THERE'S NO ICE BETTER THEN CRAB APPLE ICE LEPIDOPTERA checking out a loon when

checking out a loon when I lifted my head up and noticed this loon swimming just off shore checking me out

I began photographing the wildflowers that consisted of blue vervain

It doesn't take long to come upon the section of the creek that I enjoy

An early morning dusting of snow in Northern Illinois brings a beautiful winter scene to this prairie landscape along the South Fork Kishwaukee River with box elder trees standing precariously alongside the banks and some charismatic peachleaf willow trees off to the right at Wildflower Park

THERE'S NO ICE BETTER THEN CRAB APPLE ICE LEPIDOPTERA checking out a loon whenA winter scene of Icicles dangle beneath frozen crab apples after a freezing rain storm passes through the night before in Northern Illinois at Wildflower Park. (531 132)