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.

Chicago Botanic Gardens (August, 2013)

Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Melanie - Look What They've Done to My Song

Had the chance to wander around the Chicago Botanic Gardens.  I can go here a zillion times and every time I go I can find something new and interesting

Bristol Renaissance Faire (August, 2013)

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Paco De Lucia - Virgen De Amor

 The following pictures were taken during my first trip to the Bristol Renaissance Faire (Bristol, Wisconsin).

Taking the backroads to Gettysburg

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Mumford and Sons - Awake my soul

While I had the chance I took the backroads to Gettysburg with Murray, who is my photography coach.

I used to love going down Old Bachmans Valley Road. On this trip I was able to stop, get out and take several pictures of one of my favorite great big old, rustic farm.

The day ended by photographing the sunset over the battle fields in Gettysburg, PA.

Bixler Family Cemetery (Manchester, MD)

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music: A time for us

Was wandering around with a friend taking the backroads to Gettysburg, when we found this old Cemetery dating back to the late 1700s. There's even a marker of someone who died fighting during the civil war.

The cemetery is located off of Bachman Valley Road, next to the Bixler's United Methodist Church.

There are different spellings of the surname, some "Bixfler" or "Bipler" or "Buscher" or  "Bichsler" or "Bipher" with most families settling on the "Bixler" spelling in the 19th century.  One suggested original meaning for the surname was "box maker".

Come and Go Farm (Maryland)

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

I went wandering the back roads between Baltimore and Gettysburg with a friend when we came across this magnificent farm with long horn steer.

Quick Drive Through Hunt Valley

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Janis Joplin - Mercedes Benz

Back in July I spent a few weeks in the Baltimore area.  I was fortunate enough to be able to take one more ride through Hunt Valley.  At one point during this short trip, I looked down at a riverbed and saw a stream of butterflies.

The Birds of Lake Redman (York, PA)

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Bob Dylan - The times are a changing

During my trip back to Baltimore I had the opportunity to go out one more time with a dear friend, who also happens to be my photography coach.  He brought me out to Lake Redman to capture what ever nature we could.

Falls Road and Beyond (Baltimore County, MD)

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Paul Simon - American Tune

During my trip back to Baltimore, MD I had the opportunity to take a ride down Falls Road and beyond.  I truly miss being so close to this absolutely breathtaking part of the United States.

Montrose Harbor and Bird Sanctuary (Chicago, IL)

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

I took these back in June while I was strolling along at Montrose Harbor in Chicago.  It seemed like there were tons of red winged blackbirds  everywhere.

Mean - The Anti-Bullying Theme Song

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Taylor Swift - Mean

So many survivors of sex crimes who come forward sharing their stories of being abused as children and or as adult are now being bullied by those who want them to maintain their silence.  It's time to put an end to this type of  bullying on and off the internet.  This video was created in hopes of helping those being targeted will realize they are not alone and that they can heal from these types of crimes.

Wandering in the early Spring

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music By Sarah McLachlan - "I will Remember You"

I went wandering a bit with my camera and took a few pictures.

Long Ago

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Don McLean - "Vincent"
On a warm spring day had the opportunity to walk around at place filled with childhood memories.

Mitchell Park Conservatory - Milwaukee, WI

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Carly Simons - "Love is a Rose"

Haven't been to the Mitchell Park Consrvatory since I was a young child.  I remember reading about it in my "Weekly Reader", and then my parents took us up to see this amazing place.

Farms in Southern Wisconsin

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by John Cougar  - Little Pink Houses

Took the back roads from Milwaukee back to Chicago.

Emily Park - Skokie, IL

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Five For Fighting - "100 years to live"

I took a stroll through Emily Park in Skokie. This was a very special place for me growing up. Every time I go back here I'm totally amazed at how much it's changed since I went to day camp here several years ago. 

The lagoon used to be filled with snails and leaches. I remember when learning how to row a boat our camp counselors warned us not to fall in. Due to the number of leaches in the water. 

I also couldn't help thinking about the secret path we would take from Oakton Bowl across the bridge of the railroad tracks to get to the park when I was in Jr. High. So many memories flood my mind each time I come here.

Today the wildlife is something I never expected to see in Skokie. Who would have ever think there would be geese living at Emily Park, let alone deer.

Bird Sanctuary at Montrose Harbor - Early Spring

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Mumford and Sons

I took a short around the bird sanctuary at Montrose Harbor in Chicago.

Red-breasted Mergansers at Gillson Park

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Simon and Garfunkel

I took a stroll in Gillson Park along the beach and came across a swarm of Red-Breasted Mergansers. I really wish I had a more powerful telephoto lense, yet I did pretty good with what I had.

Chicago Botanic Garden - Early Spring 2013

Chicago Botanic Gardens - Early Spring 2013

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin

Music by Taylor Swift - Mean

Today was an amazingly warm day in Chicago.  This was the first time in almost a year that I was able to get to the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Northbrook, IL.  

Early Spring - Running Away From Home

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

These were taken in northern Illinois near the Wisconsin border

Lost in New Jersey

© (2013) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Paco de Lucia - Pajaro Chogüi

It was amazing to get lost in the middle of no where with a friend.  We were wandering around somewhere near the Jersey shore.