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.

Winter Solstice Bonfire - Somme Woods

Winter Solstice Bonfire - Somme Woods  
© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music "Dulamoan - by Women of the World Celtic

The photographs in this film clip were taken on December 22, 2012 at the annual winter solstice bonfire at Somme woods in Northbrook, IL

Emily Park (Skokie, IL)

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now

When I was in grade school I went to camp at Emily Park (which is now known as Emily Oaks Nature Center). I have so many found memories of my time here. One includes learning to row a boat, or shoot an arrow with a bow. I also learned the words to the song "both sides now" when I was around 7 or 8. We were always told not to go swimming in the lagoon since it was packed with leaches.

 Emily Park also had one of those secret paths only kids who grew up in Skokie knew about. We would cut over the train tracks to go to Oakton Bowl or Oakton Park.

I'm so amazed at how different this park is now. It used to be an open field with three campfire rings. Now it's like a jungle. The wildlife is unreal. It's hard to believe this is the same park that I wandered in back in the 1960s and 70s.

Sculpture Park (Skokie, IL)

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by The Beatles - I've Just Seen A Face

I went wandering around the Sculpture Park in Skokie between Demptster and Main Streets back in August.

Timber Lake Park

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music By REM - Mad World

A place filled with childhood memories.

Leaving Southeastern Minnesota (July, 2012)

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by "The Church" - Under the Milkyway

I had a few hours before I had to fly out of Rochester, so I went driving off into the countryside to see what I could find.

Thank you!

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by James Taylor - "You've Got A Friend"

I took these pictures after a very long day of having medical testing done at the Mayo Clinic.  I really needed to be around nature, cows, horses or what ever else I could find. I would never have been able to take these pictures if it wasn't for a group of amazing people.   I don't know how to begin to thank all of you who helped me to get to Rochester, MN all for times that I had to go there so far year.  Each and everyone of you helped to save my life.  The love and support you have shown me has been amazing.

This Father's Day

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Peter Himmelman - "This Father's Day"

I took the following pictures over the last few days.  I created this video to mark my father's 80th birthday. 

Road To Mukwonago (May 20, 2012)

© (2012) Photographs by Vicki Polin
Music by Diana Ross - "Do You Know Where You're Going To"

I really wish I had been in NYC for a protest rally, yet it was too far for me to travel.  Instead I headed to southern Wisconsin to be in the rolling hills and to find the solace I used to find when going to the mountains of western Maryland.