Daily Chicago Photo

Exploring Chinatown: Architectural Details

2012-01-30T01:30:00.000-08:00

A collage of some artistic details on buildings in Chinatown.

Exploring Chinatown: Ping Tom Park

2012-01-25T01:25:00.000-08:00

You can get a unique perspective of the skyline - where else can you see the Sears Tower as a backdrop to a canyon wall? - from Ping Tom Memorial Park.

Exploring Chinatown: Year of the Dragon

2012-01-23T08:16:00.000-08:00

Last Fall we went exploring in Chinatown but I didn't have time to post the photos. Until now. In honor of the Chinese New Year (it's the Year of the Dragon), today, here are the nine dragons on the Chicago Chinatown's Nine Dragon Wall.

Chicago Lights

2012-01-20T12:25:00.000-08:00

The Loop Alliance is leaving the music-synchronized lights along State Street up through February. It started out in December with Christmas and Holiday songs and greetings. Now all the songs are love songs. (Today, I heard "My Funny Valentine", "I Will Always Love You", "All You Need is Love".)

On a dreary winter day, as the 2012 blizzard begins, a little color is nice to see. But, come Spring, I hope they bring the tulips back.

Makes Sense

2012-01-18T01:18:00.000-08:00

In a way, it makes a lot of sense.

Tahquamenon Falls

2012-01-17T06:17:00.000-08:00

The swirly waters of Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

Sunset at Mackinac Bridge

2012-01-16T01:16:00.000-08:00

Used the car door as a tripod to get this long-exposure sunset photo.

Best of Both Worlds

2012-01-13T01:13:00.000-08:00

Ice Crystals and Sand on the beach

Patterned Pine

2012-01-12T05:09:00.000-08:00

A little dusting of snow on pine trees makes an interesting pattern.

Ice is Cool*

2012-01-11T01:11:00.000-08:00

*Pun Intended ;)

Found a little bit of Winter up in Northern Michigan recently. This is a photo through the railings on the breakwall in Charlevoix, Michigan.

Full Wolf Moon

2012-01-10T01:10:00.000-08:00

According to The Farmer's Almanac, the January Full moon is known as the Full Wolf Moon because during "the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages." Today's temperatures were in the high 40s. Tomorrow is forecast to be in the 50s. If there are wolves howling out there, it's because they're celebrating this unusual almost-Spring like weather.

P.S. Sorry to be gone so long. Between prepping for a home improvement project, the holidays, and a winter vacation, I didn't have time for posting. I was still taking photos, though, so I should be able to post more regularly.

The One That Got Away?

2011-11-24T01:24:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T11:23:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving

A Robert Indiana Hope sculpture,

companion piece to his famous Love sculpture in Philadelphia,

on display by the John Hancock Building

Exploring Pilsen VII

2011-11-21T01:21:00.000-08:00

Finishing up Pilsen with a few random photos from the area

Window Display

(I like how the Red Devil looks a little Johnny Depp-ish)

Pilsen Artsy A Crazy Chef painting in an

Street Lamp area grocery store

A Pilsen Institution with Yummy Food

Exploring ... Pilsen VI

2011-11-20T01:20:00.000-08:00

According to a Chicago Neighborhoods history book I have, the Pilsen neighborhood was originally "settled" by Czechoslovakians, Austrians, Polish, and Lithuanians. Pilsen's name is derived from the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic (Plzen). So, seeing little remnants - such as the Beer Stein gate post in the first photo and the "L. Wilimovsky" nameplate on the building in the second photo isn't too surprising.

Exploring ... Pilsen V

2011-11-19T01:30:00.000-08:00

A sample of Pilsen architecture

Street Scene

St. Adalbert's Church

Colorful Entrance

Interesting Brickwork

Exploring ... Pilsen IV

2011-11-18T01:30:00.000-08:00

Another new mural in Pilsen, the J-Def Peace Project, honors a local hip-hop artist that was killed in 2009. Here are a few segments of that mural.

Exploring ... Pilsen III

2011-11-17T01:17:00.000-08:00

Pilsen has many vibrantly painted murals. Here are a few scenes from one of the newer ones entitled Reach for Peace.

Exploring ... Pilsen II

2011-11-16T01:16:00.000-08:00

There's a beautifully painted Community Center in Pilsen called Casa Aztlan. Here are a few scenes from the building. The blank white spaces seem to indicate that the exterior is always being updated and refreshed.

Exploring ... Pilsen I

2011-11-15T01:15:00.000-08:00

Pilsen is a very interesting neighborhood in Chicago. Very diverse, but with a strong Latino infuence, and artistic. A great place to explore.

Artsy Sidewalk Marker

Artsy Gangway Gate

Autumn Skies II

2011-11-14T01:12:00.000-08:00

Snow clouds yield cool sunsets

Autumn Skies I

2011-11-13T01:13:00.000-08:00

The drawback to Autumn Sailing Classes (which I think is what those little boats in the bottom right of the photo were doing) is that your class could be held while snow flakes are falling. The benefit, though, is a chance to see some great Autumnal Sky Colors

Exploring ... Stearns Quarry III

2011-11-12T01:11:00.000-08:00

Another view of the Fishing Pond at Palmisano Park (Stearns Quarry) along with a close-up of one of the limestone boulders, left over from the old quarry, that adorn the park. Are those ridges signs of fossils?

Palmisano Park Fishing Pond

Limestone Boulder from Stearns Quarry

Park History Interpretive Sign

Blink and You Missed It

2011-11-11T01:00:00.000-08:00

It snowed on Thursday. If you blinked, you missed it. A few minutes later the sun came out; then another snow shower; then the sun came out again.

I got confused! I wasn't sure if it was a sign that Winter was coming or if it meant that today was the start of Baseball Season ;)

Freighter Day

2011-11-10T01:00:00.000-08:00

This is blurrier than I would like it to be. But given that it was dawn and the freighter wouldn't hold still for me, it's not too bad -- especially if you pretend it is an impressionist painting. This freighter came by last week along with a few more -- it was almost like a parade. I guess they were getting their last trips in before the weather makes it too dangerous to continue running.

I'm posting this photo today because it is the anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald during a bad storm on Lake Superior. So, find the Gordon Lightfoot song on iTunes and toast the "Fitz", the captain, and the crew.

Exploring ... Stearns Quarry II

2011-11-09T07:19:00.000-08:00

This is the fountain at the entrance to Palmisano Park (the old Stearns Quarry). Although it was turned off for the season, it is quite impressive. Apparently, the water is drawn from the Fishing Pond. The fountain is connected to a chute that recirculates the water back down the park's sloping landscape to the pond.

The terraced landscape of the park

The Interpretive Sign about the park's fountain

Exploring ... Stearns Quarry I

2011-11-08T07:33:00.000-08:00

Stearns Quarry was a limestone quarry in the Bridgeport neighborhood in Chicago. It closed around 1970 and became a clean construction landfill. The Chicago Park District turned it into a very scenic and welcoming park, named Palmisano Park, in 2009. Here's the link for more information on this park.

Information on the Fishing Pond (above)

from one of the Interpretive signs in the park

Morning and Evening

2011-10-28T01:00:00.000-07:00

I just love the interesting clouds and weather patterns that keep sliding through Chicago. The top photo is from Thursday morning (around 9), the bottom photo is from the early evening (around 5:30). The middle of the day was actually rather sunny.

135 Years of Architecture

2011-10-20T01:20:00.000-07:00

The church was completed in 1873.

The John Hancock Building (in back of the church) was completed in 1970.

The 900 Michigan Building (in back of the Elysian) was completed in 1989.

The Elysian was completed in 2008.

Dancing with Corkscrews

2011-10-19T01:19:00.000-07:00

An interesting sculpture. And, yes, it is right outside a wine bar.

Autumn Composition

2011-10-18T01:18:00.000-07:00

It was a great scene to capture whether on a memory card or on canvas.

Cliffs Notes Version

2011-10-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I never realized that my Green Eggs and Ham book is obviously the Cliffs Notes version. Apparently, the unabridged version of Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham, between the Economics book and the Dr. Jekyll book in the photo, is really as long as War and Peace!

Autumn Starburst

2011-10-16T01:16:00.000-07:00

An Autumn burst of color

Autumn Sunrise

2011-10-14T05:59:00.000-07:00

October Sunrise. There are still a few boats in the harbor. Have to credit the optimists that hold out for those last late Autumn lazy boating days.

Twenty Minutes of Weather

2011-10-01T01:01:00.000-07:00

Wrigley Pink and Blue

2011-09-30T05:18:00.000-07:00

This was taken Wednesday evening when - I think - the Wrigley Building was in the process of converting its tower lighting from September's Blue (for Prostate Cancer Awareness) to October's Pink (for Breast Cancer Awareness)

Watching for Waterspouts

2011-09-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

There's an odd weather pattern (see the article here) involving the warm temperature of Lake Michigan and a slow moving low pressure weather system that caused a large number of waterspouts to form on Lake Michigan this past weekend. Here's the one I saw near South Haven. Michigan.

On Tap

2011-09-24T01:08:00.000-07:00

On the wall of the Goose Island Brewery...

Symmetry V

2011-09-23T01:23:00.000-07:00

Belmont CTA Station

Symmetry IV

2011-09-22T02:29:00.000-07:00

North Avenue Bridge

Symmetry III

2011-09-21T01:29:00.000-07:00

Belmont CTA Station

Symmetry II

2011-09-20T01:20:00.000-07:00

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Garden Fountain

Symmetry I

2011-09-19T01:19:00.000-07:00

St. Peter's Episcopal Church

COLOR WEEK: PINK AND BLUE (Color-Coded)

2011-09-18T01:09:00.000-07:00

I did not know they color-coded these staples of street fairs ...

COLOR WEEK: BLUE

2011-09-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

St. Peter's Episcopal Church Steeple

Rain on the Horizon

2011-09-16T01:16:00.000-07:00

Had to interrupt "Color Week" for this photo of Thursday's sunrise. The little areas of rain along the horizon were pretty cool.

COLOR WEEK: YELLOW (Violin Lollipop)

2011-09-15T01:59:00.000-07:00

Lakeview sculpture

COLOR WEEK: GREEN (Now THIS is a Bottle Tree)

2011-09-14T01:49:00.000-07:00

This Bottle Tree was on display - along with other sculptures made entirely of Found Objects - at the Lakeview Arts Festival.

Now THAT'S a Bottle Tree!

COLOR WEEK: PINK (Happy Hip Homes)

2011-09-13T01:39:00.000-07:00

I saw this banner and somehow pictured the apartments as having shag carpeting, Harvest Gold toned appliances, lava lamps and - probably in the higher rent styles - conversation pits.

Perhaps I should stop watching "That 70s Show" reruns.

Full Moon Fever

2011-09-12T00:09:00.000-07:00

Alright, whether this is the Corn Moon (the name of the September Full Moon) or the Harvest Moon (which is the Full Moon closest to the Autumnal Equinox), it was lovely. It will be quite full tomorrow night as well so you may be seeing the Harvest/Corn Moon again later this week ;)

The clouds were pretty, too

Majestic Building(s)

2011-08-31T03:01:00.000-07:00

We have a lot of majestic buildings in Chicago. This one is named the Majestic Building. According to this website, the Majestic Building was the tallest building around when it was built in 1905.

The glass and steel building next to The Majestic Building is no slouch either. It's the Inland Steel Building. According to this website, when it was completed in 1957, it was the first skyscraper built in the Loop after the Great Depression.

Another Sunrise

2011-08-29T02:09:00.000-07:00

Berry Fight

2011-08-28T02:08:00.000-07:00

A Canadian Goose and a gull were fighting over some type of red berry. Apparently it wasn't worth the effort since the gull subsequently spit out its "prize" and flew away.

I like the "expression" the goose has ;)

Tough to be Silver

2011-08-26T04:46:00.000-07:00

A Silver Man takes a break along the Riverwalk ...

Tut-Tut! It Looks Like Rain

2011-08-25T05:24:00.000-07:00

This was Monday's rain moving in over the city.

Bridges

2011-08-22T01:20:00.000-07:00

Scene from the el as it crosses over the Chicago River

Danger Danger

2011-08-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

I always thought this went without saying but I guess you do have to say it.

Workin' on the Railroad

2011-08-16T01:16:00.000-07:00

They've been working on the Railroad

All the live long day

(at least it felt that way because the train has to go through the work area verrrrrrrrryyyyyyyy slowly.)

Wired

2011-08-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

I just liked the geometric shapes formed by the wires. The odd reflections (including the word Loop) are the result of taking the photo through the window on the Brown Line.

Food Trucks Rule

2011-08-12T01:12:00.000-07:00

A culinary revolution has hit Chicago: Food Trucks.

I have to admit, I wasn't all that excited about them when I first heard about them. Really, who wants to go running around chasing a truck for food. It's one thing when you are a kid and it's an Ice Cream Truck; it's another thing when you're not a kid anymore.

But now the trucks are congregating at various places to offer people a buffet, so to say, of fun food. They were using terms like Food Truck Summit, Food Truck Flash Mob, and Food Truck Mash Up originally. But now they are using more creative names like Waggin Wednesday (where some of the profits go to canine related causes) and Truckin' Thursday.

Now You See Him

2011-08-05T01:18:00.000-07:00

Now You See Him ...

Now You Don't ...

Bueller ... Bueller ... Bueller

2011-08-04T04:08:00.000-07:00

The Art Institute uses a fun reference to a fun movie in their advertising. Bueller ... Bueller ... Bueller

Smoking Cloud

2011-08-03T03:08:00.000-07:00

This cloud, just hanging around southwestern Michigan, looked a little like it was smoking a cigarillo.

Home

2011-08-02T02:08:00.000-07:00

When you get off the Blue Line at the Logan Square stop, you get this reminder that you're home.

But don't try to walk through the blue door 'cause it's really a cement wall.

Ode to Riverview

2011-08-01T01:20:00.000-07:00

A sculpture at Belmont Avenue and Wester Avenue is an ode to the old RiverView Amusement Park. It was created by artist Jerry Peart in 1980.

Wired Sunset

2011-07-31T01:31:00.000-07:00

The sun sets on a hot day, perhaps giving the electric wires, surely humming as air conditioners are running full blast, a rest.

Fountain of the Great Lakes

2011-07-30T01:17:00.000-07:00

I recently learned about this beautiful fountain while volunteering with the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

This is the Fountain of the Great Lakes by Lorado Taft. It is located in the Stanley McCormick Memorial Court on the south side of the Art Institute. The five women represent each of the five Great Lakes and the fountain shows the flow of water between the lakes from Lake Superior down to Lakes Michigan and Huron and then to Lakes Erie and Ontario.

Below the photo are two water sprites that appear on either side of the main fountain.

Color Wheel

2011-07-29T01:15:00.000-07:00

Wall of color at the Art Institute of Chicago.

For the Record

2011-07-28T01:02:00.000-07:00

While I was waiting to take yesterday's photo, I noticed that people were walking around the back of the statue and surreptitiously looking up. Well they THOUGHT they were doing this surreptitiously.

So, for the record: Yes, she is wearing undergarments. This is Chicago, not Hollywood. And she's Marilyn, not Britney.

Heels and Subway Gratings

2011-07-27T01:24:00.000-07:00

When I wear heals and walk over a subway grate, I get stuck. But this is Marilyn, after all.

Cloud Study

2011-07-26T01:08:00.000-07:00

Another cool looking cloud appeared over the city. Looks like a bowl of French Vanilla Ice Cream with Whip Cream on top.

Walking on Air

2011-07-25T01:25:00.000-07:00

The North Avenue Bridge over Lake Shore Drive.

Outta My Photo

2011-07-24T01:24:00.000-07:00

While a passenger in a car driving down Lake Shore Drive, I was attempting to get some photos of the boats anchored at the Ohio Street Beach. This guy popped into my frame. If he, too, clicked his shutter, then he got a photo of me taking a photo. I'll have to check the other City Daily Photo blogs from Chicago to see if he is "one of us" ;)

Details Details

2011-07-23T07:23:00.000-07:00

I like the little details that are on the older buildings in Chicago.

Feather Friends

2011-07-22T01:27:00.000-07:00

While the warblers have all moved on a few months ago, Chicago is still a big bird watching destination. Although, this Kingfisher was a little flat ... must be the heat.

A Matter of Perspective

2011-07-21T01:21:00.000-07:00

When I crossed the street the first time, I read this as "She". On my way back across the street I saw it from a different perspective and realized it could just as easily be "345".

In a Fog

2011-07-20T01:20:00.000-07:00

We don't usually see such heavy fog in the summer. Early Spring, yes. Autumn, yes. Summer, not so much.

However, on Tuesday, the cool Lake Michigan water temperature (around 65 degrees Fahrenheit) reacted with the extremely warm air temperature (92 with a heat index closing in on 100) to create a wall of fog around the city's lakefront. It only went in a few blocks from the lake. The fog was thick enough that all the beaches were closed to swimming. People could go to the beach but couldn't go in the water because the fog was so dense that the life guards couldn't see that far.

Literal Interpretation

2011-07-19T01:19:00.000-07:00

The sign said "Stop Here" ... so she did.

The Heat is On

2011-07-18T07:18:00.000-07:00

The dog days of Summer are here. Stay cool.

Inside Household Goods

2011-07-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

More Wild Clouds

2011-07-07T01:07:00.000-07:00

After all the wild weather on Thursday, these clouds (also, as yesterday's photo was, from Friday July 1) made me wonder if Sigourney Weaver was going to be showing up with the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man. Who you gonna call, then??

Wild Weather ... Continued

2011-07-06T06:00:00.000-07:00

After an evening of wild storms on June 30, Friday (July 1) brought some eerie looking clouds.

Independence Day Re-Cap

2011-07-05T16:06:00.000-07:00

Summer Stargazing

2011-07-03T02:07:00.000-07:00

Stargazer Lilies. A summertime scent-sational flower.

Wild Weather

2011-07-02T02:07:00.000-07:00

I didn't think just setting the camera on the table and putting the shutter speed at 30 seconds would really get anything.

I hoped.

Apparently Mother Nature wasn't camera shy on Thursday night.

Here's what the storm looked like as it rolled in over Navy Pier.

Theme Day: Green

2011-07-01T01:07:00.000-07:00

Today is Theme Day on City Daily Photo and the theme, voted on by the CDP members, is GREEN.

Here are all things green from my farmers markets this past week: Cucumber, Fava Beans, Garlic Scapes, Kohlrabi, Mustard Greens, Sugar Snap Peas, Basil, Marjoram, Sage, Tarragon.

So many shades, so many flavors, so good.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Traffic Independence

2011-06-30T02:03:00.000-07:00

Let's all hope for a light traffic start to the holiday weekend...

What Every Balcony Needs ...

2011-06-29T02:09:00.000-07:00

Another for the "No Clue" series of unexplainable scenes in the city.

If you don't have enough space in your condo to display your carousal horse, no problem! Just put it on your balcony.

Ugh!

2011-06-28T02:08:00.000-07:00

An expressive alpha-numeric coding for this utility pole along the Dan Ryan ... perhaps for those days when traffic is bad.

Just Hanging Around

2011-06-25T06:25:00.000-07:00

The title says it all ...

Phoenix

2011-06-24T03:26:00.000-07:00

Just a short trip down Milwaukee Avenue yielded a number of interesting sights. There's definitely a Milwaukee Avenue Photo Walk Safari in my near future!

Captured

2011-06-23T02:26:00.000-07:00

Thank goodness they got that infamous caterpillar and his two nefarious butterfly cohorts behind bars! The streets are safer now.

No Clue ... revisited

2011-06-22T01:26:00.000-07:00

Yet another in an irregular series of photographs of sights for which I have no explanation.

Summer Solstice

2011-06-21T00:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Summer! It's the longest day of the year. Get out and enjoy - whatever the weather.

From Near Not Far

2011-06-20T02:06:00.000-07:00

Love the Farmer's Markets!

After a rough Spring, things are finally starting to pop at the markets. Strawberries, Asparagus, early Cherries, Asparagus, Spring Onions, Asparagus, Rhubarb, Peas, and lots of greens. I'm one of the lucky ones in that - except for Mondays and Fridays - I can hit a market every day of the week between June and October. Many of them, including the Logan Square Market, go all winter now as well.

So there's really no reason for you to NOT Eat Your Veggies. (Although you can eat your chicken, pork, turkey, elk, beef, fish, lamb, goat, cheese, breads, tofu, eggs, all from the market, too!)

Man with a Fish

2011-06-19T07:20:00.000-07:00

The Man with a Fish fountain (near the Man with a Fish Garden) by sculptor Stephan Balkenhol is appropriately positioned at the entrance to the Shedd Aquarium. The Shedd staff would probably frown upon attempts by visitors to hug any of the Aquarium's residents. Especially the sharks.

Watch Out!

2011-06-09T06:22:00.000-07:00

It's happened to me and I've seen it happen to others. Red Winged Blackbirds are very protective of their nests. Certain colors of hats and shirts seem to really set them off and they also - quite sneakily - sometimes attack from behind you.

There's been a pair by the Shedd (I don't know if it is the same pair each year) that are particularly territorial and protective. I think that's what prompted these signs.

Stand Here ...

2011-06-07T04:36:00.000-07:00

But what actually happens if you stand there? Perhaps the fireplug automatically opens and sprays you?

I was curious. But I'm also a sufficiently suspicious city-dweller. So I just took the photo.

26.2 miles in 2 days

2011-06-06T00:06:00.000-07:00

Yay! Finished the 26.2 miles in 2 days with no blisters and only a little heel ache. Day 2 of Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago was a little easier than Day 1 because there was significantly less humidity.

In It To End It

2011-06-05T01:06:00.000-07:00

Sights from the first 13 miles of this weekend's Avon's Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago. This year's walk raised over $6.1 million.

We finish up the last 13 miles today.