Shroom

I had to lay down to get the right angle for this photo. It's been rainy all week and these popped up.

Weather

It's been overcast and rainy here in Chicagoland all week. This morning the sun was shining but by midday it was overcast again. At 2pm a wind advisory went into effect and will continue until 5am tomorrow. Gusts are expected between 40 & 50 MPH tonight. The wind is bringing a new front from Canada which I hope also brings the sun. Here's the cloud formation just before 7pm tonight.

Sundown

Tonight's sunset at east entrance to Fermilab. 

Fall color

Tonight I stopped by Herrick Lake Forest Preserve to take pictures. I walked around a section with prairie plants and found a wide variety of plants in various stages of "fall".

Here are other fall photos I've taken in the last week.

Yard Sales

With winter coming, the yard sales seem to be better than usual. People just want to get rid of stuff. I had a number of really good finds. These brand new fleece lined moc slippers from Australia were only $4.

I also got 15 music CDs for $2

Artists and genres included: 

The Beatles, 

Chicago, 

Chuck Mangione, 

Dixie Chicks, 

Fats Domino, 

Patsy Cline, 

Big Band, 

"Singing Cowboys," 

and movie soundtracks;

Far and Away, Sister Act & Notting Hill.

Another great buy was a Kuering K-cup carousal holder for $1. Normal price is $24.99. When I combine that with the mini coffee maker and k-cups I got in early June (at a yard sale of course), I have a complete setup at my desk for $30.

Tractor

Today I stopped by Sonny Acres Farm's Fall Festival because I noticed a car show. As I left, I started taking pictures of old farm machinery and tractors. I heard a man behind me comment/question why I was taking pictures of machinery. I walked over and had a chat with him. He was there because he had a 1950 car to show. We talked about being drawn to the farm life; me because my grandparents (and extended family) farmed in Ohio and he because his wife was from southern IL where there are many farms. He grew up in the city of Chicago and now lives in the western suburbs. You just never know who you'll meet and what interesting conversation you can have when you "stop and take a look-see."

This is the car he brought to the show with him sitting behind it.

St James Farm

I try to visit St James Farm a couple times a year. Today was sunny and though it's not yet in full fall color, it was still a great photo "shoot." This brick stable is impressive.

See more of my photos at St James. 

Panko Chicken

Tonight I decided to stop at Super H Mart, a Korean grocery store. I didn't buy any groceries but I had a delicious Japanese dinner ... 

...in the food court at Sushihana.

Sunset

I've been trying for a week or so to get a good sunset picture from the top of Mt Hoy* (a landfill hill) in Blackwell Forest Preserve, about a mile from my house.

 *Authorities later chose Blackwell to be the site of a new county landfill. The resulting Mount Hoy operated from 1965 to 1973 and provided valuable knowledge in managing solid waste. Today, Mount Hoy serves as a scenic overlook and popular birding site as well as a winter tubing hill.

http://www.dupageforest.com/Conservation/ForestPreserves/Blackwell.html 

Fall

Sumac is so stunning when it turns red in the fall.

Fruit

In early May I noticed a tree that seemed to have two different kinds of blossoms and I wondered if it had been grafted? It turns out it really is two trees that grow so close together it looks like one tree at first glance. I got a conclusive answer recently when I noticed the fruit is produced.

Hymns

As I rode my bike along the Illinois Prairie Path into Lombard this evening I began to hear hymns. I decided to leave the trail and find the bell tower. The beautiful songs were coming from St John Evangelical Lutheran Church and School. I couldn't help comparing the worshipful quiet to the busy rush hour tollway I'd just crossed a mile to the west.

Horsing Around

I found a red barn today that I'd never seen before, and just had to photograph it. Around the corner I found horses romping in the field behind the barn. 

Natural Beauty

Once again I'm amazed at the beauty of dead plants.

 Look for the wasp in this photo.

Music

Tonight I went to the monthly Local Music Night in West Chicago. All three featured groups were good. Each played a 30 min set. At the end 3 audience members sang in the Open Mic section. Pictured below is a Roger who played two Civil War songs.

White

Here's another fall plant. I have no idea what these berries are but they were growing in the wild at Blackwell Forest Preserve.

Weed

The milkweed pods of Blackwell Forest Preserve are getting ready to go to seed.

The sun was setting and gave it this pink/purple hue.

Moon

Tonight I experimented with taking shots of the full moon. It was stuck behind a tree and this the result.

Morning Glory

Morning Glories are in bloom again. I thought they were done in June but they are back.

Remember

The St Charles, IL Fire Department draped a truck today in remembrance of 9/11.

Revolutionary War Reenactment

It's Revolutionary War Encampment/Reenactment weekend at Cantigny.

See more photos on my Facebook photo album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.427840202778.198466.523177778&l=c0550e1a01

Waiting

This dog was sitting patiently out on the sidewalk in a light drizzle/mist while his master had dinner on the outdoor patio at John's in Winfield, IL.

Still Blooming

It's September and my cherry tomato plants are still blooming profusely. I hope nighttime temps don't freeze them before they produce. 

Bread

Today's find at the Winfield. IL, Farmer's Market was fresh-baked Apple Cinnamon Twist Bread by Great Harvest.

Cornfield

The only view I captured on my bike ride tonight. 

Web

Here's my best picture today. 

After riding 23.5 miles on the  Salt Creek Trail from Elmhurst to Brookfield (IL) Zoo, I was headed home. Just before sunset, I pulled into Herrick Lake Forest Preserve on an impulse. This spider web was exceptional.

PS I saw a doe and fawn grazing in the back yard on my ride, but my photo of them wasn't anything special. 

Zypher

Today I did one of the things on my "I'll do it someday" list. I went to the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL. For me the highlight of the day was seeing the shiny silver Nebraska Zypher. It was owned by the Burlington Route railway and went into service in 1936. 

https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisRailwayMuseum
More photos here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150279892407779.329617.523177778&l=ef0e55e862&type=1

Country Fair 1890's style

This Labor Day weekend Kline Creek Farm is hosting an 1890's Country Fair. It was well attended and included instructional demonstrations as well as turn-ot-the-century entertainment and shows.

See more of my photos at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150278778177779.329249.523177778&l=b5b3c35ba4 or visit the official website for the event. http://www.dupageforest.com/NewsReleases/Old-Fashioned_Country_Fair_at_Kline_Creek_Farm.html

Clothesline

Today I saw clothes drying on the line in Milton township. Can't remember the last time I saw that. 

Weeds

Even weeds are creative works of art.