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Fog simplifies the background of these trees along the border between our land and Cherry Hill Farm north of the Pere Marquette River. Usually the farm's big red barn stands out. Today the trees get to be the standouts. F5 at 1/320, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 450mm

A blue spruce tree seems to be reaching for the sun but the sun is nowhere in sight on this foggy morning. I like the way the spruce, being close to me, is distinct while the hardwood tree in the background is softened by the fog. Atmospheric days like today help create layers to images. The key is to be close to the foreground layer. F10 at 1/10, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 450mm

I love this view for more than the beauty of this red pine tree branch on a rainy morning. I appreciate it even more because this tree is one of hundreds my brother and I have watched grow on our land along the Pere Marquette River from seedlings to more than 15 feet high. I find all the trees, just one of the trees or a small part of one a joy to behold. F11 at 1/400, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 450mm

Sometimes this swampy area of our property along the Pere Marquette River is under water. With the unseasonably warm and dry year we have had, this is the driest I have ever seen our swamp. F8 at 1/80, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The roots of this tree, located in the swampy area of our property along the Pere Marquette River, really look like an octopus or some kind of swamp monster. At least this monster is beautiful. F7.1 at 1/100, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

I moved in twice as close on some roots of a giant tree in the swamp along the Pere Marquette River today in order to make this image. I felt that another perspective of this scene might look busy and disorganized, but by being mobile with my camera, I found a way to make order out of chaos. F7.1 at 1/80, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 23mm

A very young pine tree stands proud among more mature pines and hardwoods near the Pere Marquette River. With the much-needed rain we got overnight, I could almost see this little tree growing before my eyes. F20 at 1/60, ISO 1600, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

Just as darkness is setting in on the woods near our cabin along the Pere Marquette River, the sun appears to have set some trees on fire. I love sitting in the woods and watching day turn to night. I love daylight but I love nightfall as well. F3.2 at 1/500, ISO 1600, 300mm lens at 300mm

My view of a stump in the Pine River seems so simple at first glance. The more I study it, the more I see going on in terms of light and shadow and patterns and textures. The more I see, the more I like. Simple is sometimes simply complex. F22 at 1/640, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

Mother Nature is getting a little help today decorating this spruce tree. The beautiful tree stands in front of one of the ski lodges at Caberfae Peaks. Today this tree is being coated by a snowmaking machine creating manmade snow for downhill skiing at Caberfae. F22 at 1/1600, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

My dad started out the day early this morning photographing the moon setting into Lake Michigan. It was fitting that I would end Week 48 of the Tuesdays Project by photographing the moon rising over some pine trees at Thundering Aspens Sportsman Club near Mesick, Michigan. F4 at 1/500, ISO 1600, 600mm lens at 600mm

This lone tree at Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater looked extraordinary this morning with the colorful sky above Lake Michigan as the backdrop. I had to stand on top of my pickup truck to make this photograph because I wanted the split in the trunk to be right at the horizon line. F8 at 1/30, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

I used my external Nikon flash to light up the foreground in this image that I made along the Island Trail at Ludington State Park. Without the flash, the foreground would have been completely black. I always have my external flash mounted on top of my camera so it is nearby when I need it. F22 at 1/4, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

This tree is less than a hundred yards from my dad's deer hunting blind in the swamp along the Pere Marquette River. I have always marveled at its unique shape and size. Today, I finally took the time to document this beautiful piece of artwork made by God. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

This gnarly stand of trees along Conrad Road near the Pere Marquette River flats stands out because of strong side lighting. Looking for photos while driving is always fun, especially when you have a truck full of photographers. This morning I had three other sets of keen eyes helping me find photographs for Week 49 of the Tuesdays Project. F22 at 1/15, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

Looking at a classic building like the original part of Ludington Public Library is like reading a classic book; neither ever goes out of style and both become more revered with time. I am so grateful for the preservation and restoration of the library built in 1905-06 with funding from a Carnegie Grant and from the City of Ludington. The Wilson family and many other friends of the library made the recent restoration and expansion possible. F22 at 8 seconds, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

A few months ago I photographed this tree when it was full of leaves. Today, the tree is bare and all the leaves have blown away. With the driving snow, the scene looked delicate, yet strikingly beautiful. F8 at 1/25, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

This morning, as I stood on the edge of a farm field near the corner of Schwass Road and Hawley Road, it was snowing so hard that I could barely see the three massive wind turbines in the distance. Normally, the wind turbines are visible from miles away. The wind was blowing pretty strong so the blades were really bending. Even with the driving snow and the whipping blades, the countryside seemed so peaceful and still. F8 at 1/25, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm