- Southside EgretsOnce again south suburban Chicago lakes, ponds and sloughs are the home to migrating Great Egrets. In the springtime they … Read more
- White Trout Lily, a Magical Wildflower for SpringA wonderful surprise to wake up to this morning. One of my photographs of white trout lily flowers is in … Read more
- Donkeys, Guardians of the FarmThe donkey, often misunderstood and underappreciated, is instead an intelligent and independent thinking animal. Their stubborn behavior only arises when … Read more
- It Was Raining Sandhill CranesIt was raining sandhill cranes. For a short time in mid-November, flocks and flocks of these magnificent birds flew into … Read more
- A Prospering ColonyJohn Muir once said “Most people are on the world, not in it”, on a peaceful May afternoon I was truly in … Read more
- Hidden Gold MineLike a typical gold mine, this one is brimming with the brilliant, shiny golden objects. Though these gems are not … Read more
- Pelican PondFor approximately one week in early April, Maple Lake in the Cook County Forest Preserve turned into Pelican Pond. Each … Read more
- Bergman Slough Super MoonCoyotes howl in the distance as the frost super moon rises over Bergman Slough. Smoke from a prairie fire lingers … Read more
- Starved Rock Canyon WallsDeep inside Illinois Canyon, the glowing St. Peter Sandstone cracked walls surround a burnt-out tree. Once a home to birds, … Read more
- American Bird Conservancy ReportI am especially thankful when I see one of my photographs on a magazine cover. This photograph of a male … Read more
- Eagle VisionsBy looking through an imaginative lens, the allure of unaesthetic images can be freed to create an alternative vision. The … Read more
- Backwards Tuxedo in a Straw Colored HatThe bobolink travels over 12,500 miles from southern South America to spend some time at Springbrook Prairie in DuPage County. … Read more
- Bird on a WireA white dove on a wire dreams of places to go and things to see in the wild blue yonder.
- Queen Anne’s LaceWhether you consider the Queen Anne’s Lace invasive or an elegant delight, its delicate beauty is a sight to behold. … Read more
- Secrets for Gorgeous Flower PhotosWoodland flowers seem to bring life back to the world after a long, cold, and sometimes drab winter. Their subtle … Read more
- Springtime RobinsRecently, I was fortunate enough to be asked by Shutterstock Blog to share some tips for photographing my favorite springtime … Read more
- Attracting Hummingbirds and OriolesA ruby throated hummingbird hovers over a solitary bright red monarda blossom in our backyard. We planted bee balm (monarda), … Read more
- Do Dogs Get Colds?Abe, our Labrador Retriever, is a wonderful soul. Though he loves all of the seasons, winter seems to be his … Read more
- Migratory Birds Are Worth ProtectingIn our backyard, Baltimore orioles have a choice of oranges and grape jelly. Keeping their feeders full is a small … Read more
- Assembly RequiredAs the Rolling Stones song goes “You can’t always get what you want but if you try, sometimes well, you … Read more
- Snow BlanketCovered in a blanket of snow, the sugar maple trees and dark spring-fed waters of Black Partridge Woods create a … Read more
- Country Lane CranesIts meadows filled with gone to seed ironweed, goldenrod and aster, Country Lane Woods was recently graced with the elegance … Read more
- August’s Colorful HuesTypically the colors begin to fade in the sun-drenched month of August. While this is true for most it is … Read more
- Once Lost Now FoundPreviously overlooked, ignored, forgotten or lost? Regardless the reasons, rediscovery of these odds and ends has been a treat. From … Read more
- Layer Mask TipsLayer Mask Tips and Techniques After applying a mask to an image, it is often desirable to see the exact … Read more
- Forgotten FlowersSummer’s beauty has gone and now these aging wildflowers go barely noticed. The change of seasons has taken its toll, … Read more
- Autumn ColorCan’t see the forest for the trees, my feeling as I wandered the forest floor. Lost in autumn’s wonderland, trees … Read more
- Lighting in Layers for a White BackgroundA white background is a great way to bring attention to the subject of a photograph. There are several methods … Read more
- Ole Number 11Beams withering, joints rusting and paint peeling, the adventures have come to an end. The once proud craft provided numerous … Read more
- FlowsLike a sculptor with a chisel, nature used glaciers, wind and water to carve the St. Peter Sandstone into rising … Read more
- Springtime GlenWaterfall Glen is one of the most ecologically diverse forest preserves in DuPage County. The preserve includes prairies, savannas, woodlands, … Read more
- Birdyard MigrationsBy mid May, migratory birds are well on a northerly path from their winter to summer habitats with the culmination … Read more
- A Mother’s Day Gift from Mother NatureVirginia Bluebells Springtime along the dry riverbeds of the Messenger Woods provides a startling explosion of pastel colors. The blue, … Read more
- Focal Length and SocratesImage Impact to Changes of Focal Length Several months ago the forest preserve trails were in full bloom. The green … Read more
- Tranquility of WaterWater often moves with power and force, yet over time it has a relaxing quality that displays a graceful calmness. … Read more
- Hummingbird Migration – 2012In honor of the first sighting of the hummingbird migration, I felt it was time to update the hummingbird gallery. … Read more
- Morning MeetingAs I traversed the trails of Maple Lake on a cold December morning, the tips of my fingers began to … Read more
- Hope of SpringtimeAs winter sets in with its colder days ahead of us, I thought some images of blooming trees with their … Read more
- HiddenOn a journey to the grocery store a white object in the Kean Avenue prairie caught my eye. Upon looking … Read more
- Autumn’s MetamorphosisAutumn’s metamorphosis takes hold along a Cook County stream. As autumn colors take over the forest preserve, a recent rainfall … Read more
- The Position of LightThe distance of the light source to the subject has a tremendous impact on illuminating your photograph. The relationship (called … Read more
- The Angle of LightOne of the continuing themes I will blog about is the variety of techniques to control light using strobes/flashes. These … Read more
- SilhouetteAs you can see Abe is silhouetted against a bright orange orb. Abe, a wonderful model, never drops his guard … Read more