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I don't know if this tree fell victim to the record high water levels more than 15 years ago or was perhaps toppled by high winds like many others nearby in the Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness. What I do know is that the tree is returning to the earth in beautiful fashion as it decays. F18 at 1/60, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

The artistry of Mother Nature and the craftsmen who did such fine work on the wood trim of this stately old home complement each other today. I have returned to Scottville this morning to re-shoot this picture in better light. F22.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

This very small clump of grass was glowing and caught my eye from several yards away. I moved in close with my wide-angle macro lens and captured the rim lighting on the finger-like blades of grass. F2.8 at 1/800, ISO 100, 18-55mm lens at 35mm

This is my first year as a mentor in the STRIVE (Students Taking Renewed Interest in the Value of Education) program at Ludington High School. Drew O'Neal is my student and today all of the STRIVE students and mentors went cosmic bowling at Country Lanes Bowling Center. We had a blast. F2.8 at 1/5, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 40 mm

A dried up snail was found on what was the bottom of Nordhouse Lake. With the warm weather this year and the lack of rain, all of the water from Nordhouse Lake evaporated and disappeared. This poor snail was left high and dry. F22 at 0.3, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

Seven years ago this ice-coated railing at Pentwater pierheads was the subject of my very first digital photograph. Today I am back shooting the railing and newly formed icicles with my Fuji S5 digital camera. F22.0 at 1/8, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

I have not spent much time at the Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness that is located along Lake Michigan between Hamlin Lake and Manistee. Just recently my dad told me about a small lake he read about called Nordhouse Lake. Early this morning we headed out to photograph the lake at sunrise. When we arrived we were shocked to learn that because of the hot weather and drought this year, the lake had dried up. Instead of finding water, we found a giant field of wildflowers. F22 at 1/100, ISO 400, 18-55mm lens at 18mm

Bone chilling temperatures today made it very difficult to take this photograph. My fingers were so cold I could barely operate my camera. With a huge rush of adrenalin from seeing the incredible sunset unfolding before my eyes, I was able to push through the pain and make the needed adjustments. F5.0 at 1/6400, ISO 100, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

After sounding out their unmistakable tune on and off for 20 minutes, a pair of sandhill cranes takes off and passes right by my resting spot at the edge of Nordhouse Lake in the Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness between Manistee and Ludington. F9 at 1/1250, ISO 200, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

The front doors of St. James' Church in Pentwater have me seeing double. I feel compelled to make a tight, simple shot of the doors and Christmas wreaths that I hope causes others to see double. F8.0 at 1/6, ISO 400, 80-200 mm lens at 86 mm

With 150 feet of heavy-duty line tying my life jacket to a secure object on land, I was ready to do battle with the six-to-eight-foot Lake Michigan breakers that pounded the Ludington city beach. With my camera safely within waterproof housing, I spent 45 minutes bouncing around and chasing the waves. It was the most fun I have had in a long time. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

The boulevards on Ludington Avenue are lined with beautiful berry trees. I used my largest lens, got as close as I could, and lined up a contrasting background in order to make the red berries pop. I also used a slower shutter speed to show the movement of the snowflakes. F5.6 at 1/100, ISO 800, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

My son Brad often finds himself in Lake Michigan over his head while capturing spectacular images of waves crashing around him. He is "in it to win it" and finds the results worth any discomfort he experiences. An underwater housing protects the camera. Some days I think Brad needs to be inside a housing when he is being swallowed up by a wave. F16 at 1/1000, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

"Follow Me" is the U.S. Army Infantry's motto. "Iron Mike," a statue at the entrance to the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, Georgia, dramatically portrays an infantryman shouting, "Follow Me" as he leads the way. F4.0 at 1/50, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

I wish you could have seen the giant grin on my face as this six-foot-tall Lake Michigan roller was about to body slam me and knock me off my feet. Luckily, I was shooting with my Nikon D7000 inside a specially made underwater housing that kept my camera dry and safe. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

The Lange Family on Dewey Road in Hamlin Township really gets into the Christmas spirit every year. Julia and Ethan love to have us drive by the house at night and see all of the Christmas lights. Tonight, Julia and I made this photo and it got me into the holiday spirit. F8.0 at 2.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens with 18 mm

Some day I would love to go back to Hawaii. If I did I would certainly take some surfing lessons. For now, I will continue body surfing in Lake Michigan with my camera. F7.1 at 1/1250, ISO 400, 10-17mm lens at 10mm

Looking at a distance like toy soldiers, U.S. Army Rangers fly high overhead on a line suspended from an Army Blackhawk helicopter. The Ranger demonstration at Fort Benning, Georgia, was one of the highlights of a trip to visit one of these brave Americans. F9.0 at 1/160, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 105 mm

While giving a private photo lesson this afternoon at Ludington State Park, tall pine trees reflecting in the Sable River got my attention. I also liked how the river bottom was adding to this composition. F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 400, 14 mm lens at 14 mm

It is a good thing my son Brad does CrossFit training almost every day because fighting off breaking Lake Michigan waves while trying to make good images in Lake Michigan is strenuous work. I observe that Brad seems to thrive on his photography battles with the big lake. F22 at 1/100, ISO 800, 80-200mm lens at 165mm