Bell Weather

I've seen this bell and the clock/temperature display a thousand times (maybe more). But, until today, I never noticed that there was the little weather change display on it as well. In this case, the temperature was getting colder. I can't wait until the "Warmer" light starts coming on.

Fountain of Light

In the summer time this is a fountain. They keep the illusion up during the winter months with a cascade of lights.

Deconstruction

One of the last high rises from the Cabrini-Green Housing Project is under deconstruction.

Up Up and Away

OK this picture is from the middle of February. You can tell because it is sunny and the sky is blue. It has been rather gray and dreary the last few days.

This is the Kinzie Street Railroad Bridge. I have to admit that until I took this picture and was doing the research on this bridge, I thought it was being repaired because it always was in the raised position. I did think it was a little odd that the repair was taking so long (I first noticed this bridge last year). The bridge allowed railroad traffic over the Chicago River. The main user was the Chicago Sun-Times printing plant. After the printing facilities were relocated, there was no need for this railroad bridge, so it is permanently raised.

Reincarnation

This is the ceiling of the lobby of the Congress Theater in Logan Square. At one time it was a movie theater. More recently it is a concert venue -- except on Sundays. On Sundays it hosts the Logan Square Farmers Market -- one of the growing number of year-round farmers markets in Chicago.

Revolutionary

A new local brewery/restaurant opened up over in Logan Square recently called Revolution Brewing Company. It has fun and flavorful food (Bacon Popcorn, Cheddar Ale Soup, Sweet Potato Cakes, to name a few of the lighter menu items) and a nice selection of house craft beers and "guest taps".

The decor is interesting as well. The bulbs in the chandelier, shown here, are beer bottles with glass blown rounded bottoms.

Chicago Igloo

We don't see igloos around here too often. But some people clearly used last week's snow storm to their advantage and built this one in their front yard.

Moving Day

Moving Day is always hard but these people are having a particularly tough day in the River North section of the Near North Side neighborhood. Their couch is covered in snow, they have to carry it through piles of snow, and they are clearly not dressed for the winter weather conditions. (And, as the second photo shows, they don't seem to have heard that the 2016 Olympic Games were awarded to Rio.)

Winter Rising

Yesterday's sunrise over Lake Michigan. Interesting clouds and lovely colors.

Winter Garden

One of the many things I like about Millennium Park is that it is landscaped to look very pretty in all the seasons. This side garden, dusted in snow, is a little peace and quiet amid the urban roar.

Cloudgate's Lonely

This is Cloudgate, also know as the Bean. It looks lonely. I'm not sure I've ever seen it during the day without people surrounding it. Then again, it is snowing rather heavily and has been all day. I'm not sure you can tell but there is a layer of snow accumulating on the top of the curve.

Grab It

Another scene from the North River Chicago Industrial Corridor in Lincoln Park. This one is from the General Iron Industries Recycling Center.

I can't help but think of that Claw Vending Machine Game when I see these cranes grabbing piles of stuff.

Bad Traffic

Traffic was all piled up today. It was a real mess.


You don't typically think of Lincoln Park as being an industrial area but it is home to the North River Chicago Industrial Corridor, which contains a steel manufacturer, and various scrap metal salvaging and recycling centers.

Back to Black and White

All good vacations come to an end. Back to Chicago and the winter palette of black, white, and gray. (Oh, I might throw a few more Cabo San Lucas photos in every now and then to break the monotone monotony until Spring, which is only 43 days away -- not that I'm counting.)

This is, simply, a park bench in the Bloch Cancer Survivor Park. I liked how the snow accumulated in some spots (especially up the back) and slipped through the holes in other parts of the bench.

Feathered Friends: Wearing Red

Since today is National Wear Red Day, I thought I'd post some photos of some Vermillion Flycatchers. These were taken at a bird/nature area in San Juan Del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Organized by the American Heart Association, the purpose of Wear Red Day is to raise awareness of women's heart disease.

Artsy Arch

Todos Santos is a small town about an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, via a scenic drive with many "Curvas Peligrosas" (Dangerous Curves). It is an arts oriented town and this beautiful archway leads into one of the galleries.

Dinosaur on The Beach

Interesting rock formation along the beach in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. To me, it looks a little like a roaring dinosaur.

Clouds Over Cabo

Another view from Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. This one is a photo of the early evening sky and the Pacific Ocean. Clouds are rare. And even when they do appear they don't stick around for very long.

Wolf Moon over the Pacific

Although this LOOKS like the January Full Moon (known as the Wolf Moon) rising over Lake Michigan, it is actually the Wolf Moon rising over the Pacific. I got the opportunity to go to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico last week. This was taken on the last night during a whale watching cruise. The whales seem to wave good-bye.