Lens-Artist Photo Challenge – Symmetry

This week, Patti has chosen Symmetry as the topic for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge. On the road and in the garden, we’ve come across symmetry in all kinds of places; Cantigny Park in Wheaton, a display of artwork in Galena and the Art Museum and a bridge in Milwaukee.

Although my own garden follows a more free and easy cottage-style format, I enjoy visiting the symmetrically formal layouts in gardens such the ones seen here; McGovern Centennial Park in Houston, Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis, North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville and Green Bay Botanical Garden.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Capital

This week, guest host Viveka has given us the topic Capital for the Lens-Artists Photo Challenge.  We have visited a few State Capitals on our travels around the US so here is my take on the subject.  Living in Illinois as we do, Springfield would be the obvious place to start.

Madison, is about the halfway point between our house and where our daughter and her family live in Wisconsin, so we sometimes meet there to visit places like Olbrich Botanic Gardens and the Capital Building.

We have family living in Indiana so a trip to Indianapolis is usually one of our destinations. Just my luck, one of the sharpest pictures I ever took was one of the steam plant, which is the only reason I include it here. Also pictured, The Soldiers and Sailors Monument, White River Gardens and a fountain at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

A recent visit to St. Paul, Minnesota resulted in some pictures of the Capital Building, the Cathedral of St. Paul, and the Conservatory at Como Park Zoo.

Our youngest daughter and her husband lived in Salt Lake City, Utah for a brief period so we spent a week there taking in the sights which included the Capital Building, Temple Square and the College of Pharmacy.

Our visit to Cheyenne, Wyoming was only a short one as we were on our way to Utah, but we stopped long enough to visit the Capital Building.

Biltmore Lines

Some fancy lines at the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina for Becky’s Square Lines Challenge.

Green Bay Lines

Here are a few lines for Becky’s Square Lines Challenge that I found in Green Bay, Wisconsin. These images were captured at the Green Bay Botanical Garden, The National Railroad Museum (note the line of geese taking a tour), Lambeau Field (home of the Green Bay Packers) and Heritage Hill State Park.

Spiky Squares – At the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Continuing with Becky’s Spiky Squares themed photo challenge, here are a few sculptures and plants that were just a bit on the pointy side at the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Pull Up A Seat – At Cantigny Park

Arriving a little late to the party, I’m finally pulling up a seat at a relatively new photo challenge over at XingfuMama.  It’s always nice to find a seat in a picturesque spot and, going through the photo files, I see that I have not only sat on some of these seats but also taken pictures of them.  So for my first submission here are a few shots from my most recent visit to Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois earlier this year.

Cantigny Park is undergoing extensive renovations which are likely to continue through next year but there is still a lot to see. It’s hard to imagine how you could possibly improve on a place as lovely as Cantigny, especially the gardens, but they are certainly giving it a try. I miss some of the old features and it will take some time for the new plantings to get established but I think eventually the place will come together and continue to be one of the brightest jewels in the Chicago suburbs.

Square in September – Lantern Pink

My final submission for Becky’s Pink Squares is taken from the Chinese Lantern Festival at the Missouri Botanic Garden in St. Louis. Although many of the lanterns showed pink during the day, at night the color changed dramatically to red, so I’m glad I took a few pictures when we were there earlier.

 

For more on Becky’s Square in September Photo Challenge go to Hello September!

Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge – Working on the Water

I thought I’d stick with the water theme for Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge, People at Work , this week, having recently submitted a post for Nancy Merrill’s Photo Challenge Water

Working on the barges at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in Cairo, Illinois.

Working the tour boats on the San Antonio River in downtown San Antonio, Texas.

Working to keep us safe on Lake Michigan at the Air & Water Show in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Working to keep the lakes and gardens beautiful at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

June Squares – Conservatory Roofs

Today, for Becky’s June Squares, I’ve chosen two unusual conservatory roofs, one at the Domes in Milwaukee and the other at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens in Texas.

For more on Becky’s June Squares go to There is only a week left!

Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Horizontal

This week, Cee is looking for Horizontal Lines for her Fun Foto Challenge and glancing through the photo files I see that we encountered quite a few on our recent trip to Texas. The first image was captured as we went across the bridge over the Mississippi River in Cairo, Illinois.

Waves and ripples in the sand at East Beach in Galveston, Texas.

A view of McGovern Centennial Gardens in Houston, Texas.

A series of steps along the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.

For more on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge go to Horizontal Line(s)