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Buckley Rollway

I started this morning trying to shoot the sunrise over Bear Lake in Manistee County, but the clouds were blocking the sun. I decided to take roads I had never driven westward toward Lake Michigan. Eventually I came upon a glorious horse farm built on rolling hills less than a mile from the Lake Michigan shoreline. The farm is on a road lined with huge maple trees. Fortunately for me, the sun finally came out while I was setting up this shot.

Buckley Rollway

I love living on the eastern side of Mason County. There are so many uniquely shaped trees and structures. Tonight, this tree on Hansen Road reminded me of something one would see in Africa.

My favorite part of this photo is the tiny bit of green in the bottom of the composition. The snow was so thick and sticky that in less than two hours it completely transformed a dark, dreary forest and creek into a winter paradise.

PM River and Conrad Road

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed

My uncle, Rod Marble, has owned a beautiful log cabin on the Lincoln River at the end of Anderson Road in Mason County for over 25 years. All year I look forward to driving down his road in the fall. Today was particularly picturesque.

Triangles and s-curves make for strong compositions in art and this photograph has both. Because of those elements, this photograph looks much more three dimensional than a lot of my other photographs. I also like how the reddish-brown oak leaves show up despite the sticky snow.

Maple Glory

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed

Each fall I look forward to trying to be at my favorite Michigan Lower Peninsula fall color vista during peak color. My wife, Debbie, and I timed it well when we chose the morning of October 12 to make our 2020 visit to the Buckley Rollway. I love the birds-eye, above-the-treetops view from the lookout of the forest land and winding Manistee River.

One of my favorite places to take a "Sunday Drive" any day of the week in autumn is the wooded area of the 3,450-acre Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness between Ludington and Manistee. Today I find the seasonal transition spectacular.

High above the Pere Marquette River at the Rainbow Rapids picnic area, the heavy wet snow contrasts beautifully with the dark blue-black water to create a very painterly scene. I love the lines and forms that make up this delicate, yet powerful scene.

PM River and Conrad Road

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed

Deer Creek (Black and White)

Deer Creek

My wife Betsy and I were on our way to Crystal Mountain to go skiing when the sun popped out and created a layer of fog. I knew where a good photo could be made; I just needed to drive there before the light disappeared. This tree is near the corner of Fountain and Stiles Road. F10.0 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm