Chicago Air & Water Show

I know, it's been a while since I posted. I've been in a slump; everything I've shot has either been overexposed, blurry, or just boring. But I think today's trip to the Chicago Air & Water Show had gotten me out of the slump.





Then we had the brilliant idea to go to the top of the John Hancock building to watch more. The views were stunning.





I heart Chicago, too.



The rest are at this set at Flickr. They're all worth viewing in large.

Detroit under Fog

Here's what it looks like outside our window on the 54th floor of the RenCen at 8:30 am this morning.





As a frame of reference, here is the Ambassador Bridge as I shot it two nights ago.

It's amazing as it rolls in over the city.





Good thing we're driving rather than flying today!

Northern Illinois Farm

Taken in November 2006. I think it's best viewed in large.

I'm looking through these older shots this week as I start to put together my annual photography calendar. All of my family and many of my friends will already be recieving one as their traditional Christmas gift (hope I didn't ruin the surprise, haha), but if anyone else is interested in purchasing one, send me an email at kristen@kudzuplanet.com and I'll add you to the order list!

Happy Birthday Joe!

Today is my nephew Joe's birthday. I wanted to take some photos of some fire trucks around here, but I couldn't get a good one. Also, I live in a city area, so getting a good shot of a tractor or farm equipment was kind of tough. So I looked and looked all over Chicago, and I think I found some vehicles put together in a way he's probably never seen. Check this out!



Yes, that's a pile of real cars all stuck together on a pole! Up in the air! See?



I know, it's crazy. But it's real! It's even been shown in movies!



That's Uncle Richard's favorite kind of car on the top: a Volkswagen Beetle. We play Slugbug all the time.



I like that one because it's kind of arty. :)



Chicago has some weird stuff, don't you think? I'll find some other cool things to show you when you come to visit, promise.

Happy Birthday, Joe!

Signs at the Carnival

The computer is back, and I've got a ton of photos ready to post! Here are a few signs for the more interesting foodstuffs found at the carnivals I've been to lately.

From the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, in Detroit Michigan. Can you tell it's a Polish-based carnival? (They spelled Babchi differently than we do. Who knew?)



I HIGHLY recommend the pierogis at the Hamtramck Festival. These people do not mess around.



From the Romeo Peach Festival, in the rural area a small town several miles outside Detroit. You would think given the name of the festival, the pie area would be more prominently displayed, but this is it. Just one lone sign tied up to a post.



I did not have any peach pie, sadly.



Frozen Coke? Really?



I didn't try this one.




I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the frozen Coke. This one is MUCH weirder!



Taken at the Naperville Ribfest in Naperville IL, summer 2006. I did have the deep-fried Snickers, just to say I did. It was pretty good!

There are a few more carnival rides and such at the Carnivals and Fairs photoset on Flickr. Check them out!

3 Candids from the Peach Festival

Little blond girls enjoying the carnival ride.




Bored Carny (Is that the right spelling? I never know.)



Every carnival needs a random bagpiper.

Take your chances, step right up!

More from the Romeo Peach Festival in Michigan...



It looks a little less exciting and glamorous in the morning than it does at night lit up, but it's still eye-catching. See, no one can resist!




Catch a duckie...



...win a tiara...



...or buy a raffle ticket to win a rifle. (??? Okay, that's a first for me!)

Storm Clouds

Everyone laughs at me, but even after 17 years of living in the Midwest, I'm still unnerved at how BIG the sky is here against the flat land. These are two reasons why.



Storm's A-Coming

If you look at it in largest size, you can see how how it all seems to stem from one point in the middle.



Low Rolling Clouds