It’s difficult to know which photos to share for my recent walks in the park that I’ve enjoyed visiting while back in Illinois, but let’s start with a photo of something I’d never seen there before: an owl. Silently walking among the trees just at dawn, I saw an owl land not far from me. I managed to get three shots before it flew away, two of the back of its swiveled head. This one had to have some work done on it because of how dark it was in the woods, but I was so chuffed at having not only seen it but gotten a halfway decent shot that I didn’t care.

Sometimes it pays to get down low and smell the clover…or at least take a photo of it.
I often came around corners to find swaths of flowers, often too wide for one photo to contain. Bliss.

There were still some of my favorites: dead plants festooned with spider webs.
One more first time spotting, this time something getting a bit of warmth from the rock, an illustration of the usefulness of telephoto and cropping.
If you enjoyed this tiny walk even one tenth of how much I enjoyed that morning, I’ll be happy to have made your day better. Jo, thanks for hosting these walks when you have the time and enjoy your time away from hosting as well. Your efforts and beautiful walks are much appreciated.
for Jo’s Monday Walk
I have never seen an owl in the wild. Thanks for sharing yours.
I’ve seen a few other places but never when I was able to take a photo. I’m happy to share this one!
Looks like you got some great shots. A lovely way to spend the early morning. Thank you for taking me along.
I wondered whose footsteps I heard behind me. 🙂 Glad you could come along and thanks for taking time to comment.
janet
All fabulous photos, but you really saved the best for last here. The detail on that snake is jaw-dropping! Wow!
Thanks, Hannah. I was so happy about the owl but then finding a snake to made it even better. 🙂
Oh my gosh, how exciting!! The rest of the walk looked like it was amazing too. Congratulations on the owl sighting!!
I went on three walks there while I was here and they were all wonderful. This one was special though because of the owl and the snake.
Really special!!
Love your owl, and the desiccated plants and spider webs!
I thought you might like that web shot, Sue. 🙂
It’s great!
Wow, that snake is a beauty! And wonderful to be able to photograph the owl too, even if you did have to do some work on the photo afterwards 🙂
Thanks, Sarah. I’m really happy you liked the owl shot.
janet
Oh my that owl! Love it. The snake not so much. Happy Monday.
Glad you liked the owl, Janet. At least you saw the snake from a distance. 🙂
Great work. I need to do a lot more bending over for taking photos, and not always at eye level. lol
Thanks, Mike. Getting down low really pays dividends.
janet
How exotic capture the owl! I envy you, Janet. I love the web image!
Thanks, Amy. I love those web shots and haven’t found any good ones back in Arizona.
I’ve never seen an owl in the wild either, Janet. And looking at you so intently! 🙂 🙂 Thanks for your good company.
Thanks for always stopping by, Jo. I hope you enjoy your blogging break. ❤
Aaaa! I didn’t see the last one coming! 😮 I have nothing against snakes but this photo of yours is truly… hair-raising. And I love all the rest too.
Glad you enjoyed the rest, Manja. At least it’s just a virtual snake for you. 🙂
janet
I enjoyed your walk, and loved seeing your owl photo. I’ve only been able to get one decent pic of one and I do get to see them often out here, so you did good!
Thanks, Madison. 🙂
That is a stunning owl! and that snake!!!! Goodness! It isn’t a python, is it?
Those woods sure are pretty! Thank you for sharing them with us.
Not a python thankfully, Ju-Lyn. But it was a big snake. Thanks for walking with me.
janet
A lovely set of photos from your walk, I have only seen owls in the wold when I have been driving so unable to take a photo. They are magnificent creatures. It is quite rare to see a snake here and although adders live in the sand dunes fortunately I haven’t come across one.
I was definitely excited about the owl and this snake was some distance away, so I enjoyed seeing it sunning.
Great captures, especially the owl and the snake!
Those two made my day even though there was so much more.
They are more rare to capture!
Exactly. 😉
Me too, never seen owl in wild, great to see you managed to do so. NAture spotting is great activity and if able to capture it nicely is an added plus
I certainly enjoy spotting interesting things in nature and I know you do as well. 🙂
Lovely images Janet. I can see how much you have enjoyed your walk especially when spotting two “wild entities” for the first time though the snake looks scary.
Yes, those two made the walk even more special. The snake was quite large but nowhere near me, so I didn’t worry.
Wonderful….. and then there was a snake! EEEEEEE!
😀
🙂 But it was at a very safe distance and as it was something I’d not seen there before, I enjoyed the find although not in the same way as the owl.
Yeah, the owl was a hoot!
Ha!
fantastic pictures!
Thanks. I’m very happy you like them.
janet
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