Color of a Sort

Not all fall color shots have much if anything to do with fall color. At a local Forest Preserve, Waterfall Glen in Darien, I found a railroad track, climbed up to it, and got some great shots back across into the forest. But there were also some shots to be found centering on the rails and the rail trail leading around the curve.
More from this preserve in the next post.

Look Closer

Everyone interested in fall color looks forward to the sweeping vista of a forest filled with different species, generating a full pallette of color. No fall color collection is complete without such big views, and we did find some in an otherwise down year.
One thing the fall color enthusiast can always do, though, is look closer. The large numbers of colorful trees might be scarce, but the third three from the left looks wonderful. Most important, looking at whole trees is not the best of detail: look at individual leaves, or seed pods, or blades of wild grass. Natures multiple complexities might not fall together for the full orchestra of color, but the individual star turns are there for all to see.
More fall color in the next post.

Fall Color in a Tough Year

Fall color is on my list annually, looking for places to go to capture images of the leaves and the other flora showing off their wonderful colors. Doing so in a month with more than 20 days of significant rain and about four or five days of strong sunshine is tough.
Over the next several posts we will look at some images that we managed to collect despite the tough conditions. Enjoy.

The Hunt Moves On

The unhorsed photographer is in position to shoot one pass of the line of fox hunters and then move on. As we were on the way to Church, we moved on in our own direction. Some year I will be in position to move in in following the hunt. The event is so classic, so traditional, that it is a treat to watch in person or through the images.
Next post is out looking for fall color.

On the Hunt

After the dogs and the red-clad leaders go by, a long line of fox hunters follows the trail of the scent. Moving slowly, it is an impressive display. More than one style and color of dress can be seen, but all are formal and traditional. The entire group stays on the path, so any photographer can watch and collect the images that capture this great tradition.
More fox hunt photos in the next post.

Where's the Fox?

Every time we drive to our Church in St. Charles, we drive through a small town called Wayne. North and east of St. Charles, south and east of Elgin, Wayne straddles Army Trail Road west of Rt. 59. As you slow for the no-stoplight main section of town, there is exactly one auto repair shop and one retail store. The store, once a General Store and more recently a Tack Shop, has been closed for some years. The houses are quaint but aging and small along this stretch.
Looks are deceiving, though, as the area away from the enclave is a wealthy area with large plots of land, mansions, and many stables for the owners of horses. And the main claim to fame of Wayne, at the far western edge of DuPage County, is the Wayne-DuPage Fox Hunt.
A year ago, we happened upon the hunt by accident, with no camera and no way to capture the event. This year we were ready, and stopped on the way to Church to watch the traditional event pass us. We will look at some of the images in the next few posts.
So where is the fox? To truly hunt a live fox is not considered humane anymore, so the Wayne-Dupage Hunt is a drag hunt. Before the event, a marker is dragged to drop fox urine along the trail, giving the dogs a true and effective scent. Therefore, no foxes are injured in the event.

Until Next Year

The exhilaration of the jumping is a great place to end the visit to Danada. I certainly intend to return in 2010, hopefully with the grandchildren. One of the best highlights of the fall season.
Next post moves on to another fall event revolving around horses. And a missing animal of another sort!