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While on an engagement shoot at the park with a wonderful couple (pictures coming soon), the three of us noticed a critter in the distance.

As we got closer, we could see that it was a hawk. Upon closer approach, I could tell by his fuzzy head full of new feathers that he was a juvenile. I believe him to be a red-tailed hawk, but am open to correction on that.

He was perched upon a squirrel on the ground.

I was kicking myself a little for not bringing along a telephoto lens. As it turned out, the little guy wasn’t very aware of danger. He didn’t mind me a bit as I got closer. And closer. And so close I could very likely have touched his feathery head.

I didn’t want to disturb him too much. And I could hear “mom” calling to him from afar. So, I just knelt low and snapped a picture of him and let him enjoy his dinner. The picture was taken with a 100mm Canon Macro lens. So, yes, I was extremely close to him.

My last wedding for the season took place on a perfect autumn day. It was spent with the beautiful Tara.

She had her something blue…

…fall colored flowers…

…and a handsome groom waiting to see her.

The ceremony took place in St. Joseph near Silver Beach – outside – overlooking the water.

When we first met, Tara and Ryan asked if I could give their pictures a vintage look. So…

We wandered around taking in the scenery and the beautiful fall weather and enjoying the perfect day to marry someone you love.

We stopped at the train station near the tracks.

We stopped for a cool beverage

then headed down to the beach.

We did a lot of walking.

The friends and family in the wedding party were very supportive and fun.

We went to the carousel…

…then the fountain.

We headed off for a night of fun at the Heritage Center where there was a rocking mariachi band waiting to serenade Tara and Ryan.

Tara and Ryan, you are truly a wonderful couple! I had so much fun with both of you and your amazing families and friends. Please find the rest of your online album here. I hope you had a wonderful honeymoon and many amazing days to come!

I love color. On a particular August day which started out gloomy and rainy, a splash of yellow was just the touch.

It was the wedding day of Katie

and Paul.

They were married in a beautiful wedding ceremony at the First United Methodist Church in South Haven.

During the ceremony, the rain cleared up. The sun came out. The day became beautiful.

After the ceremony, we headed to South Beach for some pictures.

Katie was gorgeous.

Katie and Paul together…

The rings…

The wedding party was stunning in yellows and grays.

Katie and Paul were very willing to have some fun!

Katie and Paul, you have style! I loved working with you and your friends and family. Please view the rest of your online album here. Thank you for having me be a part of your special day.

Thanks to the recommendation of a wonderful friend, I took my boys to one of those off-the-beaten-path type of places that promise to be an adventure. This particular excursion was to the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary.

Upon first glance, I wasn’t sure what to quite expect. But, in retrospect, what we found were some people who are filled with passion. For those who do not know me, I am a very passionate person myself. Everything I dream and do, I do with conviction and heart. To me, these people are exactly that — about alligators and preserving the ones who have had a rough go of it.

At the start of the adventure, we met some interesting creatures.

There were lizards,

and turtles.

Some of them looked almost Jurassic.

We got to hold young alligators and learn about their biology.

There was a greenhouse filled with tropical plants. There, we searched for frogs hiding in the vegetation.

Then it was off to watch the big guys (and gals).

The alligators almost seemed excited to see us. I’m sure they knew we had gator food.

They are fed a special diet formulated just for alligators. Guests get to feed them which gets pretty exciting. They growl and snap their teeth.

On the way out, we got to meet this charming young man. He’s only 17 years old — just a baby for a tortoise. He wandered around looking for dandelions and shade.

If you visit the alligator sanctuary, don’t expect to find a pristine complex free of dirt with manicured lawns. Do expect to find a couple of people who love what they do and spend their time caring for the many animals living with them and expect to find an abundance of alligators that seem to smile.

I was outside the other day photographing the many spring flowers that are popping up because I’m so excited about all of the delicious plant choices the previous owners have made around our new property.

The landscape does need many additions to become what I envision it will someday be, but the previous owners did right with their tree and shrub choices. It seems everything here flowers. I will most likely be posting some of the flowering jewels at a later time.

Meanwhile, when I was out documenting the many plants we have popping up, I saw this little guy hanging about cleaning his antennae. I didn’t think he’d mind if I posted his picture tonight before heading off to bed.

We had unseasonably high temperatures on Saturday. The day was filled with sunlight and warmth. This was all the more impressionable on me since we had just finished off a chilly, cloudy week closely following behind a winter filled with snow.

As I came up the basement stairs, this is what I saw:

Golden light was everywhere and my boy and his beloved dog were bathing in the glorious early evening glow. Just another casual moment to remind me that spring is here and the warmth of summer is quickly approaching and moments like these are everywhere, but pass by so very fast.

It was a gift wrapped in gold.

It’s that time of year when love is in the air. Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and people are preparing to share their feelings with their friends and loved ones. Every year, I break out some red clothes and cheesy red props and make my kids pose with them for Valentine’s Day cards.

This year, my boys were not exactly thrilled.

Thankfully, after a few minutes they were bribed, coerced and convinced to smile and pretend they were enjoying themselves.

This one is my favorite from the session.

Accessories are an important part of any outfit. When dressing up, a nice necklace or pair of earrings – simply stated – or extravagantly outrageous – each make a statement. Sometimes wearing no accessories at all can say a lot about one’s mood.

So, imagine my excitement when a friend tipped me off to the fact that I could work in hazardous conditions while still enjoying some classic feminine appeal. Who knew they made respirators in PINK.

Yes, folks. I am now the proud owner of a pink respirator. I would have also provided photos of myself actually working while donning said pink respirator, but the dust in the work zone was so fine and plentiful that I was concerned my camera would become damaged if I pulled it out.

So, I’ll leave you with this shot of myself giving my best model pose while wearing large pink head-gear.

At the risk of sounding a lot like an acceptance speech at a major awards ceremony, I realize I have much to be thankful for. I don’t think about how lucky I am or how much in my life is wonderful only on Thanksgiving. I think about these things constantly. But, since today is turkey day and all… I decided to make mention of them.

Because I don’t want to bore everyone with the sheer length of all of the things I am thankful for, I’ve decided to group them into categories.

1. First and foremost: Love. I have a lot of it in my life right now. I am surrounded by it. For that, I am eternally thankful. I feel love in every cell of my body and it puts purpose in my life and song in my steps.

2. Family. The people who did not elect to be connected to me but are–well, they are pretty awesome people in my opinion.

3. Friends. These people truly deserve an award because no matter what nutty behavior I exhibit or what hair-brained ideas I come up with, they support me and keep coming back for more–by choice. Thanks guys. I’ve got your back if needed.

4. Assorted necessities. I am thankful that I live in a place where I have clean air to breathe and water to drink and plentiful wonderful food to eat and the ability to make choices of my own and to believe what I want to without fear. And, I am thankful to all of the people who make this happen.

5. Comfort. I am grateful that I am able to curl up on a warm couch with a soft blanket in cozy clothes with fuzzy socks to read a book.

6. Health. Every day, I think about how lucky I am that I can run, swing, dance and laugh.

Oh, there is so much more–everything from the sunshine above to the dirt below the grass and the worms that live there. But, I don’t want to bore you any more than I already have.

So, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thanks for reading because I am thankful you did.

On a beautiful autumn day, a wedding took place in a house in the woods.

It was the day Hal and Mary Alice got married. Again.

It all started when they were in school. They fell in love. They got married and had children. After some time, they went their separate ways. But to the delight of many, they realized they belonged together after all.

Images of the past are very much a part of their present.

Now, they are together again.

Their ceremony was lovely. It was held in a the home built by their son and daughter-in-law.

Their daughter was their maid of honor and their son, the best man. They were surrounded by family.

Grandchildren were happy to participate in the festivities.

After the ceremony, the happy newlyweds headed over to La Cantina for a very elegant private reception. I learned that was the place of their first date during their second courtship.

Congratulations Hal and Mary Alice. I hope you enjoy the thrill of being together all over again.

View the rest of Hal and Mary Alice’s slideshow here.