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Traveling Old Mission Peninsula north of Traverse City when thousands of cherry trees are in bloom is one of those Michigan experiences that are unforgettable. This spot on M37 is one of many Old Mission locations where motorists can see orchards, rolling hills, and Grand Traverse Bay all at once. For landscape photography lovers like me these scenes provide the opportunity to make "grand scenic" pictures that feature a strong foreground, middleground, and background. F11 at 1/250, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 130mm

Bucks at Hydro Electric Plant

My neighbor down the street, TJ Christiansen, has built a 16-foot giraffe out of four sheets of steel. It is shocking how realistic the magnificent piece of artwork is. He has nicknamed the giraffe Geoffrey. F16.0 at 1/60, ISO 500, 18-50 mm lens at 40 mm

Sitting in the middle of a Michigan field on a breezy summer day, I feel like I am watching a motion picture as the grasses and wildflowers sway in the breeze. Lowering my vantage point places me in the grass and makes the viewer of my images feel immersed in the grass with me.

A sudden snow squall on an April day diminishes the light falling on Old Mission Lighthouse but gives the scene a painterly feel. Using a telephoto lens and focusing on shoreline grasses instead of the lighthouse beyond gives the historic structure even more of an impressionistic feeling. F7.1 at 1/500, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Ludington North Pier

Butterfly Heaven

Butterfly and wildflowers at cabin

Field of Canada Golden Rod

When I look upon the heron rookery that Don and Mary Klemm told me I could find along US 10 west of Clare, all I can think is how eerily beautiful the scene looks. This great blue heron stood out among the many herons we watched. F4.0 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Brad and I both got to witness and photograph the second "Blood Moon" of the year. The earth has eclipsed the full moon on this October morning, blocking direct sunlight. The scattering of the sunlight is causing the red color. I like learning the science behind the "Blood Moon" but it is the resulting art I love.

The underside of an old fishing vessel is a great place to explore with a camera. The colors and patterns can be mesmerizing. F22.0 at 1/10, ISO 500, 18-50 mm lens at 27 mm

Orvis fishing guide Frank Willetts looks on as customers fly fish for trout on the Pere Marquette River, one of many world-class trout streams in Michigan. Customers come from across the country to fish the Pere Marquette. Willetts co-owns the Pere Marquette River Lodge in Baldwin.

When I was born someone gave me a little white stuffed lamb that I later named Lambo. It was always my favorite. The bright white lamb at Shoup's farm that I photographed today for Week 15 of the Tuesdays Project brings an extra big smile to my face. F2.8 at 1/800, ISO 400, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

Snakes startle me sometimes but I appreciate their beauty. My brother Budde discovered this garter snake while we were mushroom hunting near our Pere Marquette River cabin with my nephew Ryan and his girlfriend Erica. F3.2 at 1/500, ISO 200, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

Driving through the Michigan countryside on summer days is a good way to enjoy a mobile flower show. This tiger lily caught my eye as I was meandering down West Michigan country roads picture-hunting. You never know what is going to be around the next curve.

After chasing the rooster that had gotten loose all around the yard at Shoup's farm, I set my focus on this beautiful hen. I loved the contrast between her gorgeous black and white feathers and her bright red face. By getting my 200mm telephoto macro lens right up against the fence of the chicken coop and setting my aperture to F2.8, I was able to make the fence in the foreground totally disappear and the shallow depth of field made the fence in the background very soft and not nearly as distracting. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 100, 70-200mm lens at 200mm

Off the Charts

Color Coordinated

Eric Riggs bought this brown duck when it was only a few weeks old and released it into the wetlands near his home. The duck is technically a wild critter now, but he is very friendly and curious. Julia, Ethan, and I got a kick out of his honking abilities as well. F5.6 at 1/400, ISO 1000, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm