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The Ludington Dow Chemical plant stands out as it towers over the Pere Marquette River flats south of Ludington. Motorists entering or leaving Ludington by way of Pere Marquette Highway (old U.S. 31) often see the plant framed against dramatic evening skies.

After capturing the Pere Marquette Sunrise photograph, I put my dad

I abruptly awoke one Sunday morning at 5 a.m. and could not get a haunting image of the Pere Marquette River out of my mind. I was positive that if I ventured out to our property and stood in the exact location I had envisioned, I would see a beautiful sunrise. I shot out of bed and was on my way. I guess you could say I got bit by the photo bug in my sleep.

A great blue heron remained motionless while waiting for his fish dinner to swim past his position along a bank of the Pere Marquette River. I have long admired the stealth and patience of these beautiful birds. As an outdoor photographer, I have learned to be more stealthy and more patient to increase my chances of capturing wildlife magic moments.

As vivid as it is harmful to the other growth along the banks of the Pere Marquette River, loosestrife stands out shortly after sunrise in the flats south of Ludington.

Sometimes the simplicity and contrast that winter brings to a particular scene turns it into a picture. That was how I felt when I saw this picture on the Lincoln River east of Jebavy Drive. I travel past this scene almost daily, but this was the first time I visualized it as a good picture. Timing is everything!

Storm clouds loom over the Pere Marquette River on a summer morning. Storms usually bring the best clouds and the best light.

An ice fisherman is oblivious to cold because good fishing luck could arrive at any time. I eagerly waited, on a bone-chilling winter morning, for the sun to rise over the Pere Marquette River. My perseverance netted a good catch. A day like this helps me understand ice fishermen better.

Looking westward in the Pere Marquette River Flats, on the same morning I photographed the preceding scene looking eastward, revealed a similar view but one with the Dow Chemical Plant in the background.