The beautiful weather we've been enjoying hung around for the weekend. Between that and the extra hour to play with today, I made the most of all the outdoors have to offer, before it starts behaving more November-in-Chicagoish.
First, a Halloween teaser - my niece, the vampire:
And no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? I know, it's a silly cliche pun for a cliche autumn photograph, but I couldn't help myself.
Saturday was a good day. I got up early and headed to the forest preserve, just after it stopped raining. I knew we had some blustery weather predicted for today (as I type, I can hear the 50mph gusts howling outside the window), which meant any future attempts at capturing the autumn colors this year would likely be slim to none. Some of my favorites are below:
"To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,
One clover, and a bee,
And revery.
The revery alone will do,
If bees are few."
~Emily Dickinson
On Sunday morning, I made a beeline (ha ha ha, get it?) for the Chicago Botanic Garden. My plan was to hit the evaluation gardens, an area I haven't visited much this summer. I didn't make this decision, however, until I was well into the gardens, so the fastest route was to cut through the prairie area. I visit the prairie area when I'm at the gardens without my camera (which is rare these days), and just visiting to walk and clear my head. It's usually not the most photogenic area of the gardens, and I really can't remember the last time I strolled through that particular section. I tend to gravitate towards macros and not sweeping landscapes, and I can find prairie plants just about anywhere, so I tend to spend my time in the various flower gardens.
I was glad I took the "shortcut" through the prairie area, though, when I came across this view:
Sunday morning, I woke up early to make the two hour drive to Apple River Canyon State Park in Apple River, IL. En route, I actually wished I had gotten up a bit earlier so that I could have stopped and photographed some of the barns and farms in the gorgeous early morning light and still ensured I would meet the photography group on time. Ah well, I learned for next time!
A few of the trails were pretty demanding, and huffing and puffing did not lend itself to low light, hand held photography. I did manage to capture a few images that made the trip well worth it.
The canyon wall
I had a wonderful time in Atlanta, as always. Too short, but otherwise perfect. I've spent the past few days relaxing and recharging. I realized that I hadn't been to the botanic gardens since May, so I stopped by on Friday, and again, today. It was nice to reconnect with my first love - nature photography. I have more images from the gardens, as well as some shots from Atlanta and the overdue self portraits (and lighting workshop images - I'm behind!!), but here are two of my favorites from today. Both were taken in the greenhouses at the gardens.
I met up with a group of photographers from the Chicago Digital Photography Meetup Group on Saturday morning for a shoot at one of my favorite locations, the Chicago Botanic Gardens. I have a membership, and it's not exaggerating to state that once spring hits, I'm there at least once a week, if not more. Actually, even during the winter months, I hit the greenhouses two or three times a month. While I love photographing by myself, and having the chance to just be alone with my thoughts, it's been very rewarding and enjoyable to meet up with other photographers.
We split into smaller groups, and my group focused on macro work. While I was a bit limited, as I didn't bring my tripod, I was able to capture some lovely images of the spring blooms. I also had a lot of fun pushing myself beyond my normal comfort zone.
To begin, a few shots of tulips in the sensory garden (I love the wee little buggy on the first photo):
I crashed on Saturday night. I had been out running about most of the day, and after a lovely early dinner with a few friends, I came home and went to bed. This, of course, meant that I woke up unbelievably early on Sunday. I just couldn't get my brain to understand that I had still had plenty of time for sleep.
After noting the somewhat overcast skies, I decided there might still be a bit of sunrise to capture (although it had technically risen about an hour earlier). While I wasn't able to capture the true "sunrise," it was nice to get outside and enjoy some quiet time reconnecting with nature.
I couldn't let the first really nice day of the year escape without taking full advantage of it. So on Saturday, I headed back to the Lincoln Park Zoo. I also stopped at the conservatory (a bit smaller than Garfield Park Conservatory, which I often visit, and it was very crowded, so not much in the way of photo ops there), cut back through the zoo and then crossed the street and visited the Nature Museum. I haven't had much editing time, since I spent Sunday at a wonderful National Geographic Traveler nature photography seminar.
Here's a peek at each location for now...
Meerkat at the Lincoln Park Zoo
Orchids at the Lincoln Park Conservatory
A butterfly in the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum's indoor "butterfly haven"
Although I love my Brookfield Zoo membership, one can only shoot the same white cheeked gibbon or baby polar bear so many times. As cute as they might be, it was time for a change of pace, and a few weeks ago, I decided that meant a trek to the Lincoln Park Zoo. After some deep thought, I realized it had been nearly ten years since my last visit to the Lincoln Park Zoo. Much has changed, but much was still the same. They revamped the gorilla exhibit at some point, but it still gives you an up close view and interaction with the animals. I had remembered koalas, but they must be gone, because I couldn't find them anywhere. The underwater polar bear observation area was still there, though.
It was a cold day, and I think the virus which would eventually morph into my pneumonia had hit, so I didn't last long. I plan on a trip back very soon, and I plan on visiting the Lincoln Park Conservatory, as well as the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum (they have an indoor free-flying butterfly exhibit!) at the same time.
Until then, please enjoy these images!
When I walked in the Cannon Drive entrance, I could hear the growling of the tiger.
As mentioned, the underwater polar bear observation area is still there - and it's still as fun as ever to watch the huge bears swim by the window.
While the cold got to me, apparently the flamingos did not mind it.
Last spring, I purchased a Brookfield Zoo membership as an early birthday gift for myself. It had paid for itself by the time my birthday rolled around. I've always enjoyed nature photography, and while I dream of National Geographic photography, zoos and nature preserves will have to cut it for this midwestern gal for now.
I love the waiting and anticipation. I might spend three hours at the zoo, but only visit an exhibit or two. I have no problem at all waiting for crowds to disperse so I can position myself for the best possible shot. I love learning the different animals' behaviors, and capturing the perfect moment.
Patience has its rewards. Cookie the cocaktoo - the zoo's oldest animal (and the last remaining member of the original animal collection from 1934) came over to the glass and performed a bit for me on my last visit.
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