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.

March

Been focusing on the positives lately as well as maximizing on available opportunities. Hard telling what the future holds as time is sorely limited (believe it or not) but my perception of what can be achieved in a measure of it differs from most. The ease of winter's grasp though slow to relax has been beneficial to my spirit.

March 1st - (Hopefully) the last big snow of the 2014/2015 season!


March 11th - Dense morning fog generated a fog rainbow or "fogbow" shortly after sunrise.


Wide angle distortion skews the fact that it's actually very big (note the setting moon for scale).




Later from an area park...


March 14th - Lake Shelbyville sunset.




Pair of geese break the placid surface.


March 15th - Another Lake Shelbyville sunset and this time with accumulating shoreline ice known as "Ice Shove".










March 17th - What remains of 'Mt. Slushmore' from back on the 1st.


Later that evening, the Aurora Borealis as result of an intense geomagnetic storm from back down at Lake Shelbyville. I hadn't planned on being here but was already in the area that evening so it worked out.

February

Although every day is a challenge where the will to do anything is largely forced, I am still around. Nearly four months have passed yet it seems like yesterday and especially as the first thing I see upon waking each afternoon is the spot where our eyes last met. Amazingly, I'm keeping it together for Ava but my overall life perspective has changed significantly. I now understand why the hearts of men harden with age except when it comes to my daughter. She of course is all that matters and for those wondering, has been doing well. Since last post we've continued to find our way while juggling a complicated lifestyle that is still evolving. At a time when mild weather would be a blessing, it figures it would be so stubbornly cold. There have been highlights when available time and circumstance met.

February 2nd - Light pillars after midnight as result of blowing snow crystals.






Sunset the following evening.




February 5th - Clinton Lake, Clinton IL










February 8th - Sunrise








February 13th - Sunrise


February 14th - Sunset


February 15th - Sunrise


February 16th - Sunset


Febraury 18th - Snow Squall at Sunset


February 21st - Heavy snowfall, 7.10" at the I-72/US 51 interchange.


February 22nd


Later that evening...