MOVING ELEGANTLY ACROSS THE PRAIRIE ILLINOIS RIVER McHenry's Peak overlooks black lake

McHenry's Peak overlooks black lake right after a dusting of snow in the glacier gorge part of Rocky Mountain National Park

It was mostly overcast with some sun breaks

A spectacular sunrise is seen with mist coming off of wildflower lake on this summer morning in Northern Illinois

in which the friendly ducks were sad to see me leave (really morning cause it was only about 7:30am)

Bright white flowers of the elderberry bushes can be seen throughout Wildflower Park during the summer months

MOVING ELEGANTLY ACROSS THE PRAIRIE ILLINOIS RIVER McHenry's Peak overlooks black lakeAs I watch this sandhill crane pass across the landscape in search of a meal, I can't help but notice how elegantly they move from one step to the next, a slow methodical rhythm that brings beauty to the prairie landscape. It's no wonder why cranes are revered world wide for their elegance. (426 596)