Stop!

Two more images from the snow storm of less than a week ago, nearly melted and gone now.

Snow on Treetops

Snow was especially interesting last week in the tops of tall trees, not only evergreens, but trees that will be sprouting leaves any week now.

Snow Today, Gone Tomorrow

Here I sit on a sunny Monday and about all the heavy snow covering from Friday is gone. It was picturesque for a while, though, and I ran out to see the local forest preserve in what has been thankfully rare this year: a snow covering.

SUNDAY POSTER

SATURDAY POSTER

Leaving the Slough

An interesting weed pod and a look back at the waterline closed out the visit to Songbird Slough. Just a week later we had a beautiful 3" snowfall; some more wintry scenes will post here next week.

On the Cusp

While the bright sun made Songbird Slough look very springlike, the major portion of the water still had a thin crust of ice on it. Spring might be right around the corner, but its time has not yet arrived.

Last Year's Growth

The bright sunshine allowed the water surface to show its rich blue summery color, reflecting and framing the tall stalks of last year's growth.

Dreamin'

Dreamin' at the forest preserve. It looks to me that a fishing enthusiast is looking out and dreaming of the fish to be caught in 2012. I wondered if the tall tree nearby was dreaming of the leaves it is about to be dressed in. Spring is certainly on the way.

Songbird Slough

This strangely warm and pleasant winter has provided few opportunities for those great snow shots of prior years. But a sunny afternoon gave a hint of spring in Songbird Slough, a DuPage Forest Preserve District property.

Grow Angry Slowly

SUNDAY POSTER

Finally! Look Closely!

Finally, one eagle was spotted. Across the river, sitting still in a tree. As long as I stayed, he was intent on the same. And so I had to leave, and he still was there, still as a statue. I will have to settle for the mini-picture this visit.

Dam and Goose

On the search for the Eagles in Elgin, I saw a goose standing on thin ice . . . and the dam. Are there any eagles out here?

See Any Eagles?

News reports this week showed that eagles have returned to Elgin; one report showed three of the majestic raptors soaring over the Fox River this week. On they way to a photo shoot, I headed out to the area near the library, just north of the dam, and looked. I saw a wonderfully strong tree, naked of leaves. I saw the usual several gulls. At first, I saw no eagles.

Patience

Valentine's Day Poster

Tools

Tables filled with tools at the Military History Fest, whether for setting up and maintaining a campsite or whether a weapon, the things of war can be extremely photogenic.

Military's Necessities

We return to the items needed by members of the military when far from home. They could be binoculars and flashlights, which would be obvious needs . . . or they could be polished soup ladles, equally needed to feed the troops. Here they shine in peaceful splendor.

Today's Worship Service

Today's excellent Church Service at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St. Charles had my mind thinking about photos. Above we have the lyrics I really enjoyed as we sang one of the hymns, backed by a photo of the Island of Patmos, where John wrote Revelation. Below an Old Testament quote and the subject of the sermon, the cleansing of the leper in the muddy Jordan River. This man was praying and immersing himself when we visited the Jordan last July. A thoughtful morning, relived in these posters.

SUNDAY POSTERS

Stuff

As we have seen, the people at the Military History Fest were in full uniform, whether in a scene or just present at the event. But the great photos were also there in looking at equipment, items of use in a scene or for sale at the vendor's table, or really anywhere I looked. Here we see a cot and a compass.

Full Regalia

Some of the most impressive people at Military History Fest, of course, are in full uniform. But not all of the uniforms are as impressive as the ones these leaders were sporting.

Ladies' Day

While women are still not common in combat roles, several women enjoy the support roles they have in Re-enacting. Here we see two women at the Military History Fest last weekend. One is seen working at a desk, the second is posing for pictures movie-star style on a tank.

Faces

Within the life-sized dioramas and outside them, acting their parts or just visiting, the faces seen at the Military History Fest were of great interest and certainly the stars of the show.

Military History Fest

Military History Fest at Pheasant Run was a wonderful pictorial surprise. Set up for those interested in the topic, it mainly draws Re-Enactors, men and women who become experts in various historical campaigns and battles and who spend much of the summer in large or small demonstrations of their knowledge. All are most excellent for photographers. Here we see scenes as wide-spread as Valley Forge and Stalingrad.

Sunset

After a side trip for a few errands, I returned to Mallard Lake for another look . . . specifically looking for a sunset. Overall I was pleased with the images I collected with my handy pocket camera inside the iPhone. It will never replace the Nikon but it does give me an alternative that will be with me pretty much everywhere.

SUNDAY POSTERS

Shapes of Things

Loved the directional arrow painted on the asphalt at Mallard Lake, and then I looked up at very non-wintry, springlike clouds. I saw a snowy egret in flight; I hope you do, too.