March in Review

Hunh. Without intending to, I guess this month's theme really was "in like a lion, out like a lamb".

Spring Tulips

My husband asked me to send him some spring photos that he could use as an opener in a presentation this morning, so I thought I would share my top choices here.



More are available in the Spring set at Flickr.

Agora Sculpture Revisited

Back in January, I photographed the Agora sculptures in Grant Park. I returned this month and tried to capture them in a less 'intimidating' perspective. The little girl riding her Disney Princess bike around the statues helped a lot with changing the mood of the scene, I think. (The entire series is available in the Agora set at Flickr.)

Up the Aon Building

Gospel Girls

I don't think I accurately captured the joy and vivacity that emanated from their impromptu performance -- enacted on the steps of the stern Aon building on a bright St. Patrick's Day morning -- which is a shame because it was wonderful to watch. Oh, and they had lovely voices, too.



How cool -- the top picture was selected as the Rearview photo of the day at Gaper's Block. Thanks!

Chicago from Above

The city as seen from the top of the Sears Tower. Best viewed in larger size. The day was so clear, the Bahai Temple up in Wilmette is visible.

Irish Flat Stanley

For those who've never heard of him, Flat Stanley is a children's book hero, who gets mailed to exotic places and has adventures all over the world. Many kids make Flat Stanleys for school projects, and mail them to someone they know in another city, and that person takes Flat Stanley around and takes pictures of him in various places. I have taken many Flat Stanley photos around Chicago for a young boy in Connecticut, and I tend to see tourists and locals taking Flat Stanley shots at all the major city attractions.

But this particular Flat Stanley cracked me up when I saw him last week at the parade; they had dressed him up in a paper shirt with green clovers all over it. It really is true: everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day!

Q: How stupid are the drivers in this parking lot?

A: Very, VERY stupid.

Metal and Sky

Chicago takes pride in its plentiful parks and green spaces, but even without them around, it's still a strikingly beautiful city.

Stained Glass Rotunda, Part II

Last month, I posted photos of one of the stained-glass rotundas at the Chicago Cultural Center. This month, I went up the other staircase and found the other one.

Barbie Art

Both of these were taken of an art exhibit being shown at the Chicago Cultural Center this month. The artist of these two diaramas is Winnifred Birts. I loved them because the way both overlook Michigan Avenue and Millenium Park seems probably accidental, but it adds to the piece.

The Chicago Bean, 2 ways

Make sure you check this one in largest size; the buildings almost look like pencil drawings to me.

One more, because I couldn't choose:


I appreciate that everyone posing in front is wearing blue; it highlights the sky that much more.

(This piece is also known as "Cloud Gate" and is in Millenium Park, but everyone in Chicago affectionately refers to it as the Bean. It is a photographer's dream subject, as it never looks the same way twice.)

Millenium Park Ice Rink

The rink awaits its final visitors of the season; it closed on Sunday, March 18, until next winter. Just one more sign spring is coming!

St. Pat's Parade

Since there is only a small window of time where St. Patrick's-related photos are relevant, here are 4 of my favorites from the Chicago St. Pat's Parade held yesterday. We didn't have the greatest view for most of it; we were at the corner where the parade ended and they split off the floats in one direction and the bands and marchers in another. We lucked out in that we were standing facing the marchers, so I was able to see them closer than I thought I would.

Band Marching Past Skyline -- best seen in largest view.



Spinning Girls



Bagpipers



Little Irish Dancers

The Dyeing of the Chicago River

This was AWESOMELY weird and cool. I'm so glad we came down to see it.

Before. Notice how empty the path is along the river.



The boat begins to drop the dye. It's a lot more crowded now!



A few laps of the boat are completed.



The dye is totally safe, supposedly. It starts off orange, which is strange, but once it hits the water and gets churned up by the boat's motor, it turns to bright green.



Almost done. Notice how many more people are there watching now!






All done. The view from the Michigan Avenue bridge.



Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day, everyone!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The fountain in Daley Plaza has been dyed green for the holiday. It looked so pretty last night!

I may actually have a second post today, as I think I will get many good shots at the parade and river-dyeing ceremony. Keep your eyes peeled!

Yellow Tulips

I spied these indoors at the Chicago Botanic Garden last week, but tulips should be sprouting up all over the Garden soon enough! It's cold again today, but there are definite signs spring is just around the corner.

I will be posting pics of the St. Pat's Parade over the weekend, from my downtown hotel room. Come back and check them out!

Island of the Gods

I'm back with another comparison set! This one is of the Island of the Gods at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The Japanese Gardens there are made up of separate small islands in the middle of the lake that are connected by a series of bridges. There is one island, called the Island of the Gods, which is not linked to the others in order to be preserved so only the gods can walk around on it. (However, I have proof that geese like to walk around to it and on it when the lake has frozen over and they can reach it on foot.) Luckily, we mere mortals can still enjoy it from afar.


October 20, 2006



December 1, 2006



March 8, 2007


(With the lake frozen over and covered with snow, this last shot almost looks like the reverse of the first winter shot, doesn't it?)

There are two more side-view shots available in the Pairs set at Flickr. I'm looking forward to seeing it again in the spring!

Beach Fence through the winter

I know I did a 5-Days-Later series about this beach earlier this winter, but I've been going back every week and chronicling the changes in the ice and the water all through this bitter winter. It surprised me how much the ice sheets melted and grew back in the middle; I assumed they would stay intact through the cold weather, but that's not what happened, as you will see. The entire set is at Flickr, too.


January 16, 2007



January 21, 2007



January 26, 2007




February 7, 2007



February 21, 2007 (oops, missed a week)



March 5, 2007

Spring Ahead

Hope everyone remembered to set their clocks ahead today! Here's hoping these robins I saw the other day are a sign that spring is on its way. I'm ready for it!

Cedar Waxwing

According to some bird-watchers I met along the path of the Chicago Botanic Garden, this is a Cedar Waxwing. It's not the best shot I've taken, but wildlife photography is a lot tougher than it looks, especially without a powerful zoom lens. Someday soon I'll have one, but until then I'll just keep practicing!

A shock of pink

From the Arid Greenhouse at the Chicago Botanic Garden, taken March 8, 2007. I don't know about you, but I needed a nice jolt of color to savor today.

Casino Riverboat on the Fox River

This is the Grand Victoria casino riverboat in Elgin. It never leaves the dock, which is a good thing because it's well and truly frozen into the water. (Best viewed at largest size.)

Geeseprints

I keep trying to find things to photograph that aren't snow or cold, but it's tough sledding right now. We do go downtown next weekend for St. Patrick's Day, and I expect to have many photographs from that trip. Until then, more snow!

You lookin' at me?

A Canada goose, too stupid to fly further south to where it was genuinely warm.

Flick Park bridge in winter

Some of you might recognize this bridge, as it is one of my favorites to photograph in the fall. You can also see more Pairs sets photos at Flickr.

Basement woes

Sorry, no POTD today. I'm dealing with a soggy basement carpet (no huge flooding, just a rising water table seeping inside) and a windy, cloudy snowy day. I do have pictures of the moldy carpet tack boards, but I doubt any of you want to see that. :)

Back tomorrow with new photos, I hope!

February 2007 recap

Here are all the photos I posted as the POTD for February this year. (A larger version is here.) The Bears, the beach, and Valentine's Day were the predominant themes this month, it appears!