Enjoying the Fox River with Paco de Lucia

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I took a ride around the Fox River. I heard that people spotted some eagles. I didn't see any, yet I did find a bunch of kids snowboarding at Raging Buffalo Snowboarding Park. I passed the Norge Ski Club, yet it was way to warm and not enough snow for anyone to be skiing.

Montrose Dog Beach and Harbor (Jan. 27, 2012)

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I had some time before an appointment so I wandered over to the lake to see if I could capture the moment. This is what I saw.

Coming home from Minnesota

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin

On my way home from Rochester I decided to take several breaks along the way to photograph what I saw.  I needed to clear my thoughts to prepare for March.


The photographs start off in southern Minnesota, then on to the area around Mississippi River. I took a break in the Wisconsin Dells and then caught some folks skiing down Cascade Mountain.

Just outside of Rochester, MN

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I had some time to wander on the country roads outside of Rochester, MN today. Many of the roads were still packed with snow and were pretty slick, so I didn't do that much exploring.

Minnehaha Falls, Como Conservatory and the Mississippi River (Minneapolis, MN)

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I spent a few days in the Minneapolis area. While there I went to see the Mississippi River, Minnehaha Falls and the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory (AKA: Como Conservatory).

Happy New Years Chicago - 2012

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Went with a friend to see the fireworks at Navy Pier to celebrate the new year.

Chicago Botanic Gardens (December 25, 2011)

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I took a stroll around the Chicago Botanic Gardens on the 5th day of Hanukkah.

Gillson Beach -- First snow fall in December, 2011

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

These were taken on December 17, 2011 at Gillson Beach,

Just in time for Hanukkah - Deer in December

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Today has been packed with news in the Jewish community regarding alleged sex crimes.  If your like me I  needed a break from keeping up with it all.  I finally found the time to put together this entry in my photo journal.  I took these images the other day.  Hope you have fun watching them.

December 1st - Chicago Botanic Gardens

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Today was the first time since October that I was able to get to stroll around at the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Northbrook, IL

Montrose Harbor with high winds and waves

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I heard we were having high winds and waves in Chicago over Lake Michigan, so on my way downtown I decided to stop at Montrose Harbor to see if I could find anything interesting.  BTW, there were a few times I was holding on to trees and polls while taking these pictures because the winds were strong enough to knock me down.  I really was only out for about 10 - 15 minutes.

Birds on the run (NBC News Chicago)

© (2011) Photograph of seagulls by Vicki Polin


Another photograph of mine made it to the 10 pm news. This one was taken on a beach in Evanston, IL

Song of Long Ago - Gillson Beach

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

After being so sick I had a strong desire to just spend some tie near the lake.  For me being near nature is extremely healing, and that was exactly what I needed, even if it was only for a few minutes.

Beautiful day on the beach in October

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I wasn't feeling so great so I spent some time on the beach.

Sailing Away at Gillson Beach (Willmette, IL)

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

I went wandering around at Gillson Park. I was shocked to see so many people there. Not only on the beach but in the water too. Thought I saw a few traffic jams with sailboats.

It's all happening at the Zoo (Lincoln Park Zoo - Chicago, IL)

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

We've been having a heat wave in Chicago. The weather was perfect. After a meeting I decided to take a stroll through Lincoln Park Zoo before heading home.

The Beach

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin

It was a beautiful day in October and decided to go hang out on one of the beaches. This is what I saw during my hour there.  While I was sitting there a seagull flew over towards me, sat down and started talking to me.  I only caught the last few seconds on film, which you can see on the second clip posted below.

Talking Seagull

One of my photographs made it to the news

One of my photographs made it to the news.  It was on the 10 PM broadcast of NBC news in Chicago on October 3, 2011.  The photograph was also published in the Chicago Sun Times on page 20 on Tuesday, October 4, 2011.

If you want to see the surfer in action click here

Kol Nidre -- Chicago

© (2011) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Gemar chatimah tovah! (May you be inscribed in the book of life for the good this year) 
              
             . . . and wishing everyone an easy fast this coming Yom Kippur

Rip Tide: Watching a storm come in at Montrose Harbor

© (2011) Filmed by Vicki Poli

I took this at Montrose Harbor as a storm started moving in.