Ludington State Park

 Shooting soothes my soul. It’s my calming place. There are many days I need this time to myself, to forget about the outside world and focus on things I can control; shutter speed, ISO, f-stop, composition. Other days, I love to share this experience with others, especially my three amazing kiddos. At 8 and 5, Kasey Mae and David Benjamin are DEFINITELY following in my footsteps and share my love of photography as they each made strong images this night. At 1, Joshua was in a hiking carrier on my back while I made this image. I can’t wait to create more shooting memories with them in the future!

The sand dunes at Big Point Sable were formed several thousand years ago. Wind and water have been changing them ever since. I took this aerial photograph more than 20 years ago, when rising Lake Michigan water levels were threatening to wash Big Point Sable Lighthouse away. Most of the ponds visible between dunes in this scene were dry when I last explored this region.

The Beach House at Ludington State Park stand out as the only building along the Lake Michigan shoreline for miles. It has been a landmark for mariners and a gathering spot for park visitors since the 1930s. During the times of year when few people see the beach house, it continues to stand out under all types of weather.

Shooting with Friends

Sunset at Ludington State Park

 

Northern Lights At Big Sable Point

Spring Dance

State Park Beauty

I love exploring the curves of the Ludington State Park shoreline along M-116. This particular evening, the second curve grabbed my attention.

In 1936, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the Beach House at the Ludington State Park. The CCC also built many of the current park roads and twelve warming shelters on the trail system. Unfortunately, many of the original shelters were destroyed by vandalism and severe weather. Luckily though, the Beach House remains and is a beautiful piece of history.

Miles of rolling dunes await visitors to Silver Lake State Park. This hiking path at the Ruckel's Bridge Day Use Area near the south end of the state park leads visitors to what I like to call a "big sky country" view of thousands of acres of dunes and Lake Michigan. F22 at 1/13, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

These jetties are remnants of man's past attempt to combat the power of Lake Michigan to erode its shoreline. I view these wooden jetties, built to save highway M-116 in Ludington State Park, as ever-changing sculptures. On a still summer's night, I set up the tripod and waited to see whether any magic light would appear. It did.

Views like this remind me how blessed I am to live along the Lake Michigan shoreline. I am standing atop a high dune near the south end of Silver Lake State Park only a half-hour from home looking north over thousands of acres of dune lands in the park. F22 at 1/4, ISO 140, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

The simplicity of a dune scene on top of the Silver Lake sand dunes interested me and caused me to bring my tripod and camera to a stop. As the sun dropped, the shadows increased and the wind-blown pattern in the sand became distinct. I watched the picture develop wondering how different the view would be from this spot on my next visit.

Uplifting Light

During most sunsets along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the sun appears to tranquilly disappear below the horizon. However, occasionally at dusk, the sun, clouds, water, and sand mold and blend to create a powerful mixture of molten beauty.

My dad and I have found that the best way to photograph lightning is using the longest exposure possible for the given situation. This photograph is a 30-second exposure at F8 and an ISO of 100. It was shot on a sturdy tripod that could withstand the 30 miles-per-hour winds. This fierce thunderstorm headed north very quickly and it took out power in Manistee, Michigan.

Hikers on a return trek from Big Point Sable Lighthouse follow the meandering Lake Michigan shoreline north of Ludington State Park Beach House. Wooded and dune trails also wind their way to the historic lighthouse. Any of the routes provide a powerful visual experience.

Over thousands of years, wind driven sand has polished smooth millions of stones along the Lake Michigan shoreline. The flat-sided stones are called ventifacts. I made this photograph near the Big Point Sable Lighthouse while on a hike to the northern boundary of the Ludington State Park.