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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
The colors of autumn warm the cooler days quickly becoming cold days and nights of the arriving winter season. The stained glass at The Original Pancake House in Lincoln Park compliment the autumn hues of nature. Bundle up and stay warm everyone.
Colored glass pieces mimic nature’s autumn colors. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Peppers and tomatoes in a window box outside The Original House of Pancakes. They were used for summer harvests, but are hearty enough to remain harvest-able while they compliment the fall colors of the surrounding scenes. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Planter boxes are abundant decor for many condominiums of Lincoln Park. This seasonal design rich in autumn color and design interest. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Here are a few different views of downtown Chicago, this time from South Pond in Lincoln Park. The naturalized prairie grasses are prominent in the scene. After a leisurely walk through the park we lunched at the delicious Café Brauer; this time dining was a bit of a challenge. This time of year, worker bees are instinctively anxious to gather as much energy (sugar/nectar) and protein (pollen) as possible to store for the coming winter months. So, as my eyes admired the sweet view from our table, they were eyeing my lunch. And typical of me, I watched with love and allowed them to feast in between my bites and sips.
Warning: If you aren’t fond of bees then don’t look at last two images!
View of downtown Chicago and South Pond in Lincoln Park. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
View of South Pond and Chicago from Cafe Brauer. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Worker bee gathering sweetness from my jam. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Wine and cocktails were not off limits for the bees, much to the dismay of the diners. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
For more on bee behavior during the autumn:
https://phys.org/news/2012-10-bees-wasps-busy-autumn.html
Painted Lady butterfly on end of fall bloom. Fading Hosta leaves set the background. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg
Outer markings of the Painted Lady butterfly are similar to inner patterning; which is not always true of butterflies. Copyright 2017 Pamela Breitberg