Starved Rock

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: St. Louis Canyon Canyon and Wildcat Canyon Waterfalls

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Starved Rock State Park is in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

My favorite times to visit, in order, are Autumn, Winter, and Spring. Summer is too crowded and the waterfall flows are typically minimum.

I have covered the area in previous posts extensively and will wrap up Starved Rock in two posts, this being the second to last.

St. Louis Canyon Waterfall

I took that image hiking with a friend this past Autumn. I have been to this spot at least a dozen times but this past Autumn is the first time I made what I would label a good shot. Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: St. Louis Canyon Canyon and Wildcat Canyon Waterfalls” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Kaskaskia Canyon and French Canyon Waterfalls

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Starved Rock State Park is in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

My favorite times to visit, in order, are Autumn, Winter, and Spring. Summer is too crowded and the waterfall flows are typically minimum.

I have covered the area in previous posts extensively and will wrap up Starved Rock in two posts, this being the second to last.

Kaskaskia Canyon Waterfall

I took that image hiking with a friend this past Autumn. I have been to this spot at least a dozen times but this past Autumn is the first time I made what I would label a good shot. Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Kaskaskia Canyon and French Canyon Waterfalls” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Ottawa Canyon Waterfall

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Starved Rock State Park is in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

My favorite times to visit, in order, are Autumn, Winter, and Spring. Summer is too crowded and the waterfall flows are typically minimum.

This image is not from this year so I cannot say for sure what it might look like right now. The water flows this year have been excellent but the alternating hot and cold spells might not be sufficient to build a great frozen waterfall.

I was fortunate to have this woman and her two dogs show up when I was there. I asked to stand still and she did. I like the pink booties on one of her dogs.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Ottawa Canyon Waterfall” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: La Salle Canyon Frozen Waterfall

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Starved Rock State Park is in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

My favorite times to visit, in order, are Autumn, Winter, and Spring. Summer is too crowded and the waterfall flows are typically minimum.

This image is not from this year so I cannot say for sure what it might look like right now. The water flows this year have been excellent but the alternating hot and cold spells might not be sufficient to build a great frozen waterfall.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: La Salle Canyon Frozen Waterfall” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Council Overhang – HDR Merge

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This the last in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

Next up: Joshua Tree National Park where I went in early to mid-December to photograph a meteor shower and rock formations.

I took the feature image in last week of October of 2017.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Council Overhang – HDR Merge” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Ottawa Canyon Autumn – Focus Bracketing

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This the next to the last in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

It’s almost time to explore another place in depth. Death Valley National Park California is one of my choices. I have lots of images to choose from. Finding time to write that’s the issue.

I took these image the first week in last week of October of 2017. They are from Ottawa Canyon.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Ottawa Canyon Autumn – Focus Bracketing” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Starburst

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This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

I took these image the first week in November of 2017. They are from Illinois Canyon, the longest and arguably the prettiest canon in the park.

There are numerous color variations and weathered details on the sandstone walls in Illinois canyon that are not present in other canyons. Also, the sandstone is not as carved up with fool’s initials as much as many other canyons.

The canyon floor can be muddy, especially in the Spring. I recommend waterproof boots, ankle high is generally sufficient.

There are several places one needs to cross water. Usually, you can find a spot that a waterproof hi-top shoe can navigate without getting wet.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Starburst” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Reflections II

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This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

I took this image the first week in November of 2017. It’s from Illinois Canyon, the longest and arguably the prettiest canon in the park. My last article also covered reflection possibilities in Illinois Canyon.

There are numerous color variations and weathered details on the sandstone walls in Illinois canyon that are not present in other canyons. Also, the sandstone is not as carved up with fool’s initials as much as many other canyons.

The canyon floor can be muddy, especially in the Spring. I recommend waterproof boots, ankle high is generally sufficient.

The reflection images show the water you may encounter. It’s not that deep. but in Spring and Fall, it can be cold. There are several places one needs to cross water. Usually, you can find a spot that a waterproof hi-top shoe can navigate without getting wet.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Reflections II” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Reflections

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This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

I took these images the first week in November of 2017. They are from Illinois Canyon, the longest and arguably the prettiest canon in the park.

There are numerous color variations and weathered details on the sandstone walls in Illinois canyon that are not present in other canyons. Also, the sandstone is not as carved up with fool’s initials as much as many other canyons.

The canyon floor can be muddy, especially in the Spring. I recommend waterproof boots, ankle high is generally sufficient.

The reflection images show the water you may encounter. It’s not that deep. but in Spring and Fall, it can be cold. There are several places one needs to cross water. Usually, you can find a spot that a waterproof hi-top shoe can navigate without getting wet.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon Autumn Reflections” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon in Autumn Part 1

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This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

I took these images the first week in November of 2017. They are from Illinois Canyon, the longest and arguably the prettiest canon in the park.

There are numerous color variations and weathered details on the sandstone walls in Illinois canyon that are not present in other canyons. Also, the sandstone is not as carved up with fool’s initials as much as many other canyons.

The canyon floor can be muddy, especially in the Spring. I recommend waterproof boots, ankle high is generally sufficient. Some upcoming reflection images will highlight the need for waterproof shoes.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Illinois Canyon in Autumn Part 1” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Aurora Canyon in Autumn

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This is another in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

I took these images on October 29. I was at the park again today. I got some nice shots from Illinois Canyon that I will post shortly.

This is the Autumn grand finale. There is only a day or two left. One strong wind will end the Autumn leaf-chasing opportunities season.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Aurora Canyon in Autumn” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: La Salle Canyon Waterfall in Autumn

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This is the fourth in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

I took these images this past week. If you are close by, there is still time to see the park. Peak time is now.

As is typically the case at Starved Rock, and photographing waterfalls in general, the best conditions possible are bright overcast days with little or no wind.

This past week was cloudy most of the time and winds were calm early and late in the day most days.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: La Salle Canyon Waterfall in Autumn” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Kaskaskia Canyon

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This is a third in a series of posts on Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. The park is about 2 hours away from Chicago.

If you haven’t been there, go.  If you have been there, then go back, in a different season. My favorites are Autumn, Winter, Spring, Summer, in that order.

No matter where you live, you can make great nature or landscape images, with a quick 3-hour or less getaway.

Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Kaskaskia Canyon” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Ottawa Canyon – Council Overhang

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You do not need to go to national parks or national monuments to make great images.

No matter where you live, you can make great nature or landscape images, with a quick 3-hour or less getaway.

I offer this advice to Illinoisans: Just outside Chicago, there’s a place called Illinois. Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Ottawa Canyon – Council Overhang” →

Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Ottawa Canyon

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You do not need to go to national parks or national monuments to make great images.

No matter where you live, you can make great nature or landscape images, with a quick 3-hour or less getaway.

I offer this advice to Illinoisans: Just outside Chicago, there’s a place called Illinois.
Continue reading “Starved Rock State Park, Illinois: Autumn in Ottawa Canyon” →