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There is no mistaking this traffic signal, or is there? I was already in retreat before realizing this was not a skunk but rather a black squirrel with a white-tipped tail. Once I was sure it was a squirrel I found its tail a beautiful sight amidst the delicate looking flowers in a garden beside the MSU library. F3.5 at 1/500, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

The new walking paths inside Cartier Park in Ludington are great places to look for photographs. My daughter Julia pointed out these flowers to me. F2.8 at 1/500, ISO 1000, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I am sure many a Michigan State University student has been startled by this squirrel, whose white-tipped tail gives him the appearance of skunk, before getting a good look at him in the open as I finally do. F5 at 1/800, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I have been helping my dad, brother and several other veterans place more than 2,000 Americans Flags on the graves of veterans in Lakeview and Pere Marquette cemeteries today. Now I have returned to Lakeview Cemetery to make a picture that I think will honor all the veterans who have died in the service of our country. F4.0 at 1/50, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Squawking as she goes, a female mallard flies over the Red Cedar River at deck level with a male pursuer on her tail. Love is in the air today at Michigan State University. F5 at 1/800, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 135mm

A runner enjoys the warm sunset this evening along the Ludington North Breakwater. The waterfront in Ludington is a great place to exercise and enjoy nature at the same time. F2.8 at 1/2000, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

A male mallard drops down for a landing on the Red Cedar River at Michigan State University. The Red Cedar offers a myriad of natural views to MSU students. More than 40 years after graduating from MSU, I tend to slow down more and linger longer in order to drink in all the beauty that exists on one of America's most beautiful college campuses. F5 at 1/800, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

This is the perfect ending to an 80-degree-plus day. This is one more example of why people who have traveled the world are not exaggerating when they say the Ludington area is the best place in the world to experience sunsets. F3.2 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Roots reach outward and downward, expanding the feeding and support network for a beech tree on the Michigan State University campus. I find the exposed roots more fascinating than the rest of the tree, which presents for me an attractive but far more familiar appearance. My grandmother taught me at a young age to look for the beauty beneath my feet. F22 at 1/5, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

The Plaza Skate Park of Ludington is a popular hangout for teenagers and kids. Driving down Lakeshore Drive, I noticed a skateboarder who was definitely an experienced rider. I pulled in and asked Mark Grant if I could photograph him catching some air. He was up for the challenge. F6.3 at 1/400, 100 ISO, 70-200 mm lens at 70mm

Sometimes collegiate rivals like to call Michigan State University the "Cow College." MSU is that, and a whole lot more. I, for one, am especially proud of MSU's agricultural heritage and the University's ongoing contributions to improve farming and veterinary science. I also think cows, like this Holstein in an MSU pasture, are a whole lot cooler than many of MSU's critics. F6.3 at 1/400, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

The atmosphere in the sky tonight is creating an interesting golden aura around the moon. This is the second time I have seen such a distinct aura this year. I had never noticed them in past years. F4.0 at 1/10, ISO 100, 500 mm lens at 500 mm

Clouds provide drama and design elements as the setting sun appears to light one of the two lighthouses on the Grand Haven pier. I have to keep changing my camera position between shots to keep the sun lined up with the lamp house of the lighthouse. This can sometimes be an effective technique for sunset pictures of lighthouses. Tonight seems to be one of those nights. F10 at 1/320, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

This beautiful rhododendron plant on Gaylord Avenue in Ludington caught my eye as I was driving to work this morning. I loved how the bright light seemed to be focused on one small section of the giant bush. F2.8 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Tonight my dad, Rachel Gaudette, and I made photographs of the Grand Haven lighthouses and we all had the same initial reaction when we looked at the backs of our cameras. To our eyes, the sky and water did not look that orange, but all three of our cameras were seeing the real color in the sky that our eyes couldn't pick up because our eyes were normalizing the color. Galen Rowell always preached that you have to learn to see like your camera sees. Tonight was the proof of that! F8 at 1/500, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

I think Iris Road got its name because so many Iris flowers grew there before the Pere Marquette Township road was named. This morning on my way to work this particular flower looks picture-perfect from a distance. A closer look confirms my hunch. F4.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

Long after sunset, and more than 45 minutes after making my first "sunset shots" at Grand Haven pier, I am still able to make good images. In fact, this "after dark" view is my favorite. I have learned to bring a tripod and continue waiting and shooting long after my mind thinks and emotions feel it is no longer bright enough to make a strong image. Wait, wait, wait! F2.8 at 0.6, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

I stumbled upon a paper wasp nest in my neighbor's front yard tonight. For some strange reason I decided to take my macro lens and stick it extremely close to the wasps in order to make this photo. Luckily I did not get stung and the pictures turned out well! F6.3 at 1/200, ISO 1250, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

I never get tired of listening to the music Lake Michigan makes every day. Tonight, her song is quiet, rhythmic, and soothing. I must admit, I can't wait to photograph her next rock and roll concert. F22 at 15 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 27mm

My dad and I are always looking for repetitive patterns. This morning on Grand Traverse Bay, the clouds, shoreline rocks, and the calm water combined into a gorgeous arrangement of blue, black, and white patterns that had me grinning from ear to ear. F13 at 1/125, ISO100, 14mm lens at 14mm