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Getting out of the car for a "twice-as-close" view of Michigan's summer roadside flowers proves to be very rewarding this morning. I never cease to be amazed by the beauty I find when I actually go to the trouble of getting out of the car for a closer look. For outdoor photographers, getting out of the car is as important as getting off the couch. F6.3 at 1/640, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

Several tom turkeys passed in front of my truck as I turned the corner from Conrad Road onto Meyers Road this morning. I threw on a larger lens and ran after the birds. The fall leaves on the ground add to the composition. F2.8 at 1/320, ISO 500, 70-200 mm lens at 120 mm

Knowing that Michigan's apple crop was nearly wiped out by frost this year, I am delighted to see these healthy looking apples growing in a Mason County orchard. I hope the grower is able to get a handsome price for the relatively few apples that survived the premature arrival of spring weather this year. F5.6 at 1/800, ISO 400, 300mm lens at 300mm

October is the time for drama on the Lake Michigan shoreline. This afternoon I am so glad I made the decision to head to Little Sable Point to try to catch a peak moment of light, clouds and waves at the historic lighthouse. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 19 mm

The larger the millimeters on your lens, the shallower the depth of field or focus will be. Also, the closer you are to the subject you are focusing on, the shallower the depth of field. And, of course, the larger the aperture hole in your lens, the shallower the depth of field. Today, I was very close to this Eastern Kingbird with a 600mm lens and a 1.4 extender and I shot it with a huge aperture hole at F5.6. That is why the bird looks very sharp and everything behind the bird becomes soft and out of focus. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 1600, 600mm lens at 840mm

After being seconds too late to photograph the magic light at sunrise this morning and also missing great light hitting the Ludington North Breakwater Light with a giant rainbow, I finally got my prize at Big Sable Point Lighthouse this afternoon. Lake Michigan in October is cold, but worth it for the composition I wanted. F14.0 at 1/100, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 22mm

My dad and I have photographed several bald eagles this year on different Tuesdays, but this was the first day we actually set out to specifically photograph the majestic animal at the Ludington State Park. In two short hours, we successfully photographed five different bald eagles. I never tire of seeing these massive birds populating the woods in Michigan. F5.6 at 1/6400, ISO 800, 600mm lens at 840mm

A mature bald eagle approaches touchdown in a white pine tree along the west shore of Hamlin Lake at Ludington State Park. I am so glad to see more eagles thriving in Michigan in recent years. F6.3 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 500mm

I photographed 19 of these birch trees in January at Merdel Manufacturing on Day 12 of 365. Today I zero in for a closer shot featuring just three of the line of trees in fall color. F5.6 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 112 mm

An immature bald eagle banks to make a turn toward Hamlin Lake as it descends from a fishing perch at Ludington State Park. While perhaps not as striking and noble looking as adult eagles, I find the immature eagles impressive and beautiful in their own right. F4 at 1/1250, ISO 800, 500mm lens at 500mm

A fire hose snakes down Rath Avenue, delivering water from a hydrant to a house fire. Luckily, nobody was injured, the owner's dog was rescued, and the fire was extinguished. F7.1 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

Carl Sams, the famous wildlife photographer from Milford, Michigan, took the best bald eagle photograph I have ever seen. It show an adult eagle, wings completely straight, flying directly into the camera during a blizzard. I liked the image so much that I bought my dad a 40-inch panoramic canvas of it for our cabin. I have always wanted to make an image similar to Carl's. This is as close as I have come. The eagle in this photo is only a few years old and does not have the pure white head yet. F5.6 at 1/1000, ISO 1600, 600mm lens at 840mm

The narrow bridge that carries cars over the channel from Bass Lake to Lake Michigan has a sign that says "No Fishing." There are not any signs saying "No Photographing." I am glad of that as I make this sunrise picture. F4.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

Michigan is a horse-lovers state. With more than 150,000 horses owned by Michiganders, it is no wonder that an appearance of the Budweiser Clydesdales in West Michigan is a major attraction. Today the Clydesdale East Coast Team has arrived at the Mason County Fairgrounds. Before the week is out, tens of thousands of people will have the opportunity to view Mick and the rest of the eight-horse hitch. I am excited to get this sneak peek before their public appearances in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ludington Beverage. The company has been owned and operated by my grandparents, parents and currently by my brother, Budde. F3.2 at 1/100, ISO 1600, 24-70mm lens at 24mm

A new Ford Mustang Cobra GT 500 was parked behind the gallery this morning. I couldn't resist photographing the iconic snake emblem and its reflection on the front grill of my dream car. F10.0 at 1/40, ISO 1250, 18-50 mm lens at 35 mm

Local knowledge can be very valuable. I can't help but take seriously this sign made by a resident of the area along South Lakeshore Drive. I also appreciate the eye-catching design of the homemade sign. F2.8 at 1/80, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 138 mm

The shape of the Bass Lake Outlet changes every day. It has only been one week since we last visited the outlet but it has already taken on a straighter, more direct route into Lake Michigan. F9 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Lake Michigan had an eerie glow over it tonight as I drove through Stearns Park while looking for my photo of the day. As the sun set lower on the horizon, the gold shafts of light became even more apparent. F9.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

The carferry SS Badger is the last coal fired steamship in America. As she left Ludington this morning, I photographed her from the window of a small airplane piloted by Dave Johnson of Mason County Aviation. F9 at 1/1600, ISO 800, 18-50mm lens at 44mm

Acting on a tip from my son Brad, I head for Jagger Road east of Jebavy Drive to check out one of the few remaining stands of birch trees in the area. I like what I see, especially with the fall color leaves of nearby maple trees providing the backdrop. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm