I thought this old run down tower with a tree growing out of it would make an interesting picture. I've noticed there is some distortion around the outline of the tree in this picture and in the one of the cyprus tree. I'm not sure where it's coming from, but it isn't in the copy of these pictures I have on my computer.

These were some pretty interesting looking bird houses they had at the forest preserve.

This is a large cyprus tree (I think) at the forest preserve we went to. I used my new circular polarizing filter to enhance the blue in the sky. I like the way the blue from the sky contrasts with the green from the tree.

Frogs

I know most people looking at this picture won't be able to tell, but all the little bumps in the water are frogs. This area hasn't had much rain for a while so the lower water level leaves lots of shallow water for the frogs to sit in.

Blue Heron

My family and I went to a forest preserve this past weekend so I had the opportunity to take a few pictures. This one is obviously of a blue heron. I was hoping I could get a shot of it eating a fish, but no luck.

Parade

My daughter was in a parade recently. I thought this guy on a unicycle would make a good picture and took many pictures of him. This is the best one I got, but I'm still not completely happy with it. I don't seem to have an eye for taking pictures on non-landscape photos, but hopefully if I take enough of them, it will eventually come.

Nashville 6

A little different perspective on the same building. This will be my last picture of Nashville. I promise.

Nashville 5

I obviously thought the AT&T building was an interesting subject. I also liked the way the brick building beneath it was arranged in the picture.

Nashville 4

I liked this picture because it contrasted the older buildings that make up the entertainment district of Nashville in the foreground and the more modern buildings that make up the cityscape in the background.

Nashville 3

This is the main strip in Nashville where all the bars and music are. It's not a picture I normally would have taken, but I'm trying to expand on the types of subjects I take pictures on.

Nashville 2

This is the Sommet Center in Nashville. I think a hockey team plays there. I just thought it had an interesting look to photograph.

Nashville

I was recently at a meeting in Nashville. Of course I had to take the opportunity to take some pictures I don't normally get to take. The next several days will include these pictures. This one is of the downtown view from my hotel room.

Red-winged Blackbird

There were lots of birds sitting on the dead prairie plants just like this red-winged blackbird. This is about the best picture I could come up with though.

Prairie 2

Another picture from Springbrook Prairie. A different perspective from the wide open prairie, with some flowers growing on a sloping hillside.

Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve

This a picture I took back in May of a prairie restoration project where I used to go to high school. I'd like to get back there before the end of the season to see what it looks like when the vegetation is much higher.

Bright Sunrise

This is a picture I took a while ago, but forgot to post. Every once in a while you get the right kind of clouds that show up at just the right time and the sunrise (or sunset) sets the sky on fire. I'm usually not up for the sunrises, but I'm glad I was in this case.

Partridge Pea

This is a type of flower that is very prevalent in the field net to our house. I finally figured out that it was partridge pea, a native flower common to prairies in Illinois.

Reflection

My attempt at taking a cool reflection picture.

Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillar

I was visiting the ponds where I work and noticed a bunch of these caterpillars on one of the milkweed plants. I had never seen caterpillars like it before, so of course I had to snap a picture. One of my daughters adopted one as a pet and it has now pupated and we are waiting to see what the adult looks like.

Deer

There is a lot of wildlife around our house that I wish I could take pictures of, but most don't let you get close enough. Hopefully one day I'll be able to afford a telephoto lens. For now, this is the best I can do. Still I like how the deer is framed in a break in the trees.