Summer

While at a Westmaas family gathering today near McBain, Michigan, a friendly snake came slithering by to greet us as we were setting up the picnic tables in the front yard of the family homestead. I couldn’t wait to show Rachel. She hates snakes with a passion. I had to get her back for her Day 206 photo of the giant yellow and black spider she made a few weeks earlier.

By previsualizing what I wanted in this scene, I did not have to shoot many photographs in order to capture this image. I knew I wanted an oval-shaped wave to come in below my feet. Because of the shape of the shoreline at this spot along Lake Michigan at Oval Beach, I knew if I waited long enough, an oval shaped wave would come along. Five minutes after setting up, I had my previsualized image in the bank. F8 at 1/60, ISO 100, 18-50mm lens at 18mm

While Brad is photographing some of the reddest light we have ever seen hit the carferry Badger, I am shooting the same colorful light reflecting off the black iron base of another Ludington icon

How often do I drive by the crops in Michigan farm fields without giving much thought to what a contribution American farmers make to our great nation? I tend instead to be focused on the beauty of these crops and farmlands as I travel the highways and byways of Michigan. This farm crop was visual food for my artistic soul when I discovered it while driving along Victory Drive in rural Mason County. F22 at 1/15, ISO 100, 14-24mm lens at 24mm

We spent most of the day getting ready for fair. Before I knew it, it was almost 10 o’clock! David Benjamin brought his cactus plant out and said I could take a picture of it. I looked at it closely for a second, thought of a way to shoot it, and told him what a great idea that was!

I have witnessed the side of the 410-foot carferry Badger turning gold or pink at sunset several times, but tonight, the Badger was "painted" a fantastic neon pink color by the sunset. It was so bright that you wouldn't believe it unless you saw it with your own eyes! F7.1 at 1/250, ISO 800, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

When I see "amber waves of grain" in the American landscape, I feel blessed to live in America where we have so much farmland and an abundance of food. I appreciate Michigan farms like the Andersen farm on Andersen Road in northern Mason County. F22 at 1/30, ISO 100, 80-200mm lens at 175mm

Driving along a dirt road at Gun Lake in eastern Mason County I encounter a slower form of transportation. I stop the car and lie down on the ground to get face-to-face to better see and show the beauty of this creature before he finishes crossing the road. Since I have interrupted his journey across the road, I make certain he makes it all the way across before I drive away. F4.5 at 1/250, ISO 320, 80-200mm lens at 200mm

I have watched many storm clouds over the years. I have seen the sky change colors. Never have I ever seen a sky turn purple like tonight. I was so in awe I almost missed the photograph!

For the second night in a row, I shot my photo of the day from my dad and Debbie’s deck at Harbor Terrace Condos. Yesterday was super foggy and tonight was incredibly clear and sunny. It is amazing how quickly Michigan weather can change.

What should appear inside the window of an old house but two fawns that look far less surprised than I. I have stopped at the old dwelling while looking at flowers in the yard of the building I thought to be vacant. I am laughing out loud as I make this image of the new tenants. F5 at 1/800, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

One of my greatest pleasures in outdoor photography in Michigan is watching the world come to life throughout the spring. Two days before the end of spring a fast-growing fawn hides in grasses that have sprung to life in the Michigan outdoors. F6.3 at 1/100, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

It was another busy day between work and fair. It is difficult to make any photographs during the fair shows, because I am helping the kids and do not have time. I knew these flowers had started to bloom in the yard, and I liked the dark tones of my dining room table. I knew the two would work well together.

Betsy and I took the kids for a run tonight in the jogging stroller on our normal route through the beach and around the marinas in Ludington. When we were almost home, Julia wanted to get out and smell our neighbor's flowers. Julia informed me that these purple flowers were African Daisies. Not bad for four and a half years old! F2.8 at 1/640, ISO 400, 18-50 mm lens at 50 mm

Today was Julia’s very first day of golf practice ever. Julia has decided to try out for the Ludington High School girls golf team. She is new to the game of golf, but already loves it. As she was standing there at Lincoln Hills with her golf bag on her back and her awesome muscles showing, I couldn’t resist embarrassing her and making her pose for a cell phone shot to document this fun moment.

A newborn bison and its mother share time together in their pasture at Gleason Farms & Pheasant Preserve near Scottville, Michigan. I appreciate that bison are being raised at more Michigan farms than ever before. The massive animals present a picture of America's past. F6.3 at 1/2500, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

Newborn elk calves are guarded and watched over by their mothers at the Amber Elk Ranch between Ludington and Scottville, Michigan. The guided tours and other activities at the Conrad Road ranch have become a very popular West Michigan family attraction. F8 at 1/1600, ISO 800, 300mm lens at 300mm

My niece, Lucy, and my daughter, Kasey, spent time washing and walking their steers together in the show arena. Tomorrow is the big day! All the kids’ hard work with their beef and sheep comes down to the show.

Julia wanted to go swimming tonight at the Hamlin Lake beach inside Ludington State Park so she and I loaded into my truck and headed that way. On the way, the sunlight broke out of the clouds over Lake Michigan and I pulled off the road near the second curve on M-116 and made this photograph. F9.0 at 1/800, ISO 100, 18-50 mm lens at 18 mm

If "clouds are your friends," as Brad and I teach our photography workshop students, then this one is one of my best friends of 2010. I am enjoying my evening watching this cloud at the Ludington city beach, one of the best beaches in the world for watching sunsets and clouds. F5.6 at 1/250, ISO 100, 80-200 mm lens at 112 mm