Over The River

Tuesday started with a very dark and gloomy sky. I decided to ride my bike anyway and got rained on in the process. It was worth it! I got some really nice images in Seneca Illinois and then decided to ride Dupont Rd back towards Morris. I was pleased when I reached the bridge of the Illinois and was presented with this tug pushing a load eastward down the river

A late Winter Sunset

A late Winter Sunset, originally uploaded by kendoman26.

Taken two days after the largest snowstorm of the season, the snow already is quickly melting in the March sun. Very cool sunset

Hello Long Time no posting :)

Many changes have occurred since I last posted in this blog. Lost my job, and left Chicago for North Central Illinois, living in the City of Morris. The County Seat of Grundy County Illinois.

While I was taking out the trash yesterday I saw feather falling from a tree. I looked up and so this large bird sitting in the tree. I quickly went inside to get the camera and the zoom lens. In this shot it looks like it's looking at me :)

APRIL!

It's April and Chicago and it feels more like the middle of summer instead of early spring! Took my bike out for a ride for the first time this year. Rode to Olive Park which overlooks the city's Gold Coast. Awesome ride awesome day It's 83 out right now!

Trains!

Thursday was the third in a string of nice days that Chicago has had. I decided to watch some trains go through the Canal Street Railroad Bridge. This is a vertical lift bridge and it's neat to watch it go up when boats go through. Today, however it was time to see trains pass through.

The first picture is an amtrak train headed to Union Station



The one below shows an Union Pacific Engine passing through

Spring Has Sprung!

The warm weather of the past week finally allowed all the snow to melt and the first greenery to pop out of the ground!

A Red Lite Sunset

Last Tuesday evening something told me to look out the kitchen window, When I looked out I was amazed by the red reflections the last light of the day was casting on the loop. The Aon Building in particular looks very cool!

February Snow

Chicago finally got hit with a substantial snowfall over 12 inches fell on Wednesday. Thursday sunny skies returned, which has been a rare treat this Winter. The photo below shows the Bridgeport neighborhood after the storm.

End of the Line or is it?

Today the cuts in CTA service go in effect. They didn't have to but the union is stuborn. The photo above was taken last week at the now closed Archer Garage. Yesterday the CTA rounded up all the 6000 series Flxibles and moved them to the Archer garage for storage. I have a love hate relationship with those Flxibles, when running well they were great transportation on the other hand some of them should have be sent out to pasture sooner.




Today's bus watching should be interesting. The #44 Wallace Racine goes down my street and while weekends we only have 6 on the route, there usually a mix of Flyers and Flxibles. The 74th street garage houses the 44 and now has traded it's Flxibles for Novas, so I'll be watching to see if a Nova is on the route.

Service could be restored eventually if the union can come to terms, but even then it will take a couple of weeks to happen

Harvest Moon in January?

Yesterday morning I caught a strange sight. The setting moon in waxing gibbous was orange in color. This color is usually associated with the Harvest Moon. Very strange!

Winter at Ping Tom Park

I have finally got a chance to snap a few shots of Ping Tom Park in Winter. Ping Tom Park is located along the Chicago River behind Chinatown. The Pagoda is the only structure located in the park.

Pinkish Sky

Last Friday, the snowstorm came to an end and the sky was clearing. We had an interesting pinkish sky just before daybreak :)

Happy New Year!

With the arrival of the really cold weather, we finally have blue skies. New Year's Day started with the sun rising above US Cellular Field AKA Sox Park!



Saturday morning started cold with a temp of 7 degrees but since I missed the moon on New Years Eve, it was a good chance to snap a pic of the still nearly full moon.

Cold End of the Year

Went by the planetarium today and shot this cold view



Brrr

Suspended

Due to things that out of my control. I'm temporarly suspending my blog. Best wishes to all for a great holiday season.

Frosted

The weather is up and down now :) Last Thursday was the coldest day of the season with a low of 0 and a high of 8. Now that's cold. When temps get that cold I have a kitchen window that decides to join the fun as below :)



It's warm and balmy 39 today but another cold spell is coming for tommorrow with highs barley making 20.

First Snowfall

While astronomical winter is 3 weeks away, Chicago usually receives it's first inch of snow by December 2nd. It was 5 days late this year :)

December!

Yesterday was December 1st, but you couldn't tell by the weather with a high of 55! Below is a wonderful photo of the skyline from the Planetarium! Too bad it couldn't last as I type this the clouds have rolled in with maybe some snow tonight :(

A Great Fall Day!

It seems that this year October-November have switched roles and were having such great weather for November. This despite the rumor of snow on Thanksgiving! This past Saturday I decided to take a walk around the parts of Bridgeport that I haven't visited yet. Since it has opened on Memorial Day weekend, I've visted Stearns Quarry Park several times. What I haven't seen is the backside that runs along Popular Street. Popular is a realtive short street running on an angle from 31st to Archer. Below is a shot of the quarry from Popular.

Early Evening on the Lake

I continue to be distracted by illness and personal issues, but last Sunday evening I took the Sony out to the lakefront and shot some cool pictures. See below!