The Red Headed Stranger
Absorbing the natural beauty of the surrounding river and cliffs, she rests on the bench, cogitating about the uncertain path ahead. Carved into the bench are two opposing words: “Yes” and “No”.
Photo taken at Starved Rock State Park in Illinois.
A Delicious Melange
Mix together equal parts water, trees, sunset, and reflections. Blend well. Be prepared for a delicious visual feast.
Little House Off the Prairie
Over the prairie and tucked into the woods lies the small but cozy house.
Photo captured at Bliss Woods in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
Walk the Path
No one saves us but ourselves. No one can and no one may. We ourselves must walk the path.
~ Buddha
Two Lost Soles
A most unusual find in a benign setting — a pair of sneakers hanging high on a tree in a park. The “why” and “how” remain a mystery.
Wheel of Red, White, & Blue
The striking Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier in Chicago, with a clear blue sky serving as a backdrop.
Windows of Chicago
Chicago has such an architecturally rich history. In this capture, the focus is on the distinct shapes, patterns, and colors of various downtown windows.
The Late Bloomer
Some arrive at their ultimate destination early in life. For others, it takes time before they are able to truly blossom.
Friend of Nature
A young girl gingerly traverses the geese, offering the universal symbol of friendship — food.
Photo captured at Fabyan Park in Geneva, Illinois.
Beginning & End
The beginning of spring growth on the branch of the oak tree coincides with the end of the day.
Nap Time
On a sun-soaked March afternoon, an older gent finds the perfect spot to rest those partially uncovered bones.
Photo captured at Fabyan Park in Geneva, Illinois.
Misty Morn’
The mist was heavy along the nature trail, offering a morning silhouette of the prairie grasses and trees.
The Old Cider Barn
The Cider Barn located in Elburn, Illinois. Processing in Corel.
Expressing the Inexpressible
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
~ Aldous Huxley
Musical Hat
Light cascades from the hat of Dave Swartz, bass player for The Hominids.
Nature’s Soul
“Every flower is a soul blossoming in nature.”
~ Gerard de Nerval
Rest for the Weary
When the day is done, it’s time to rest the feet with some afternoon sun.
Impressions of Michigan Avenue
A sea of humanity stroll and shop on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue.
Photo processed and painted in Corel.
Little Bird on the Window Sill
A pretty little finch was heard pecking at the window, determined to gain someone’s attention on the inside. A photographic opportunity was delivered to the house.
The Unconventional Collector
Some farmers collect old tractors and others…well, I guess they collect old planes.
Photo captured in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
A True Survivor
Against all odds, it survives. Weathered, neglected, and forgotten, the abandoned barn stands as proudly as it can, a shell of its former self, but a true survivor, nonetheless.
Photo captured near Sugar Grove, Illinois and processed in Corel.
A Golden Dream
Some of you may recall a prior capture entitled Lavender Dream. This is the counterpart — same location with a compositional twist, and these dreams shall never die…
Photo taken in Kaneville, Illinois.
Party for Three
Three beautiful horses enjoy their group meal. Photo taken in Elburn, Illinois.
Apparently Not
The oncoming driver apparently did not get the message. Yes, communication can be difficult on those lonely country roads.
Blue Sky and White Barn
A sunny winter afternoon highlights this grand old white barn. Photo taken near Big Rock, Illinois.
Shrouded in Fog
The morning fog rolls in, partially shrouding a grove of trees. Photo captured in Aurora, Illinois.
Country Road on Autumn Afternoon
Peace can come in many forms, but in my book, there are not many visual treats more peaceful than a tree-lined country road on an autumn afternoon.
Photo captured in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
The Fire Escape
Fire escape stairs located near the Chicago Theater. The gentleman near the top of the stairs adds an air of mystery to the urban capture.
Beacon of Hope
A lamp offers necessary guidance across the quiet bridge.
Photo taken at Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois, and processed in GIMP.
Forever Shining
She was a loyal companion, friend, and unbeknownst muse of sorts, instrumental in starting my photographic journey. For more than fifteen years, we had the pleasure of McGee’s wonderful presence.
This photo is from the archives (circa 2003), and shows the lovely light that McGee exuded and was. Although it has been one year since she left us, I still miss her greatly.
The Indecisive Painter
Claude Monet once quipped: “Color is my daylong obsession, joy, and torment.” Perhaps the painter of this rustic shed door felt the same way.
Altering Our Perspective
Trees reflected in the calm waters provide a different perspective of life.
Golden Reflections
Reflections of weeping willows and birch trees paint a natural portrait at Mayslake in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Even in the Weeds
Wherever we turn, He is with us, even when we are in the weeds.
Photo captured at Mayslake in Oak Brook, Illinois.
Fields Under a Swirling Sky
Golden fields are blanketed by a colorful afternoon sky and swirling clouds.
Photo taken near Somonauk, Illinois.
Behind the Open Gate
The wrought iron gate opens into the snowy distance.
Photo captured at Fabyan Park in Geneva, Illinois.
Abstract Winter Trees
Bare winter trees, devoid of their natural clothing, make a wonderful starting point for artistic experimentation.
Processing in Corel.
Autumn Outlook
Taken a few months ago, this is a late autumn view from inside the park shelter.
Photo captured in Elburn, Illinois.
City of Big Shoulders
Carl Sandburg was one of the greatest of American writers and poets. He describes the hardscrabble nature of Chicago in his poem of the same name, referencing the “City of the Big Shoulders” and assailing critics who only care to see crime, poverty, and moral decay. Sandburg responds:
Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning. Flinging magnetic curses amid the toil of piling job on job, here is a tall bold slugger set vivid against the little soft cities; Fierce as a dog with tongue lapping for action, cunning as a savage pitted against the wilderness, Bareheaded, Shoveling, Wrecking, Planning, Building, breaking, rebuilding, Under the smoke, dust all over his mouth, laughing with white teeth, Under the terrible burden of destiny laughing as a young man laughs, Laughing even as an ignorant fighter laughs who has never lost a battle, Bragging and laughing that under his wrist is the pulse, and under his ribs the heart of the people, Laughing! Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be the Hog Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and Freight Handler of the Nation.
Melting into the Fields
On a country road, a beautiful red barn appears to melt into the golden fields.
Photo taken in Sugar Grove, Illinois.
Walking to the Sun
The sun highlights the curve of the path and the walk continues unabated, until the final destination is reached.
Communing with Nature
Communing with nature presents a wonderful opportunity to know thyself.
Lone Tree on the Prairie
For several weeks, I have been attempting to do justice to this lone tree on the prairie. The sun was gently descending and I steadied the camera for another round of captures, hoping this might be the special moment.
Just then, a bird landed on the tip of the tree, adding an unexpected element to the landscape. After a few snaps the bird was suddenly gone, but I was left with a rewarding memory.
Photo captured at Peck Farm in Geneva, Illinois, and softened in Corel.
Crashing the Party
Several blue jays look quizzically at a cardinal who proudly struts away with his treat.
Together and Alone
Life personified.
The Song of Nature
“A few minutes ago every tree was excited, bowing to the roaring storm, waving, swirling, tossing their branches in glorious enthusiasm like worship. But though to the outer ear these trees are now silent, their songs never cease.”
~ John Muir
Less Traveled By
The white powder was new and heavy this morning, clinging beautifully to the trees and carving an untaken path. I could not dislodge the words of Robert Frost swirling in my mind:
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
~ The Road Not Taken, by Robert Frost
Photo taken at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien, Illinois.
A Winter’s Peace
Today’s winter sojourn was greeted by a sense of peace and tranquility. Photo captured at the Carmelite Spiritual Center in Darien, Illinois.
Decades of Light
The torch-style period lamps that dot downtown Chicago look seemingly unchanged from decades past.
Nature’s Neon
The sun was shining so brilliantly that these beautiful prairie grasses implored to be photographed. They are truly a testament to nature’s natural neon.
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