Meacham Grove

Last week's unseasonably warm weather sent me off to find some fall color at Meacham Grove here in Bloomingdale. While many leaves were already gone from the trees, lots of color was left in the plants and in the sunset.

Blue Snow

One more pair of images from Meacham Grove in Bloomingdale, where the sun across the snow surface shows waves impressed on the snowbank by high wind, with the entire snow color looking blue. The other image shows the use of lens flare to intensify the color of the sunset.

Shooting Star?

As the sun finally disappeared, on the only evening all week that would light up the sunset sky, I caught my favorite shot of the day. A shooting star? Meteor? Or a vapor trail of a jet? What difference does it make if the image is worthwhile?

Lone Walker

As the sun sinks toward the horizon, another shot of the dramatic sky at Meacham Grove. Meanwhile, the only other sign of human visitors in the preserve trudges in the direction of the parking lot. I would be soon to follow!

Sunset Seed Pod

Another view of the recent sunset at Meacham Grove, along with a staple of forest preserve photography. Some of the seed pods growing in the preserves are beautiful, complex works of art. Perhaps all of them are.

Heading South

Shortly before sunset, we see an asphalt trail, covered in well-trodden snow, rounding a stately tree. Naturally, the formation of geese flying by were headed south.

I'll Follow the Sun(set)

Fortunate to be so busy with photo shoots that I had not been out on a just-for-me shoot, no client or agenda. Last week an afternoon gave me that narrow window of time to catch a late-fall-early-winter sunset or two. No need to drive far, the sun sets everywhere. I went to Meacham Grove right here in Bloomingdale. This week we will look at some of the images I collected.

All we need is a setting sun, a hill and a tree.

Closing Color

Our two final fall color shots are pretty opposite. One is a look into the pond water from the levee near the overflow dam at Meacham Grove. The darkening sky lends a deep blue cast to the water with duckweed and algae providing the green. The other, of course, has to be the silhouetted sunset, leading out thoughts on to winter and other topics.
The topic for the next several posts will be SIGNS.

Snapping Turtle

At Meacham Grove, a levee runs north and south between the large pond and the large grassy march area. A month ago, after climbing a tall hill to the south (where I captured one of the images in yesterday's post), I came down to walk the levee and look at the overflow dam in the middle of it. As I walked, I came across this fellow, his shell about 18-20" in circumference and weighing . . . I have no idea how much. A fisherman and his son were standing near him and at one time put the feel of a fishing pole in front of his mouth. It was exciting and interested to see a snapper snap, since it was not me he was snapping at!
The fisherman was telling his son that he thinks the turtle had spent days climbing the levee -- fifteen feet, perhaps -- to cross the path and descend to the mud of the march for the winter. What an impressive effort.
One more post on fall color in the next post.

Right Down the Road

Right down the road, six or seven minutes from my driveway, is another of the wonderful forest preserves that are part of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District. Scenic banks of trees, paved walks for leisurely strolls or more serious walking workouts, water, and a tall hill to climb for healthy exercise. Truly a gem.
The next post will center on an apparent full-time resident of the preserve.