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My dad and I try to dress for success when we are photographing in the winter. On this day I had all my gear except my fleece hood. Right before I made this photograph, a large clump of snow fell on my head and went down my back. It reminded me of the snowball fights I had with my brothers when I was a kid.

Big Point Sable Lighthouse has stood the test of time. The date above the exterior door tells the story of her age. The tower itself looks remarkably preserved during the 140th birthday celebration held on Oct. 27, 2007 by its caretakers

After photographing two other details of the carferry Spartan, I know I have found my picture of the day. Nature's work and man's work have combined to make what I find to be a very interesting sculpture. I don't think I will find the ice building up on the Spartan's bow and anchor chain to look more perfect again this winter. F16.0 at 0.4, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 120 mm

This little masked bandit stole a granola bar out of the open camera bag I left unattended on the ground about 10 feet from me. When I heard a crunching noise, I turned around to find him with his mouth filled with my granola bar. He quickly made his way up into a nearby tree to escape the hustle and bustle of the small campground in downtown Bear Lake, Michigan. As I switched lenses and got into position, the setting sun broke through the thick cloud layer and lit the thief's guilty face.

I don't have time to see the detail as I swing my camera, trying to follow and shoot this picture of a seagull. But I know that if I can fill most of the viewfinder with the bird and get enough exposure, there will be plenty of detail to see in the finished photograph. I choose to convert the image to black and white to focus on the patterns of the feathers without being distracted by color.

On a calm night on Lake Michigan with very little wind, it requires an experienced sailor to find the wind and keep a steady course. One of our local sailboats, Freedom, is up for the challenge most nights all summer long, no matter the weather conditions. F5.6 at 1/100, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

I love to catch those real moments when people are reacting to something around them. As a family emerged in their little boat from under the Bass Lake Channel Bridge, they were captivated by something they saw along the shore. For me, that moment reflects the essence of what is so great about family adventures in the Michigan outdoors. F6.3 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 92mm

Sunset at Stearns Beach on a Thursday

365 Week 11

Fall Leaves on Conrad Road

Badger Mirage

Upper Tahquamenon Falls

Hamlin Lake Workshop and Northern Lights Panoramic

A male mallard came in hot for a landing on the Sauble River at the Ludington State Park this morning. With a 1/500 of a second shutter speed, I was able to pan with the bird and make a sharp image. In the low light, I had to “rob” the ISO bank up to 12,800.

Like a giant teapot in a tempest, the Ludington North Breakwater Lighthouse is almost completely engulfed in a roiling sea at the height of a November 1, 2020, storm. I observed this storm for more than three hours, photographing during times of peak waves and peak light. The light in particular changed dramatically. This was one of the rare moments when the waves were the brightest and the storm clouds the darkest. I watch and wait a lot, yet try to remain always ready to trip the shutter.

Fall Leaves on Conrad Road

Fall Leaves near a barn on Conrad Road

Fall on Conrad Road

I made this picture on the Island Trails in the Ludington State Park. The bright blue areas of the photograph are Hamlin Lake. My father-in-law, Don Verduin, and I spent a great deal of time trying to find the perfect wild iris to photograph. Don actually found this flower first and was kind enough to let me in on his treasure.

While standing on the frozen shores of Lake Michigan at the First Curve beach inside Ludington State Park, I am amazed to see how much ice has frozen to the old jetties. I keep thinking to myself that the jetties now look like two polar bears side by side. F9.0 at 1/5, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm