FIRST ENCOUNTER ORANGE A colorful sunset comes into

A colorful sunset comes into view as I make my way around Wildflower Lake with the colors reflected onto the surface and a breeze that moved across the lake leaving soft ripples in its wake

A pair of mallard ducks rests along the banks of Eakin Creek West as their reflections are cast on the surface in this wetland landscape scene during early spring at Wildflower Park

Cattails are a common wetland plant here at Wildflower Park in Northern Illinois

you might just notice the monkey heads

a calming effect to a busy and hectic day

FIRST ENCOUNTER ORANGE A colorful sunset comes intoAs I was making my way through the park, I came up to one of the bridges that crosses over Eakin Creek West when I noticed this common goldeneye duck swimming near the bridge. When it noticed I was there, it paused for a couple seconds, just long enough for me to get my camera ready which it then took to flight. Later in the day, I seen the common goldeneye duck again on the South Fork Kishwaukee River. This was the first sighting of a common