Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge – Waving the Flag

This week, the flags are flying for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge.  The first three images were captured in Chicago, one at the Tall Ships Festival at Navy Pier and two at Wrigley Field.

Next we travel up to the Maritime Museum at Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin.

A little closer to home, flags add a festive air to the carnival at Melas Park in Mount Prospect, Illinois.

Two events in Skokie, where flags of many nations are prominently displayed. The first at Skokie North Shore Sculpture Park and the second at The Skokie Festival of Cultures.

For more on Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge go to Flags or Banners

Advertisements

A Word A Week Photograph Challenge: Arch

An archway with a view of the gardens at the Cuneo Mansion in Vernon Hills, Illinois.

It doesn’t have to be as enormous as the Gateway Arch in St. Louis to find its way into my photo files. Arches come in all different sizes and are built for many different purposes, so here, in response to Sue Llewellyn’s Word A Week Photograph Challenge on A Word In Your Ear at http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/2014/08/19/a-word-a-week-photograph-challenge-arch/ here are a few arches that have caught my eye whilst out and about with the camera.

An arched doorway to the Portiuncula chapel on the Peabody Estate in Mayslake.

Lazarus And The Rich Man, an arched sculpture created by Aaron Benson, in Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park.

The arched entryway to the old City Hall in Columbus, Indiana, which at that time had been converted to an hotel and which now, I believe, stands empty.

An arched gateway, decorated with glasswork created by Dale Chihuly, at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis.

The arched entryway to the old Chicago Stock Exchange building on display outside the Chicago Art Institute.

Travel Theme: Round

Once again I have fallen behind with my challenge responses but although this one is a week late, I would still like to offer my take on Ailsa’s Travel Theme challenge on Where’s My Backpack? at http://wheresmybackpack.com/2014/04/18/travel-theme-round/ which was the subject Round.

The title for this stainless steel and bronze sculpture by Rob Lorenson, in Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park, is Apple Rocket.

Little granddaughter, carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders outside Kohl Children’s Museum in Glenview, Illinois.

Someone else carrying a heavy burden; a snow sculpture at the old Randhurst Mall in Mount Prospect.

On display at the Chinese Lantern Festival in The Missouri Botanical Garden in St Louis.

This sculpture entitled ‘Discovery’ by Kusser Granitwerke, located on the campus of Indiana University/Purdue University in Columbus, Indinana, includes a globe weighing more than 2,000lbs which is held suspended by 12 pounds of water pressure.

A Word A Week Photograph Challenge: Wind

Sue’s Word A Week Photograph Challenge on A Word In Your Ear at http://suellewellyn2011.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/a-word-a-week-photograph-challenge-wind/ is Wind.

Sometimes we need a little help from Mother Nature and the following shots illustrate some of the things that require wind to assist in getting the job done.

A Halladay Standard windmill at the Volkening Farm in Schaumburg.

A kite flying in the Kite Festival at the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Flags of various countries flying at the Skokie Northshore Sculpture Park.

Yachts racing at what was then called Lake Opeka in Des Plaines, Illinois.

Milkweed seeds waiting for a breeze to help carry them to a new home.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Community

The Weekly Photo Challenge from the folks on The Daily Post at http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/photo-challenge-community/ is Community.

The word ‘community‘ speaks to me as much about the place as it does the people; places where we gather together to pray, learn, be entertained or just relax.

The Baptist Church in Itasca. No matter what religion you follow, I suppose you could call the church the soul of the community.

The library at Northwestern University in Evanston. From early childhood playschools to universities and colleges, places of learning play a crucial role in the development of our communities.

The Town Square in Schaumburg. The community comes together at this public park for summer concerts. It’s a nice spot to sit and relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or an ice cream.

Ask anyone in the Skokie community the name of a great place to shop for clothes and they’ll probably tell you “Old Orchard.

Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. There’s nothing quite like supporting a sports team for stirring the community spirit.

The Farmers Market in Arlington Heights. A great place to buy local produce and support the community.