Images: Photo Contest Finalists

A parachute demonstration during the EAA Oshkosh Airshow on July 28. Bob Denaro of Long Grove

This “Bird´s Eye View of Blue Angels” was captured using a Nikon D300 and a 200 mm lens with the following settings: manual focus, ISO 125, 1/1250s, F8, auto white balance and RAW image. Their speed at this close range is incredibly magnified. To get this photo of them near the building I tracked them screaming in and my timing was met with the luck of having people standing on the corner balcony. Ken Busse, from Wheaton

I used a Nikon D80 to photograph my cat, Lucas. He is completely black, except for a white toe, so it’s very hard to get good photos of him. His features are always too dark, or if you use a flash, too plain looking and washed out. I found the solution. Sunlight. Brian Link, from Carol Stream

This photo was taken in July at Warren Dunes State Park. During our day of playing and flipping each other in Lake Michigan, I was able to capture our friend Jimmy’s face as he entered the waters of Lake Michigan. Meaghan Diaz of South Elgin

I took this photo of a swallowtail butterfly while in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area this past June. That area was having too much rain, but butterflies were doing well. Milton Hoskins of Hampshire

This photo is of my two daughters watching the sunset in Yosemite this year. Terry Holtz of Fox River Grove

The attached is an HDR photo of Buckingham fountain I took earlier this year. Actually, it’s 7 photos merged into one using NIK HDR software and PS5. I also used a Promote Control timer as the Canon 50D I used does not allow more than 3 photos to be taken in one bracket. I also used a Canon 24-70 Zoom lens. I purposely set the main portion of the fountain to the right so I could get the various types fountain heads in the photo. The photo was taken about 9 p.m. on a Saturday evening. Mike Walczak, from Naperville

A rare sighting of killer whales bubble feeding in Juneau, Alaska last week. Iris Cooley of Hawthorn Woods

A bullfrog in a backyard pond in Wausau, Wis. on August 23rd. Lisa Ann Goranson of Palatine

A squirrel landing in snow next to a small pile of birdseed in the Catherine Chevalier Woods in Chicago. Jonathan Lynn-Naveja of Des Plaines

Captain J jumps ship into Lake Michigan during the Air and Water Show on August 18. Debra Moritz of Buffalo Grove

American white pelicans soar above Mississippi River on June 2nd at the Illinois Lock and Dam 13 on the Mississippi River. Viveca Joy Skyles of Lakemoor