My first time out (really) shooting in about six months! We had a really good cold front that came through the state today that brought on some 60+ mph wind gusts. Ludington is one of two lighthouses that I can drive to and shoot right from the car and be next to the two kids, so I had some fun late this afternoon.



The pierhead light is 57 feet tall, so you can see the 100+ foots of spray I was able to capture. What a trip!!

I also lucked out with some crespecular rays coming through the clouds about 1/2 hour before sunset. This was shot at ISO 800.



A couple more images can be seen at my online folder here:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=542664

Enjoy!

Jen, it's good to see you posting photos again. Those are great photos. I especially like the panoramic.

WOW

those pictures are fantastic!!!

These are wonderful, Jen! I love them both. Good to see you posting again - and involving the children.

Multi-tasking at it's best!

Judy

Great pictures Jen! Must have been a magnificent sight to see those waves crashing in. My wife loves to go to Beavertail or Newport to see the waves. Never saw them when there was 100+ spray attached though.

Thanks for sharing.

Good you are out 'working' again, Jen. Just beautiful! That second one has me thinking about a new image for the "Collector Forums" banner.

Jen,

Your pictures are more than fanastic. It's great to see you back.

bobo

Awesome pictures.

Giving Jean Guichard some real competition!! You go girl!!

Sandy

Thanks, everyone. You guys flatter me to no end...

Bert, I hadn't seen Lake Michigan that churned up in awhile. It all has to do with the direction of the wind. Ludington is a harder lighthouse to make an impression on with the waves because it's almost twice the height of the lower Lake Michigan lights - St. Joseph, South Haven, and Grand Haven (outer structures) are all 35 foot towers, and when you get large waves, they look bigger because the tower height is shorter. Plus, the pier in Ludington comes out on a southwesterly angle, whereas most of the piers on Lake Michigan come straight out from the shoreline in an east-west orientation.

John, let me know if you want to switch the banner and I can email you (or Dave) the presized files.

I wish I had had this scene behind the lighthouse - a few too many clouds, but I had to turn the camera a bit southwest to capture the channel marker and the sun rays...

love them How old are your kids?

Very nice Jen!

We have all missed your postings of beautiful photography work. It's nice to see you out and about again.

Fran, I have a three month old little boy and a four year old girl. Here is a recent shot of them I took about three weeks ago...

Adorable. When my kids where that small the biggest thrill was to get some shut eye. Today it would be to get some of the shots you just got.

Magnificent shots, Jen! Commendable that you have time since you have two tiny babies. They are beautiful. John, that would be a great banner shot.

Jen,

Your last lighthouse shot was almost like the Good Lord was watching down upon you. Thank you so much for the contibution.

bobo

Jen,

Your children are precious! Looks like Mary enjoys being "the big sister"!

Last evening we were at the Petoskey Pier area, (along with many from town), and the waves were crashing the breakwall, and light, and the skies were frightening. The wind gusts were 50+ mph. Beautiful sights, but very dangerous!

And NO camera!!!

That is a mite windy! Probably could have had some great shots if you weren't knocked down by the wind first. That kind of weather is wonderful to observe but is definitely dangerous.

Those pictures are great! Nice to see your kids Jen!