Winter

Stearns Park Takeoff

Winter Delicacy

Wintery Perch

The combined patterns of snow, sand, dune grass, clouds, and snow fence make an interesting composition. I like this winter view of the Frankfort shoreline but I know it would be more colorful and more magical if enough light could get out from under those clouds and bounce off them. Nope; not happening tonight. At least I tried.

For several years this pine tree near the corner of Tinkham Avenue and James Street in Ludington has been lit up for the Holiday Season. This year it has blue lights with a giant white star and it is stunning. A long exposure on a tripod turned the entire scene blue. F8.0 at 20.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

It is that time of year again when Mother Nature makes fudge ripple ice cream along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. At least that is what I always thought it looked like as a kid. Now I need to go to House of Flavors and get some of that yummy ice cream! F11.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 38 mm

Before the sun rose this morning, I was in position to shoot the sunrise along Old US-31 over the Pere Marquette River Flats. I was excited to see we had great clouds forming as the sun finally rose enough to turn the swamp grass in front of me gold. After I made this image, I headed to the grocery store. When I came out of the store, I was blown away by how awesome the clouds had gotten.

Lake Michigan and the Sable River outlet at Ludington State Park were eerily calm this afternoon. With the water being so still, it was reflecting the blue and turquoise colors from the storm clouds above. F6.3 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 22 mm

As I was grabbing the open flag from outside after work today, I noticed Grandma Reed’s Christmas dolls my dad had arranged recently in our gallery front windows. My grandpa and grandma had over a hundred of these dolls at one point on display in their home.

Happy 9th Birthday, Bubba! It was difficult to say goodbye to the kids tonight. I have always been with them on their birthdays for the entire day. I tried to find a photo that would cheer me up tonight. These trees decorated in Christmas lights in front of Lake Michigan helped.

The Manistee National Forest has been transformed overnight into a winter wonderland. After driving to the Walhalla area, I discover these snow-coated red pines on a two-track road east of Weldon Creek. F22.0 at 0.4, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

Rachel and I headed to Crystal Mountain to go downhill skiing today. As we got close to the resort, the snow started falling hard. It was the wet, sticky snow that very quickly can transform a normal scene into a winter wonderland. We pulled over and I shot this photo of the Betsie River.

After a quick trip to Muskegon to say hi and give Kasey a 12th Birthday hug, Brad and I headed north. Finally, Michigan was being graced with a winter wonderland! We had been waiting weeks for a snowfall that clings to the trees. I love when the foliage of the forest bends from the weight of the fallen snow. It makes me want to make a snow angel and look up at the big flakes as they cascade down towards me.

The artistry of Mother Nature and the craftsmen who did such fine work on the wood trim of this stately old home complement each other today. I have returned to Scottville this morning to re-shoot this picture in better light. F22.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

My entire life I have loved the Grinch. After celebrating Kasey’s and David’s birthdays at Rachel’s house tonight, I spotted an entire yard full of Christmas decorations in downtown Scottville. Upon further inspection, I found this giant blow-up Grinch.

This swampy spot was near Hart, Michigan. I drove up and down this road, choosing the best spot to pull over and shoot. The framing around this opening is what helped me decide this was the place to shoot.

Seven years ago this ice-coated railing at Pentwater pierheads was the subject of my very first digital photograph. Today I am back shooting the railing and newly formed icicles with my Fuji S5 digital camera. F22.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

Bone chilling temperatures today made it very difficult to take this photograph. My fingers were so cold I could barely operate my camera. With a huge rush of adrenalin from seeing the incredible sunset unfolding before my eyes, I was able to push through the pain and make the needed adjustments. F5.0 at 1/6400, ISO 100, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

God beams were shining bright this afternoon at Stearns Beach in Ludington. One positive of COVID-19 is that it has tuned our 366 Project into a hyper-local book project. Besides my dad’s and my book on the Ludington State Park and his 50 Year Book, this book will have more shots from Mason County than any project we have ever done.