Tag Photography

Chicago – Tulips are everywhere…

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This year there are so many tulips around Chicago.

Here are two photos of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Ave). On one side of the street, there were red/yellow colored tulips. When I walked to the other side, they favored multiple colored tulips.

I didn’t realize that tulips are perennials, so they come back again and again. Of course, this depends on the soil, how much water they’ve had during the year, etc. So, sometimes all of the tulips might not come back. For example, you might just see a lone tulip in someone’s yard, like this yellow one. Although, there seem to be some other sprouts that are coming to the surface.

Here are beautiful pink tulips. Such a fabulous color. This was in the evening. Were they going to sleep?

Tulips will only be in bloom until mid-May, so enjoy them while you can.

Happy Spring!

Almost Solar Eclipse time…

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I carefully took this photo, trying not to look at the sun. The sun is bright, it hurts our eyes to look toward it. This was a neat photo between the trees. Looks like a spooky Halloween photo. We just need a witch flying by on her broomstick.

I look forward to seeing what the media shows later today.

Happy viewing, be safe!

Happy St Patrick’s Day!

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Happy St Patrick’s Day! I’m prepared. Recently, I was at Notre Dame University and picked up this shirt. Go Irish! Got to wear some green this weekend.

Then in yearly tradition, the Chicago Plumbers Union will dye the Chicago River green on Saturday. I always think of the “The Wizard of Oz” and their Emerald City when I see how green the river gets. It’s BEAUTIFUL!

We really get excited to see them dye the river. YouTube has some videos, you can see the process. There are a lot of Irish folks in Chicago, so it’s a lot of fun. I can’t say that corned beef and cabbage is my favorite meal, but once a year, OK. Lots of Irish beer. Don’t forget to wear some green.

My daughter lived in Ireland for six years. She said that St Patrick’s Day is their biggest holiday.

It’s time to watch “The Quiet Man.” Love that movie.

Have a great weekend. Happy St Patrick’s Day! ☘️

Photography, when a better camera was needed!

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I was in Indiana enjoying the fury of Lake Michigan. The temperatures dropped; it was cold and windy there. I realized I could see the Chicago skyline. I took this picture with my IPhone, but I couldn’t capture what I was seeing “in person,” a crisper and more distinct looking skyline.

Distance photos should be taken with a high powered camera.

Today is BLACK Friday. It’s the official start of the Christmas season. If you are shopping, I hope you find some GREAT deals out there.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Winter is coming… STILL some flowers left.

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Winter is coming, the leaves are falling. However, when I am walking, I see there are STILL some flowers alive and well. The colors are so vibrant for this time of year. Look at those ornamental cabbage plants. I rarely see those.

This is my favorite type of weather to walk in. It’s border line cold, but still fresh outside for a brisk walk. Allows time for creative thinking.

I leave you with this yellow rose. What does the yellow rose mean? Friendship??

Have a nice weekend!

Walking: Gardening – Observations

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Do you have funny thoughts when you are walking? I went to visit a friend. We were walking the neighborhood. As we were talking, I stopped, giggled and had to take this picture.

I’ve always enjoyed gardening. Trimming the hedges, raking leaves, etc. I saw this bush, and immediately wished I had my gardening sheers with me. All those funny shoots sticking out, needed trimming.

Further on our walk, we came across this gigantic sunflower. Isn’t it amazing?

All alone, it grew so tall in such glory. There is a daintiness in this sunflower’s stance too.

There is beauty all around us. We just have to slow down to see it.

Have a great weekend!

Photography… I got the perfect shot!

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Life is interesting. Yesterday, I knew I needed to go walking, but I was going back and forth on “when.” You know how that is. One side of our mind says, “DO IT NOW,” but the other side says, “It’s cold outside, wait until later when it has warmed up.” The good old excuses.

I decided to get it done. Near the park where I walk there is a Catholic Church. When I go walking, I always stop and visit Jesus, say a quick prayer, and continue walking.

When I got to Jesus, I was amazed to look up and see the sun shinning perfectly on his face and his right arm/hand as if he was going to bless my head. Might sound silly, but as I was raised a Catholic, that was the first thing that popped in my mind.

I did apologize to Jesus for not going to Sunday mass. I just don’t enjoy it. I go to church when I want to. I like to go during the week, just pop in, sit for a few minutes in the quite dark church with many candles lit and feel at peace for a few minutes. OR as I mentioned, make a point of walking by church and stopping by when I go walking. That offers comfort too. No matter what struggles, we know we are not alone.

In the end, I would say most of us feel we are spiritual, we do believe in prayer or God or “something,” and we pray “our way.” That’s the best. My mother always liked the Buddhist teachings. We can pray anywhere.

There are so many things we need to pray about right now. Wars in Ukraine/Russia, now Israel, natural disasters, the migrant situation, inflation, illnesses, family/friends passing away, the list goes on.

So, I say, “Thank you, Jesus, for making me smile.” The sun shinning on you, was special indeed.

Glad I took that walk when I did!

Weather – When the storm comes in…

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We can all sense a storm coming in. The wind starts to change, the clouds come in and THEN our IPhone’s go off. Flash Flood Warning Alert.

That’s what happened this weekend. I was close to Lake Michigan, stopped by the Lake and saw this incredible view of the dark clouds slowly moving in. I had to be quick to get the photo.

The waves were rather calm for the storm that was coming. Even so, I sensed from the dark clouds looming over head and the way the temperature felt that I had to take cover. A tornado could form in this type of storm. While I was mesmerized by the colors of the Lake and the dark clouds, I had to find shelter.

In the end, the storm came, pounding rain, then after a short period the sun came out. Yes, the bright sun as if a storm had never come through our town…