2016 Celebrate Michigan Photo Contest finalists

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First place:  "Our Two Little Starrs," by Bethany Starr of Berkley.  A rainbow seen from their Oscoda vacation cottage "was was enough to send us all running outside," she said.  "And then the second rainbow became clearer and that was enough to make our on-the-go, awesome kiddos (son JJ, 2, and daughter Stella, 5) sit together, cuddle up, and really take in the view. It really was a magical moment that I'm glad I captured."
First place: "Our Two Little Starrs," by Bethany Starr of Berkley. A rainbow seen from their Oscoda vacation cottage "was was enough to send us all running outside," she said. "And then the second rainbow became clearer and that was enough to make our on-the-go, awesome kiddos (son JJ, 2, and daughter Stella, 5) sit together, cuddle up, and really take in the view. It really was a magical moment that I'm glad I captured."
Bethany Starr
Second place: “Where the Living Is Easy,” by Marisa Aiello of Rochester Hills. Tubers have a splash fest on Lake Orion over the Fourth of July weekend.
Second place: “Where the Living Is Easy,” by Marisa Aiello of Rochester Hills. Tubers have a splash fest on Lake Orion over the Fourth of July weekend.
Marisa Aiello
Third place:  "Fist Bump for Detrot," by John Clark of Westland. “I'm a fan of wide angle lenses,” he said, “so I used one here which allowed me to get very close to ‘The Fist’ and show many of the lines and fingernails, and of course, make the fist massive, as if you were on the receiving end of one of Joe's punches.”
Third place: "Fist Bump for Detrot," by John Clark of Westland. “I'm a fan of wide angle lenses,” he said, “so I used one here which allowed me to get very close to ‘The Fist’ and show many of the lines and fingernails, and of course, make the fist massive, as if you were on the receiving end of one of Joe's punches.”
John G. Clark
Best digitally enhanced image: "Sunset Over Detroit," by Chadd Horanburg of St. Clair Shores, who arrived on Belle Isle a little too late to capture the sunset, but he noticed the lights illuminating the Scott Fountain. "I love the Ren Cen in the background, and I loved the fountain lit up, so I wanted something to show both," he said.
Best digitally enhanced image: "Sunset Over Detroit," by Chadd Horanburg of St. Clair Shores, who arrived on Belle Isle a little too late to capture the sunset, but he noticed the lights illuminating the Scott Fountain. "I love the Ren Cen in the background, and I loved the fountain lit up, so I wanted something to show both," he said.
Chadd Horanburg
Honorable Mention: A stone pier in Elk Rapids cuts through the green waters of Traverse Bay in "Storm Rolling Away on Traverse Bay," by Rick Motyl of Troy. This was also a finalist in the digitally enhanced category.
Honorable Mention: A stone pier in Elk Rapids cuts through the green waters of Traverse Bay in "Storm Rolling Away on Traverse Bay," by Rick Motyl of Troy. This was also a finalist in the digitally enhanced category.
Rick Motyl
Honorable Mention: “Barn Swallow Feeding Its Fledglings,” by Sabrina Dao of Novi. She heard birds chirping loudly at the Robert H. Long Nature Park in Commerce Township and followed the sounds. "I spotted fledgling barn swallows anxiously waiting to be fed. It was quite a scene to watch."
Honorable Mention: “Barn Swallow Feeding Its Fledglings,” by Sabrina Dao of Novi. She heard birds chirping loudly at the Robert H. Long Nature Park in Commerce Township and followed the sounds. "I spotted fledgling barn swallows anxiously waiting to be fed. It was quite a scene to watch."
Sabrina Dao
"Which Way Do We Go?" by Regina Abraham of Livonia, is a finalist in the digitally enhanced category. "I often see these around beach towns, but this one in particular looked so authentic," she said. "Each sign looked liked it was carved by a different person, which added to its authenticity."
"Which Way Do We Go?" by Regina Abraham of Livonia, is a finalist in the digitally enhanced category. "I often see these around beach towns, but this one in particular looked so authentic," she said. "Each sign looked liked it was carved by a different person, which added to its authenticity."
Regina Abraham
Bird watcher John Xu of Novi waited more than three hours near an osprey nest at Kensington Metro Park for the money shot, which he titled "I Can't Wait." "It was a great moment to see the mother osprey flying back (to her chicks) with a fish," Xu said.
Bird watcher John Xu of Novi waited more than three hours near an osprey nest at Kensington Metro Park for the money shot, which he titled "I Can't Wait." "It was a great moment to see the mother osprey flying back (to her chicks) with a fish," Xu said.
John Xu
James Timmer of Troy had a spot in the stands on free Friday at the Detroit Gold Cup races. "The boats were amazing," he said. "Seeing a wall of water six stories high is something special." He calls this shot "Feel the Power."
James Timmer of Troy had a spot in the stands on free Friday at the Detroit Gold Cup races. "The boats were amazing," he said. "Seeing a wall of water six stories high is something special." He calls this shot "Feel the Power."
James Timmer
Darin Luehrs of Champlin, Minnesota and his son, a Michigan Tech student, visited Bond Falls in Ontonagon County just after a snowfall.  "It was gorgeous!" Luhrs said. "A scene that appeared as though it could be right off a Hallmark greeting card or placed in a snow globe.   I could not get over the contrast of the new white snow and the dark, almost black-colored water." He titled his photo "Bond, Bond Falls."
Darin Luehrs of Champlin, Minnesota and his son, a Michigan Tech student, visited Bond Falls in Ontonagon County just after a snowfall. "It was gorgeous!" Luhrs said. "A scene that appeared as though it could be right off a Hallmark greeting card or placed in a snow globe. I could not get over the contrast of the new white snow and the dark, almost black-colored water." He titled his photo "Bond, Bond Falls."
Darin Luehrs
The Grand Haven lighthouse and pier attract all kinds of activities in "Enjoying Day's End," by Paula Buermele of Adrian. "I try to capture the sense of family and friends in my photos ... and who can resist a sunset?" she said.
The Grand Haven lighthouse and pier attract all kinds of activities in "Enjoying Day's End," by Paula Buermele of Adrian. "I try to capture the sense of family and friends in my photos ... and who can resist a sunset?" she said.
Paula Buermele
"Myla had a loose tooth, but she was still determined to eat her corn on the cob that we picked up from Ginn's Farms at the Clarkston Farmers' Market!" said MylaÕs mom, Kelly Minnick of Waterford. She titles her photo "Determination."
"Myla had a loose tooth, but she was still determined to eat her corn on the cob that we picked up from Ginn's Farms at the Clarkston Farmers' Market!" said MylaÕs mom, Kelly Minnick of Waterford. She titles her photo "Determination."
Kelly Minnick
Dew and fog created a purple haze that played off of the horsehair grass in front of an old barn in  "Mystical Morning," by Gerry Buckel of Fostoria.  "I have driven back there many times," she said, "but the conditions have never been the same. And now that the property has been sold to new owners, they keep the grass mowed down so I know it will never be magical like it was that morning."
Dew and fog created a purple haze that played off of the horsehair grass in front of an old barn in "Mystical Morning," by Gerry Buckel of Fostoria. "I have driven back there many times," she said, "but the conditions have never been the same. And now that the property has been sold to new owners, they keep the grass mowed down so I know it will never be magical like it was that morning."
Gerry Buckel
People leave Holland State Park after watching the Lake Michigan sunset in "Day's End," by Brian Sokol of Brownstown.
People leave Holland State Park after watching the Lake Michigan sunset in "Day's End," by Brian Sokol of Brownstown.
Brian Sokol
"Dramatic Sunrise Unveils an Icon," by Scott Niska of Atlantic Mine, catches the first rays of light on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge in Houghton. "The sun was just starting to transition through the low band of clouds right on the horizon," he said. "I grabbed my camera, framed the bridge, and managed to capture a nice shot of this intense glow that lasted about 30 seconds before the sun broke through the band."
"Dramatic Sunrise Unveils an Icon," by Scott Niska of Atlantic Mine, catches the first rays of light on the Portage Lake Lift Bridge in Houghton. "The sun was just starting to transition through the low band of clouds right on the horizon," he said. "I grabbed my camera, framed the bridge, and managed to capture a nice shot of this intense glow that lasted about 30 seconds before the sun broke through the band."
Scott Niska
“The green heron is a migratory bird who willingly summers at the Detroit Zoo, lurking under the water lilies in the large pond,” says Mudg Poster of West Bloomfield. This one nabbed a fish with one quick strike. “Herons only eat fish head first, so I knew the green heron would have to toss the fish to turn it.” She calls this shot “Flipping Fish.”
“The green heron is a migratory bird who willingly summers at the Detroit Zoo, lurking under the water lilies in the large pond,” says Mudg Poster of West Bloomfield. This one nabbed a fish with one quick strike. “Herons only eat fish head first, so I knew the green heron would have to toss the fish to turn it.” She calls this shot “Flipping Fish.”
Madeline Poster
"Fiery Sail on Lake Michigan," by Janette Dywasuk of Holland, was taken at sunset from Holland State Park.
"Fiery Sail on Lake Michigan," by Janette Dywasuk of Holland, was taken at sunset from Holland State Park.
Janette Dywasuk
"Great Blue Heron Sunset," by Edward Byrnes of Rochester, was shot along the Sni Bora channel in Lake St. Clair's Anchor Bay. "I was hoping the heron would walk right into the sun's reflection," Byrnes said. "It was difficult to find the right exposure."
"Great Blue Heron Sunset," by Edward Byrnes of Rochester, was shot along the Sni Bora channel in Lake St. Clair's Anchor Bay. "I was hoping the heron would walk right into the sun's reflection," Byrnes said. "It was difficult to find the right exposure."
Edward Byrnes
During the lunar eclipse this spring, Gerry Beth Buckel of Fostoria got a sudden epihany: "I remembered that a few miles from my house was what was left of an old farm on a deserted road." She dashed over there and found the perfect scene.  "The view was so pretty, I almost forgot what I had come for," she said.
During the lunar eclipse this spring, Gerry Beth Buckel of Fostoria got a sudden epihany: "I remembered that a few miles from my house was what was left of an old farm on a deserted road." She dashed over there and found the perfect scene. "The view was so pretty, I almost forgot what I had come for," she said.
Gerry Beth Buckel
"It was the perfect spring day," said Evans Tasiopoulos of St. Clair Shores, whose "Belle Isle Flower Garden" shows the island's daffodils in full bloom.  "I was near Sunset Point when I came across that view and I knew that I had to capture that moment so I could always cherish that wonderful day."
"It was the perfect spring day," said Evans Tasiopoulos of St. Clair Shores, whose "Belle Isle Flower Garden" shows the island's daffodils in full bloom. "I was near Sunset Point when I came across that view and I knew that I had to capture that moment so I could always cherish that wonderful day."
Evans Tasiopoulos
Randy Maslovich of Northville was at Kensington Park, waiting for an osprey to return to its nest. "I had my macro lens and decided to look around in the brush and found this dragonfly," he said. "I approached very slowly to not scare it away and was able to get close enough for some clear shots."
Randy Maslovich of Northville was at Kensington Park, waiting for an osprey to return to its nest. "I had my macro lens and decided to look around in the brush and found this dragonfly," he said. "I approached very slowly to not scare it away and was able to get close enough for some clear shots."
Randy Maslovich
John Culp of Dearborn wanted to photograph his daughter Lindsay in the MSU band at Spartan Stadium,  but "trying to find her in a crowd of 300+ musicians, hair tucked up, all dressed alike, is challenging," he said.  During the "post-game shenanigans" he succeeded, drawing a wave from her after he yelled her name.
John Culp of Dearborn wanted to photograph his daughter Lindsay in the MSU band at Spartan Stadium, but "trying to find her in a crowd of 300+ musicians, hair tucked up, all dressed alike, is challenging," he said. During the "post-game shenanigans" he succeeded, drawing a wave from her after he yelled her name.
John Culp
"Leaning Trees," by Kelly Dopkowski of Harrison Township, was taken on the Tahquamenon River in the Upper Peninsula "during a very long (unintended) 32-mile kayak journey," she said. "A portion of the river has beautiful leaning trees on both sides and acts as the perfect frame for the photograph."
"Leaning Trees," by Kelly Dopkowski of Harrison Township, was taken on the Tahquamenon River in the Upper Peninsula "during a very long (unintended) 32-mile kayak journey," she said. "A portion of the river has beautiful leaning trees on both sides and acts as the perfect frame for the photograph."
Kelly Dopkowski
Paul Wojtkowski of Waterford was enjoying a hot summer day with friends on Elizabeth Lake.  Venci, the golden retriever, was fetching a tennis ball from the lake, seemingly oblivious to Deacon, the younger and taller poodle, who was in attack mode. "(Deacon's) long legs gave him an advantage in the shallows," Wojtowski said, "but the golden was a faster swimmer and often beat him to the ball."
Paul Wojtkowski of Waterford was enjoying a hot summer day with friends on Elizabeth Lake. Venci, the golden retriever, was fetching a tennis ball from the lake, seemingly oblivious to Deacon, the younger and taller poodle, who was in attack mode. "(Deacon's) long legs gave him an advantage in the shallows," Wojtowski said, "but the golden was a faster swimmer and often beat him to the ball."
Paul Wojtkowski
A sandhill crane flies into the sunset at Kensington Metro Park in "Fire in the Sky," by Jim Ridley of Brighton.  Ridley used continuous focus and a shutter speed of 1/1250 to blur the background and make the bird stand out.
A sandhill crane flies into the sunset at Kensington Metro Park in "Fire in the Sky," by Jim Ridley of Brighton. Ridley used continuous focus and a shutter speed of 1/1250 to blur the background and make the bird stand out.
Jim Ridley
Jason Feirick of Grand Rapids is on a quest to see as many lighthouses as possible.  Since the summer of 2015, he and his girlfriend Shelby have visited more than 50 together in Michigan.  He didn't have to drive far to shoot this sunset scene with Holland's "Big Red" lighthouse. "Holland is close to home and it's a beautiful place; never gets old visiting there!" Feirick says.
Jason Feirick of Grand Rapids is on a quest to see as many lighthouses as possible. Since the summer of 2015, he and his girlfriend Shelby have visited more than 50 together in Michigan. He didn't have to drive far to shoot this sunset scene with Holland's "Big Red" lighthouse. "Holland is close to home and it's a beautiful place; never gets old visiting there!" Feirick says.
Jason Feirick
It's all smiles and flying hair on this carnival ride at St. Mary's Polish Country Fair in Orchard Lake. Mudg Poster of West Bloomfield  titled her shot "Hold On."
It's all smiles and flying hair on this carnival ride at St. Mary's Polish Country Fair in Orchard Lake. Mudg Poster of West Bloomfield titled her shot "Hold On."
Mudg Poster
When storms forced the cancellation of Kate Larkin's planned salmon fishing trip, the Birmingham woman made the best of it by going to the beach at Ludington and watching the clouds roll in.  "As luck would have it, I caught the lightning strike," she said.  The sailboats in the distance were participants in the Chicago to Mackinac  yacht club race.
When storms forced the cancellation of Kate Larkin's planned salmon fishing trip, the Birmingham woman made the best of it by going to the beach at Ludington and watching the clouds roll in. "As luck would have it, I caught the lightning strike," she said. The sailboats in the distance were participants in the Chicago to Mackinac yacht club race.
Kate Larkin
A frequent bird photographer at Kensington Metro Park, Susan Hughes of Brighton had not been lucky enough to spot a pileated woodpecker, although she had "heard the distinctive jackhammer sound of them boring holes." One day, she hit the jackpot. "To my delight, I not only got to see an adult pileated woodpecker, but I also got to see these adorable babies waiting for dinner.   It was a dream come true!"
A frequent bird photographer at Kensington Metro Park, Susan Hughes of Brighton had not been lucky enough to spot a pileated woodpecker, although she had "heard the distinctive jackhammer sound of them boring holes." One day, she hit the jackpot. "To my delight, I not only got to see an adult pileated woodpecker, but I also got to see these adorable babies waiting for dinner. It was a dream come true!"
Susan Hughes
Helaine Kamps of White Cloud was paddling her kayak on a beautiful evening on Diamond Lake near Cassopolis. "I captured this male loon as he was luring me away from his female partner," Kamps said.  "She was protecting their nest. They had one baby, and it has been an adventure to watch this family."
Helaine Kamps of White Cloud was paddling her kayak on a beautiful evening on Diamond Lake near Cassopolis. "I captured this male loon as he was luring me away from his female partner," Kamps said. "She was protecting their nest. They had one baby, and it has been an adventure to watch this family."
Helaine Kamps
Roxanne Lake of Grand Rapids took this shot of her grandson drinking from the splashpad spray at Millennium Park in Grand Rapids.  "The joy of children and water is universal," Lake wrote.
Roxanne Lake of Grand Rapids took this shot of her grandson drinking from the splashpad spray at Millennium Park in Grand Rapids. "The joy of children and water is universal," Lake wrote.
Roxanne Lake
"I have a cottage next to Port Crescent State Park in Port Austin," says Robert Mouton of Clinton Township. "The day of this picture was on the weekend of the shootings at the Pulse in Orlando. I looked out at the sunset and saw the rainbow in the sky and on the water and thought how meaningful that was."
"I have a cottage next to Port Crescent State Park in Port Austin," says Robert Mouton of Clinton Township. "The day of this picture was on the weekend of the shootings at the Pulse in Orlando. I looked out at the sunset and saw the rainbow in the sky and on the water and thought how meaningful that was."
Robert Mouton
Young Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets practice fishing at Kensington Metro Park in "Fledglings," by Mudg Poster of West Bloomfield. "They pulled many sticks, rocks and pond greens out of the water," she said. "Every once in awhile a surprised bird caught a fish."
Young Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets practice fishing at Kensington Metro Park in "Fledglings," by Mudg Poster of West Bloomfield. "They pulled many sticks, rocks and pond greens out of the water," she said. "Every once in awhile a surprised bird caught a fish."
Mudg Poster
The family of Veronica Bareman of Holland enjoys summer weekends at their cottage near Custer, Mich., none more so than their 9-year-old Lab mix, Dolly.  “You can see in this shot just how happy Dolly is to be at the cottage and leaping into the water,” said Bareman, who titled this photo “Jolly Dolly Jumps into Pleiness Lake.”
The family of Veronica Bareman of Holland enjoys summer weekends at their cottage near Custer, Mich., none more so than their 9-year-old Lab mix, Dolly. “You can see in this shot just how happy Dolly is to be at the cottage and leaping into the water,” said Bareman, who titled this photo “Jolly Dolly Jumps into Pleiness Lake.”
Veronica Bareman
"It was a late summer afternoon on Tioga Lake when our moored sailboat and the water and the sky all came together to enable me to take this photo," said John Snyder of Dexter.  "Waiting for the Wind on Tioga Lake" evokes the feeling of an Old Masters painting with its sepia tones.
"It was a late summer afternoon on Tioga Lake when our moored sailboat and the water and the sky all came together to enable me to take this photo," said John Snyder of Dexter. "Waiting for the Wind on Tioga Lake" evokes the feeling of an Old Masters painting with its sepia tones.
John Snyder
Jim Ridley of Brighton took “Sweetness!” “I was so blessed on this early morning day to capture a picture of a mother deer loving up to her little button buck fawn. There was just enough light in this Oakland county park woods to take this photo. The deer had just walked out of a dark, tall grassy area into the light of day. It was such a lovely sight to be
Jim Ridley of Brighton took “Sweetness!” “I was so blessed on this early morning day to capture a picture of a mother deer loving up to her little button buck fawn. There was just enough light in this Oakland county park woods to take this photo. The deer had just walked out of a dark, tall grassy area into the light of day. It was such a lovely sight to be
Jim Ridley
Mike Head of Commerce Township, took “Winter is Coming? No, winter is here” on that November Saturday last year when we had a surprise snowstorm. "Because the temperature was hovering around 32 degrees, a fog layer obscured most of the lake. Even though the image is in black and white, the actual scene had nearly the same color palette."
Mike Head of Commerce Township, took “Winter is Coming? No, winter is here” on that November Saturday last year when we had a surprise snowstorm. "Because the temperature was hovering around 32 degrees, a fog layer obscured most of the lake. Even though the image is in black and white, the actual scene had nearly the same color palette."
Mike Head
Katie Paramo of Charlevoix took this photo of the Lake Charlevoix shoreline. “In this photo my sister, Abby, and our friend, Grace, were walking along the shoreline of Lake Charlevoix one evening when I snapped this photo.”
Katie Paramo of Charlevoix took this photo of the Lake Charlevoix shoreline. “In this photo my sister, Abby, and our friend, Grace, were walking along the shoreline of Lake Charlevoix one evening when I snapped this photo.”
Katie Paramo
"Fishfly City," by Edward Byrnes of Rochester, shows a June scene familiar to those who live near Lake St. Clair:  Just before sunset, the air is thick with fishflies.  This view looks south across the lake's Sni Bora Channel.
"Fishfly City," by Edward Byrnes of Rochester, shows a June scene familiar to those who live near Lake St. Clair: Just before sunset, the air is thick with fishflies. This view looks south across the lake's Sni Bora Channel.
Edward Byrnes
"I love the idea of drone photography,"  said Chadd Horanburg of St. Clair Shores,  "because it allows you to get to such unique vantage points." In "Looking Down on Downtown," his drone captured an uncommon view of downtown Detroit. "I loved the way the roads looked with the street lights on them," he said.
"I love the idea of drone photography," said Chadd Horanburg of St. Clair Shores, "because it allows you to get to such unique vantage points." In "Looking Down on Downtown," his drone captured an uncommon view of downtown Detroit. "I loved the way the roads looked with the street lights on them," he said.
Chadd Horanburg
Norm Preo of Pell Lake originally planned to shoot the sunrise with the tree from the beach at Mackinaw City, but then the heron showed up. In order to get it into the frame, he had to wade thigh-deep out into Lake Huron.  "It was cold, but worth it," he said.
Norm Preo of Pell Lake originally planned to shoot the sunrise with the tree from the beach at Mackinaw City, but then the heron showed up. In order to get it into the frame, he had to wade thigh-deep out into Lake Huron. "It was cold, but worth it," he said.
Norm Preo
Like many in Michigan, Peter Luea has a “secret fishing spot” in the U.P.  On an annual fishing trip with his brothers and father, “9.5 hours of driving and then an entire day of rain on the water led to this moment of triumph, when bass season officially opened,” he said.  “The big bass were staging on the beds at our favorite fishing spot! ”
Like many in Michigan, Peter Luea has a “secret fishing spot” in the U.P. On an annual fishing trip with his brothers and father, “9.5 hours of driving and then an entire day of rain on the water led to this moment of triumph, when bass season officially opened,” he said. “The big bass were staging on the beds at our favorite fishing spot! ”
Peter Luea
In "King of the Mountain," by Jim Ridley of Brighton, a male red-bellied woodpecker tries to scare off a northern cardinal over a stump at Kensington Metro Park.  "The cardinal refused to give up his spot," Ridley said. "He ruffled his feathers and spread his wings to look more intimidating, because he wanted the food that was in the stump."
In "King of the Mountain," by Jim Ridley of Brighton, a male red-bellied woodpecker tries to scare off a northern cardinal over a stump at Kensington Metro Park. "The cardinal refused to give up his spot," Ridley said. "He ruffled his feathers and spread his wings to look more intimidating, because he wanted the food that was in the stump."
Jim Ridley
A young man risks all to cool off in Tahquamenon Falls in "Taking a Dip," by Norm Preo of Genoa City.  "I was hiking the Tahquamenon River Trail with my wife Andra and sister-in-law Carolyn," Preo said. "It was a hot day, and we all stopped to dip our feet in the cool water.  That's when I saw this young man having fun."
A young man risks all to cool off in Tahquamenon Falls in "Taking a Dip," by Norm Preo of Genoa City. "I was hiking the Tahquamenon River Trail with my wife Andra and sister-in-law Carolyn," Preo said. "It was a hot day, and we all stopped to dip our feet in the cool water. That's when I saw this young man having fun."
Norm Preo
Kyle Phillips of Hillsdale took this remarkable photo, "Banded Baldie of Hillsdale County," with a trail camera he set up.  "It started several years ago when we noticed a dead deer out on the ice of the private lake that we live on," he said. "We were seeing lots of critters visiting the carcass, so that's how I got the idea."
Kyle Phillips of Hillsdale took this remarkable photo, "Banded Baldie of Hillsdale County," with a trail camera he set up. "It started several years ago when we noticed a dead deer out on the ice of the private lake that we live on," he said. "We were seeing lots of critters visiting the carcass, so that's how I got the idea."
Kyle Phillips
Derek Gauci, his wife Lauren and dog Bruce were preparing for a walk when they spotted these beautiful sunbeams coming through the trees in their yard.  "It proves you don't need to go way up north to find true Michigan beauty," he said.  Gauci is @falconfilmstudios on Instagram.
Derek Gauci, his wife Lauren and dog Bruce were preparing for a walk when they spotted these beautiful sunbeams coming through the trees in their yard. "It proves you don't need to go way up north to find true Michigan beauty," he said. Gauci is @falconfilmstudios on Instagram.
Derek Gauci
"Nothing like cooling off at the end of the dock in summer in Michigan," said Edward Byrnes of Rochester, who shot this scene in northern Lake St. Clair.  "Storing up sunshine for the next winter by relaxing in the sun near water is what we do in Michigan."
"Nothing like cooling off at the end of the dock in summer in Michigan," said Edward Byrnes of Rochester, who shot this scene in northern Lake St. Clair. "Storing up sunshine for the next winter by relaxing in the sun near water is what we do in Michigan."
Edward Byrnes
In "Paddling on Sunbeams," Amanda Knoll of Holland captured her husband Dan and daughter Izzabelle, 7, paddling into the sunset  on Lake Macatawa in Holland. "Since then my daughter can hardly stay off the board with her daddy! " she said.
In "Paddling on Sunbeams," Amanda Knoll of Holland captured her husband Dan and daughter Izzabelle, 7, paddling into the sunset on Lake Macatawa in Holland. "Since then my daughter can hardly stay off the board with her daddy! " she said.
Amanda Knoll
New best friends Oberon and Jack share a toy in the waters of Lake Huron by Greenbush, where their families have summer cottages.  "Lake Huron is pure bliss for humans and canines alike," said photographer Marino Vettraino of Novi, who titled his photo "I Got It First. No, I Got It First."
New best friends Oberon and Jack share a toy in the waters of Lake Huron by Greenbush, where their families have summer cottages. "Lake Huron is pure bliss for humans and canines alike," said photographer Marino Vettraino of Novi, who titled his photo "I Got It First. No, I Got It First."
Marino Vettraino
Coming home from Chicago, John McGraw of East Lansing stopped by the lighthouse in St. Joseph.  "As I walked over the small dunes, I saw this wonderful vision," he said. "It was one of those perfect Michigan days you hope you can capture."
Coming home from Chicago, John McGraw of East Lansing stopped by the lighthouse in St. Joseph. "As I walked over the small dunes, I saw this wonderful vision," he said. "It was one of those perfect Michigan days you hope you can capture."
John McGraw
Kimberlee Kenyon lives in Vermontville and works in Lansing. "I frequently witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets while driving past several Amish farms on my commutes," she says. This beautiful winter morning scene was shot in Chester Township.
Kimberlee Kenyon lives in Vermontville and works in Lansing. "I frequently witness spectacular sunrises and sunsets while driving past several Amish farms on my commutes," she says. This beautiful winter morning scene was shot in Chester Township.
Kimberlee Kenyon
On a chilly morning last fall, Michelle Lapanowski of Rochester Hills took this photo from the yard of her  cottage on Dodge Lake in Harrison, Mich. "The reflections across the lake with the fog caught my imagination," she said.  "So glad I caught it!"
On a chilly morning last fall, Michelle Lapanowski of Rochester Hills took this photo from the yard of her cottage on Dodge Lake in Harrison, Mich. "The reflections across the lake with the fog caught my imagination," she said. "So glad I caught it!"
Michelle Lapanowski
Third graders from Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills lie on the floor of the state Capitol and look up at the dome in "Capitol Tour from the Capitol Floor," by Keith Lublin of West Bloomfield. "Although we chaperones were supposed to stay together with the kids," Lublin said, "I couldn't resist slipping away to the second floor to capture this picture."
Third graders from Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills lie on the floor of the state Capitol and look up at the dome in "Capitol Tour from the Capitol Floor," by Keith Lublin of West Bloomfield. "Although we chaperones were supposed to stay together with the kids," Lublin said, "I couldn't resist slipping away to the second floor to capture this picture."
Keith Lublin
"I was taking photos of a large 9-point white-tailed buck," said James Timmer of Troy,  "when this doe came up a hill near me and stopped and started sniffing the air. I got this shot as she was in mid sniff."
"I was taking photos of a large 9-point white-tailed buck," said James Timmer of Troy, "when this doe came up a hill near me and stopped and started sniffing the air. I got this shot as she was in mid sniff."
James Timmer
Dean Teaster of Fowlerville drove by this barn on Meridian Road in Williamson on Memorial Day. "A beautiful day made the sky and this barn just perfect for a black and white photo," he said.
Dean Teaster of Fowlerville drove by this barn on Meridian Road in Williamson on Memorial Day. "A beautiful day made the sky and this barn just perfect for a black and white photo," he said.
Dean Teaster
"The sun was setting over Lake Michigan near Holland when I noticed the couple in the photo," said Phillip DePetro of Holland.  "I took the silhouette shot, the sunset as a backlight.  I imagine this is a story in the lives of many couples in Michigan -- romantic evenings watching sunsets on the shores of a beautiful lake."
"The sun was setting over Lake Michigan near Holland when I noticed the couple in the photo," said Phillip DePetro of Holland. "I took the silhouette shot, the sunset as a backlight. I imagine this is a story in the lives of many couples in Michigan -- romantic evenings watching sunsets on the shores of a beautiful lake."
Phillip DePetro