Summer

Brad and I and the kids spent the afternoon in the Pere Marquette River. The kids were swimming, while Brad and I had the underwater camera housing out. I had previsualized a photo of half underwater and half above, showcasing the lily pads. I made an image that day, but the water wasn’t as clear as I would have liked to compete with these clouds and reflections!

Today my wife Betsy and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary. I was in a hurry to find my photo of the day so I could get home and spend time with Betsy and the kids. I headed to Ludington State Park and climbed the dunes to the east of the First Curve along M-116. A few minutes later I had my photo of the day. F8.0 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

While looking out my bathroom window tonight, I spotted this goldfinch on our butterfly bush. I grabbed my camera gear and quietly snuck around the side of my house to capture this image before the tiny, beautiful bird flew away.

The roadside along Pere Marquette Highway at Kibby Creek looks like a garden this morning. I love watching to see what is going to grow next from spring to fall along Michigan roads. F4.0 at 1/400, ISO 200, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

I have tried to make a photograph of the grapes up in Bespop’s grape arbor for several years. Either I was too late, or the animals had already eaten them when I have tried before. This year, I was determined. I made almost daily visits to the arbor and finally decided the time was right.

My Grandpa and Grandma Reed had a fishpond built in their backyard and transplanted their goldfish from their house on the Pere Marquette River in Walhalla to their new pond at their house in Ludington. Now my brother and his family live in that house and they have become the keepers of Grandma’s fish. With our underwater housing, I got in the pond and made this image in honor of our grandma.

I know I have mentioned our family’s front field before. Tonight, I visited it again. The golden magic light and the field were mesmerizing!

Reflections of an umbrella on a dock, a dock box, and man walking on a dock look to my eye at this moment like a man sailing a tiny sailboat. The umbrella reflections caught my eye at Harbor View Marina in Ludington. The more I study the reflections as people walk by, the more I see the potential for a fresher view; I love this one. F4.0 at 1/400, ISO 640, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

I have always wanted to try skim boarding on the shores of Lake Michigan, but have never had the opportunity. Logan Hansen, a 17 year old from Battle Creek, Michigan, made skim boarding look easy today on the beach at South Haven. Logan practices as often as he can and has been skim boarding for four years. I think it would take most people a lifetime to reach his level of skill. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 600mm

Julia made a nice putt tonight while she, Ethan, and I were playing mini golf at the Ludington Jaycees Mini Golf at Stearns Beach. The newly redone course is a Ludington treasure and I have always loved the Badger hole. I have great memories of playing this same course with my dad and my brother when I was little, so it is super fun for me to play it now with my kids..

Seagulls are beautiful birds. A lot of people don't like them and I have even heard people call them "flying rats." Personally, I love seagulls and I never get tired of watching them adapt to the weather throughout the year on the shores of Lake Michigan. F5.6 at 1/2500, ISO 400, 600mm lens at 600mm

The brilliance of these cardinal flowers rockets out from one of my favorite estuaries along South Lakeshore Drive near Bass Lake. The oriental-looking plants look even more sensational close-up than they did when I first spotted them during one of our favorite summer pastimes

We spend most evenings working with the fair animals. Several of my nieces and nephews house their animals at the farm too, so it is usually hard work but fun to spend time with cousins. And how can you beat this view?

Betsy and I took the kids for a walk at Ludington State Park this morning. While hiking, we noticed a large tree that looked like it was billowing smoke from its trunk. To our amazement, it was just steam. As we continued walking, we saw several trees steaming. Eventually, the forest was filled with steam and sunlight. F4.5 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

My dad had done the legwork on getting permission from the owners for Team Reed to be able to photograph these sunflowers on Conrad Road near Amber Elk Ranch. Julia, Ethan, and I waited until just before sunset to head out to shoot because I had previsualized this type of photograph. Within a few minutes, I had made this image and then proceeded to take portraits of my kids with this beautiful backdrop.

The woods on our family farm always brings peace to my heart. Fair preparation was in full force this Thursday evening, and I needed a break from the organizing, planning, and packing. I took a walk down one of our lanes, breathing in the quiet air.

After leaving the funeral in Fremont for our friend Lawrence Monfils, who had been the head chef at Legends Ranch for many years, my dad and I spotted this old barn and farmstead. My dad helped me get on top of his truck to make this image. I needed to be higher to get the vantage point I wanted because the corn was so tall. I waited for the clouds to get into the right locations for my image to sing.

Swaying in the summer breeze, Queen Anne's lace paints an impressionistic picture on my digital camera's sensor during a long exposure. The field in Summit Township looks and feels to me like a Monet painting. I want the photograph to feel the same way. F22.0 at 1.6, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

What I like most about this photograph is its timeless nature. It is hard to tell if this photograph was taken in the 1950s with black and white film, or if it was taken today. One thing is for sure; it is definitely a Pure Michigan moment on the pier in South Haven, Michigan. F14 at 1/640, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 130mm

A visit to the Lavender Labyrinth at Cherry Point Farm & Market has been a tradition since I discovered it several years ago. The light was striking when I decided to make the drive south for a visit. I had the labyrinth almost to myself as I peacefully wandered through. The bees were especially attracted to this lavender. Quickly, I composed this hard-working bee. I loved the sunlight on the wings.