Other Lighthouses

The nearly century old Alpena Light stands out on the Lake Huron shoreline. The distinctive light structure is also known as Thunder Bay River Lighthouse and the Alpena Breakwater Light. I got a close-up view as we passed by on the Lady Michigan shipwreck tour boat en route to Lake Huron from the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. F10 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

Point Aux Barques Guardian

Warning mariners of treacherous shoal waters extending two miles into Lake Huron, Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse stands guard on a winter afternoon at the entrance to Saginaw Bay as it has for more than 150 years. The handsome lighthouse is located at the tip of Michigan's Thumb region.

The American Flag waves gently in the summer breeze on the porch of one of two keeper's dwellings at the New Presque Isle Light, which despite its name is more than 140 years old. The 1870 "New" light tower is the tallest lighthouse tower accessible to the public on the Great Lakes. F8 at 1/800, ISO 100, 28mm lens at 28mm

Crimson Light

Tonight was Julia's and Ethan's first visit to Holland's lighthouse, Big Red. They had a blast playing in the sand together as I photographed boats coming and going in the busy Holland channel. It was over 70 degrees at sunset and it looked and felt more like July than October.

Icy Morning in Muskegon

The lighthouse keepers at the New Presque Isle Lighthouse near Alpena, Michigan were gracious enough to stay open late to allow my dad and me to climb to the top of the 113-foot tower overlooking Lake Huron. Michigan has 149 lighthouses lining its shorelines and the view from the top of the New Presque Isle Lighthouse has to be one of the most unique. The point of land that the lighthouse sits on is almost completely surrounded by water. F16 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Magic Light

Surf's up! Even on a winter day, Michigander Saeth Gronberg, a former Californian, is drawn to Lake Michigan when the waves are big. Here he waits for the right timing to catch a big wave as another big wave explodes against the Frankfort, Michigan lighthouse.

I love the unique shape of the Muskegon South Breakwater Light. This evening I am also struck by the symmetry of trees framing the lighthouse. I choose to make a long exposure to show the movement of the tree tops swaying in the October breeze.

Another Happy Place

Grand Island Light at Gerlach Workshop in Munising

Manning Memorial Lighthouse

North Manitou Shoal Light Station looks to me like a giant birdhouse as we cruise past on a voyage between Leland and South Manitou Island on a gorgeous July morning. The light station was automated in 1980 and has not been manned by the Coast Guard since then. Cormorants appear to have taken over the structure.

I have been traveling since well before dawn today in search of magic Michigan moments. I have found several book-quality images but as I pull into the lakeshore parking lot at the end of Frankfort's main street, I am certain I am looking at another.

The old Coast Guard station and lighthouse mark the harbor at Beaver Island as we pass by on the Emerald Isle ferry on our way back to the Michigan mainland at Charlevoix. A fresh breeze straightens the American Flag. It is a beautiful day for a cruise, a perfect ending to experiencing the island. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 120 mm

At the end of a 12-hour photography expedition through West Michigan countryside and cities, we wind up on the shore of Lake Michigan at Muskegon in time to savor the setting sun. I decide to try one of Brad's favorite techniques

I have always enjoyed the challenge of building strong, unique compositions utilizing reflections. In order to get the building, red roof, and tower of Au Sable Point Lighthouse to show up in the reflection, I had to lie on my stomach in Lake Superior. Thankfully, it has been a record breaking warm winter, but the water temperature still had my full attention. F8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm