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The State Park Sand Dunes

I have watched this solitary soldier appear to stand guard over the graves of veterans in Lakeview Cemetery, north of Ludington, for years. I find it fascinating to see the scenes change around the stone soldier as the seasons come and go.

I have always been fascinated by pointillism and how colors can be blended to make something larger and more fantastic. While photographing the rocks in front of Big Point Sable Lighthouse at Ludington State Park, I was impressed by the small "points" of color on the water, rocks, and ice and how the colors blended to create a wonderful image.

Ethan Arthur Reed, otherwise known as "The Chief," always lights up a room with his infectious smile. I know I am partial because he is my son, but he is one cute kid. Now we just have to get him to sleep for more than two hours at a time! F8.0 at 1/40, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Sumac looks like it is on fire as it "dances" in the breeze on an October day. When we head out fall color touring in Michigan, we are usually anticipating the color show provided by the maple leaves turning color. Sumac puts on its own show.

Red-bellied Woodpeckers are beautiful birds. This one came for a mid-morning snack at my Papa Bill and Nana Bev's bird feeder while keeping a keen eye out for the fat barn cat that frequents the neighborhood.

One of the most rewarding aspects of driving through the countryside from Point to Point is discovering and rediscovering, the many picturesque farms. Some retain much of the appearance they had a century ago. A traditional farm on Hawley Road, south of Scottville, was aglow as the sun dropped beneath the clouds just before setting.

It is exhilarating to watch the white canvas of snow being painted by the bright colors of a Lake Michigan sunset. A snow-covered, wind-blown sand dune along the west edge of M-116 was my canvas of choice on this January evening.

My wife Debbie is busy studying for one of her nursing classes so I decide to take a Sunday drive northeast through the countryside. Forty-five minutes later, near Natahka in the southwest corner of Lake County, I am attracted to a birch tree and rustic wood structure that have beautifully grown old together. F14.0 at 1/80, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

It is hard to imagine expensive jewels looking more beautiful than these birch leaves I have discovered along one of Michigan's lightly traveled unpaved roads. I sometimes wish more people could discover the world of wonder awaiting them on dirt roads. Then again, sometimes there is more of a sense of discovery knowing you are among the few who get to marvel at the sight.

I have always loved looking at blue jays. The house I grew up in on the corner of Pere Marquette and Ferry Street in Ludington frequently had blue jays in the yard. I have fond memories of sitting on our porch when I was little, watching the blue jays harassing all the other birds in the yard.

Epworth On Ice

It was another dreary day here. As sunset drew closer, I decided to take an abstract view on the day. These three pine trees in my yard are pretty ordinary but zooming while exposing gives them a dreamy feel.

Seagulls along Lake Michigan have a reputation for being less than desirable. They seem to have pinpoint accuracy when it comes to leaving their marks on car windshields. I have also seen many seagulls pester Ludington tourists for a taste of their House of Flavors ice cream, or help themselves to picnic lunches while beachgoers enjoy a swim. All that aside, I think seagulls are beautiful creatures and they are a joy to photograph.

My seventh grade science teacher, Diana Kuras, stopped me in the road today and told me about a giant sunbow over Lake Michigan. I was heading out to Summit Township at the time for a Super Bowl party at our friends Paul and Lisa Cooper's new house. It was the largest, most distinct sunbow I had ever witnessed. F22.0 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 20 mm

My aunt and uncle, Sue and Randy Marble, just purchased a large canvas of this photograph of the White Birch Forest. This incredible forest is about 16 miles west of Grand Marais on Alger County Road H-58. The first week of October is often a good time to visit the White Birch Forest to see the surrounding maple trees in peak fall color.

This fat barn cat owned by my Papa Bill and Nana Bev was fixated on the small song birds that were fluttered around the bird feeder. I was on the hunt for a photograph of the albino squirrel that my grandparents kept seeing. This cat was on the hunt for his next tasty treat. Neither of us were successful in our hunts today.

Underwater Lincoln River

If you own a copy of our 365 book, look at my Day 309 of Week 45. You will see a photo of this house. I have always loved Dick and Kathy Bourgault’s house. When it came up for sale a few months ago and I got a personal tour from Dick, it was a God moment for me. I bought the house two days later. The kids and I love our new house, especially on beautiful winter days.

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