Manuel Diaz Photography

Rural Scenes - manueldiazphotography Golden maple trees on Dayton Bluffs Preserve. Lasalle County, IL IL-211110-0030

The Tepees, another area of the Petrified Forest National Park.

National Parks - manueldiazphotography Grasses near The Tepees. Petrified Forest National Park, AZ AZ-201028-0134

View of the Painted Desert taken on a road trip from CA to IL.

National Parks - manueldiazphotography Painted Desert view from Kachina Point. Petrified Forest National Park, AZ AZ-201028-0059

Sunflower field at Matthiessen State Park.

Matthiessen State Park - manueldiazphotography Matthiessen State Park sunflower field. IL-200722-0150

We are almost to the end of Autumn. Here is image taken prior to the cold snap that brought down abruptly all the leaves.

Matthiessen State Park - manueldiazphotography Images from the wanderings and meanderings of a landscape photographer.

Another image from the first snow of the season. The trail is covered in green leafs which are hiding a thin ice sheet over 5 inches of water. I had cold wet feet the whole morning.

When Seasons Collide 1 Green leafs cover the ground of a trail after an Autumn snowshower. Lasalle County, IL IL-191101-0004

Another image of the snowy Autumn day.

Illinois Canyon Autumn Snow II Snow covers the banks of Armstrong Creek on a mid Autumn day. Lasalle County, IL IL-191101-0036

Another image of the snowy Autumn day.

Illinois Canyon Autumn Snow Snow covers the banks of Armstrong Creek on a mid Autumn day. Lasalle County, IL IL-191101-0024

In a period of four days we went from mid-Autumn to early winter (got really cold and it snowed) to early spring (temperature rose, snow melted and ground became very muddy). Many trees drop the leafs before they turned. It was very pretty while it lasted (not the mud but the snow and autumn leafs!).

Starved Rock State Park - manueldiazphotography Snow and golden maple leafs cover the ground in Ottawa Canyon. Lasalle County, IL IL-191101-0066

Lots of water flowing at this time in Starved Rock. Great time to visit the park.

Starved Rock State Park - manueldiazphotography French Canyon waterfall after a couple of days of heavy rain. Lasalle County, IL IL-190930-0028

Another image from this year's bluebells.

Will County - manueldiazphotography Images from the Will County forest preserves.

Is that blue time of the year...

Bluebell Time Romeoville, IL IL-190505-0008

This is the second of the dual waterfalls in this small canyon in the upper dells in Matthiessen State Park. In a few weeks it should be flowing again.

Frozen One of the smallest frozen waterfalls at Matthiessen State Park. Lasalle County, IL IL-190202-0053

Another one of the beautiful frozen waterfalls at Matthiessen State Park.

Canyon and Ice First of the dual falls at Matthiessen State Park. Lasalle County, IL IL-190202-0024

Lake Falls never fails to impress during the winter.

Lake Falls Winter 2019 - 3 Mostly frozen Lake Falls on February 2019. Lasalle County, IL IL190202-0096

Another image taken after the polar vortex. I normally drive south on the road by this barn so I had never noticed the flag.

Bennington Flag Barn Barn with a Bennington flag like painting on the side. Lasalle County, IL IL-190201-0023

Managed to slip out for a few hours in between the polar vortex and the heat wave (-20s to 40s in two days!). This old train depot looks great with all the snow.

EJ&E Plainfield Depot The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern's Plainfield depot on a winter morning. Plainfield, IL IL190201-0005

While driving back home from Milwaukee I saw large clouds moving in from Lake Michigan. I got off the expressway and quickly drove to Racine only to find...mostly a clear sky.

Under the Big Sky Clouds move over the Racine Breakwater light. Racine, WI WI-180825-0078

Another image from Waubonsee Creek. Water levels were a little low so I was able to walk further than I usually can.

Rural Scenes - manueldiazphotography A fallen tree rests on the bed of Waubonsie Creek. Oswego, IL IL-180816-0025

One of my favorite spots to visit when I'm in the vicinity. This creek starts not too far from house when the water of Spring Lake runs through 3 cement pipes. It looks so different when it reaches Oswego.

Rural Scenes - manueldiazphotography Fallen leafs accumulate of the limestone ridges along Waubonsie Creek. Oswego, IL IL-180816-0011

A relaxing morning along the Fox River. Lots of wildflowers are blooming along the bank.

Kane County - manueldiazphotography Morning light along the bank of the Fox River. Geneva, IL IL-180815-0011

I've been visiting Wind Point lighthouse for more than 10 years and I finally manage to climb the tower. It would be great place to sit on a chair with an ice tea just watching the world go by.

Wisconsin - manueldiazphotography View from the top of the Wind Point Lighthouse tower. Racine, WI WI-180805-0042

To many this is the most beautiful lighthouse on the Great Lakes. It is certainly kept in great condition.

Wind Point Lighthouse Summer Wind Point Lighthouse on a warm and bright summer day. Racine, WI WI-180805-0196

Happy national lighthouse day!

Old Port Washington Light Sitting on top of a bluff, the old Port Washington Lighthouse has been watching over the harbor since 1860. Port Washington, WI WI-180728-0079

Another image from last week after the storm just as the sun disappeared.

Transition - 1 Last light as day transitions to night over the EJE Bridge. Montgomery, IL IL-180801-0149

Another lighthouse image from late July. I find it interesting that Kenosha is using the pier head light as an artist studio. It is definitively a room with a great view but it does get very hot inside this metal can during the summer months so it is not as romantic as it seems.

Red Witch The Red Witch returns to port on a warm summer evening. Kenosha, WI WI-180728-0205

Hail and wind eventually gave way to a great sunset over the Fox River.

Fox River Summer Sunset Storm clouds clear over the Fox River on a summer afternoon. Oswego, IL IL-180801-0133

Southport Light Sunset Last rays of light shine on the Southport Lighthouse. Kenosha, WI WI-180728-0230