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Robert Sergi, the manager of Legends Ranch, had a rose in my room when I arrived there. I have always loved the layers to a rose. I played with the depth of field to showcase parts of it.

Local fruit farmer Roy Hackert and his family and several other locals donated the newest sculpture at Waterfront Park in Ludington. The sculpture is named "Fruits of Farming," and depicts a farmer and his son worn out after completing the long, hard harvest. I am certain that many farmers feel this way every fall. F2.8 at 0.6, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 46 mm

I surprised my kids last night and pulled up at home in a new Chevy Trail Boss pickup truck. Today we had to drive to Grand Rapids for Ethan’s soccer game. On the way home, we took the scenic tour at the rest area between Pentwater and Ludington. We had zero traffic and wonderful fall color, so it was the perfect place to get a fall photo to send to Pure Michigan.

I was hoping for clear skies to photograph the Halloween “Blue Moon,” a rare treat for a spooky day. It is supposed to be the first full moon on Halloween in 76 years. The weather had other plans, and the cloud cover didn’t allow for a view. Once we got back home, David’s costume was a fun photo to make.

We try to carve pumpkins every year. By having a longer exposure and zooming in and out during it, it gives the jack-o-lantern an extra eerie glow.

“Class Time” - All semester it has been on my syllabus to have my photography students from West Shore Community College meet me down at the North end of Stearns Beach today for a class shoot. Our timing was unbelievable. Just as we showed up the magic light appeared. We all hustled down to the shoreline and started shooting. Nikon D850. F6.3, 1/2000, ISO 400. 60-600mm lens at 600mm. On a tripod without a flash. November 11, 2024 at 1:15pm.

Wave Action

The Ludington South Breakwater Light is enveloped by a wave during the second day of the big Southwester that has stirred Lake Michigan into a frenzy. This is my kind of day. Oh to be back out there driving a self-righting Coast Guard motor lifeboat right now! F4.0 at 1/1250, ISO 200, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

In September of 2019, our assistant manager, Hannah Olson, married her best friend, Dan Ruhlig. They got married at the Little Point Sable Church in Mears, Michigan. I drove there today in order to capture this image in honor of Hannah and Dan.

The grasses along Dennis Road south of Ludington looked beautiful this morning as the sun rose in the east. The golden sunrise helped ease my nerves after a long night of howling winds. F22.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Often, the kids spy the color in the sky before I do. They will come running, yelling to grab my camera. I love that at a young age they can see and appreciate a good photo opportunity.

Curving branches of an old oak tree along the Pere Marquette River stand out today after high winds blew away many of the grand oak's leaves. Most neighboring maple trees have been stripped bare by 30 to 60 knot winds the previous two days. F11.0 at 1/5, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

Most of the big trees in my yard are oak trees. I much prefer maple trees. This maple tree is in my side yard right on the property border between my house and my neighbor’s house. It has finally turned colors and looks beautiful this morning.

Betsy, the kids, and I have been in our new house for a couple of months now and this is the first wildlife photograph I have made from inside the house. We have lots of deer and squirrels in our backyard every day and I can photograph them out the sliding glass doors. Julia helped me spot this squirrel. F4.5 at 1/100, ISO 1600, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

Bespop’s pond always reminds me of an African sunset or sunrise. Tonight, it was especially calm, and the reflections were wonderful. The piece of wood in the foreground always reminds me of a swan.

Hunting with a camera can be exciting. I have been stalking this big buck for weeks and here he finally is in front of my camera within 30 yards. I like this moment when he is on the trail of a doe that came through a few minutes earlier. F4.0 at 1/250, ISO 800, 500 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 750 mm

My Uncle Budde and Aunt Sheryl recently purchased this new sculpture for their side yard. I enjoyed watching the setting sun reflect and shine through the unique piece of art.

The sweeping clouds of October darken the foreground of this scene, while the golden light of sunrise peeks through a break in the clouds. I love the dramatic light of October, especially in Michigan. F8.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

After work I made a drive to the Ludington State Park to enjoy the shoreline for a bit. This huge piece of driftwood was a great accent piece and counterpart to the jetty.

I am getting wet making this picture but moving close to these jetties is, I know, vital to making an image that will put the viewer there. The water rushing over the tops of my waterproof shoes is cold and distracting but the image in my viewfinder is also a rush. F4.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 14 mm