Summer

Golden Harbor View

Commercial fishing nets dry in the sun on a warm summer day in Fish Town at Leland, Michigan. I love that commercial fishing on Lake Michigan at Leland continues in much the same manner as a century and more ago. I used to love to photograph similar fishing nets at Ludington. Now I travel to Leland to be able to see and photograph a sight like this. F22 at 1/60, ISO 320, 14-24mm lens at 14mm

My sister-in-law, Misty Reed, was born and raised in Pentwater, Michigan. The house she grew up in is just a block away from the beach and it is a family tradition to walk down and watch the 4th of July fireworks. Tonight, I was fortunate enough to join her and her family for some beautiful fireworks.

Big Sable Hot Spot

After shooting the sunset in Epworth tonight, I walked back to my truck, which was parked at the First Curve in Ludington State Park. The sunset was average at best, but the afterglow proved to be the real treasure. As I was making this image, I knew this was where I belonged. I believe everything happens for a reason and God put me into position to capture this image. Maybe someday I will know why, but for now I am enjoying the journey.

Tall Ship and Ludington Light Vertical

August 28 2014 Isle Royal

Looking downstream from the Leland River dam, it is easy to imagine what this fishing village looked like a century ago. The citizens of Leland have gone to great lengths to preserve the historic look of this still active commercial fishing port.

The Ludington lighthouse draws my eye whenever I am near it. So many times, it offers a spectacular picture but, too often, not quite splendid enough to trip the shutter. One foggy summer morning there was no doubt I should shoot.

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed

One of the greatest visual spectacles of the year along the Lake Michigan shoreline is the Fourth of July fireworks displays held in port communities. For this one in Ludington I planted my tripod in Lake Michigan so that my camera would be immersed in the fireworks reflections.

I have photographed this tree on Kinney Road just east of Old US31 several times. Today, the clouds, fog, and radiant sunlight are all working together to make this scene look extraordinary. Photography is wonderful therapy and is good for my soul.

Kayakers enjoy the Michigan outdoors on West Bay in Traverse City while sailboats stay at their moorings until their crews have the time to get them back underway. Even an occasional voyage on Michigan waters tends to restore my soul. I am sure others feel reborn too when they set sail.

Carferry Badger leaving home Sailing off across Lake Moichigan

Workshop at Ludington State Park

Carferry Badger Last Sailing

Tonight there were more boats salmon fishing near the Ludington harbor than I have ever seen, and several of them were busy catching fish. I wanted to be out there fishing with my older brother, but he wasn't able to make it home this year. Maybe next year! F2.8 at 1/60, ISO 1000, 70-200 mm lens at 160 mm

Tuesdays With Todd and Brad Reed Full Frame

The scenic Lakeshore Drive bridge, over the water intake area of the huge Ludington Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant, can provide surreal and vast night views. It can be as spectacular as a space scene from a "Star Trek" movie. On this August night, the visual impact of earthly lights and celestial lights over Lake Michigan stunned me as I rushed to find the best vantage point to capture this visual encounter.