Ch Ch Ch Chuzhao

 Just a few more photos from the Chuzhao "toy" camera.  It is a fun aside from my other photos.  Just a point and click, no settings for aperture, shutter speed, ISO, anything,  No super sharpness, nothing fancy. I tend to be more observational in my photos with it...  at least I think so.

So what do you think?

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(Still) Waiting for Spring

A bit of a warm spell recently, 60 degrees today...  I managed a short walk before rain rolled in (and afternoon commitments).  These are all from Shon Park / Green Space North.  I especially like the first one.  What you y'all think?

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Shadows

 

From a few days ago, taken at Drost Park.  Shadow on the frozen lake.

Waiting for Spring, A Ways To Go...

 Wandering around Highland, IL, and decided to check out Lindendale Park.  Turns out there's not a lot there except for the county fairgrounds.  But I managed a about 1.25 miles, so that's something.  This area is actually camper parking, I presume for the fair.  But it was all deserted, and this mostly frozen creek.

I feel like this photo captures the mood of the day.

Meanwhile, there was this funky concrete something down along the creek (behind me in the above photo).  Probably 10 feet tall, with no discernable purpose.  Except to inspire a funky photo!

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Snow Day

 Another from the Chuzhao "toy" camera.  This ais actually from a couple of weeks ago, during our big snowstorm.  It took me a while to download, process (minimally) and post.

February Haiku

 I asked Chat GPT to create a Haiku based on my photo.  Here's my favorite from the suggestions.  I wish I was creative enough to write my own.  Anybody else want to take a crack, post in comments!

Peeling bark in light,

the tree loosens its old skin

without moving on

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More Chuzhao

 I took the "Toy" camera on my walk today, here's a few photos from Miner Park:

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The Blue Owl

 I posted yesterday about our recent trip to Kimmswick, MO, and mentioned a goal of the excursion was to eat at a restaurant we'd been recommended.  But I then redirected to photos from Kimmswick.

So, here's the restaurant:  The Blue Owl.

This was a great find.  Really good food, really nice people, excellent desserts!  Highly recommended, we'll need to go back!  I had the Smoked Turky Melt sandwich, wife had Quiche and their "famous" White Chili. 

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I had to sneak in an "artsy" photo...

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Desserts!

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Kimmswick, MO

 Our temperatures have finally gotten about freezing for a few days, and Friday actually made it into the 50s!  So we decided to take a short road trip to Kimmswick, MO, and have a late lunch at a restaurant we'd been recommended.  And snagged the first decent photos I've taken this February:

Looking down the Mississippi River from the landing at Kimmswick.  The river was pretty low, but I think it was pretty typical for this time of year.

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Star Anchor supporting one of the buildings, The Barber Haus, originally 1872.

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Just the kind of thing I notice...

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Train bridge over Rock Creek (still frozen).  With the Mississippi River just visable

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Keystone Bridge Company, from 1874. The oldest known wrought iron span in Missouri. Originally placed across the River des Peres at Ivory Avenue. It remained there until 1928 when it was replaced by a new bridge. The bridge was moved to Kimmswick and put in place in 1930. The bridge is only open to pedestrian traffic and is located at the intersection of Mill Street and Front Street.

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Eagle Watching, Sans Eagles

We go Eagle watching pretty much every year, at least.  Last Friday we went out for the first time this winter.  Just a quick run up the Great River Road from Alton to Grafton and Pere Marquette State Park.  Then back, with a lunch stop in Grafton, and a pass through Audubon Center at Riverlands.

We only saw 1 eagle, and not in a manner to grab a photo. But that's ok. Good company, nice meal at Grafton Winery & Brewhaus. And a few photos (but no Eagles).

Here's a few photos:

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Edges and Decisions - New video

 I've posted a new photo-essay video on Youtube, Edges and Decisions.  Check it out, leave a comment (here, or there!).

This is a follow-up to my "A Good Crop 2025", which was posted 1/1/26.  As I was struggling to cull my 2025 down to just 12 photos, I realized that there were 2 different 

From the video:  

"These photographs trace a quiet architecture of seeing. Each image offers a small negotiation with the world, transforming shifting scenes into something deliberate. 

Collected, they reveal a practice built on the belief that clarity is something made, not merely found."

You can check out all my videos at LSqrd1960.