Ludington State Park Queen of the North

This view from high atop Big Point Sable Lighthouse shows the layers of dunes and forest between Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake and reveals the vastness and beauty of the remote northern area of Ludington State Park. Brad and I climbed to the top of the lighthouse on an early November morning and sat in the dark, anxiously awaiting sunrise. The light and atmosphere that appeared was well worth the chilly wait.

Anyone lucky enough to be standing on the storm-flooded Lake Michigan beach near the Second Curve on October 18, 2007, at 6:49:21 p.m., would have been overwhelmed by the scene before his or her eyes. This was an incredible moment in time, obviously a beautiful, powerful view. But there was something more: an unreal, out-of-this world quality, a feeling that comes to me only when I witness some of the most rare natural phenomenons. A meteotsunami (meteorological tsunami) had flooded the beach.

When God creates a scene this extraordinary, you pray to God you will be there! Lake Michigan waves flooded the Ludington State Park beach on October 18, 2007, during one of the most apparent meteotsunamis Brad and I have experienced in our photographic lives. These Great Lakes weather-driven meteorological tsunamis happen many times a year. They quickly raise the water level and flood the shoreline. Most of these meteotsunamis have little impact. We have left camera bags high and dry, only to find them sitting in a lake that wasn’t there 15 minutes earlier. We knew from experience to respect the water and realize we and our camera equipment could get swept away if we did not maintain situational awareness. This day, I had chased the storm clouds to Ludington State Park after spotting them while driving to the Ludington beach. Moments after I arrived, I heard noise behind me and turned to see Brad running down to the shore wearing soccer shorts, shoes and T-shirt. It was hilarious to see someone running toward a fall Great Lakes storm dressed in that outfit. But, like me, he knew time was of the essence when he interrupted his participation in a soccer game to chase a storm. People often think we wait for hours to get our shots. But, especially in the case of fast-moving storms, we are often chasing the storm like mad dogs. Just as Brad arrived, the sun popped out of a hole in the clouds and flooded the beach with light. Before us was one of the rarest magical Lake Michigan views of our lives. I will never forget the experience of being there in sun and wind and water. Less than five minutes later, I would witness and capture with my digital camera an equally memorable out-of-this-world moment. Bottom line for photographers, when it looks this great, focus with all your being on your photography until the magic disappears.

I hiked the Island Trail at Ludington State Park religiously the spring of 2007, obsessed with finding wild flowers in bloom. After many days of trekking, this wild Iris greeted me on a dewy morning the first week of June in one of the wetland areas of the trail near Hamlin Lake.

No book featuring the wildlife of Ludington State Park would be complete without the official Michigan state bird

It was a picture that looked like a Monet painting. I was reminded of Monet's garden series as I made this photographic "painting" of a pair of mute swans and their newborn cygnets in a marshy cove on Lost Lake. Monet observed that the water lilies in his pond were "merely the accompaniment." And that's the way it was on this occasion on "my" pond at Ludington State Park.

Brad and I have watched closely how man and nature have coexisted at Ludington State Park. With few exceptions, we have been impressed with how well they have shared the space. State Park management and staff and state conservation officers set the tone and the rules. But they cannot be everywhere at all times. So many times Brad and I have witnessed people truly appreciating and respecting the park and its wildlife residents. Lovers of the park

Attention on deck! A family of Canada geese appears at full alert along the north bank of the Sable River on a summer afternoon. Perhaps they are watching for the fox that lives just around the bend, or perhaps they have already spotted the sly predator.

Sometimes respecting wildlife means leaving it alone. When I spotted this fawn 75 yards below me as I hiked the Piney Ridge Trail, I wanted to move closer. But I knew if I took even a few steps downhill, the fawn might be scared away from the hiding place where its mother had tucked it away. Instead I quickly made this environmental portrait with the 500-millimeter lens Brad and I purchased for making wildlife pictures like this without threatening the wildlife. I was pleased with the image I quickly made. I was even more pleased to see the fawn still in the same spot when I passed by again a couple hours later.

Visitors at the Ludington State Park often give my dad and me tips on where to find certain flowers, birds, and animals. On this hot August afternoon I was busy trying to make a photograph of a robin when I heard someone whistle behind me. When I turned around I was face to face with a spotted fawn. I don't know who was more surprised, the fawn or the photographer. Needless to say, all the helpful hints were priceless.

Deer are one animal that you can count on seeing during almost every visit to the Ludington State Park. I made this photograph deep in the park just off the Coast Guard Trail.

My photography partner Brad loves this image. My middle son has a very keen eye and I respect his opinion that this picture must be in this book. He loves how pretty the doe looks standing on a grassy dune crest on a summer evening. But I think most of all, the deer's beautiful face and expression make us feel respect and affection for the deer. Photography is so much about feelings and connotations.

Since I was a young boy I have noticed the beauty of lush green moss and enjoyed its soft cushiony texture under my feet. At the north end of the Cedar Campground in the Ludington State Park there is a steep bank that fills with thick moss every year. I had to wait until October for the fallen leaves, the moss, and the light to come together in a way that was photographically pleasing.

The late Morgan Cartier was a huge fan of the Ludington State Park. His ancestors were lumber barons in the area and they were instrumental in helping make the Ludington area what it is today. Morgan was also fascinated with landscape and nature photography. After his death, Morgan's wife Georgette generously gave most of his camera gear to my dad and me. I took this photo with a lens and tripod that belonged to Morgan. We will forever be grateful for Georgette for her valuable gift.

Stop the TRUCK! This is what I heard right before four of our workshop participants shot out the passenger side of my truck with their camera gear in tow. I quickly gave chase and we all ended up on a large dune ridge facing a brilliant rainbow to the southeast. The entire expanse of dune turned a vibrant gold.

Pine needles, a birch log and a maple leaf came to rest together on the forest floor. It was the first day of November and colorful leaves were scattered everywhere along the Lost Lake Trail. I spent much of the afternoon looking down. But of all the thousands of colorful leaves I saw that afternoon, this one stood out.

The wake being made by a male mallard ripples the glassy surface of a pond turned golden by the setting sun. The tranquil scene reminded me of the wonderful Hamlin Lake outings I enjoyed with my parents and my brother Budde while growing up.

The rich crimson color of these maple leaves stood out in the forest like colorful jewels when I discovered them from afar on the Piney Ridge Trail on a mid-October morning. As the leaves drew me closer, I was also drawn to the beautiful patterns the red leaves and dark branches made against the backdrop of green leaves not yet turned color.

A black squirrel paws beneath the leaves and grass, hunting for food in the Beechwood Campground. The squirrel, a couple fishermen camped nearby, and I appeared to have the campground to ourselves this late October evening. It is fun to see the Ludington State Park campgrounds bustling with people and activity in summer. But the lone squirrel or a deer or raccoon is the kind of company I would rather have.

Mink live all along the Sable River at the Ludington State Park. This adult mink was busy finding food for its young. I watched this family of five hunt crayfish and chase each other for over an hour before making this photograph.