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While taking back roads up to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore tonight, we drove by this old McCormick-Deering tractor. I had my dad turn the Suburban around so I could hop out and make this photograph. Both the tractor and the massive old maple tree are timeless beauties. I wonder which one is older? F10 at 1/125, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Being a farm girl, this farm near Gaylord, Michigan, caught my eye. Wading through knee-deep snow, I worked my way to achieve the composition I wanted. The subtle sunset was the perfect accent piece.

Photographers should pay farmers to grow sunflowers! When I think of million dollar view, I think of a field of sunflowers in the country as with this scene found along Beyer Road in northern Mason County. I pray the farmers who grow them make a handsome profit to continue to plant them.

Too magical to be real, a white horse made an already beautiful Michigan fall color view truly magnificent. One never knows what wonder will appear when traveling the byways of West Michigan.

Did you know northern Michigan is an excellent place to grow lavender? Linda and Roy Longworth have created a successful lavender farm near Horton Bay, Michigan. The 45th parallel in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres is ideal for growing lavender and Horton Bay is located on the 45th parallel. The Longworth's have over 8,000 lavender plants and 30 different varieties. The gift shop is a treat to the senses. Go visit them and help them spread their success story around the country. D800, F11 at 1/160, ISO 400, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

Lake effect snow is dreaded by many, but not by many outdoor photographers. I am out early this morning traveling the countryside near the Lake Michigan shoreline, looking for a picture perfect scene. Here it is!

Some of the first and last snowfalls of the season are often the most picturesque because of the better odds of higher temperatures that produce snow that sticks like glue. On this early November morning, I made certain I was at Ludington State Park shortly after daylight to start my search for snow shots before the wind started stirring and blowing the snow off the trees. When I spotted this scene along the Sable River I knew I had found what I was looking for

I have been known to moo out loud at cows to get their attention. Usually, it doesn't work, and they just look at me like I am an idiot; but today it enticed this little one to come closer to me and my camera. My dad has taught me a lot of tricks of the trade over the years.

The fire barn at White Pine Village screams with color every day as I pass it by on my way to and from home. But it has never looked brighter or more splendid to me than today during one of the biggest, most beautiful snowfalls of the winter. F11.0 at 1/125, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

It has been interesting watching this old abandoned home near Silver Lake change over the last 20 years. My guess is that within the next year or two a good portion of it will collapse.

Shoup Family Farm Weldon Creek Farms

Shoup Family Farm Weldon Creek Farms

My dad and I enjoy photographing these Scottish Highland Cattle south of Hart, Michigan. This one stared me down and looked as if he might charge at me at any moment. I know that little wire fence would have done nothing to protect me, but I couldn't resist trying to make this image. I love his swagger.

I grew up learning how to drive a tractor on our Allis Chalmers WD. I spent many hours in the hay fields, driving the tractor and wagon as my older siblings threw the baled hay up on the wagon. It was how we spent our summers. We would also use the tractor and wagon to haul wood in to heat our farmhouse. I hope to teach my children how to drive a tractor on the same one I learned to drive.

Shoup Family Farm Weldon Creek Farms

Maple trees planted when horse and buggy traveled a country lane now tower over anything or anyone passing their way. The stretch of Decker Road, between Ludington and Scottville, is one of the few country roadways in the area that remain more of a lane a road. Because of its natural look and the magnificent maples, it has long been one of my favorite spots to drive through and to photograph.

I thank God for this glorious view from the Lake Michigan bluff high above Arcadia. After years of looking, I finally found a vantage point that gave me an unobstructed view of this church steeple amidst a sea of hardwood tree canopies in full fall color.

Dreamscape

The first week of the 365 Project seems to be an overwhelming success. The response to the photos by email and on Facebook has been fantastic. To start the second week of my shooting, I headed south of Ludington to the fruit fields in Summit Township on Morton Road. This is one of my favorite areas of Mason County. F22.0 at 0.5, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Mufasa, our outdoor cat, enjoys playing in the snow. We played chase the snowballs for a while before I made this image of his long fur blowing in the wind.