Maple Trees

The canopy that these maple trees drape over the roadway is one of the many reasons Conrad Road, between Ludington and Scottville, is one of my favorite stretches to drive. Photo hunting along area rural roads has been a favorite endeavor for decades. I have discovered countless unforgettable scenes and many memorable friendly people in my travels.

I have enjoyed several grand scenic landscape views with countless trees along M22 today. But now, near Elberta, just one lone maple tree is putting on one spectacular fall color show.

I am always moved when I see attractive classic church steeples. I find it especially moving today seeing the First Congregational Church in Frankfort flanked by maple trees in peak color.

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.

Old Grand Dad

Tranquil Beauty

After stopping in Walkerville to get some breakfast, I continued east on my journey to Legends Ranch in Bitely, Michigan. A few minutes outside of Walkerville, I drove into heavy fog. The fog got so thick that I had to slow down and drive less than 10 miles per hour. When I rounded a bend, I was awe struck to see the sun shining through the top of a huge tree. The intense sunlight and dense fog was a photographer's dream!

This maple tree along Michigan's west shore is a muse of mine. For years I have checked it out each fall. I don't think I have ever seen it more beautiful than on this October day.

WCF by Aunt Marys

The students in my Photo 1 class at West Shore Community College have set out this morning to find images that will render well with color film. I enjoy watching them use their own vision to find images I might never see. We talk about looking close; I follow my own advice and find this frosted maple leaf. F20.0 at 1/15, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

These grand old maple trees look particularly attractive to me wearing their maple syrup pails in the morning light. I am sure my friend from high school days, Stanley Peterson, won't mind me stopping in the front yard of his beautiful farm on Benedict Road to make this image. F22.0 at 0.3, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

365 Week

365 Week

17-Nov

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed

Farm Focal Point

My kids love climbing this tree in our roundabout drive. As David Benjamin took a break from having fun exploring its branches, I grabbed my gear, lay on my back and worked to compose the sun so that it shined bright on the tree trunk.

Wednesday

Conrad Road Tunnel of Trees in Summer

The maples are a favorite spot for my kids and their cousins. It is close enough to my parents’ house that they can venture out without supervision, yet the trees feel miles away. My mom enjoys sitting on their porch watching them play. They spend a lot of time exploring here under what I call “The Triple Trees”.