The Black Swallowtail (Papilio) feeds on various flowering perennials. This one paused long enough for a portrait. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Choices…
Lincoln Park
A moment of calm…
Hiding amongst the Coneflowers (Echinacea) is the wondrous Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterfly. Here one rests on the Conflower, but it’s preferred food is grasses while it lays eggs on the Milkweed plant. Monarchs in Chicago (and other northern places) and then travel over 3000 miles to Mexico for the winter. It will be a new generation that travels North next summer. CLICK the image above to track migration via “Journey North”. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Years of butterfly observation have taught me that Monarchs toward the end of their life fly slower and slower making them easy to catch by hand and hold for a short time before setting them free. They are fascinating to observe close up. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Seasonal traveler…
Green Heron
Careful observation at Lincoln Park’s North Pond can reveal unique birds. This Green Heron (Butorides virenscens) probably wintered in the southern States or Central America. In the South they frequent coastal areas or Mangrove swamps. In the Midwest they are content to residency by ponds and wetlands. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Wild beauty….
These were another favorite in my garden; now I enjoy them during my walks in Lincoln Park, Chicago.
Macro photograph of the delicate, small, Cranesbill flowers and buds. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Wild Geranium (Cransebill) is late spring/early summer perennial native to the Chicago area. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Shooting stars in Lincoln Park…
Feel the warmth of the late springtime air. The grasses are green and the Shooting Star is in bloom by North Pond in Lincoln Park, Chicago. This delicate beauty is a native perennial for Chicago. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Close up of the small, too often unnoticed, Shooting Star. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Just ducky…
Out of the water for a bit, this male Mallard tries to hide among the Dandelions. These images were all taken one morning at Lincoln Park’s North Pond. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Grooming is ever a process when out of the water. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Male Wood Duck sunning on a warm spring day. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Mallard Duck family enjoying an outing in Lincoln’s Park, North Pond, Chicago. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
City view…
Yes, that is a passing bird captured as I focused on the camper along the Lake Michigan shoreline just north of downtown. I don’t think it’s legal, but it seemed to work. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Precious signs of springtime…
Springtime at Caldwell’s Lily Pond in Lincoln Park, Chicago. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg.
Non-crabby looking Crab Apple blooms Mark the new beginnings of springtime. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Awesome beauty; every spring my mind believes this is most beautiful season of the year in Chicago. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Spring sprung awake…
A clear sign that I’ve observed over my many years, is that when the Chipmunk sits still for a portrait it means it has just awoken from it’s winter sleep. They may sit in a patch of sunshine for quite awhile and gradually stretch to loosen it’s unused muscles. Next week it will be very unusual to catch such a long pause; portrait capture will be a challenge. This one was at Lincoln Park’s Caldwell Lily Pond. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Native wild in Chicago…
These delicate spring blooms are the only Columbine native to Illinois: Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis). These blooms were prolific today in Lincoln Park’s best kept secret, Alfred Caldwell Lily Pond.
Abundant spring Wild Columbine brighten the shady Caldwell Lily Pond. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Close up image of one of the Wild Columbine flowers. These flowers are visited by insects but avoided by larger animals who find them poisonous. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
Restorative scene with Wild Columbine inviting one’s restful enjoyment. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg
For more information on this Illinois native CLICK the image above. Copyright 2018 Pamela Breitberg