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The combined patterns of snow, sand, dune grass, clouds, and snow fence make an interesting composition. I like this winter view of the Frankfort shoreline but I know it would be more colorful and more magical if enough light could get out from under those clouds and bounce off them. Nope; not happening tonight. At least I tried.

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

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

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

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

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

I am playing one of the worst rounds of golf of my life at Lincoln Hills Golf Club when I spot these maple leaves near the 17th tee already turning color. I put down the golf club and pick up my camera. I am so much happier and capable with a camera in my hands. Passion and practice make all the difference. F4.5 at 1/200, ISO 250, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

My dad and I golfed today in the local chamber of commerce golf outing at Lincoln Hills Golf Club. Neither of us is able to golf often, but we seem to always laugh a lot when we do. I think other people laugh at us too. You can't take yourself too seriously in life! F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Running out of daylight, I headed into our backyard and found these leaves and birch stump. Using a sturdy tripod and hoping the wind stayed calm, I made this six-second exposure. It turned out sharper than expected. F22.0 at 6.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I have been watching leaves float by for 20 minutes on Hamlin Lake just above the dam at Ludington State Park. Finally, here is a fresh, colorful view that stands out immediately from all the others I have seen. F2.8 at 1/80, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 130 mm

Today was the most difficult day so far this year for me to find a photograph that I was proud of. After driving around frantically for over an hour, I found this leaf on my friend Gary Ferguson's property. What a re-leaf. F8.0 at 6.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Does this tree look familiar? It is the same tree that I photographed on Day 9 of the 365 Project. I love photographing the same objects or places different times of the year or in different lighting situations. This particular tree is beautiful every day of the year. F11.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 40 mm

Today we headed from my mom's house near Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Paducah, Kentucky for my aunt's surprise birthday party. The sunset over Interstate 24 was gorgeous as it reflected off the hood of my truck. My mom's Honda CRV is the car in front of us. F2.8 at 1/8000, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

My brother-in-law, Ben Verduin, and his wife Emily were married last summer at St. Cecilia Music Center in downtown Grand Rapids. Tonight as we all walked past the iconic building together on our way to dinner we noticed this tree that looked like it had been dipped in florescent paint. F6.3 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 32 mm

A Sunday ride on an autumn afternoon is one of the best things about Michigan. I stop to take a picture of my favorite tunnel of trees at the Polcin farm on Conrad Road. Cheryl Swinehart and Boyd Stark crest a hill on a bicycle ride as I am shooting. F10.0 at 1/40, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 135 mm

My dad is the master of making great art from old abandoned houses. I have photographed a few, but never had the same kind of success. When Betsy spotted this scene on south Stiles Road near Marrison Avenue, I instantly knew that the game was on between my dad and me. F8.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm