SMALL BEAUTY ELDERBERRY BUSHES (SAMBUCUS NIGRA CANADENSIS) I stopped by the bridge

I stopped by the bridge that crosses over the South Fork Kishwaukee River and photographed the bridge during the blue hour as I had plenty of time to reach the lake before the sun would rise

A female monarch butterfly sips nectar from the common milkweed flower while the morning sun illuminates the scene at Wildflower Park

with the shadows of box elder trees lining its banks on this cold winter morning at Wildflower Park

some areas had upwards of 13 inches of snow

focused and began photographing this remarkable

SMALL BEAUTY ELDERBERRY BUSHES (SAMBUCUS NIGRA CANADENSIS) I stopped by the bridgeA small waterfall along wildcat creek canyon Starved Rock State Park. (573 365)