Images: Weekly Photo Contest Finalists
These royal terns stand guard against a persistent photographer as they wade through the shallow surf at Cocoa Beach, Florida.
Bob Sharp of Gilberts
Its as if this grackle were saying, Do you think this is my best side? It was just sitting on my Hampshire backyard fence on one of our recent sunny days waiting for me to get my camera.
Milton Hoskins of Hampshire
This photo was taken at the Salt Creek next to the Graue Mill near Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve. The reflection of winter trees on the upstream water, contrasts with the falling water on the other side.
Chong Q. Wu of Naperville
At Brookfield Zoo, I took a picture of this Guinea baboon attempting to eat a penny that had been thrown into the baboon island pit. I did not notice this the first time I looked at the batch of photos I took that day.
Angela Cichosz of Carol Stream
This is a picture from my recent trip to the Amazon, taken as a gathering storm approached. When the storm broke, we were all drenched for the 4 hours it took to get back to our boat. I felt as though we were trapped in a bad episode of Gilligans Island.
Bonnie Wheaton of Wheaton
This little lizard was trying to sunbathe in peace in Winter Haven, Florida.
Christina Pawlak of Schaumburg
Great Blue Herons have established a rookery in a grove of trees near Heron Creek Forest Preserve in Long Grove.
Bob Denaro of Long Grove
Otto the cat peaks out of the drapes with his reflection caught in the window at home during a recent warm day.
Shawntell Marak of Fox Lake
The Loop and the clear blue sky of a Midwestern spring day as seen from the top of the Sears Tower.
Kevin McKenna of Elk Grove Village
A hungry squirrel reaches up to eat corn in a Hanover Park backyard.
Christy Kumpf of Hanover Park
A footprint is all that remains in the sand last August in Laguna Beach, California.
Elyse Landsman of Vernon Hills