October 2026: Fisk Knob in Infrared

Sorry this is a little delayed this month, but I have been running around a bit for a change! :)

More infrared fun for you this month! 
This quaint farm is situated in a little dale south of the highest elevation point in the county, which was my vantage point for this shot.
A little further to the right than you can see in this shot the trees clear out and on a nice day you can see for 20 miles!
This shot though, was focusing on this farm, and the delightful contrast which IR photography can give you. 

One of the things I enjoy with IR is that because it is not a visible light spectrum I never know exactly how the shot is going to turn out ahead of time. 
The camera has been specially modified for this, so I can estimate the amount of light needed and adjust *some* settings to allow it to capture the right amount of light, but because modern computers and software are not designed to display a light spectrum that is invisible to the human eye, I never really get to fully see what is there until I get it on the computer and adjust the "visible light" levels to allow for this captured spectrum to be seen. 
It often feels like opening a Christmas present. :)

September 2026: Red Mantis

 

If you have ever wondered why some mantids are green, some brown, and some are this lovely reddish color, here is why:

They change based on their environment! Not quickly like a chameleon, but with each molt. The color depends on what the predominant surrounding vegetation is like. This summer we have had a long, hot, and very dry summer. So much of the vegetation around here is brown or reddish brown. The mantids which live in those plants are now that color, while the ones who live in plants that stay green even in the hottest driest weather are still green. 

You can't tell from the photo, but the lower portions of this grass are the exact color of this mantid. He is in the upper green portions of the grass stalking grasshoppers, which are themselves in the upper portions of these grasses advertising for mates this time of year. 

What that tells me is that fall is coming quickly, and with it some of the most beautiful scenery in the country will be right outside my door. :)

Stay tuned!

August 2026: Madcat Revisited

 

An old friend, Grammy-winning harmonica wizard Peter Madcat Ruth, was playing a concert near here a couple weeks ago, and I was fortunate enough to be able to gear up once again and make some new photos! He was here last year as well, which is nice as I don't often get to see him this often!

It was good to see him again, and even better to be able to get out and haul my gear around without any problems once more. 

Looking forward to filling up the rest of the summer with good shots and good times!

Farmhouse in Spring

 

OK, this will finally be the last one from the archives as I have been cleared by the doc and therapists to return to my normal activities! 

I have not been out yet, mainly because of the heatwave, but am looking forward to getting back at it and posting some new images very soon!!

June 2026: The Late Kyle Busch

 

Back in 2011 I was doing a shoot at the Berlin Raceway in Marne, MI. Mainly I was there to shoot Johnny Benson, but as I was making my way to where the Benson crew was I happened to snap this passing shot of Kyle Busch, who just passed away on May 21st. 

It was a very deceptively sunny shot, as just 20 minutes later it was pouring down rain and the whole day was washed out...typical Michigan! LOL!
So this was one of only 4 photos I ended up with that day.
I never used it for anything, and nobody has ever even seen it until now.

Life is short, and you never know when your number is up. So take advantage of the opportunities life presents you with and make the most of them.

Hopefully I will be back taking photos late next month, physical therapy is going very well, and I anticipate the schedule to hold. 

Jonderson

May 2026: Red Frilled Tulip

 In this part of Michigan, nothing says Spring like tulips. Looking at this one it is not hard to understand why. After a long winter of monochrome, to see the first flowers come up and have them be so striking is quite enjoyable!

This is another archive image, as I am still out of commission for another month or so. Hoping to be back at it by July though!

Enjoy the warmer weather!!

J

April 2026: The Prosperous Cheetah

 

When they are not running at 70mph, cheetahs don't move around much. Especially when their bellies are already full. :)

I am not going to be moving around much for the next couple months either, as yet another surgery is going to have my arm in a sling starting tomorrow morning. Apparently I pulled the top of my bicep off somehow. So you are going to be seeing archival images for awhile I am afraid. This one is quite old, but still enjoyable I hope.