Rachel's Images

Our kitty has the most stunning eyes. Kasey held her while I photographed them with the macro lens.

Nikon D810. F9.0 at 1/80, ISO 6400. 105.0mm lens at 105.0mm. October 6, 2020 at 6:48pm.

I love the feeling of the last few days of summer. Those days before it officially feels like fall. The late summer glow, with flowers still in bloom, and warm sunshine on your face

What a start to our trip! Brad and I and all five kids are on our way to the Upper Peninsula for a long weekend. We stopped to stretch our legs at Otsego Lake. The kids could run and climb trees, while Brad and I each made an image in a location we’ve never visited before.

Laughing Whitefish Falls is one of my favorite places. The walk to the fall itself is a stunning forest. The cascade of the falls isn’t straight down, which I like. And the pool at the bottom has great moss-covered rocks. It was a wonderful experience to share with all five kids.

Before we headed back toward Mackinaw City, we had to take the kids to Miners Castle Rock. Unfortunately, it was very cold here today. I had to increase my ISO even though it was sunny out, to raise my shutter speed enough that the tree was mostly still in the center of the image. Then it was just waiting for white caps to be in the right places.

We were going to head to Mackinac Island, but the cold weather made us change our minds. Instead, we headed towards home with a stop at the Buckley Manistee High Rollway. The last time I was here, it was blowing snow. Today it is much different. The weather is warm, and the kids loved the view!

Part way through the day, Brad suggested I take a drive to look for a photo. I didn’t have a destination in mind, other than south of town. I ended up passing a cemetery, with a brilliant tree near the road. As much as I love the turning of leaves, the greens, and yellows, like this, are my favorite. .

I could see sweeping clouds to the west when I walked out for lunch. I knew I needed to get to the lakeshore. The clouds were massive overhead.

“The Triple Trees” have fully changed colors. The reds are so vivid this morning!

For the first time, my kids will not be with me the night of my birthday. We were all sad as we celebrated it tonight, a day early. I had a difficult time being motivated to find beauty. Kasey helped me see the beauty in this patterned watering can.

Anyone who passes through Scottville on a regular basis would probably recognize this tree. It sits to the north at the bridge on US-10, and always is a treat to see. Today it is especially picturesque.

Shortly after purchasing our home, I installed an indoor wood stove. There is something about the warmth of a fire on a chilly day to make you feel better.

The shape of this tree in my backyard always surprises me. It doesn’t have the usual shape that one would expect.

Sometimes black-and-white images allow you to focus on the patterns and tones in an image, more than color allows. I felt this was the case today.

One of Brad’s favorite roads is Anderson Road, north of Ludington. I decided to drive that way because I know the fall color is breathtaking there. I wasn’t disappointed!

The kids and I were working on splitting wood this afternoon, when my brother, niece and nephew stopped by. I asked if they wanted to help with my photo for today. I lay on my back, and they all tossed leaves in the air above my head.

I used the boards of my deck to frame this leaf. Don’t give up hope on a rainy day. The rain can help brighten the colors..

After I dropped the kids off to their dad for his weekend, I drove home from Hart the backway, through Pentwater. On my way there, on Lake Road, I came across this field of overgrown asparagus. I’ve always liked the way that it looks! The grain in the wood of this barn was the perfect subject to place with it. The hardest part was steadying the tripod against the wind!

As Brad and I were driving back to Hart to pick up the kids, we drove past St. Mary’s Lake. I decided to swing through by the boat launch. What a welcome treat!