Maple Trees

Fall Color

Kinney Gold

Mears Monster

I wonder what the view from the Manistee River High Rollaway looked like in the 19th century when lumberjacks were rolling logs down it. I know for sure the view looks splendid roughly a century and a half later. This lookout near Buckley south of Traverse City belongs on every Michigander's fall color tour bucket list. D800, F22 at 0.3, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 34mm

Life is full of timing. As an outdoor photographer, it has long been made painfully clear to me that Mother Nature’s timing most often does not coincide with my previsualizations. I have long imagined this grand maple tree along North Lakeshore Drive in Ludington with snow on golden leaves. A couple decades passed before the tree looked picture-perfect on November 6, 2019, telling a beautiful story of the transition from fall to winter in Michigan.

This huge tree in my Aunt Mary’s yard is always so stunning. The green buds were alive with magic light today.

These are by far the biggest living maple leaves I have discovered in Michigan so far this April. Perhaps the abundance of water being supplied to the shoot they are growing from in this creek is causing the leaves to flourish. I marvel at the symmetry of their arrangement on the surface of the water. I photograph them exactly as I discovered them. F22 at 1/13, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 185mm

The woods on our family farm always brings peace to my heart. Fair preparation was in full force this Thursday evening, and I needed a break from the organizing, planning, and packing. I took a walk down one of our lanes, breathing in the quiet air.

I have watched many storm clouds over the years. I have seen the sky change colors. Never have I ever seen a sky turn purple like tonight. I was so in awe I almost missed the photograph!

The Gold Coast Festival, a Ludington art fair Brad and I have shown our artwork at for years, is today at City Park. Nearby I spot some of the most stunning maple leaves I have ever seen in the yard of our former neighbor, Stephanie Thomsen. A silver coating on the crimson leaves looks almost like chrome plating. F7.1 at 1/60, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

A purplish leaf fell to the ground today. I hope it’s not a sign that fall will come early.

After Rachel and I finished eating a wonderful dinner outside at the Jolly Pumpkin Brewery on Old Mission Peninsula, we grabbed our camera gear and walked to photograph the setting sun over Grand Traverse Bay. We stopped so I could make this image of the sun dancing between the trees and their shadows on the lawn of the restaurant. I love finding unexpected photographs like this one.

It is hard to believe that fall is fast approaching. The proof is in this colorful leaf that I found in our backyard tonight. I love the fall and am looking forward to the change in season. F20.0 at 2.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I get excited when I see the turning of leaves for the first time each fall, if it is a fall that lasts a few months, and we have time to enjoy it! This tree in our yard is always one of the first to turn each fall.

The kids and I went on a hike with Carole and Jim Smith today out near their cottage on Hamlin Lake. We hiked to one of Carole’s favorite trees in the Manistee National Forest. Seeing this tree was love at first sight for me. I knew I had found my photo of the day!

Julia has done so well on her first year of the high school golf team. She has gotten to play in several varsity matches and is getting better by the day. Tonight, when I went to pick her up from practice, I could see her on the 18th hole. I parked the truck and grabbed my gear and made this image of her as she hit a beautiful iron shot.

“The Triple Trees” were looking grand this summer morning! Before long, these trees will be full of color.

I am playing one of the worst rounds of golf of my life at Lincoln Hills Golf Club when I spot these maple leaves near the 17th tee already turning color. I put down the golf club and pick up my camera. I am so much happier and capable with a camera in my hands. Passion and practice make all the difference. F4.5 at 1/200, ISO 250, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Rachel and I went for a drive looking for photographs. We headed down North Lakeshore Drive along Hamlin Lake. Between the Middle and North Bayous, we found this colorful tree. I lay on my back and used my external flash to light up the underside of the tree to pop the colors.

I have been watching leaves float by for 20 minutes on Hamlin Lake just above the dam at Ludington State Park. Finally, here is a fresh, colorful view that stands out immediately from all the others I have seen. F2.8 at 1/80, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 130 mm