Southern Illinois Slight Risk

With Ava being on break and in good company, I took the opportunity to explore new places down south on Thursday April 2nd. The intent was to hopefully photograph marginally severe storms however, of those encountered only one was remotely photogenic. In spite of this I scoped out a few new natural areas that I've had bookmarked on my list of places to visit. Southern Illinois is without question a very beautiful region that I could easily see myself living in someday.

Stephen A. Forbes State Park, Marion County Illinois




Carlyle Lake










Finally, from south of Centralia along US 51, a storm...






Near dusk while heading home, I stopped at Ramsey Lake State Park. Walking down an unused service road, a loud and distinct sound like the song of the siren drew me into the twilight forest. Eventually, from along the edge of a vernal pool in near total darkness under an ascending moon, I was treated not only to the deafening call of many but also a solitary performance of the elusive Spring Peeper. Having spent my entire existence hearing but never seeing these creatures except for in pictures, this moment was the holy grail of my lifelong herpetological interest.








Flipping the camera (Canon T3) into video mode, the following clip is reverse ring macro.


It has been an exceptionally busy month for which I hope to get caught up with on here in coming days.