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I have been trying to make an image of dune grass to this quality since I first picked up a camera in 1999. After hundreds of failed attempts I was finally in the right place at the right time. I had a lot of good compositions of dune grass up and down the Lake Michigan shoreline, but I never had the right clouds or the magic light. My luck changed today. The water flowing through the foreground of the photo is from the Bass Lake Outlet as it makes its way into Lake Michigan. F22 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Recent windstorms have left behind some impressive sculptures on the Silver Lake Sand Dunes. I previsualized the dunes appearing rippled following the big blows, but this exceeds my expectations. F32 at 1/50, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 29mm

It never ceases to amaze me how the wind can shape sand dunes into the most impressive works of art. I have hiked up and down the Silver Lake Sand Dunes for a couple hours before finding this spot. I immediately know that all that effort was more than worth the reward of this visual treat. F18 at 1/80, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 31mm

A sand dune is to me one of nature’s most beautiful creations. Now paint that sand with the golden light of the setting sun and I am awestruck. I loved the feeling of being the only human being experiencing this view from atop the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.

The sun looks to me like it is falling out of the sky this evening. Adding to the illusion, a ship on the horizon appears in part to be floating above Lake Michigan like a mirage due to an atmospheric phenomenon. F22 at 1/13, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 185mm

The sunrise in the east was casting a turquoise light to the west over Lake Michigan this morning. Luckily, I was ready with my camera and found a strong foreground of dune grass to build my photograph. F4.5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The sunrise in the east was casting a turquoise light to the west over Lake Michigan this morning. Luckily, I was ready with my camera and found a strong foreground of dune grass to build my photograph. F4.5 at 1/80, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

This lone tree at Charles Mears State Park in Pentwater looked extraordinary this morning with the colorful sky above Lake Michigan as the backdrop. I had to stand on top of my pickup truck to make this photograph because I wanted the split in the trunk to be right at the horizon line. F8 at 1/30, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

The dunes further inland at Ludington State Park don't get explored nearly as much as those along the shoreline. A whole new world awaits those who head into the dunes less traveled. F5 at 1/200, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

Dune Walking

Dune Walking

When it comes to scenic Michigan highways, M116 in the Ludington State Park might be the shortest but it remains my favorite. Except for the roadway, there is little manmade intrusion along one of the most beautiful stretches of shoreline in America. F5 at 1/200, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Even on a cold and windy night along the Lake Michigan shoreline, the light from the setting sun will warm your soul and make you look forward to its return the next day. F8 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

Those last few minutes of sunlight along Lake Michigan often turn everything a brilliant golden color. That is my favorite time of day to photograph the dune grass along the Lake Michigan shoreline. F5 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The golden sunlight says goodbye to us tonight as we photograph along the shores of Lake Michigan at the Ludington State Park. It is always fun making images of the jetties at the First Curve along M116. F9 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

One glance at the bright and dark tones and patterns of these snow-covered rocks along the Lake Michigan shoreline is all I need to know there is a picture to be made here on this sunny afternoon. I determine a strong composition and wait for just the right breaking wave. F13 at 1/1250, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 112mm

My son Brad and I know even before climbing high atop this dune along the shoreline at Ludington State Park that the bird's eye view of the fresh snowfall on the dunes and Lake Michigan beach is going to be good. When the sunlight breaks through the clouds the view goes from good to great. F22 at 1/50, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 65mm

The vast majority of people who visit the Ludington State Park every year do not explore the southern area of the park, especially to the east of M116. With the rolling dunes, dense pine forests and sweeping valleys, it is one of my favorite parts of the entire park. It looked especially beautiful today after being coated in snow earlier in the morning. F4.5 at 1/1000, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

The cold weather months tend to bring spectacular sunsets with them. This evening the clouds are catching the light as the sun sets over Lake Michigan, creating rich colors and God beams. The brightest spot in the clouds looks to me like an eye. I see an entire face now in the cloud patterns. Clouds are good for the imagination. F2.8 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm