Summer

An estuary near my Ludington home teams with new life every spring. Today I am attracted at first by the bright yellow buttercup flowers. But then I see the real prize: Buckeye butterflies that are being attracted to the nectar of the flowers. All I have to do is stay still and wait for the butterflies to come to the flowers in front of me. F5 at 1/500, ISO 100, 300mm lens at 300mm

This morning I took two students for a private workshop shooting adventure to Ludington State Park. We headed to the boardwalk on the eastern edge of Beechwood campground to photograph the mid-morning light. One of the students found this water lily and we spent several minutes photographing the scene together. F13.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I have always loved this stretch of the driveway into Todd and Brad’s family cabin on the Pere Marquette River. The scenic, tree-covered, curved road is fun to hike on. Tonight, it looked especially charming.

Our photography workshop students are getting a lesson this evening in getting close to your subject. My wide-angle lens is close enough to this wave and reflection to be getting wet on some of my shots. This wave is close, not too big and not too small

My aunt, Toni Greene, and her husband Tom, own a home a few blocks to the west of Chuck Wagon Pizza that is near the Lake Michigan shoreline. Tonight, I went to the beach near their home and photographed the warm setting sun while I got my feet wet in the big lake.

There are so many hidden gems around Mason County. This Custer view is pretty unbeatable!

Debbie and I are en route to Chicago to attend two weddings. I have been looking for my picture of the day for what seems like miles on end when I spot one of my favorite sights of summer

Memorial Tree Park in Pere Marquette Township is a great place for a family picnic or an evening hike. Tonight, Betsy and I took the kids to Memorial Tree Park and we came upon this family of deer. I loved how the fawn thought the large tree stump hid it from me. I was able to walk within 15 feet of these deer with my wide-angle lens. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

It always amazes me how many big bucks I see around town in Ludington. They know they are safe, I guess! I saw this big guy on my way to Brad’s this evening in his neighborhood.

A male mute swan stands and spreads its wings after preening its feathers on a small bayou on Lost Lake at Ludington State Park. This is the moment I waited patiently for in our photography skiff at a respectful distance. It came after what seemed like an eternity of preening feathers. The backlighting of the bird and dark shaded background made the result worthwhile! I am so glad Brad and I chose to wait. F7.1 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

I enjoyed my first-time charter fishing with Hiatus Charters tonight. Todd, Debbie, Brad, and I all had the chance to head out on Lake Michigan hoping for a chance to reel in the big one. Well, I reeled in a whopper! A 28-lb salmon! This sunset followed us as we headed back to the dock. What a memorable day!

A tired cygnet decides it needs a break from swimming on its own, using itsremaining energy to climb on its mother's back for a ride. The swan family was cruising across Lost Lake at Ludington State Park when they passed by our tiny anchored photo-shooting skiff. F11 at 1/500, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

Who would expect to find an egret beside the Chicago area Tri-State Tollway? After visiting my wife's childhood home in Deerfield, we are on an entrance ramp to one the world's busiest roadways when Debbie spots two egrets in a pond beside the toll road. I pull well off onto the grass and sprint 100 yards to make a "Florida picture" in Chicago. F4.5 at 1/1600, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

You do not want to mess with a swan that has a nest or babies nearby. I have seen many unsuspecting spectators get too close to a swan and pay a hefty price. This swan slowly circled our boat and it was his friendly way of letting us know that we had gotten close enough to his family. We always try to keep a respectful distance from wildlife so as not to disrupt their lives. F5.6 at 1/5000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 135mm

A friend called me tonight to say they were watching a bald eagle in a tree in the middle of Stearns Park down at the Ludington City Beach. I headed that way and found the majestic bird as it sat on a large cottonwood branch.

My kids have been at their dad’s since Comet NEOWISE has been visible. When I picked them up this evening, I asked if they had been out to see it. Since they hadn’t, we stayed up extra late in the backyard to witness this spectacular event!

While photo hunting from our little 13-foot Boston Whaler on Hamlin Lake at the Ludington State Park, my dad spotted this great blue heron with his binoculars from a quarter mile away. We slowly made our way within 50 feet of the master angler. F5.6 at 1/800, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

It is a beautiful evening to take three of our grandchildren

A great blue heron takes off from one of its fishing perches on Hamlin Lake. I look forward to seeing one of the big birds on most of my hikes and voyages at Ludington State Park. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 70-200mm lens at 200mm