italy austria germany and a pit stop in the netherlands

Back from Europe and back at 'em. Excuse the many photos of mountains but I am kind of obsessed. Lots to choose from, but here are some favorites.

These bicycles were spotted after a fantastic Italian meal at Osteria ale Duca in Verona, Italy.

Verona, Italy.

Note: Olives directly from the tree do not taste very good.

The Dolomites, a section of the Alps, seen from our place in Bolzano, Italy.

 Oh, just your usual castle nestled in the mountains.

Rattenberg, Austria.

 Surfing in the English Gardens, Munich, Germany.

 Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich.

 Amsterdam.

Phew!

new york city birthday extravaganza

My birthday was Oct. 1. I celebrated it big time with some of my favorite people in New York City. Here is some of what I saw and did.
This first photo is by Angela, I took the rest.

Birthday day at MOMA...

Chasing light in Central Park...

Red cape and hat sighting...

Lovely Angela...

AST and BB after photo slideshow...

Good to see old friend A.J. at MediaStorm screening in DUMBO...

 

Grand Central Station...

Renaissance Festival in Cloisters...

                                      Yellow shoes purple tights.

Group portrait with sister and brother-in-law... great joint birthday celebration!

tiny flower tile blue

Here is a photo from a leisurely Monday brunch date at a new favorite Chicago spot, Lulu's in Logan Square.

election time

Some photos from my experience covering the Illinois election season.

Candidate Joe Walsh (R-Il)(left) waits for (D-Il) Melissa Bean's answer during an 8th Congressional District candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters at Grayslake Central High School on Wednesday, Oct. 20.

Illinois governor candidate Bill Brady speaks Monday night, Sept. 20, to the McHenry County business community at a special forum organized by area Chambers of Commerce and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation at Woodstock North High School.

McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren smiles as results come in at D'Andrea Banquets & Conference Center in Crystal Lake on Tuesday evening, Nov. 2. Nygren defeated opponents Mike Mahon-D and Gus Philpot-Green Party.

soccer bonanza

I had a bit too much fun shooting boys high school soccer sectionals a while back. Great light, excellent action, what else can I say?

a fall football post for good measure

Here is a football game between Prairie Ridge High School and Johnsburg a few Friday nights ago.

metal forging

I went on an interesting tour at the Scot Forge manufacturer company in Spring Grove, Ill., a few weeks back. The company provides forgings to virtually every metalworking industry, from mining, defense, nuclear, shipbuilding, defense, power transmission, fabrication... cool to see everything in action.

studio honeydew

My co-worker Lauren M. Anderson (http://landersonphoto.blogspot.com/) and I have started a photography business:

It has been great fun to design and put together. Check us out! Click on the logo or this link here:
www.studiohoneydew.com 

Thanks to Sam for help with our logo: http://www.viewotron.com/

packers vs. bears

Here are some game photos from the aforementioned Monday night football game between notorious rivals the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. Third annual year shooting it and each game is as exciting as the last, though this game may be hard to top. Bears won 20-17.

Chicago Bears Devin Hester jumps into the crowd after his fourth quarter touchdown to put the Bears up 14-10 over the Green Bay Packers Monday night at Soldier Field.

Chicago's Greg Olsen reaches over the goal line for a touchdown at the end of the second quarter Monday night at Soldier Field.

john cusack uses my camera

Just holding hands with John Cusack on a Monday night football game. No big deal.
His and hers, if you will. Ah, the life of a newspaper photographer!