Other Ships and Boats

Ludington State Park Workshop

May Workshop at LSP

The Great Lakes freighter Algorail appeared about to strike the Ludington North Breakwall during an autumn Northwester, but its veteran captain used the powerful north wind and waves on her stern to his advantage. Moments after I recorded this scene, the ship’s bow reached the pierheads, the wheelsman wheeled the ship hard to port, and she advanced ahead while her stern transferred swiftly to the south. The big ship was guided into the harbor as though she were on a curved roller coaster track. It was a masterful piece of sailing.

A canoe along the Bass Lake shoreline emerges from the snow as another winter winds down. I can imagine the many seasons of good times the canoe has helped provide its owner. For now, I like the way the vintage watercraft looks resting in the snow. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

What could be finer than sitting on the deck of the Weathervane Restaurant on the Charlevoix channel eating a fine meal with my wife Debbie and watching the boat traffic? I stop eating long enough to make this ringside-seat image of the outbound Beaver Island ferry Emerald Isle. The beautiful ship, the US31 drawbridge, and the Weathervane are Charlevoix icons.

My favorite tugboat, the John Henry, is back working in Ludington harbor. I get myself to the west shore of Pere Marquette Lake by 7:00 A.M., in time to compose the picture and wait five minutes for the sweetest light. F5.6 at 1/125, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 22 mm

A puddle left by an overnight rainstorm mirrors the tugboat Edward E. Gillen. Perhaps it is because of my nautical background, but tugboats tend to attract my photo eye. Maybe it is simply that so many of them seem to have such character.

Old Mission

Lake Michigan, during its calmest and kindest moments, provides a tranquil playground for a pair of kayaking souls on a summer outing south of Ludington along the Buttersville peninsula.

The ice breaking tugboat Manitou was called into Ludington's port this week to attempt opening a path so other vessels could get back out onto Lake Michigan. I watched this small tug work for over an hour to get about a thousand feet. To my surprise, the mighty little ship made it out to open water.

While hanging out of the window of a small airplane and trying to photograph the Ludington City Beach, I noticed this beautiful speedboat anchored and enjoying the calm water on Lake Michigan. We teach our workshop students to look for scenes like this where there is a small person or object in the big world.

“Ice Break” and “Big Toot and Friends”

What a difference a day or so makes in Michigan! Before the infamous Bomb Cyclone winter storm hit Michigan in February 2019, I was drawn to the Ludington waterfront on a sunny morning to photograph three tugboats moored along the shore. I was happy with my shot. When the storm crossed over Lake Michigan from Wisconsin several days later, Ludington harbor looked more like Siberia. I knew right where to head to make a another good, but extremely different photograph.

What a difference a day or so makes in Michigan! Before the infamous Bomb Cyclone winter storm hit Michigan in February 2019, I was drawn to the Ludington waterfront on a sunny morning to photograph three tugboats moored along the shore. I was happy with my shot. When the storm crossed over Lake Michigan from Wisconsin several days later, Ludington harbor looked more like Siberia. I knew right where to head to make a another good, but extremely different photograph.

The Algorail, a frequent visitor to the Ludington harbor, used two powerful spotlights to guide herself quietly into port. I set my camera to 800 ISO in order to stop the ship

I am looking from the deck of my Ludington home at one of the most dramatic skies I have ever seen. These rare mammatus clouds are sweeping ashore behind a storm that rushed through earlier. This is an amazing calm after the storm.

I can remember climbing on this old carferry propeller down at the Loomis Street Boat Ramp with my brothers when we were young kids. This is the first good picture I have made of the giant bronze propeller. F10.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

While shooting photographs out at Legends Ranch today, I noticed an old canoe up near a tree in long grass. The texture of the grass, the warm sunshine, and the shadows created by the tree, turned this ordinary scene extraordinary.

Onekema

Coffee gives me a morning lift but not like the sun working its magic on Bass Lake. I love the quietness of this midweek lull before the traditional Memorial Day weekend invasion of this and hundreds of other Michigan lakes. Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer for many Michigan resort areas. D800, F8 at 1/640, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 100mm