Summer

Today we had a customer who wanted to take a private lesson with us and wanted to go shooting out in the field. The weather was great so we decided to take Billy York to Ludington State Park to try photographing the bald eagles. We succeeded on our first attempt. We had a blast and it was a great way to spend an afternoon. F5.6 at 1/320, ISO 100, 600 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 850 mm

The beach near my Crosswinds home in Ludington often provides me a quiet, peaceful retreat from the often fast pace of life. Tonight I will make this picture and then savor the view for another half-hour while waiting for the moon to descend toward the lighthouse. F11 at 10 seconds, ISO 400, 80-200mm lens at 105mm

The Lister family is always so gracious to Brad and me when we ask to photograph their farmland. Based upon their recommendation, I headed to Blundell Road this evening to photograph tart cherries. Wow do these cherries look great to me in the viewfinder. I could almost eat the picture! F3.2 at 1/25, ISO 200, 105 mm lens at 105 mm

Every year these birds make nests above my mom and dad’s chairs on their porch. They fly in and out preparing the nest and caring for their babies. It has become a tradition to watch them in the summertime.

After a long day shooting my portion of Week 21 of Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute, I noticed while shooting the sunset afterglow that the crescent moon was high above the Ludington lighthouse. I was tired and hungry. I could have gone home content with the several good images I had already made during my 200-plus miles of Michigan photo hunting travels that special early summer day. However, more than four decades as a photographer had long since proved to me that patience and perseverance are rewarded. I also knew the moon would not be setting at a peak shooting time the next day. I was rewarded with one of my all-time favorite moonset images and an excellent home-cooked meal afterward. Fortunately, my wife doesn’t mind eating late. Living with an outdoor photographer does not lend itself to strict dinnertime schedules.

I have always been drawn to abstract art and have been inspired to try becoming more abstract with my own photography. This photograph is of Lake Michigan at sunset. I zoomed my lens while exposing. F22.0 at 1/13, ISO 100, 70-200 mm lens at 80 mm

This photograph shows the only magic light that we spotted the entire day in the Mackinac area. A world-class shelf cloud had just passed over the bridge which was casting dark shadows and adding contrast to the scene in front of us, and the sun was still shining bright above our heads. The combination of the bright and dark made the stones and waves glow and turned the water a tropical blue-green color. The Mackinac Bridge looks even more majestic than usual while bathed in magic light. F14 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 24mm

A monarch butterfly takes off from a milkweed flower along the west shore of Pere Marquette Lake. The scene reminds me of my childhood enjoying such natural wonders in the fields that bordered our Ludington home. F3.5 at 1/500, ISO 160, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

We arrive back on terra firma at Mackinaw City just in time to photograph a cloud front passing over the Mackinac Bridge and through the Straits of Mackinac. There is nothing Brad and I enjoy more photographically than being on the bright side of a passing front. F13 at 1/100, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

Betsy and I took the kids to play on the playground at Wilson Park on upper Hamlin Lake tonight. Wilson Park is located at the very end of Jebavy Drive and is a beautiful little park and a busy boat-launching site in the summer time. I made this photograph from the dock at the boat launch. F5.6 at 1/50, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

It is so strange not rushing to get ready for the West Shore Art Fair this year. Normally this time of year we are super busy at work getting ready for the summer rush and for the art fair season. This year has helped us all slow down a bit and enjoy simple sunsets like this one.

The ferryboat ride to Mackinac Island is a good opportunity to capture some unique views of the Grand Hotel. My favorite part of this composition is the great cloud formation above the island. F10 at 1/800, ISO 400, 18-50mm lens at 50mm

A neighborhood deer grazes near our home on the Buttersville peninsula south of Ludington. Her summer coat looks splendid in the evening light. F2.8 at 1/160, ISO 200, 80-200 mm lens at 200 mm

I don’t believe I have ever made an image at Lincoln Lake. I left Ludington later than I had planned, and sunset was fading fast. I parked past the bridge on M-116 and walked quickly in between cars to capture this sunset over Lincoln Lake.

The main way to get to Mackinac Island is by ferry. The Shepler's ferry, The Hope, cruises abeam the ferry Brad and I are shooting photographs from as we travel back to Mackinaw City. In the background an Arnold Line ferry heads for Mackinac Island. The Grand Hotel stands out on the island. F4.5 at 1/500, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

I worked hard following this butterfly all over my backyard. Usually, butterflies sit longer and are easier to photograph. This one was super active in my yard and didn’t sit still for more than a few seconds at each landing spot.

Brad and I teach our photography students "clouds are your friends." These are some mighty friendly clouds today. They make an ideal backdrop for Round Island Light, which has helped guide vessels through the Straits of Mackinac since 1895. F4.5 at 1/640, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 112mm

Looking through the viewfinder of my camera tonight with my 300 mm telephoto lens, I can't believe my eyes. It appears as if the sun is melting into Lake Michigan. The color of the sky this year seems to be more intense than previous years. I wonder if it has to do with the volcano eruption in Iceland earlier in the year. F22.0 at 1/30, ISO 100, 300 mm lens with 1.4 extender at 450 mm

It is that time of year when all the hay fields are being baled. I love the smell of fresh cut hay! This field in Custer was picture-worthy tonight!

I am thinking I am in the Land of Lilacs as I hike across Mackinac Island en route to makes some images of the Grand Hotel. A horse coach from the Grand Hotel passes by as I pause to smell some lilacs and make an image that makes the flowers appear never ending. Brad and I are finding ourselves in lilac heaven today as we photograph Week 22 of "Tuesdays with Todd and Brad Reed: A Michigan Tribute." Now we know why so many people flock to the island for the annual Lilac Festival in June. F9 at 1/80, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 14mm