on frozen Hamlin Lake. I selected this boat for its artistic value.

Turning your camera into a paintbrush is as simple as "painting" across a subject with your camera during a long exposure. The results are often both impressionistic and surprising. During one of our photography workshops I demonstrated how to "paint" some overturned kayaks stacked together along Hamlin Lake. I liked the results more than I expected.

I always get a thrill out of photographing the moon as it is about to set in the west. On this frosty morning, the moon looks particularly huge and bright.