Winter

I have been watching these mallards at Ludington Municipal Marina all winter. Bubblers have maintained some open water for them. Today, finally, I see a unique picture of them I like. Reality and reflection make an interesting illusion. F2.8 at 1/400, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Today was the first time I have been able to fly fairly low over my family's hunting property on the Pere Marquette River near Ludington. With the fresh snow on the ground and the mid-morning sunlight, I love how the shadows of the trees give this photo such a three dimensional feel. I hope to make this same composition in the spring, summer, and fall as well.

The first robin of the season is here and what a beauty it is!

Crystal Lake looks to me like a pastel painting on this winter evening as the moon rises shortly before sundown. This "wine shot" view from the southwest shore of the lake looking eastward is a quiet one meant to be savored like good wine.

The snow is blowing so hard I am afraid to stop along the highway north of Evart, Michigan to photograph this grand old barn. I pull my trusty four-wheel-drive off the roadway as far as the snowdrifts will allow and wait for a lull in the wind so my camera and I can see the barn. The barn comes and goes like a mirage. I am living the dream as a full-time outdoor/nature photographer. I am loving this winter dream.

This is the first good sunset on a Tuesday that I have gotten to witness since the start of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed." My dad captured two decent sunsets earlier this year, but for the most part the Tuesday sunsets of 2012 have been pretty disappointing. That made me appreciate this sunset even more. I look forward to many more stunning sunsets along Lake Michigan on Tuesdays this year.

It is not very often you see cows grazing in a swamp, but if you drive to the corner of Conrad and Meyers Roads in Ludington, you will see several cows enjoying the low lands near the Pere Marquette River. This cow stood still long enough for me to get into position and capture it, its reflection, and the barn all in one photograph. F8.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 30 mm

I have always had a passion for photographing ice. Today, during a photography workshop, my dad and I helped several students make similar images to this at Point Betsie Lighthouse.

Reflections on the hood of my Suburban give me a doubly good view of the sunset afterglow as I see the "USA in my Chevrolet" at Frankfort, Michigan during a winter drive along M22.

Hundreds of seagulls were having a feeding frenzy early this morning as the sun was turning the Lake Michigan shoreline in downtown Ludington beautiful colors. The high winds were creating breaking waves over the pier. Mornings like this make me feel so alive and thankful to live, work, and play in such a majestic area as Mason County.

The Bright Side

Red barns in the snow are hard for photographers to resist. During a blizzard, I drove to a friend's barn because I was certain it would look stunning with the blowing snow. It looked better than I ever imagined.

I love exploring the curves of the Ludington State Park shoreline along M-116. This particular evening, the second curve grabbed my attention.

The second time is the charm. Two weeks ago I noticed this heart-shaped tree and barn along US10 between Walhalla and Custer. The view caused me to stop and make an image I liked a lot. But now, two weeks later while motoring back home from a long day of shooting pictures across the state, the same scene is in front of me with light and atmosphere to die for. Brad and I like to tell our photography students 90 percent of a good picture is about the light and/or atmosphere. I am witnessing the proof of that.

My dad and I always call the clumps of grass in the foreground of this image "Cousin Its" because they remind us of the character Cousin It from the Addams Family. This is the first good photo I have ever taken of Ruckel's Bridge at the Silver Lake State Park. Even though it is March, this photo definitely has a fall feel to it.

Winter Coat

Winter Therapy

The color of the water in Lake Charlevoix often has a tropical feel to it because of its green tint. This morning however, it looked very cold and rugged near shore because of the mix of the rocks and ice. F22.0 at 1/13, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Queen Anne’s Lace attracts me in summer as I travel the highways and byways of Michigan. On this still morning winter worked its magic to create this and many other “snow flowers” along a country road near Crystal Valley. Gotta love winter!

In 1936, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the Beach House at the Ludington State Park. The CCC also built many of the current park roads and twelve warming shelters on the trail system. Unfortunately, many of the original shelters were destroyed by vandalism and severe weather. Luckily though, the Beach House remains and is a beautiful piece of history.