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During our hike back from the Eben ice caves, my favorite Robert Frost poem came to mind as I stopped in the woods to appreciate the equally stunning sight of the snow-covered woods. I was in a rush on my way to the caves and passed up making a shot in these woods. Early that evening on the way back all was still and perhaps even more magical looking. I felt like Robert Frost must have felt when he stopped in the woods on a snowy evening.

Ice Sea

Wednesday

After waiting without success for a pair of sandhill cranes to show up along the Pere Marquette River and resume their courting ritual, I find myself zeroing in on the sun rising in front of the hardwood forest east of the marsh. F5.6 at 1/160, ISO 100, 500 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 700 mm

A Michigan State Policeman pulls up behind us along US10 between Evart and Clare to see if Brad and I need assistance. We don't. We have pulled over to photograph the tapestry of fall colors screaming at us from a bog and woods. We thank the officer for his thoughtfulness and go back to work trying to convey how stunning the woodland scene in front of us looks.

In the Teeth of Winter

Conrad Road Tunnel of Trees in Summer

My thought that these Christmas trees somehow look like snow burgers is silly enough that I find myself chuckling as I photograph them. Regardless of what they may or may not look like, the snow-laden trees looked good enough to me that I made a U-turn on US31 near Free Soil, Michigan to appreciate them up close.

A Winter Legend

My 10-month-old son Ethan is not always fond of naps. However, he will sleep in his car seat. So, tonight after work I loaded him into my truck and we drove around town for about an hour. I photo-hunted and he finally slept. I found this tree trunk on Ferry Street. I loved all of the textures and colors in this photo. F22.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 24 mm

Age and Beauty

Aging Beautifully

Autumn Carpet

Barn Shadows

My aunt, Vicky Shimel, called me today to tell me that on Victory Drive, not too far from her home, she spotted a heart on an apple tree in a neighbor’s yard. I drove there a few hours later and made this image. We always appreciate getting photo tips from people.

A snowboarder cruises through the glades at Crystal Mountain Ski Resort near Thompsonville. Glade skiing and snowboarding has long been popular at ski resorts out West. Crystal Mountain is one of the Michigan ski areas that have developed more ski runs through the woods in recent years. I feel blessed to have been able to enjoy the exhilaration and beauty of skiing at Crystal for more than a half century. Skiing and snowboarding in Michigan rocks!

A Michigan fruit grower has probably invested a small fortune in planting and caring for this orchard, hoping it will yield dividends this year and for many years to come. My dividend today is being able to see, appreciate, and photograph these trees planted on a ridge overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. F22 at 1/80, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 120mm

Birch Forest Trail

Forest Vertigo

The life and death cycle of a forest fascinates me. I have come to realize my life is just a speck in the evolution of any forest. These birch trees at Ludington State Park have fallen victim to birch bark disease. Diseased wood brought to the park by campers has helped spread tree diseases at the park and across much of Michigan. I wonder if birch trees and other diseased trees will stage a comeback generations from now.