DAWN BREAKING FROM THE PRAIRIE OAK TREES I set up my tripod

I set up my tripod

composed and focused on the yellow coneflowers and began photographing

I knew where in the park that had an abundance of wildflowers

A hot air balloon rises above the prairie on this beautiful summer morning in Northern Illinois

checking out a loon when I lifted my head up and noticed this loon swimming just off shore checking me out

DAWN BREAKING FROM THE PRAIRIE OAK TREES I set up my tripodThe forecast this July morning was to be mostly clear with a few clouds. I thought it would be another beautiful and colorful sunrise so, I left the house wanting to photograph the beautiful wildflowers of the Park with a colorful sunrise. I knew where in the park that had an abundance of wildflowers, which was the west side and a beautiful sunrise to photograph. I reached the trailhead soon after leaving the house with camera gear in hand and it