Hope Poster

Shades of summer still can be found as the evening sun glows warmly on these wildflowers along the Wetland Prairie Trail at BNC.

One look overhead reveals a nearly-bare tree,
decorated with a crimson vine against a cloudless blue sky.

I look up, I look down, never once
taking for granted the array of lines, patterns, textures, and colors
offered to me by nature.
 It's as if my eyes are privileged to their very own nature documentary
by the master filmmaker.

ROE Institute at BNC

     Many teachers had a educational day at BNC yesterday learning facts about birds to help peak their own students' interest in back-yard biology.

     Others were busy discovering the truth behind the misconceptions many children (and adults!) have about local plants and wildlife, and learning the importance of diversity in nature.

     Karen Grueuel and Patty Gillespie, co-directors at BNC, did a fantastic job preparing the materials and teaching the teachers during this workshop. Many thanks, Karen and Patty! And thanks to the ROE for coordinating this effort, complete with food!

Evening Light

Evening light on the first day of summer.
A picture that didn't take my breath away.
In fact, it helped me breathe again.

How every child's summer should be.
And every child-at-heart, like me.

Yosemite Memory

To my few loyal blogging readers:

A short time off from blogging is necessary as I deal with "end of semester" occupational deadlines.

Until the summer weeks provide more time to devote to blogging, here is a picture from my 2008 personal archives. This photo is of one of the beautiful falls at Yosemite National Park near Merced, California. The haze near the top of the photo is from the many great California forest fires that took place that year.

Dry Pond

Along the trail today I startled a rather large goose swimming on a small pond just a few feet away. The lone bird then startled me as it stretched its neck and spread its magnificent wings to take flight. It was quickly joined by its mate and they both complained loudly for several minutes as they flew off to a far-away pond.

This picture is taken in the same location as both a previous post and the Spring Peepers You Tube clip. You can see that the pond has now been drained.

You can check out my latest You Tube 2 minute video clip from Ballard's at April Showers. Someday I may actually get faster at the uploads if I can quit making silly mistakes-- like accidently clicking off the page two minutes before a 22 minute upload is complete!

Festival of the Trees: The Beauty of a Tree

Trees remind us that there is always hope

for a rebirth, a refreshed spirit, and a renewal of life.

I love photographing trees (as you can tell). Maybe it's because they always stand still for me so I can get just the right shot.

Or...maybe it's because they've weathered so many storms and are still standing strong. Maybe it's because they try so hard to stay alive; sending roots down deep to reach the water, stretching branches every which way to reach the sun.

Soon green leaves will cover the trees in the parks, along the roadsides, and in the forests. Us older folks will rest in their cool shade, young lovers will steal kisses under their canopies, small children will swing from their stalwart limbs.

Trees give and endure.

Trees prepare for winter and survive.

The true beauty of a tree is its life. 

I took these spring pictures on my LG Voyager at sunset in the city park yesterday. Never do I cease to be amazed at the quality of camera lens on this old phone.

Forecast: April Showers

The clouds hung around all day, but held off on the rain until I was on the Woodland Trail. My four-legged friend enjoyed the raindrops as the temperature climbed to above 80 this aftermoon. The video posted today on you tube was my feeble attempt at moviemaking and editing. I especially like the sound of the raindrops at the beginning of the movie, and the wind at the end. I'll have to remember not to set my video camera to extra fine recording, as the 4 minute clip took a whopping hour to upload. Click "You Tube Video Clips" in the sidebar of this blog to see the Spring Rain movie. (Note to self-remember to wipe raindrops from camera lens next time.)

Digital still shots are still my favorite, I'll have more of them next time.

The log behind the logo and the snowman is the same one that my family used last summer for a great photo-shoot. Now it just reminds me of a giant Clark bar without the chocolate coating. Or not.

Happy Easter!

Wishing everyone a healthy, safe, and happy Easter. Hope you can get out and enjoy this beautiful day!

Enchanted Forest Path

The first time I walked on Second Creek Trail and folllowed the path north, along the creek, I felt like I was walking into the enchanted forest in L Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz.  As the trail turned east, the leafy canopy overhead closed in on me, but I didn't mind at all.

Today, with the leafy canopy just a hope and a dream away, the blue Illinois sky has a chance to shine through. The first flowers were beginning to bloom. The air smelled fresh and clean with last night's rain. My shoes, however, were another story as muddy puddles covered the path in several places.

Last night's rain brought new life to Second Creek. A family with their dogs and children were enjoing the sights and sounds of the water rushing over the rocks as it travelled under the bridge.

(Note: Many of us dog-lovers love to walk the trails with our four-leggged friend, but we always need to remember to follow the rules and keep the dog on a leash. Oh, yeah, and I also make sure I clean up after my pet so that others can enjoy the trails. Its either good manners, or--yuck--good grief! ; )