Search

Looking at a distance like toy soldiers, U.S. Army Rangers fly high overhead on a line suspended from an Army Blackhawk helicopter. The Ranger demonstration at Fort Benning, Georgia, was one of the highlights of a trip to visit one of these brave Americans. F9.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 105 mm

As gray as yesterday was for me, the magic light was back today. Ice is starting to form around the waterways. I loved the juxtaposition of fall-like color in the background, to icy river in the foreground.

While giving a private photo lesson this afternoon at Ludington State Park, tall pine trees reflecting in the Sable River got my attention. I also liked how the river bottom was adding to this composition. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 400, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

I had noticed these icicles the night before, but the magic light had disappeared before I could get out onto the North Inner Pier. I made it my plan that unless we had a great sunrise or some other unique photo opportunity, this was going to be my photo of the day. I love the evenings when we get the super blue light. The blue temperature of the light really adds drama to this scene.

While waiting for my flight back to Michigan from Georgia, I am struck by the arrangement of airplanes on the tarmac and runway and the golden sky above Atlanta Hartsfield Airport. F3.5 at 1/125, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 86 mm

I don’t venture to the west side of the bridge over the Pere Marquette River in Scottville, Michigan very often. I tend to pull into Riverside Park instead. I drove as far as I could off to the west and then walked as far as I could go. I sat there for several minutes. Soaking up this view.

This was my first time experiencing the Santa Train in Ludington. It was so cool. The excitement that the kids and many of the parents felt as the Pere Marquette Rail train rolled to a stop and Santa appeared was electric. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 40 mm

Fountain Road is one of my favorite roads in Mason County to photo hunt on. With the fresh snow we got overnight, I was excited to head out to the countryside looking for new photos. I was on a mission to photograph a barn or farm that I had not ever photographed before. While driving down Fountain Road, I loved how this red barn just popped against the white snow.

Taking winter head-on, a tufted titmouse pauses momentarily on an icy rail just outside the kitchen window of my parents' home near the south border of Ludington State Park. Many species of songbirds flock year-around to the feeders, providing great enjoyment for my parents. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I took a detour on my way home tonight. I stayed off US-10 and drove mostly backroads. Color started to fill the sky. The only thing I needed was a subject. This tree was placed perfectly in the roll of the hill.

Most of Michigan was hit with a nasty winter storm overnight. Unlike most people, my dad and I love when winter strikes hard. Ethan and I made our way down M-116 and I made this photograph of Epworth Heights from the bridge over the Lincoln River. F22.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Roger and Marcia Hansen's barn looks like a Christmas card to me today, just as I thought it would. The Christmas wreath I noticed a few days earlier, combined with fresh snow, make the beautifully restored barn even more stunning than usual. F7.1 at 1/100, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

The kids and I spent time at the farm tonight. It was a rain-snow mix earlier today, creating a puddle in the driveway in front of the barn. I worked hard to have the Christmas lights reflect in the puddle. My nephew, Preston, always does a great job with the lights.

With temperatures in single digits the last few days, it didn't take long for Ludington North Breakwater Light to become a giant ice sculpture. The mix of light, wind, and blowing snow turned the frigid waters of Lake Michigan a gorgeous green color this morning. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

This is the first good photograph of a Petoskey stone I have ever made in the Ludington area. This was in front of my Uncle Budde and Aunt Sheryl’s house on Lake Michigan, which is just north of Stearns Beach. I lay on my stomach in a puddle to make this image. I wanted the clouds and sky reflected in the thin layer of water that was on the sand.

It is beginning to look at lot like Christmas at the Polcin farm. This scene looked like Christmas in the country when I chose to photograph it earlier today. But now I am back because the sun came out and I knew I could make a cheerier Christmas picture. F22.0 at 1/50, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

I kept an eye out for a Christmas scene on my drive to Manistee, Michigan tonight. I passed by this nativity scene, and thought with the right exposure and angle, I could hide the house from the background, and it could make a very emotional image. I stopped on my way back home and worked the scene until I achieved that goal.

Snowflakes have been flying in downtown Ludington and it is beautiful. In a couple weeks there will hopefully be over 10,000 people near this spot at the clock tower to witness the largest New Year's Eve ball drop in Michigan. F6.3 at 1/500, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Ron and Donna Sanders are Betsy and Sean’s next-door neighbors on Riverview Drive in Ludington. After having dinner with Betsy, Sean, and the kids, I was getting ready to drive home when I noticed this family of snowmen in Ron and Donna’s front yard. With my tripod, I was able to capture this festive image.

For years I have loved this simple yet unique wooden fence along North Lakeshore Drive at the Warrick property in Ludington. Today, with snow adding its own patterns, I find the fence especially interesting. F8.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm