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A Pere Marquette Rail engine switches tracks in the Ludington rail yard on a cold November evening. I always enjoy seeing the trains as you look west while driving over the viaduct on Pere Marquette Highway. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

I have driven by this barn a hundred times on US31 north of Traverse City, but never stopped to make photographs of it. With today's beautiful clouds and fall-like quality of the light, I knew it would be worth my time to stop and get my camera out. I am so glad that I took the time to make this photograph. F8 at 1/200, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 20mm

While sitting in my truck waiting for the rain and snow to subside, I noticed a puddle on M-116 near the First Curve at Ludington State Park that was reflecting the beautiful blue sky and dark storm clouds. I turned the truck off, rolled down the window, and shot this photograph. It made my day brighter. F8.0 at 1/200, ISO 400, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

Keeping on keeping on, a man and his horse and buggy made their way through a snowstorm during a long, hard 1980s Michigan winter. Fruit trees on a farm in Riverton Township of Mason County were barely visible as they traveled Schwass Road. I admired the perseverance of both the man and the horse

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas this morning. Snow coats the Christmas trees being grown along Hansen Road by Needlefast Evergreens. Like most people, I am feeling it is too early for winter or for the Christmas spirit. F8.0 at 1/5, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 130 mm

Did you know that Michigan has more horses than almost any state in the Union? These particular riders and horses were photographed on US31 on the way into Traverse City, Michigan. They are actually part of a giant iron gate at the entrance of the Walton horse ranch. Cameras do lie! F8 at 1/160, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 46mm

I was shocked to awaken to a snow covered woods this morning. I knew it would be great for photos though. Dick and Kathy Bourgault's beautiful red house looked inviting nestled in the white snow and colorful fall leaves as I drove past on my way to the gallery. F9.0 at 1/5, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

One of the most unusual looking Michigan farm animals I have ever seen poses statuesquely atop a hill as Brad and I are driving down a country road northeast of Elk Rapids, Michigan. The stout Boer goat's body looks big enough to be a calf or small pony but the long ears let us know it is indeed a goat. I can't resist making this image to share with our "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute" followers. F7.1 at 1/500, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

Shadow sits statuesquely looking out the window of our son Willie's home, hoping to catch sight of a bird. Cats are beautiful creatures that maintain their wild animal instincts no matter how tame they have become. F5.0 at 1/200, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 145 mm

The backlighting on this American flag made the stars and stripes pop with color and contrast. I think the American flag is one of the prettier national flags around the world and I enjoy making photographs of it. F10.0 at 1/125, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Today is shaping up to be a good day to see the unusual. This unexpected view greeted me at the south end of Torch Lake. I wonder if the boathouse doors were painted in place or painted and then erected. Either way, the paintings and their reflections look fascinating. F7.1 at 1/400, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 185mm

I am driving along Fountain Road when a sunlit grain storage building and barn on Dennis Road attracts my attention. I turn around to check it out. I love the patterns of the structures as well as the patterns created by the evening light and shadow. F6.3 at 1/60, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 120 mm

I have photographed these trees three times in the last few weeks, but never felt satisfied with the results. Luckily, the trees are very close to our new house on Riverview Drive so I drive by them often. Tonight the light was soft and the bark on the trees was dry, which was the combination I needed. F22.0 at 1.3, ISO 100, 300 mm lens at 300 mm

This was a very curious little female mallard duck enjoying today's sunshine on Torch Lake. She kept swimming right up to me as if she were looking for a friend to play with. I think people must feed her treats because she seemed annoyed that I didn't give her any of my protein bar. F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

At the conclusion of the Coast Guard memorial service for one of my longtime best friends and shipmates, Tom Rau, the Senior Chief's hat rests in the helmsman's chair of Coast Guard Station Manistee's 47-foot motor lifeboat. The "Boat Smart" author, in spirit, led a last search and rescue mission. F14.0 at 1/40, ISO 100, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm

As summer wanes, I get the urge to spend more and more time in the woods. Today something inside us draws Brad and me to drive to Hartwick Pines near Grayling to experience being in the largest stand of virgin white pines remaining in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Many of these trees tower more than 300 feet overhead. F22 at 0.8, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

Ami Maglothin called me today to provide a photo tip that a great blue heron was hanging out in the marina across the street from Whitehall Industries on Madison Street. I headed there right away and found the heron hard at work fishing for food. Thanks for the great tip, Ami! F5.6 at 1/2500, ISO 400, 600 mm lens at 600 mm

One of Michigan's best-kept secrets is the giant white pine forest at the Hartwick Pines State Park, located just north of Grayling, Michigan. The forest is home to Michigan's largest section of native white pine trees. Some are over 300 years old. Most of Michigan would have looked like this forest 150 years ago before most of our state was logged off. F20 at 5 seconds, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 24mm

Stars become tracks in a moonlit sky during a nearly four-minute time exposure. I love the view of the trees and sky from the deck of our cabin on the Pere Marquette River. F5.0 at 236 seconds, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 24 mm