Lake Michigan

Thursday morning before the Cubs game, Jenn and I took a walk in Lincoln Park alongside Lake Michigan. We thought we'd go look at an aviary on the North end of the park, but it turned out to be a fenced-off bird sanctuary, and there wasn't much to see except for some trees and a swamp.



We could hear many birds singing, but most stayed hidden from view. The closest we came to spotting and identifying a bird was one which might have been an oriole, or might have been just a robin. I think, an oriole. But being no expert, it's hard for me to say for sure. I couldn't photograph him, anyway. I like that swamp picture above, though. Reminds me of a Gail Johnson painting from Singing Colors Studio.

So, being disappointed by the birds, we strolled over to the lake shore.


Looking straight out, it's like the view from the middle of the ocean.

Then, look down:

Being a child of the West Coast, this "shoreline" picture amuses me. But, really, it goes on like that for miles.


Both pictures look Northward on the lake.


Water, water everywhere... but you can't even put your feet in it. All you can do is walk or lay out and bake on the cement beach.

Amongst those tiny figures in the second picture, there are three Japanese men also taking pictures. As we walked closer, they got the idea to pull off their shirts and take turns posing in exaggerated positions to show off their chests and arms. Their trip to Chicago, recorded for posterity in beefcake shots. I wish I'd had the nerve to stop and take a picture of what they were doing, but it felt like a private moment. I'll never make it as a photojournalist with an attitude like that, I guess.

In that area of Lincoln Park, there are tennis courts, baseball diamonds, and a golf course. These are pictures of the old Waveland Clubhouse, being swallowed up by ivy.




As long as we're looking at Lake Michigan, I'll include these pictures taken on Friday down in Grant Park by the Shedd Aquarium.


A couple skyline pictures



Water Taxis
You can see the Sears Tower in the background.


The jetty, protecting the marina.


Past the jetty, watching the boats out in deep water.


A promenade, and birds hoping I might feed them.

Come back tomorrow, I'll have more interesting pictures of the aquarium.