Gander Mountain and Wilmot Mountain

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Jackson Browne - "Love Needs A Heart"

I used to think that the hills in parts of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin were mountains.

Growing up I remember walking to the top of Gander Mountain which is the highest point in Lake County, IL (and which is connected to the Wilmot Ski Resport, in Wilmot, WI) and thinking I was so high up above sea level.

Lake Glenview in the spring

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music By Little Feat - "Willin'"

Had a little free time on a beautiful spring day so I went wandering around the former Glenview Naval Air Base. The nature there is amazing. 

A friend was talking about the band "Little Feat" the other day and ever since then this song was playing in my head.  It just made sense that I would use it for these pics.

Memories of Camp Maskokie

© Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Joni Mitchell - “Both Sides Now”
Music by Coven - One Tin Soldier




I’m like so many others who grew up in Skokie during the 1960s - 70s.  I went to “Camp Maskokie”, which was located at Emily Park, which is now called Emily Oak Nature Center.

Recently, went back to the park and my mind was flooded with so many fond memories of my childhood.  Camp Maskokie was open to Skokie residents who were ages 8 - 11 (3rd to 7th grade students).

Camp Maskokie was divided into three different groups divided by age, with three camp circles for each group.

As campers we would learn about Native American folk lore, archery, how to row a boat, along with so many wonderful child camp songs, along with songs from the time.  I vividly remember a fellow camper bringing her guitar and teaching us the words to “Both Sides Now”, by Joni Mitchell  and “One Tin Soldier” by Coven.

Emily Park has changed dramatically since my days Maskokie.  Back in the 1960s - 70s, the park was 13 acres which was mostly made up of a huge open field with manicured lawn, and the lagoon –– which was filled with leaches and snails.

Back in 1929, the Niles Center Park District purchased 62-acres of land from the Cook County Forest Preserve for $1,000.  The original purchase also included Oakton Park and the land in which Niles Township High school was located (Niles East).  Camp Maskokie originally opened in 1956.

The last time I was walking around the park, one of the park rangers told me that they were looking for any old photographs of Camp Maskokie.  If you have any please contact the park at:  (847) 677-7001.

"Ips spiddily ooten dooten bobo ska deeton dotten ha cha wanna Maskokie!"

Amazing Pictures at The Chicago Botanic Gardens

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Taylor Swift - "Mean"There's times we all have days

What started off as a very sad day filled with losses, ended up being an amazing day photographically.  

Instead of retreating I went out with my camera to see if I could use my camera lens to refocus on the beauty the world has to offer.  I ended up having one of the best photographic days in a very long time.

I started off stopping by Tower Beach in Winnetka and ended up at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Northbrook, IL.  Hope you enjoy the show.

Wandering Around Wadsworth Prairie Nature Preserve

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Pat Benatar - "Don't let it show"

I remember when this area was all farmland. I've been told that over twenty years ago Lake County purchased the land and created this grassland prairie preserve. I've driven past in many times and finally had the opportunity to go exploring.

Birds Stationed at the Former Glenview Navel Air Force Base

Birds Stationed at the Former Glenview Navel Air Force Base
© (2013) Photographs by Vicki PolinBy Joe Cocker - "Ain't No Sunshine

Went for a short stroll around what was once the Glenview Naval Air Air base. Since it closed they developed a nature trail.

Montrose Harbor in April

© (2014) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Jackson Browne - "Love Needs A Heart"

I took these back in April while strolling around Montrose Harbor.

Timberlake Park (March 2014)

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
By The Rolling Stones - "Time is on your side"

Got to stroll around Timberlake Park and capture winter on a very mild March day. 

The snow was still pretty deep and I kept sinking in, at times the snow went up to my knee. It was also pretty slippery due to the ice so I couldn't do my normal stroll.

Chicago Botanic Gardens in early March

Chicago Botanic Gardens in early March 
© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by The Beatles - Places I remember

Spent some time strolling through the Chicago Botanic Gardens on a warmer day early in March, 2014.

Wild Chicago in the Winter

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Christina Perri - "Thousand Years"

I was at both Gillson Park and Montrose Harbor and was amazed to see the wildlife.  I never saw wild swans at Gillson Beach before, let alone a huge hawk and opossum hanging out at Montrose Harbor.

Glencoe and Tower Beaches in the Winter

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Simon and Garfunkely - "Sounds of Silence"

It was a warmer winter day in the Chicagoland area when I decided to stop by at both Glencoe and Tower Beaches on the Northshore.

The lake was frozen over going about mile out, with icebergs frozen in place. I wish I go there a little earlier to capture the shadows as the sun set, yet I think these images tell a pretty good story.

Winter at the Chicago Botanic Garden

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole - "Ahi Wela - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"

How I wish I could be in Hawaii, yet if you just use your imagination with these pictures you can almost feel the warmth of the sun.

Icebergs on Lake Michigan

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Sarah McLachlan - "I will remember you"

Even though it was bitterly cold, I had this strong desire to capture a few images of Lake Michigan. I couldn't go to my regular haunts due to the fact there were snow drifts wthat were over 2 feet deep, so I found two beaches where the snow wasn't so high.

At the time it was -13 with a windchill factor of -45 by the lake. It was absolutely beautiful. I wish I could have stayed longer, yet the temperature was getting to me and had to get inside my car to warm up again. BRRRRR it was cold!

South Blvd Beach - January 6, 2014 (Evanston, IL)

© (2013) Filmed by Vicki Polin

Who needs beaches in Miami, the Caribbean, Mexico, or Hawaii when you can bask in the sun on one of the beaches on Lake Michigan in Chicago?  

This was filmed on January 6, 2014.  It was a balmy -45 degrees (with the windchill factor) at South Blvd Beach in Evanston, IL

Chi-beria's Northshore

Chi-beria's Northshore

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Zlotchover Rebbe's Niggun

I think everyone should take 10 minutes out and see the beauty that winter can offer in the Chicago area.  

I needed to make one last run to Trader Joe's before the arctic blast hit Chicago.  

I decided to take the long way so I could go out and capture images of the snowstorms of the last few days.  I really wanted to go out to the lake and get good images of the icebergs, yet when I got there the snow drifts went way above my knees and couldn't get as close as I wanted to, yet I did capture some brief movies of the water.  

Some of the places of interest included this film clip include the Skokie Sculpture Park, Grosse Point Lighthouse Beach, Bahai House of Worship and the Skokie Lagoons.

Welcoming in 2014 - Happy New Year!

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by James Taylor - Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Years Everyone!

These are the first images that I took in 2014.  Chicago got hit by a snowstorm on New Years Eve that lasted until January 2, 2014.  I went out to capture some of the beauty the storm had to offer.

Chicago Botanic Garden - Early Fall

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Evanscence - "I'm Immortal"

I had time to go strolling through The Chicago Botanic Gardens on October 26th.  The leaves were just beginning to change colors.

Wandering along Sheridan Road

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Paco Del Lucia  - El Vito

Took some friends on a tour of some of my favorite places on Chicago's northshore.  We stopped at Grosse Point Lighthouse, Baha'i House of Worship and Gillson Beach.

Chicago Botanic Gardens

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by R.E.M - Everybody hurts sometime

I took these earlier this month at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Northbrook, IL

Tashlich (2013)

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Simon and Garfunkel - Groovy

Tashlich (תשליך) is a tradition observed by many Jews between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, where they go to a flowing body of water to "cast off" their sins of the previous year by tossing pieces of bread or another foodr. Just as the water carries away the bits of bread, so too are sins symbolically carried away. In this way the participant hopes to start the New Year with a clean slate.