OFF THE BEATIN PATH CROSS COUNTRY SKIING A few hairy wood mint

A few hairy wood mint plants can be seen near or underneath peachleaf willow trees on the west side of Wildflower Park during late spring and into mid summer

some days you have to look for those special moments

I quickly panned a little to my left and quickly pressed the shutter release as the loon swam right in front of me before diving beneath the surface of Wildflower Lake

I photographed this section of the creek for about an hour coming away with some beautiful images of the box elder trees and their reflection onto the creek

it can be beautiful or inspiring

OFF THE BEATIN PATH CROSS COUNTRY SKIING A few hairy wood mintA beautiful morning hiking through Starved Rock State Park. I decided to go off trail to capture the sunlight as it penetrated through to the forest floor and illuminate the autumn colors of maple, oak and hophornbeam trees of this deciduous forest in Northern Illinois. I had to wait about a half hour for the sunlight to shine through this spectacular and majestic scene. It was worth the hike and patience to capture this majestic landscape. (683 3271)