Some more recent pics from the area

Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve Dec. 27, 2008

Here are some pics from a local forest preserve.  More-from previous shoots, will be uploaded soon.

More Insects In Our Backyard

Here's a pic of a small bee on an aster, and a beetle on a juniper.  I haven't been able to identify specifics of either bug yet-but I'll keep on it and update if I am able to key them out.

Stuff in my yard

A couple pics I've taken in the past week-both in my yard.  Top one is a 13 lined ground squirrel eating one of our cherry tomatoes.  Bottom one is a locust-haven't identified what kind yet but I'm working on it.  More pics to come soon.

Subdivision River

This river developed across the street from us after 5 inches of rain today-and no hurricane.  It runs from the subdivision behind us to our retention pond on the left.

Black & Yellow Argiope (Argiope aurantia )

Cool spider wrapping up a large milkweed bug in the prairie in my backyard.  Shot with a Canon 20D and a handheld off camera 580EX with a Lightsphere attached.  Triggered via Calumet Litelinks.

Some new pics from the area

Recent pics from St Charles, IL. 1st pic is Ferson Creek at Route 31. 2nd is Mill Creek (lensbaby lens) on LaFox Rd., 3rd is also Mill Creek.

Obviously things are still a bit cold here. The Mill Creek shots are from Feb. 29.

Finally some new stuff

I was in Scottsdale, AZ the week of the 21st for a conference, so the family came out the end of the week to get out of the cold. Sat. was fantastic, high temps in the low 70's, so we went to a wild west town called Rawhide. My kids loved it as there were shootouts, the lone ranger, train rides, panning for gold, burro rides, and a gift shop with lots of toy guns.

Sunday wasn't as great, temps in the mid 60's with about an inch of rain, but it didn't stop us from going to the Phoenix Zoo. Great zoo, but a number of exhibits were closed due to the weather. No pics again due to the weather-the gear stayed in the car.

Monday our flight home was cancelled, then our new flight was delayed repeatedly. We ended up getting home 6 hrs later than expected (about 10 pm). Needless to say we had a couple of very tired little boys.