LANDSCAPE AND NIGHTSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY WITH AN EMPHASIS ON LEELANAU COUNTY

Nightscapes

This collection of photos contains images that showcase Michigan night skies including the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), meteor showers, comets, the Milky Way, Lunar Halos, and other celestial events from various locations around Michigan. I also have been blessed with witnessing many aurora events, ranging from a dim glow on the horizon, to pillars and rays reaching high in the sky, and even aurora corona dance directly overhead and even to the south. I have also captured sub -aurora and other aurora like events that are still being studied. Some of these include aurora dunes, proton aurora, Subauroral Red (SAR) arcs, Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement (S.T.E.V.E), and picket fence aurora. These images are listed throughout the gallery.

Lake Michigan Dreamscape and a Rainbow of Aurora - Magoon Creek Natural Area, Manistee County | November 12, 2025 at 10:27pm | Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 20mm, Promaster Tripod | 6 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1600

Rooted in Earth, Gazing at the Heavens - Magoon Creek Natural Area, Manistee County | November 12, 2025 at 10:30pm | Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 20mm, Promaster Tripod | 6 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1600

Magoon Creek Aurora - Manistee County | November 12, 2025 at 8:57pm | Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 20mm, Promaster Tripod | 5 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1250

Magical Moments on M-22 Pt. I (Looking North) | October 11, 2024 at 4:15am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Promaster Tripod | 8 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1600

Magical Moments on M-22 Pt. II (Looking South) | October 11, 2024 at 4:14am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Promaster Tripod | 8 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1600

Stairway To Heaven - North Bar Lake | October 11, 2024 at 1:33am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Promaster tripod | 6 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

Northern Lights Reflect on Shell Lake within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore | October 7, 2024 at 10:36pm | Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 20mm, Promaster Tripod | 5 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

Northern Lights x North Bar Lake = Portal to Heaven IV | October 11, 2024 at 1:36am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Promaster Tripod | 6 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Northern Lights x North Bar Lake = Portal to Heaven III | October 11, 2024 at 1:12am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Promaster Tripod | 2 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

Northern Lights x North Bar Lake = Portal to Heaven II | October 11, 2024 at 1:10am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Promaster Tripod | 2 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

Northern Lights x North Bar Lake = Portal to Heaven I | October 11, 2024 at 1:10am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Promaster Tripod | 2 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

Northern Lights over Lake Michigan from Port Oneida | October 7, 2024 at 10:18pm | Nikon Z8, Nikkor Z 20mm, Promaster Tripod | 5 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 4000

Milky Way over Lake Leelanau from Suelzer Park | September 28, 2024 at 9:42pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro Tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Fall Harvest Moon Rise over Lake Leelanau | September 17, 2024 | Canon R6, Canon RF 100-400mm at 400mm, Benro Tripod | 1/80 second shutter speed, f/8, ISO 2000

Where Grace Meets the Green - Aurora over Leland Golf Course | September 17, 2024 at 6:19am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro Tripod | 2.5 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 4000

Traveling on the Highway to Heaven | September 4, 2024 at 10:50pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Joby Flexible Tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Rite of Passage Pt. II - Northern Lights from Sleeping Bear Point | August 11, 2024 at 11:07pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro Tripod | 5 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1000

Aurora Before Dawn from Leland | May 16, 2024 at 4:24am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 2 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 5000

Starry Dreams Around the Bend - Sleeping Bear Dunes | April 7, 2024 at 4:17am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Aurora Dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes Pt. II | March 23, 2023 at 10:19pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 8 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1600

Lunar Halo over Esch Beach | February 28, 2023 | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 160

Overlook #9 and the Milky Way - Sleeping Bear Dunes | September 4, 2023 at 9:57pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro Tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 4000

S.T.E.V.E. Meets the Milky Way Pt. II - Christmas Cove Beach | September 19, 2023 at 12:10am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 5 second shutter speed, f/1.8, ISO 8000

Insane Colorful Aurora from Leland | December 1, 2023 at 6:17am with 89% moon overhead | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 2 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 6400

Milky Way over Lake Michigan from Christmas Cove Beach | October 22, 2022 at 10:08pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Milky Way Core over Leelanau - Christmas Cove | September 18, 2023 at 9:08pm | Canon R6, Canon EF 70-200mm at 70mm, Benro tripod | 4 second shutter speed, f/2.8, ISO 10,000

Marvelous Aurora from Christmas Cove Beach | September 18, 2023 at 11:14pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 2 second shutter speed, f/1.8, ISO 5000

S.T.E.V.E. Meets the Milky Way Pt. I - Christmas Cove | September 18, 2023 at 12:18am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 5 second shutter speed, f/1.8, ISO 8000

Milky Way over Dune Highway | September 8, 2023 at 10:13pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Milky Way over Otter Creek with Meteor - Sleeping Bear Dunes | August 12, 2023 at 10:57pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Northern Lights over Shalda Creek - Sleeping Bear Dunes | September 2, 2023 at 9:45pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1600

Milky Way over Lake Leelanau | June 22, 2023 at 1:34am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

Starry Night from Overlook #9 with a little aurora | July 23, 2023 at 12:52am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 15 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 4000

Milky Way over Otter Creek | June 17, 2023 at 2:11am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2000 

Summer Solstice Aurora II - Leland | June 21,  2023 at 12:51am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

Milky Way Rising over the Leland River | May 15, 2023 at 2:15am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2000

Milky Way over Cherry Orchard in Bloom | May 15, 2023 at 3:21am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2000

Reflective Nightscape on the Misery River - Michigan's Upper Peninsula | April 24, 2023 at 1:00am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 2 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 4000

Moon and Venus Reflect on Misery Bay Pt. I - Michigan's Upper Peninsula | April 24, 2023 at 12:07am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 4 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1250

Aurora Corona Overhead Standing on the Lake Superior Shoreline - Michigan's Upper Peninsula | April 24, 2023 at 12:05am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 4 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1250

Moon and Venus Reflect on the Misery River Pt. II - Michigan's Upper Peninsula | April 24, 2023 at 12:13am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 2 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1250

Superior Nights on Lake Superior - Michigan's Upper Peninsula | April 23, 2023 at 11:41pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro Tripod | 4 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1250

Aurora Corona on the Lake Superior Shoreline Pt. I - Michigan's Upper Peninsula | April 24, 2023 at 11:55pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 1.6 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1250

Dreams Come True - Aurora over Lake Michigan from Empire Bluffs | March 24, 2023 at 1:59am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 4 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

Magical Mornings on M-22 Pt. II | April 24, 2023 at 4:43am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 13 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

March Madness: Aurora Edition - Sleeping Bear Dunes | March 23, 2023 at 9:21pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 6 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1250

Rite of Passage - Northern Lights Above the Manitou Passage in Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes | March 23, 2023 at 10:51pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 6 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 800

Aurora Dunes x Sleeping Bear Dunes | March 23, 2023 at 10:15pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 5 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1600

Lunar Halo & Northern Lights from Esch Beach (Light Pollution on the left) | February 27, 2023 at 1:19am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2.2, ISO 640

Northern Lights from Point Betsie | February 26, 2023 at 10:28pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 5 second shutter speed, f/2.2, ISO 4000

Northern Lights over D.H. Day Farm | September 4, 2022 at 2:35am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

S.T.E.V.E. + Picket Fence Aurora over Little Glen Lake | September 4, 2022 at 11:30pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 15 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2000

M-22 Picket Fence Aurora - Glen Lake Narrows | September 4, 2022 at 11:30pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 15 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2000

Light Show at the Dunes - Sleeping Bear Dunes | September 3, 2022 at 10:19pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 15 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 1250

Aurora over Shalda Creek I | September 4, 2022 at 10:59pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 8 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 2500

Northern Lights Reflect on North Bar Lake - Sleeping Bear Dunes | August 31, 2022 at 11:53pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 4000

Starry Night Above North Bar Lake Trail with a Tinge of Aurora | August 31, 2022 at 11:18pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Milky Way over the Mouth of the Cut River - Michigan's Upper Peninsula | August 27, 2022 at 12:01am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro Tripod | 25 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 4000

Milky Way Reflecting on North Bar Lake | August 31, 2022 at 11:12pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Milky Way over the Sleeping Bear Inn - Glen Haven | July 31, 2022 at 2:04am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 8000

Big Dipper and Northern Lights Above Fisherman's Island - Charlevoix | August 19, 2022 at 11:51pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 3200

Fishtown Milky Way | August 21, 2022 at 11:34pm | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 15 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 6400

Starry Summer Night featuring Northern Lights, Air glow, Milky Way and Andromeda from Glen Haven | July 31, 2022 at 2:24am | Canon R6, adapted Sigma Art 14mm, Benro tripod | 20 second shutter speed, f/2, ISO 6400

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