Summer

This rare piping plover and its mate are among only about five-dozen breeding pairs identified by Great Lakes researchers. That is about five times more breeding pairs than in 1983, before protection measures were implemented. A wire cage enclosure over its nest helps keep out predators such as wild animals and dogs. The birds are small enough to enter and exit the cage as they please. The area is posted and roped off to further protect the birds. F7.1 at 1/1600, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

I have just finished attending the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame banquet, during which one of my heroes, tennis coach Howard Jensen, was inducted. I have not driven a half-mile when I see Mount Epworth silhouetted against the afterglow sky. Sweet. F14.0 at 1/6, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I could hear this little chipmunk inside of a huge downed tree in my side yard, but I couldn’t see it. I positioned my camera and tripod near one end of the hollowed-out log and had my focus and exposure already set. Then I used my iPhone and Googled chipmunk sounds. It didn’t take long for the chipmunk to come and take a look to see where that enticing sound was coming from.

A highly visible single black ring around its neck marks this as a piping plover. The multicolored bands on its legs, and on those of its mate, enable researchers and spotters to identify them as specific plovers and thereby keep track of the migrating birds' movements and activity. F4.5 at 1/3200, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

The kids were working hard with their 4-H steers and couldn’t let a little rain shower stop them! We try to play hard in the summer, but we work hard too. The kids each pick their 4-H animals and spend all summer working with them for fair.

An endangered piping plover walks along the Lake Michigan shoreline far outside its roped-off protection zone at Ludington State Park. The plover and its mate have established a nesting site that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and University of Minnesota researchers have taken steps to protect. F3.5 at 1/4000, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

One of the most radiant sunsets of the year greeted me as I took a hike while my wife and her study buddies continued to study for yet another in a long line of nursing tests. This view of Ludington harbor was from atop a sand dune near my former home at Crosswinds

For probably a century or more, wild iris flowers have been popping up along Iris Road south of Ludington. Backlit by the morning sun, this iris looks especially glorious to me. I position my camera so that the shaded side of some dark pine trees provides a clean, simple, contrasting background. F5.6 at 1/500, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

As I am walking along the marshy shore of Lincoln Lake at Epworth Heights, I notice how some pink daisies are catching the light as they sway in a gentle breeze. I work hard to time my exposure to a moment when several of the daises are sunlit. F5 at 1/400, ISO 200, 300mm lens at 300mm

I am watching an eerie light show tonight. As a thunderstorm sweeps across Lake Michigan toward my home I am shooting time exposures of lighting bolts electrifying the sky just above the horizon. The rest of the sky remains ominously dark. Strange. F4.0 at 30.0, ISO 1600, 12-24 mm lens at 18 mm

Years ago, my brother and sister in-law took in an exchange student from Germany, Johanna. Little did we know that she would instantly become part of our family! She stayed in the U.S. to receive her BA and MA from MSU. We have spent many years and holidays with her. Today, we say goodbye for now as she heads to her new career and home in Romania. As we were leaving, a gorgeous sunset and rainbow joined in our celebration.

What a day to be a turtle. The sun is shining and a downed tree provides a perfect sunbathing spot on the Sable River at Ludington State Park. F6.3 at 1/100, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

For years I have tried to photograph the carferry Badger from underneath this tree at the end of Ferry Street, but have always come away disappointed because the Badger looked too small or I put too much of the tree in the photograph. Tonight however, I decided to wait longer and let the Badger get a lot closer to the camera. The photo finally worked! F8.0 at 1/30, ISO 640, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Daisies make me smile. This little cluster in my backyard made me happy tonight as I searched for my photo of the day.

What a great evening to be a seagull. As I make this picture, I think of all the times I have watched seagulls enduring the worst fall windstorms and winter blizzards. I am certain they are finding this second day of summer more enjoyable. F4.5 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 175 mm

I am drawn to this tree. It brings me peace.

The outlet to Lake Michigan at Summit Park between Ludington and Pentwater turns to gold before my eyes. I have made the composition I want of the rippling water flowing; all that I need now is for the light to line up with the composition. Jackpot! F22 at 1/6400, ISO 100, 200mm lens at 200mm

As I was opening the door to a Port-a-Jon in Cartier Park, I saw three baby raccoons near me. I decided I could hold it a while longer and ran back to my truck to get my biggest lens and tripod. I found the babies snuggled together on a tree branch, but my lens was so large, I could not fit all three raccoons in the frame, so I picked the cutest two. F4.0 at 1/80, ISO 1250, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

I can’t wait to see how big this buck in my backyard gets in the next few months. It always amazes me how close the deer in my yard allow me to get to them.