Search

Those who climb their way to the top of the Skyline Trail are rewarded with a birds-eye view of the southern portion of the park. If they time their hike to the schedule of the carferry S.S. Badger, and look through a good pair of binoculars or a large telephoto camera lens, they might also enjoy one of the best views they have ever seen of the big ship heading out of Ludington harbor.

Northern Lights at First Curve

This is my third photo from early Saturday morning of the northern lights and the Milky Way from the Ludington State Park. Big Sable Point Lighthouse is in the distance and the Lake Michigan shoreline is reflecting the lights. D850. F2.8 at 97 seconds, ISO 800. 14-24mm lens at 24mm. On a tripod without a flash. March 20, 2021 at 6:23am.

As I could see the northern lights with my naked eyes dancing in the background, I knew they would be reflected in the strangely calm Sauble River near the outlet into Lake Michigan. The three minute exposure captured the beauty I was experiencing. Nikon D850. F2.8 at 188 seconds, ISO 400. 14-24mm lens at 24mm. On a tripod without a flash. March 20, 2021.

When I first came upon this scene I quickly noticed an orange leaf stuck in the tired-looking snow fence. I frantically tried to make a good close up photograph of the leaf while the magic light was still hitting it. After getting frustrated and stepping back from the scene, I noticed the repetitive patterns and leading lines that the sand and snowfence made together. I recomposed the photograph and made the leaf an added ingredient. Little did I know that a few hours later I would be back out at the park photographing the Northern Lights.

My sister-in-law Misty Reed likes to imagine that the little feather in this photograph represents her and the big feather represents her husband, my older brother, Tad. I am not sure how the feathers got stuck upright in the sand, but I love the dreamy mood of this photograph.

Workshop at Ludington State Park

Being there, just being there to patiently watch the rising sun first strike the tips dune grass and then slowly paint more of the grass is a mezmerizing experience. On this October morning, a pink sky finished the Lake Michigan Shoreline painting.

The beach house at Ludington State Park has recently been renovated by the State of Michigan. It looks more beautiful than ever. I waited a half-hour for the tall ship Peacemaker to get in just the right spot on the horizon to make this image.

This winter was brutal on the wildlife in Michigan. A friendly, hungry deer walked right up to me looking for a handout of food at Ludington State Park today. If I'd had food, I know it would have eaten right out of my hand.

Ludington State Park Workshop

Ludington State Park Workshop

Workshop at Ludington State Park

After traveling nearly 300 miles today photo hunting on a mostly gray day, experience tells me the sun may peak out as it approaches the horizon. I head to Ludington State Park and take up position on one of the tallest dunes on the shoreline. Sure enough, 20 minutes before sunset, the sun starts finding its way through cloud openings.

Workshop at Ludington State Park