Wonderous West Shore

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.

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 to meander through Michigan's orchard country. Today my friend David Hackert has given me the privilege of photographing one of his family's orchards south of Ludington. I am grateful.

After stopping in Walkerville to get some breakfast, I continued east on my journey to Legends Ranch in Bitely, Michigan. A few minutes outside of Walkerville, I drove into heavy fog. The fog got so thick that I had to slow down and drive less than 10 miles per hour. When I rounded a bend, I was awe struck to see the sun shining through the top of a huge tree. The intense sunlight and dense fog was a photographer's dream!

This maple tree along Michigan's west shore is a muse of mine. For years I have checked it out each fall. I don't think I have ever seen it more beautiful than on this October day.

You can find seagull feathers all along the Lake Michigan shoreline, especially in the windier months. On this blustery October morning, I couldn't resist getting my 105mm macro lens out and showing the world the intricate details of this beautiful seagull feather.

For several years now the incredibly large overturned stump on the northwest shores of Lost Lake inside the Ludington State Park has been a favorite place for photographers and hikers to explore and document. Today I decided to use my macro lens and show the beautiful wood grains and textures of the dying wood. The wind, rain, and sunlight have bleached the wood and turned it a gorgeous blond color.

After putting on a slide show in Fremont yesterday as part of a United Way fundraiser, my dad, my daughter Julia, and I drove to the Waste Water Treatment Plant in Muskegon. We got our permits and then drove around the property looking for snowy owls. My dad's keen eye spotted this one out in a large field near a utility road. We pulled over and I got my cold weather gear on and my giant lens and tripod, and slowly walked towards the beautiful bird. This was the first snowy owl that Julia has ever seen.

A tree frog was so well camouflaged that even when a friend was pointing it out to me, I couldn't see it. I finally spotted it when it blinked and moved its eyes.

Something about the way these wild turkeys blended with their environment compelled me to get out of my truck and make this image.

After photographing this owl up close, it flew about 40 yards away and landed in a tree. The close-up shot was unique, but I love this environmental portrait a lot more.

There are so many beautiful orchards in Michigan to drive past; it would probably take the entire blossom season to see them all. This one within a few miles of Lake Michigan between Hart and Shelby, Michigan looks as picture-perfect on this May morning as any I have ever seen.

This sight greets me as I crest a hill on Scout Road while searching for blossoming fruit trees between Shelby and Hart. This scene definitely merits a photograph.

I can't imagine the rush this kite surfer is experiencing as he speeds across the whitecap waves just inside the Frankfort breakwalls on a blustery October day.

The sight and sound of waves breaking against the rocks on the Lake Michigan shoreline today rocks my soul. I love invigorating mornings like this one I am experiencing at Epworth Heights today.

White River Light Station looks frozen in time on this January morning. I love the classic design of this historic lighthouse and keepers' dwelling. I am grateful to the Sable Point Lighthouse Keepers and their many volunteers and donors who maintain the lighthouse and keep it open for tours.

My son Brad and I are always telling photographers that October is our favorite month for Michigan photography. On this mid-October evening, workshop students gathered at the Sable River Outlet are experiencing for themselves why we say that. It doesn't get much better than this!

Nothing says Ludington better than the carferry Badger and Ludington lighthouse. On this July evening the Lake Michigan Carferry passes the Ludington North Breakwater Light en route to its dock after ferrying passengers and vehicles from Wisconsin.

Nothing says Ludington better than the carferry Badger and Ludington lighthouse. On this July evening the Lake Michigan Carferry passes the Ludington North Breakwater Light en route to its dock after ferrying passengers and vehicles from Wisconsin. Nikon D800. F10 at 1/500, ISO 200. 14-24mm lens at 14mm. On a tripod without a flash. July 21, 2016 at 5:24pm.

Whenever I stand on the Lake Michigan shoreline during a beautiful sunset, I feel my soul being redeemed. Gorgeous sunsets like this one fill my spirit with hope.