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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.

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

For several years, I have dreamed of making an aerial photograph of fruit trees in full bloom taken from a dynamic angle with dandelions on the ground. Today, our manager, Sarah Genson, and I went flying with Ryan Johnson from Mason County Aviation. I told Ryan about the idea I had and he knew just where to take us. This is an orchard south of Ludington.

Gordon Road at the End of Conrad Ice Field

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

The highways and byways of the rolling farmlands north of Grand Rapids are one of my favorite places to find beauty. I love the way this field of corn stretches its way to a hilltop woodlot decked out in fall color.

First thing this morning I am back to catch the early morning light hitting hay bales in Lavern Sobieralski's field at the corner of Victory Drive and Conrad Road. Just as I had pre-visualized, the hay bales stand out in the morning light along with Roger and Marcia Hansen's barns at the adjacent Cherry Hill Farm. F22.0 at 1/25, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 105 mm

The corn is tall, the roadside wildflowers and weeds are in full bloom and the crisp blue and white sky has shown up. These are all signs that September has come to Michigan's West Shore. These are early signs that autumn is coming.

After spending a wonderful night on Old Mission Peninsula with one of my dad's best life-long friends, Andy Gaines, and his wife Wendy, we spotted this scene alongside the road the next morning. As we often do, we pulled over and I hopped out to build a picture I have always dreamed about making.

This is my favorite tree to photograph in Mason County. This scene is on Kinney Road just east of Old US-31. To date, this is the best piece of art I have made of this scene.

Kinney Road Tree in Fog

Kinney Road Tree in Fog

 

Some trees look almost human as they strike individual poses against the landscape. I was photo hunting in Victory Township, northeast of Ludington, when this tree and the atmosphere surrounding it caught my eye.

Dandelions and Fruit Trees

Country Strong

Country Strong_Vertical Crop

Field of Dreams

On one of the high spots of Victory Township, northeast of Ludington, this windmill stands out against the sky. It is one of the spots I gravitate toward when the sky looks as if it will turn brilliant.