Spring

I love watching the natural world come to life along the Pere Marquette River. It is Saturday and I have slowed down to savor the morning, quietly watching the river flow by our cabin. F6.3 at 1/125, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 165 mm

Today I stumbled upon a beautiful feather that was wedged between some wild grasses and a fallen tree along the shores of the Pere Marquette River in front of our family cabin. I had no idea that my dad had been out shooting in almost the same exact spot a few hours earlier. That is the second time that has happened so far with the 365 Project. F2.8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Trillium Grand Rapids Aman Park May

What a way to celebrate the official arrival of Spring. It is Sunday evening and any visitors to the Silver Lake sand dunes at Silver Lake State Park have long since left their footprints behind. I alone am appreciating these grand dunes. I feel privileged. F22.0 at 1/40, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

The waters of Lake Michigan were amazingly calm and brilliant today along the shores of Ludington State Park near the First Curve on M-116. F9.0 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Like sculptures, the twin spires of the Mackinac Bridge rise above the fog in the Straits of Mackinac. While built mainly for function to support one of the world's longest suspension bridges, the spires were designed with an artist's eye as well. F22 at 1.6 seconds, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Sunlight pours through the portholes of the Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse as the sun sets behind the landmark structure. I keep moving my tripod southward as the sun sets in order to keep the sun behind the tower. F4.0 at 1/200, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Water rushes over Munising Falls. A small pile of snow remains as a reminder on this 78-degree afternoon that this is the next to last day of winter. Spring has come early to Michigan's Upper Peninsula. F22 at 0.6, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 31mm

As I am working to compose this picture, it suddenly strikes me that I see what looks like a face amidst the rocks and rushing water. I liked this scene downstream from Munising Falls before seeing the face; now I like it even more. F22 at 0.5, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

I photographed some crocuses blooming and am driving home, only to be detoured by this spectacle at the Ludington Waterfront Park. I set up the 500 mm lens just in time to frame the sun inside the gazebo. F4.0 at 1/640, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

I lay on my back in my neighbor's front yard to make this photo. She came out to check on me to make sure I was all right. I assured her I was fine, and that the giant tree in her yard captured my attention. F8.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

One of the treats of going to Michigan's Upper Peninsula is that you can still see large stands of birch trees there. As I drove around a curve on H58

Pachysandras Surprise

The second concept we teach in our 20/20 Vision Workshops is immediacy. What we tell the students is to put something super close to the front of your lens, even if that thing is not the main subject of your photograph. Today, Julia, Ethan, and I went for a walk on the Lake Michigan shoreline at Summit Park between Ludington and Pentwater. I got into Kibby Creek and used immediacy to make this image.

Watching a new day dawn on Hamlin Lake awakens my senses. On a spring morning I set up my tripod and then sat back to relax until just before sunrise when the light jolted me into action.

This willow tree frames our backyard view perfectly. The Ohse farm looks pretty tonight.

Betsy, Sean, the kids, and I are making the most of this strange and scary time in our world. What better way to social distance than to take daily hikes. We are blessed to live so close to the Ludington State Park. Our adventure today took us down a long trail off of Piney Ridge Road and we came across this scene at least a mile from where we parked.

Wednesday May

My Grandmother Benson and my mom taught me early in my life to appreciate the beauty of pussy willows. They are simply beautiful and the memories they bring back are even more beautiful. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

365 Week 12