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Driving along a dirt road at Gun Lake in eastern Mason County I encounter a slower form of transportation. I stop the car and lie down on the ground to get face-to-face to better see and show the beauty of this creature before he finishes crossing the road. Since I have interrupted his journey across the road, I make certain he makes it all the way across before I drive away. F4.5 at 1/250, ISO 320, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

What should appear inside the window of an old house but two fawns that look far less surprised than I. I have stopped at the old dwelling while looking at flowers in the yard of the building I thought to be vacant. I am laughing out loud as I make this image of the new tenants. F5 at 1/800, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

One of my greatest pleasures in outdoor photography in Michigan is watching the world come to life throughout the spring. Two days before the end of spring a fast-growing fawn hides in grasses that have sprung to life in the Michigan outdoors. F6.3 at 1/100, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

A newborn bison and its mother share time together in their pasture at Gleason Farms & Pheasant Preserve near Scottville, Michigan. I appreciate that bison are being raised at more Michigan farms than ever before. The massive animals present a picture of America's past. F6.3 at 1/2500, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

Newborn elk calves are guarded and watched over by their mothers at the Amber Elk Ranch between Ludington and Scottville, Michigan. The guided tours and other activities at the Conrad Road ranch have become a very popular West Michigan family attraction. F8 at 1/1600, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

One dose of day lily colors and shapes arouses my visual senses. A double dose of day lilies sends my visual senses to a different dimension. I have been looking for wild day lilies all afternoon while scouting for pictures in West Michigan. I wind up finding them on my own land near the Pere Marquette River. Brought to the United States as a horticultural garden plant, day lilies are now widely naturalized in Michigan. F8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

After being loaned an underwater housing for my camera this summer, I lay in bed one night trying to previsualize several different compositions that I could make with the new system. One of the photos that kept popping back into my mind was a half underwater shot of a water lily at the Ludington State Park. Knowing that lilies love still, warm water, I was certain I would be able to make my photo on Lost Lake. It turned out way better than I ever imagined it would! F8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 11.5mm

After being loaned an underwater housing for my camera this summer, I lay in bed one night trying to previsualize several different compositions that I could make with the new system. One of the photos that kept popping back into my mind was a half underwater shot of a water lily at the Ludington State Park. Knowing that lilies love still, warm water, I was certain I would be able to make my photo on Lost Lake. It turned out way better than I ever imagined it would! F8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 11.5mm

Did you know that Hamlin Lake has mini volcanoes under its surface? Well, they look like volcanoes at least. They are actually massive tree stumps left over from the lumbering era. Many of the stumps are no longer connected to the earth with roots so every winter the ice will move the stumps into different locations. F6.3 at 1/250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 11.5mm

I have spent very little time in salt water. Swimming in the Gulf of Mexico near Naples, Florida and in the Pacific Ocean near Maui a few times is the extent of my time spent in salt water. The fresh waters of the Great Lakes are one of the world's best-kept secrets. Everyday people come into our gallery in downtown Ludington, Michigan and are shocked to see photos of Lake Michigan with 20 foot breaking surf. Yes, Lake Michigan gets big waves, but you can swim with your mouth open and laugh and talk to your friends around you without getting a nasty taste of salt water. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

The look on my son Brad's face tells the story of his determination, intensity, and focus. I have seen that look for many years on the soccer field. That ability to focus and not be deterred is a trait that enables him as a photographer to achieve clear goals. F8 at 1/2500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 145mm

Taking one for the team, Brad hangs in there as he and his camera are engulfed by a breaking wave. This is one of Brad's first Great Lakes wave adventures with an underwater camera housing for his Nikon D7000 camera loaned to us for the Tuesdays Project. F8 at 1/2500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 145mm

After getting bashed in the face by several powerful Lake Michigan breakers, I finally captured the photo I have dreamed of making for over 10 years. By using a friend's underwater housing for my Nikon D7000, I was able to stick my camera inside one the rolling beasts and get the perspective I had envisioned. I was glad I had my life jacket on and that my dad had tied a safety rope to me and attached it to one of the jetties along the shoreline. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

The man-made colors of the fireworks on the Fourth of July are always fun to watch, but they can't compare to the nature-made colors of the "waterworks" that are created every day of the year on Lake Michigan. Everyone should try, at least one time in their life, to experience the rush of keeping your eyes open and studying the intense colors of the water of Lake Michigan just before the giant wave smashes into your face. It is totally worth it! F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

One of my favorite things about my dad is that he likes to goof off and he enjoys making people laugh. This photograph proves my point! F9 at 1/800, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 11.5mm

One of the most difficult aspects of the Tuesdays Project so far has been coming up with fresh and creative names for all of our photographs. While trying to name this photograph, I searched Thesaurus.com for synonyms for the word water and learned that "Adam's Ale" is what water is referred to a few times in the Old Testament. I thought that would make a unique name for this unusual photograph of Lake Michigan. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

This is possibly the worst self-portrait that I have ever seen. Fish-eye lenses do not do any favors for people's faces. I am glad Hamlin Lake is so clean because I drank a lot of water while trying not to laugh under water. F9 at 1/800, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

Every time I look at this photo I think of the movie Terminator 2 and the bad guy who was in human form one minute and the next would liquefy into a mysterious silver puddle. The beautiful shapes, colors, and unique formations that rushing water can take on fascinates me. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 12mm

The Lake Michigan Carferry, SS Badger passes by the Ludington North Breakwater Light upon reaching its homeport. The historic carferry can transport more than 500 passengers and dozens of vehicles on each of its crossings between Michigan and Wisconsin. F4 at 1/2000, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 750mm

The Lake Michigan Carferry, SS Badger passes by the Ludington North Breakwater Light upon reaching its homeport. The historic carferry can transport more than 500 passengers and dozens of vehicles on each of its crossings between Michigan and Wisconsin. F4 at 1/2000, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 750mm