Michigan

King Of St. Joe

I absolutely loved the colors of the sunset glow at the St. Joseph Lighthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan all dressed up in its beautiful icy coat.

Fall Squall

I loved the erratic weather we during the fall of 2018l because it created some fantastic scenes. The sun was on my right, ducking in and out of clouds and a large snow squall developed over Lake Superior. I loved the contrast of the beautiful peak fall colors with the blue water of Lake Superior and the brightness of the snow falling from the clouds.

Evening Calm

The beautiful White Shoal Lighthouse during the softness of the evening light on one of the calmest Lake Michigan nights.

Afterglow

This was one of the best sunset afterglows I have seen and what better place to experience it than at the frozen St. Joseph Lighthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan. It didn't matter which way you looked, the colors were everywhere.

Soybean Serenity

I knew the sunset was going to be very colorful so I quickly jumped in the car and started driving around to find something of interest, not wanting to waste this beautiful sunset. I knew there were sunflower fields around but couldn't find them in time. I passed this soybean field that was perfect for a great wide angle shot and just had to turn around and shoot it. I am thankful I did. This photograph encapsulates the beauty of the Midwest.

One Tree Hill

Beautiful sunflower field near Traverse City, Michigan, August 2016

Backlit Beauty

Beautiful peak fall colors along the Mosquito - Chapel Rock trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising, Michigan

Ice Storm Road

Rural road south of Williamston, Michigan during an ice storm

Michigan's Happy Little Trees

While driving around on the back roads in the Western Upper Peninsula of Michigan I came upon this view. I immediately thought "Sorry, Rob Ross! Nature has you beat on this one." It was like someone had painted this beautiful scene. I loved the pop of fall colors, mixed with the nice contrast of snow.

Cozy Cove

The sunset was looking favorable so I headed to a place I had never been before; Presque Isle Park in Marquette, Michigan. I went a few hours before sunset to see what the park had to offer. I was very impressed with the park, it had woods, cliffs, little coves and rocky shores. A perfect place for enjoying an afternoon/evening. I found this little cove that was ideal for the sunset and just waited. It was so nice to just sit there and watch the waves crash on the rocks. As the sun started to set it took on many different colors. It was a "wow" of a sunset, one of those not so common ones, one that you walk away with a large smile.

First Light

Sunrises like these almost make me rethink not being a morning person, well, almost. I arrived in the dark to make sure I would be there for the first light. I snapped this shot just as the sun was starting to come up. The sun was being muted by some thin clouds near the horizon but I loved the way the muted light hit the rocks in the foreground. It really shows to the mood of the morning with the waves crashing on the unique rocks.

Out of Nowhere

After a longer walk than originally thought along the beach (from Ludington State Park) we were rewarded seemingly out of nowhere with the view of the Big Sable Point Lighthouse.

Boat House Haven II

One of my favorite places in Copper Harbor, Michigan to visit is a place called Bare Bluff. After hiking straight up you get to the top and get to see a view that seems to goes on forever. Although it is easy to take a shot of the wide expansive view. I choose to zoom in on the interesting bays along the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula. I called this photograph "Boat House Haven" because in the last bay you can see a boat house that has quite the location and view.

De Zwaan Windmill

De Zwaan Windmill at the 2016 Tulip Time Festival in Holland, MI

Michigan's Hidden Gem

This beautiful Michigan hidden gem is seen from a side path off of the North Country Trail in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Upper Peninsula, Michigan. If you step three more feet it drops almost 200 feet!

Mighty Blue

As many of you know I like to photograph the Mackinac Bridge and after I heard about the blue ice at the bridge I was curious. Was it really that blue? Was it as big as everyone was saying it was. How big of a deal was it really? Well the curiosity got to me and I had to check it out. I will have to say YES the ice is that blue and WOW it is something you must see in person. While looking at massive ice chunks that in some places were 24 inches thick you can't help but think how much force it would have taken to move this much ice. While I answered a lot of my questions while there. Yes, it's that blue, yes it is massive, and yes it’s a big deal (as it doesn’t happen too often). I actually left with more questions. How long did it take to pile up, was it overnight or over a few days? What did it sound like? It had to have been so loud. How long will it stay? Will the ice come up any further?

Beach Bliss

Michigan has so many fantastic beaches but one of my favorites is Chapel beach in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. This beach has great sand, stones perfect for skipping, cliff edges, a beach waterfall that you can walk through and just when you think that's enough it has a very cool rock formation that has a beautiful tree on it whos roots traverse air to get to the shore to survive. It is a pretty special place. Oh and you can only get there via boat or a long hike.

Winter Pines

I love hiking the local parks near me. They may not have grand vistas but it's what you make of it that’s special. I couldn't help but stop and snap this shot. As I stood there the snow piled up on my head, it was a winter wonderland.

Chapel Lake

My family and I hiked the Chapel Loop trail in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan) last fall and loved it! Not only was the Lake Superior part of the hike beautiful but the hike back to the parking lot overlooking Chapel Lake was great and something I wasn't expecting.

Local Views

I am always looking for local roads and hikes to find great fall color each fall. I was able to find this beautiful road in my local area and couldn't be more happy to find this in my neighborhood.

Peaceful Morning

Peaceful autumn morning on Lake Powell in the Hiawatha National Forest, south of Munising, Michigan.