Winter

Gordon Road at the End of Conrad Ice Field

Miners Falls Waterfalll Near Munising

People who have not spent a lot of time along the Lake Michigan shoreline might find it hard to imagine that sunsets exploding with the most vivid color imaginable really do occur. Actually, the best color appears after the sun sets. Those who stay longer, relax and watch are often rewarded with a kaleidiscope of changing color.

It was snowing so hard this morning along the Pere Marquette River that the front of my lens kept getting wet and fogging up. The fogged lens added to the mystique and emotion of this photograph that I made of an Orvis fly rod.

Ice Breaking Coast Guard Biscayne Bay

Pilings, which guard storm water drain outlets, and their repetitive patterns have been a popular photo subject for years. On this day, the S-curve design created by shoreline ice and magic light made an impressionable scene.

It strikes me while I am being stunned by a wintery view of Kinney Creek near Branch that the late great Fred Picker would have loved to have been able to photograph and make black and white prints of this winter scene. Fred was one of the world's grand masters of black and white printing. As much as I love black and white photography, I have chosen to render the scene in color because I think the golden water and green lichen and other hints of green complement the otherwise monochromatic scene and emphasize the stream.

Another Happy Place

It was a colorful and dramatic sunrise over the Pere Marquette River Flats at the North Bridge on Old US-31 this morning. The light kept changing and I was able to make several very different looking images for over a half an hour. This was my favorite image that I made.

My favorite part of this photo is the tiny bit of green in the bottom of the composition. The snow was so thick and sticky that in less than two hours it completely transformed a dark, dreary forest and creek into a winter paradise.

When the ice on the Great Lakes started impeding shipping, Coast Guard icebreakers bust open paths. On this ice-cold February morning the Coast Guard Cutter Biscayne Bay broke up the ice in Ludington harbor.

 I was on my way into work when I spotted this beautiful snowy owl perched on top of a barn on Fountain Road. It was so peaceful; I was able to shoot it quite a while before finally heading on my way. I was surprised to see it, as they typically disappear from our area come springtime. The snowfall we had last week worked in my favor!

Triangles and s-curves make for strong compositions in art and this photograph has both. Because of those elements, this photograph looks much more three dimensional than a lot of my other photographs. I also like how the reddish-brown oak leaves show up despite the sticky snow.

The sound of ice forming and the sight of steam rising off Pere Marquette Lake have adrenaline flowing through my cold body this December morning. I race to get into place and work quickly to build a layered composition. What a magnificent moment to witness! F8.0 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Deer Creek (Black and White)

Deer Creek

365 Week 06

High above the Pere Marquette River at the Rainbow Rapids picnic area, the heavy wet snow contrasts beautifully with the dark blue-black water to create a very painterly scene. I love the lines and forms that make up this delicate, yet powerful scene.

Wednesday Ludington City Beach Grass

My wife Betsy and I were on our way to Crystal Mountain to go skiing when the sun popped out and created a layer of fog. I knew where a good photo could be made; I just needed to drive there before the light disappeared. This tree is near the corner of Fountain and Stiles Road. F10.0 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm