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With its snowplow leading the way, a freight train barrels eastward through the countryside between Ludington and Scottville. Soon the plow will be needed to keep the Marquette Rail line clear. F22.0 at 0.25, ISO 400, 12-24 mm lens at 19 mm

In most cases, I use ambient light to create my photographs but sometimes I have to use my external flash. My goal when using a flash in nature photography is to capture the image so it is not obvious to the viewer that a flash was used in the process. I had to use my flash because the wind was moving these flowers a tiny bit. The closer you are to a subject the more any movement will show up. Also, I had to set my lens to F22 so that I could get both flowers sharp. I set my focus manually one third of the way into the scene. Macro photography requires much more technical skill than most other kinds of outdoor photography. F22 at 1/30, ISO 3200, 105mm lens at 105mm

For several years this pine tree near the corner of Tinkham Avenue and James Street in Ludington has been lit up for the Holiday Season. This year it has blue lights with a giant white star and it is stunning. A long exposure on a tripod turned the entire scene blue. F8.0 at 20.0, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 23 mm

These tiny cardinal flowers stuck out like a sore thumb in the dimly lit woods at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park. I have only seen flowers like this a few times in my life. I was so glad that my friend Jennifer had her 105mm macro lens with her because I had left mine in the truck. F3.3 at 1/15, ISO 100, 105mm lens at 105mm

The warm glow of the holiday season radiates from Andy and Rosie Sloan's Lakeshore Drive home. The holiday spirit exhibited through lighting displays at so many area homes this year definitely brightens my days when daylight turns to darkness so early. F11.0 at 30.0, ISO 100, 24-70 mm lens at 46 mm

Looking a lot like small wild sunflowers, Jerusalem artichoke has found a happy home at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, Michigan. The colorful flowers, sometimes called sun root, bloom late in the summer. I find a view with dark woods behind that I know will become a simple, black background when I expose properly for the flowers. F20 at 0.8, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

It is that time of year again when Mother Nature makes fudge ripple ice cream along the shoreline of Lake Michigan. At least that is what I always thought it looked like as a kid. Now I need to go to House of Flavors and get some of that yummy ice cream! F11.0 at 0.8, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 38 mm

This creek outlet at Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon is a gorgeous spot to savor a Lake Michigan sunset or just have some late summer fun. The park features three miles of pristine beaches on Lake Michigan. F7.1 at 1/500, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 36mm

Santa passes by the Todd and Brad Reed Photo Gallery upon arriving in Ludington for the annual Holiday Parade. Ron Soberalski's team of horses, decked out with harness bells, pulls Santa down Ludington Avenue. F4.0 at 1/125, ISO 125, 12-24 mm lens at 12 mm

The sunset tonight at the Little Black Creek Outlet at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, Michigan was a great way to end Week 36 of the Tuesdays Project. I waded into the water to get in front of the c-shaped sand bar. This also helped put the reflection of the clouds in just the right spot. F22 at 0.5, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

Downtown Ludington was abuzz tonight during the Holiday Parade on Ludington Avenue. This was my daughter Julia's favorite float because she loves "real" princesses, not just "cartoon" ones. Rachel Bogner was the 2010 Scottville Harvest Festival Queen and tonight she was dressed for the season. F2.8 at 1/50, ISO 800, 70-200 mm lens at 200 mm

Driving rural roads west of Free Soil, Michigan in a frantic search for a country sunrise scene to photograph, Brad and I encounter this lone bull only a few yards from the edge of the roadway. The scene is a showstopper for me. I pile out of the truck, lie down in the grass and make a silhouette portrait before he loses patience with me. F4.5 at 1/250, ISO 100, 24-70mm lens at 70mm

Adverse weather doesn't deter Norm Dwyer from fishing for steelhead on the Pere Marquette River. Norm is used to dealing with adversity; he fought fires for nearly 30 years as a Pere Marquette Township fireman. F2.8 at 1/200, ISO 800, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

It is the 11th anniversary of the September 11 attacks today and I want to make an image that pays homage to all the Americans who have lost their lives and sacrificed during and since that tragic day. A strong breeze lifts a half-staff American flag sky-high at the Veterans Memorial in Ludington. I get beneath the flag and look upward, waiting for another gust to lift the flag high again. I see the resulting image as a symbol of how undaunted Americans are by those who try to attack our great nation, our citizens, our service members, and our way of life. F4.5 at 1/800, ISO 200, 24-70mm lens at 29mm

Lake Michigan and the Sable River outlet at Ludington State Park were eerily calm this afternoon. With the water being so still, it was reflecting the blue and turquoise colors from the storm clouds above. F6.3 at 1/40, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 22 mm

Although Nordhouse Lake has dried up and is covered with grasses and flowers this summer, I still find the view from this high spot along the south shore of the wilderness lake to be splendid. Best of all, Brad and I find this shady natural overlook to be the perfect spot to rest while savoring the view. We pause for a while to watch and listen to sandhill cranes on the far side of the lake bed. F18 at 1/60, ISO 200, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

The Manistee National Forest has been transformed overnight into a winter wonderland. After driving to the Walhalla area, I discover these snow-coated red pines on a two-track road east of Weldon Creek. F22.0 at 0.4, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 80 mm

The moss-lined Ridge Trail in the Nordhouse Dunes Federal Wilderness beckons me forward to see what is around the next bend and over the next hill. This is one of the most pristine trails in the only federal wilderness area in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. F16 at 1 second, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 80mm

While many of the trees further upstream along the Pere Marquette River had already begun turning color, this green giant and another nearby still wore their summer colors. I liked the way they stood out on this late September Michigan morning.

Tom and Yvonne Beatty have one of the most beautiful barns in all of Mason County. Trillium Creek Gardens is the name of their magnificent red barn located on Conrad Road between Ludington and Scottville. We have photographed the barn several times and today I went for a closer look. F11.0 at 1/6, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm