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PM 41 Barge

Ludington State Park Workshop

May Workshop at LSP

Onekema

The Great Lakes freighter Algorail appeared about to strike the Ludington North Breakwall during an autumn Northwester, but its veteran captain used the powerful north wind and waves on her stern to his advantage. Moments after I recorded this scene, the ship’s bow reached the pierheads, the wheelsman wheeled the ship hard to port, and she advanced ahead while her stern transferred swiftly to the south. The big ship was guided into the harbor as though she were on a curved roller coaster track. It was a masterful piece of sailing.

Old Mission

The freighter Canadian Transfer, her navigation light showing she is underway, steams slowly, carefully toward Ludington harbor on a summer night. The traditional style Great Lakes freighter was bringing a load of stone to the Laman Aspalt docks.

Tahquamenon Falls and White Fish Point

Workshop

“Ice Break” and “Big Toot and Friends”

What a difference a day or so makes in Michigan! Before the infamous Bomb Cyclone winter storm hit Michigan in February 2019, I was drawn to the Ludington waterfront on a sunny morning to photograph three tugboats moored along the shore. I was happy with my shot. When the storm crossed over Lake Michigan from Wisconsin several days later, Ludington harbor looked more like Siberia. I knew right where to head to make a another good, but extremely different photograph.

The crews of these tugboats took a work break for a couple days from rebuilding the Ludington carferry docks at the end of January due to sub-zero temperatures and high winds. Pere Marquette Lake froze around the small ships, which can break their way free as soon as they are needed.

“Ice Break” and “Big Toot and Friends”
What a difference a day or so makes in Michigan! Before the infamous Bomb Cyclone winter storm hit Michigan in February 2019, I was drawn to the Ludington waterfront on a sunny morning to photograph three tugboats moored along the shore. I was happy with my shot. When the storm crossed over Lake Michigan from Wisconsin several days later, Ludington harbor looked more like Siberia. I knew right where to head to make a another good, but extremely different photograph.

The Algorail, a frequent visitor to the Ludington harbor, used two powerful spotlights to guide herself quietly into port. I set my camera to 800 ISO in order to stop the ship

Nikon D810. F22 at 1/15, ISO 400. 14mm lens at 14mm. On a tripod without a flash. February 27, 2020 at 5:43pm.

A canoe along the Bass Lake shoreline emerges from the snow as another winter winds down. I can imagine the many seasons of good times the canoe has helped provide its owner. For now, I like the way the vintage watercraft looks resting in the snow. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

My favorite tugboat, the John Henry, is back working in Ludington harbor. I get myself to the west shore of Pere Marquette Lake by 7:00 A.M., in time to compose the picture and wait five minutes for the sweetest light. F5.6 at 1/125, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 22 mm

The tugboat Zeus slowly chugged into the Ludington harbor tonight while pulling a large barge behind it. I was impressed by the towering crows nest on this beautiful tug and could only imagine how sea sick I would get while standing way up there. I did not inherit my dad's sea legs. F3.5 at 1/200, ISO 800, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Nikon D810. F3.5 at 1/250, ISO 400. 85mm lens at 85mm. May 22, 2020 at 7:05pm.

Nikon D850. F6.3 at 1/640, ISO 1600. 60-600mm lens at 600mm. July 3, 2020 at 9:25pm.

Nikon D850. F22.0 at 1/100, ISO 1600. 14-24mm lens at 14mm. July 28, 2020 at 6:57pm.