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In our apple orchard on our property along Conrad Road, I found this cool little plant while looking for my photo of the day. By getting extremely close to it with my macro lens and shooting with a large aperture, I was able to make the background very soft and painterly. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

While sitting with Julia this morning deer hunting in our apple orchard tower on our family hunting property, we were laughing, and she was telling me fun stories about her friends. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement. I turned and saw this mature buck standing broadside looking at us about 70 yards away. I told Julia to grab her gun. Without hesitation, she made a perfect shot with her grandpa’s gun.

Looking at first glance like an airplane flying high over water, this is actually a chrome ornament adorning the hood of a rusting 1955 Chevrolet station wagon. The hood ornament is the coolest feature of what was once a cool car. F4.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

The kids and I will be celebrating Thanksgiving with my mom and dad tomorrow. They will be at their dad’s for Thanksgiving Day. We cleaned and prepared food all day today in preparation for the feast. I didn’t even step outside I was working so hard. As I walked past Joshua’s puffer coat, I thought it could make for a cool photo.

My dad and I made this hunting blind on the ground back in 1992 and I have sat there almost every opening day of deer season since. Every year I look forward to seeing the new growth and also to seeing which trees have fallen to the prevailing west winds of Mason County. F9.0 at 1/80, ISO 400, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

The clouds over Lake Michigan were so pretty tonight that I decided to focus on just them. I love when clouds have the orange outline like this.

What a view I am enjoying at the dawn of a new day over woodlands, fields and farmland in Amber Township. This is truly a morning to savor and remember. F4.0 at 1/60, ISO 200, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

Kasey has been asking for a hamster for many months. I decided that for her birthday, it would be a great time to buy one for her. My sister was coming up from Ohio for Thanksgiving, and we found a breeder near her. Kasey was a lucky girl and received Sugar early.

This photograph is shot on sacred ground. At least the Reed family considers the land sacred where our cedar island meets the swamp. Most years you would see standing water in this area where the Pere Marquette River backs up and floods the low lands on our property. F6.3 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

I stood in the mucky water of Lincoln Lake tonight along M-116 to make this image of Epworth. We often try to find triangles in our images. I used the log on the right side of this image to counter the clouds on the left side of the image. Together, along with the shadows of the clouds in the foreground, they created a triangle to point your eyes directly at Mount Epworth..

I find cardinals and blue spruce trees both to be among the most beautiful living things. At this moment I am hoping the flighty cardinal stays still long enough for me to pull the trigger on this shot from my blind. Click. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 800, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I love the intricate details on old vases and glassware. It is a forgotten art.

The patterns on this stump, along with the fungus and grass, make for an outstanding photograph. After waiting three minutes for the sun to go behind a cloud, I was able to make this photograph in the bright overcast light. F3.5 at 1/100, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I was headed for Ludington State Park to find my picture of the day when I spotted these God beams over Lake Michigan. I diverted to Stearns Park and am now appreciating the gorgeous backdrop behind the Ludington lighthouse. F5.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Work has been very busy this month. Thanksgiving week is always a juggling of kids, work, and planning and prepping for Thanksgiving dinner. My energy is running low. The kids will be leaving tomorrow for a long weekend at their dad’s. It is always difficult when they are gone, and especially difficult when it is over a holiday.

The golden rays of light over Lake Michigan were drawing a large crowd tonight down at Stearns Park. I ran out on the pier and tried to make a photograph with a fresh view of the Ludington North Breakwater Light and pier before the rays disappeared. I made it by about 30 seconds. F22.0 at 0.5, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

Julia, Ethan, and I put our Christmas tree up tonight along with our stockings. This is a closeup image of a snowflake on my Christmas stocking.

I don't know anyone who catches more fish on the Pere Marquette River than Ralph Anderson. After watching Ralph land a steelhead with help from son-in-law Craig Ritzema, the diehard fisherman holds up a string of the coveted trout. F4.0 at 1/640, ISO 1600, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I did the last few work projects, and then hit the stores for Thanksgiving groceries. I helped my mom get the farmhouse ready for dinner tomorrow before I went home. The house is especially quiet without the kids here. Lately, I can feel the depression trying to pull me in. I had decided earlier in the day that I was done with the 366 Project. I am not happy with the photos lately; 40 minutes before today was out, I forced myself to make an image.

I wish I knew more about the history of this old farmhouse near the corner of Morton Road and Hawley Road. One of the coolest features is the rotting couch on the front porch. What a great setting for a horror movie! F22.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 14 mm lens at 14 mm