Welcome
Here we are again with a new edition of my photography magazine. This time I have decided to cover two months after the previous issue, since I have had the opportunity to visit more places and have more photos to share.
In September we took a mini vacation to Michigan and visited Ludington, Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, Holland and Saugatuck. I also had the opportunity to visit Rock Cut State Park in Rockford, Illinois and The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. I am sharing photos of all these places with you on these following pages.
Autumn has come in all its glory and although it passes very quickly, I have tried to capture its beauty in my photos.
This has been a difficult year with all the pandemic stuff. When we thought the worst part was over, we found out it is getting worse and we are practically going back to the beginning. We can't let our guard down and we have to do everything we can on our side. It is my hope that by receiving this magazine you and your family will be well. We hope that the day will not be too far away when we will again enjoy life and photography as we did before.
I thank all those who sent me comments on the previous edition and who in some way have helped me to improve the present one. Again, if you have any suggestions or comments, you can send me an email to my address: fmontes@laserartgraphics.com, they will be greatly appreciated.
Until next time and my best wishes to each of you.
Wild Life Around Us
An Unexpected Visitor
A few weeks ago I had the pleasant surprise of seeing an unexpected visitor in my backyard. I actually owe it to my wife to have seen it, since she was the one who noticed there was a large, strange insect on our backyard deck. She immediately alerted me, and that's when the photo session began. It was just the right time when the light was great for taking pictures.
The Praying Mantis is an easily identifiable insect due to its characteristic morphology: its front legs are bent in a "praying" position and most of its species are green or brown, which makes it very easy to camouflage itself among the leaves and foliage to stalk its victims. They are carnivorous and feed on insects such as flies and grasshoppers.
The Praying Mantis originated in Europe and Asia, and was artificially introduced to North America by man. Today mantises can be found all over Europe, the upper two-thirds of Asia, most of North America, and a couple of locations in central Africa and the southern tip of South America.
Facts about the Praying Mantis:
1. Most Praying Mantis live in the tropics.
2. The Mantis we see most often in the U.S. are exotic species.
3. Mantis can turn their heads a full 180 degrees
4. Mantis are closely related to cockroaches and termites.
5. Mantis overwinter as eggs in temperate regions.
6. Female Mantis sometimes eat their mates.
7. Mantis use specialized front legs to capture prey.
8. Mantis are relatively young compared to other ancient insects.
9. Praying Mantis are not necessarily beneficial insects.
10. Mantis have two eyes, but only one ear.
Busse Woods Landscapes
After some years without visiting The Morton Arboretum, I recently had the opportunity to go with a photographer friend. We spent a very nice time taking pictures. After that visit, I was determined to return and decided to become a member so that I could save some money on the entrance fee.
I share here some data of the garden that I found in Wikipedia. The Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, United States, is a public garden, and outdoor museum with a library, herbarium, and program in tree research including the Center for Tree Science. Its grounds, covering 1,700 acres (6.9 Square kilometers), include cataloged collections of trees and other living plants, gardens, and restored areas, among which is a restored tallgrass prairie. The living collections include more than 4,100 different plant species. There are more than 200,000 cataloged plants.
As a place of recreation, the Arboretum has hiking trails, roadways for driving and bicycling, a 4-acre interactive children's garden and a 1-acre maze.
The arboretum offers an extensive nature-centered education program for children, families, school groups, scouts, and adults, including tree and restoration professionals. The Woodland Stewardship Program offers classroom and online courses in ecological restoration techniques. The arboretum also offers credit courses through the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area, a regional consortium”.
The arboretum was established on December 14, 1922, by Joy Morton, founder of the Morton Salt Company.
The Morton Arboretum offers countless photo opportunities, it is a place where you can perfectly photograph the four seasons as well as wildlife and interesting details of the plants and flowers.
“Autumn is a second Spring, where every leaf is a flower”.
Trip to Mackinac Island
In September we had the opportunity to take a mini vacation and travel to Mackinac Island in the state of Michigan. During the two days we were there, I had the chance to take some pictures that I now share on these pages.
Mackinac Island is an island and resort area, covering 4.35 square miles in land area, in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The island was long home to an Odawa settlement and previous indigenous cultures before European colonization began in the 17th century. It was a strategic center of the fur trade around the Great Lakes. Based on a former trading post, Fort Mackinac was constructed on the island by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It was the site of two battles during the War of 1812 before the northern border was settled and the US gained this island in its territory.
In the late 19th century, Mackinac Island became a popular tourist attraction and summer colony. Many of the structures on the island have undergone extensive historical preservation and restoration. Because of its historic significance, the entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark. It is well known for numerous cultural events; a wide variety of architectural styles, including the Victorian Grand Hotel, and its ban on almost all motor vehicles. More than 80 percent of the island is preserved as Mackinac Island State Park.
During our trip to Mackinac Island we also visited the Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington, the Holland Harbor Lighthouse in Holland, and the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City; from this city we could see the impressive suspension bridge (Mackinac Bridge) that connect the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of the U.S. state of Michigan.
Fall Colors
Rock Cut State Park
ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS
Last Frame
A few weeks ago, my wife and I went to enjoy a Sunday afternoon at Rock Cut State Park in Rockford, Illinois. The temperature was very pleasant that day and the autumn colors were in full bloom. While we were walking, I took some pictures and at the same time I was looking for a place where we could enjoy the sunset. We looked all over the park but could not find that perfect spot. Just when we decided to leave the park, I suggested to my wife that we go to one of the parking lots where we had not been and that was precisely where the sunset photo was taken. We arrived just when the sun was starting to go down very quickly. The photo I share here was of that moment. Additionally, I had the blessing of having a man on a boat decide to stay around there for us. Just when the sun was setting, he decided to leave the place. Without that gentleman, the photo would not have had the same impact.
And with this picture I close the pages of this magazine until the next issue. Stay healthy and safe.
Credits:
©Francisco Montes Photography