Ruffled Feathers!

I know it's the dead of winter, but I was taking a trip through my archives today and came across this image of a duck ruffling and cleaning his feathers, or in more appropriate terms, maybe it's preening, that I took while on my trek to Chicago last summer. I love the colors and the texture so I wanted to share it with you. Apparently I'm into textures and patterns if you read this blog regularly. I would love to be in Chicago right now . . . shopping, and eating, at all the fabulous restaurants, of course. By the way anyone know the name of this duck? Enjoy!

Bridge, Long Grove Village Park, Chicago, Illinois

While trekking around Chicago this summer, I stopped to take a photo of this bridge traversing a creek in Long Grove Village, not far from the covered bridge. It was just begging me to take a photo of it so I had to comply. What is it about wooden planks and a rusting rail that makes one want to walk over and peer down into the creek. I don't know the answer to that, but I did do it. Long Grove is such a cool little village with a ton of charm. Plan a stop sometime if you are in Chicago for a visit. Enjoy!

Goose Lake State Natural Area, Morris, Illinois

Goose Lake Prairie State Natural Area is a tallgrass prairie located 50 miles southwest of Chicago and displays the largest stand of tall grass prairie that remains in Illinois. I visited the prairie almost ten years ago and found the tallgrasses somewhat taller with virtually millions of butterflies flittering around me. It was an unusual year and the lady at the visitor's center remembered that particular season well. This trip netted beautiful flowers along the trail and many a bird chirping in the meadow oftentimes unseen hidden by the tallgrasses. Trails wind through the prairie for several miles with views of marshes and ponds along the way. The utter natural feel you get while walking the trails with the tallgrasses and flowers looming over you has a rather calming effect. I actually slowed my pace and stopped to look at all of the different blooms along the trail. If ever you find yourself in the area, I hope you'll plan a visit to Goose Lake. These are my the digital images I photographed. I'll post my slides at a later date.

Long Grove Village, Chicago, Illinois

A few of my photos taken with my digital camera this week from my visit to Long Grove Village in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. The village is small enough to walk the entire town in an afternoon. The covered bridge sits at one entrance and is adjacent to a small park with a grassy meadow. Very nice fine art, fashion and home decor shoppes. I had visited the village five years ago and decided to include it in my trip this week. If ever you plan a trip to Chicago, plan on spending a few hours in Long Grove.