Mini-hangar

One of the coolest garage graphics of all time.

It's the time of year for slimies

Limax maximus, an alien slug species from Europe.

Bufo americanus, one of the most common amphibian species in Chicago.


I found these two denizens of detritus while on a stroll yesterday, in between delugues.  It's amazing how abundant this variety of slug is during the spring, and then afterwards, they disappear.  The toads, on the other hand, are hardier and remain active during all but the hottest, driest times of summer (and of course, winter).

Oh, deer.

It's spring time!The local deer really aren't too concerned that I was right there.

Emydoidea blandingii

Don't let this smile fool you.  The Blanding's turtle is an endangered species in Illinois as well as in most of its range.  Due to habitat loss/fragmentation, numbers have dropped dramatically, though to date it has no official federal status.  I took this photo at The Grove in Glenview, where there are several Blanding's turtles on display in a mixed-species setup that also includes sliders, painted turtles, softshells, and box turtles.

One of the many

I clearly have a squirrel problem.  They are all over the place.  It's funny, because they are essentially arboreal rats with fur instead of hair.  That's all the difference it takes for these things to be hand-fed by various neighbors who must think they are "helping" the poor starving animals.  Well, my immediate neighborhood has a healthy supply of overweight squirrels that like to bury everything from bread to pieces of fruit in my lawn, creating a war zone in the process.  The squirrel in this photo was in the apple tree in the backyard.  Look how rotund it is.  This is one of scores of squirrels that have literally infested the area.  They are by far the most ubiquitous animal around here.  Since all natural predators (with the exception of the occasional hawk) have been eradicated from the area, these little punks are carefree and have been wreaking havoc everywhere.  And the noise they make when they see a dog or cat...it is the most annoying sound in the world.  They'll sit up in the tree, or atop the light pole, and kind of make this mini growling noise.  It can go on for an hour or more.  Kind of makes me wish the periodical cicadas were in full force to at least drown these guys out.

Mayfair Lumber

Trim 'n Tidy

Vintage neon.  This place is still in business.

Photographing old neon signs has kind of become cliche, but I just love the old signs and can't help but snap pictures of them.  It's no wonder they are so appealing to many.  They are each a work of art in their own and unfortunately, they are rapidly being demolished.

Don't look back. Unless...