How many different shapes do you see?
Photo taken at the entrance to Starved Rock State Park, in Utica, Illinois.
The sky meets the Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park, in Utica, Illinois.
The old barn stands regally in the rural landscape.
Photo taken in Sugar Grove, Illinois. Post work in Corel.
The trees of beautiful Bliss Woods — a work of natural art.
The inviting willow stands peacefully on the farm.
Photo taken in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
More than communing with nature, the golden hair and golden grass unite, becoming one.
Winter slowly makes way to spring on the prairie path in Big Rock, Illinois.
The road — a symbol of mobility and freedom.
Traces of blue punctuate the predominantly white landscape.
Photo taken at Mallard Lake in Bloomingdale, Illinois, on a day of freshly minted snow.
The interesting gent — clad in pajama-like pants, sporting a baseball cap and cane — waits in earnest at the local bank.
Photo taken in La Grange, Illinois.
The beautiful Percheron draft horse, taking a snooze.
The barn cat stealthily patrols the farm.
It’s lambing season at Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago, Illinois.
Chilly weather necessitates hidden hands, while shorts apparently do not pose the same problem.
The unending fence breaks the stark winter landscape. Photo taken in Aurora, Illinois.
Life at the top of the stairs – a visual story.
Rendering of Bliss Woods in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
The surrealistic natural setting of trees encased in ice – our version of a bayou – is the result of recent meteorological fluctuations. Cold weather was followed by rain, wind, and thawing temps, quickly replaced with bitter cold temperatures.
Photo taken in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
A field of flowers at the forefront of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The Celtic Cross — always handy.
Unused, but not forgotten, snow temporarily covers the benches at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois.
An homage to those who forged the original path.
Someday the snow will melt, spring will arrive, and a picnic will be held.
Maisy’s fun expression says it all.
The winter prairie path beckons with a layer of snow and sunny skies.
Photo taken at Peck Farm in Geneva, Illinois.
Naked and dancing
Rhythmically with the wind,
Trees embrace winter.
Nature’s little helpers — always willing to reach out and extend a hand, whenever necessary.
Photo taken at Mayslake in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Perched on the street lamp, the hawk surveys the surrounding landscape. Photo taken at Peck Farm Park in Geneva, Illinois.
Beautiful frost naturally decorates the bare winter trees.
The beauty of winter — dramatic snow-covered trees at Bliss Woods in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
Snow on the ground and in the air, Maisy is enjoying the change of seasons.
Lowering onto the back of the water, the sun rides the gentle waves of Lake Michigan in Union Pier, Michigan.
Few things in life soothe the soul more than solitude coupled with the beauty of nature.
Lapping waves at sunset paint a portrait of nature’s artistry and splendor.
The sun casts its magical shadows along the fence at Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer, Michigan.
Sunset falls on the shores of Lake Michigan, in Union Pier, Michigan.
The sun spotlights the lone horse and golden tones of the pasture.
Groceries in hand, it’s time for the gent to head home and settle in.
Water, trees, and vibrant autumn tones frame the bridge at Mayslake, in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Fall colors and scattered leaves line the walking trail at Bliss Woods in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
The lone tree appears to rise from the sun-drenched Illinois cornfield — beautiful, but certainly out-of-place.
Fall is in full bloom at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois.
The beautiful white rose — a symbol of innocence, purity, beginnings, honor, and reverence.
The intersection of color and telephone lines.
Morning breaks over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina.
The Apple House in Bat Cave, North Carolina — where time stands still.
“Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better.”
~ Albert Einstein
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. Completed in 1895 and comprising 250 rooms, George Vanderbilt’s chateau is “America’s Largest Home.”
Thick morning fog resembles puffy clouds on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Asheville, North Carolina.
The United States flag blows in the wind atop Chimney Rock, North Carolina.