A COLD MORNING CUP PLANT LEAVES (SILPHIUM PERFOLIATUM) A pair of mallard ducks

A pair of mallard ducks pass by as they and a couple hundred others spend some time in the area along Eakin Creek West and the South Fork Kishwaukee River before continuing on their migration

A red-tailed hawk perches on the branch of a peachleaf willow tree as it looks over this wetland landscape while a gray squirrel watches closely from the safety of another peachleaf willow tree nearby on this cool winter morning at Wildflower Park

A male dark-eyed junco pauses for a brief moment on an icy branch before continuing its search for food

I came upon this majestic scene of snow covered fir trees

After photographing some Individual wildflower plants for just over an hour

A COLD MORNING CUP PLANT LEAVES (SILPHIUM PERFOLIATUM) A pair of mallard ducksA beautiful view of a frozen 100 ft wildcat canyon falls. With the extreme cold temperatures of January and February, waterfalls form as the afternoon sun begins to melt the snowfall from the previous day only to have that snow and water freeze overnight as the temperatures drop to 9F to 0F creating impressive and colorful waterfalls at Starved Rock State Park. (687 3562)