Baby Blue Eyes

So delicate and so cheerful!



Just looking the white version, they just looked...white. It wasn't until I aimed the camera very close that I could see the purple speckles on the petals.

Like, wow. Totally.

This aster looks tie-dyed to me, especially when viewed larger.

Short-season beauties

During this time of year, there are many flowers with very short seasons, ones that I will see everywhere at the Botanic Garden one week, but will be gone for the year by the next weekend. Here are a few of my favorites that I spotted last weekend:

Lilies of the Valley.


Bleeding Hearts.


Allium (globe onions). These will be in full bloom by next week.


Colombine. (I always see the signs for this, but never the actual flowers. Caught 'em this year!)

Two for Wednesday

African Daisy


One of the few so far that have fully curled its petals. They should be in full bloom everywhere in a week or two.


Bird Bath


I love the drops of water flinging into the air.

Aster close-up

The spring flowers are giving way to the summer ones at the Botanic Garden. I think I'll be spending more time there this summer than I did last. I've really missed it!

Spring Trees in Bloom

Blooming trees only last a few weeks in the spring, but they are gorgeous when they're here! We see them everywhere, especially the small trees along the train station and downtown and down our street. They've just started to turn into green this week, so I was glad I captured a few shots at the Botanic Garden before they were gone for the year.

On Evening Island, by the carillon tower


Around the bridge to Evening Island


Crabapple Tree Row


Purple explosion by the greenhouse


Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Bleeding Hearts on the vine

I've taken photos of bleeding hearts many, many times, but they've always been close-ups like these. This is what they look like on the vine.





In a week or two, this will all be back to plain green foliage, but right now, it's quite amazing to stumble across patches like these.

Tulips: Gold, Peach and White

Sensory Garden: Color

This is probably the last weekend for tulips at the Chicago Botanic Garden. I'm glad I got there when I could!

Almost seasonal set

After all these years of photographing the Chicago Botanic Garden, it appears I am still missing an autumn shot of this path. I will rectify that this year.

Spring. Taken in May 2008.



Summer. Taken in June 2007.



Winter. Taken in December, 2006.


Seasonal sets are among my favorite things to photograph. I'm open to new suggestions of sets to create!

Spring Tulips

The Chicago Botanic Garden knows how to do tulips right! I love the variety of colors in this bed.

I think it's the bear

Who is trapped in a cage, and who is free to roam? It's not that easy to tell sometimes...

Oh, my!

Monkeys...


...and Tigers...


...and Bears, oh my!


(The lion was sleeping, alas.)

Peacock, Brookfield Zoo

Spotted a peacock at Brookfield Zoo on Saturday. He got upset at some visitors watching him, and put on quite a show. I'd never seen a peacock up close before. Gorgeous!

Feathers at rest



Eying the crowd warily



He had quite a screech when he was fully affronted.



The rear view was pretty cool, too.



Feathers, fully extended

She's a grand old flag

(Taken at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry U-505 exhibit. This was the flag of the US ship that captured the German sub.)

Planes in the "Sky"

There is something about the grainy quality of this shot that appeals to me.

Taken at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, April 2008.

Spring Tulips

One of the few shots that weren't wildly overexposed during my last trip to the Chicago Botanic Garden. Just when I start to think I'm getting a handle on my photography, I pull a rookie move and don't check my settings or my exposure. Alas!

Farewell to an Era

The Berwyn Spindle, an unusual ode to the car culture that was erected in the 1970s, was torn down in the dead of night yesterday. The link includes a short video of it coming down. It was pretty sad to watch.

I am grateful now I went out to capture last fall. The entire short photo set is here.