Images: Photo Contest Finalists

  This beautiful sunset behind the trinity of crosses located on Marmion's property caught my eye. The warmth of the glow captured the essence of the season.
Joel Bebber of North Aurora

  A brightly-colored bug sits on a leaf last February on mountain trail near Monteverde in Costa Rica.
Bryan McVey of Arlington Heights

  Chihuly Installation at dusk at Desert Botanic Garden in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this winter.
Karen Simpson of Arlington Heights

  Noah reaches out to grab hands with his friend, Autumn Wielgus, as they play in the backyard last summer.
Tammara Wielgus of Palatine

  The sun sets as it is framed by a treet in Buffalo Grove earlier this month.
Rakesh Tatia of Buffalo Grove

  The first days of spring awakens a sleeping orchid on March 23.
Iris Cooley of Hawthorn Woods

  The yacht, Spirit of Chicago, departs from Navy Pier on a cold overcast day with just a few passengers braving the cold weather on March 22nd.
Joni Wachta of Lake Zurich

  I took this picture in Morro Bay in California a couple of years ago. It was my first trip to the west coast and I couldn't get enough pictures of coastal sights and activities.
Milton Hoskins of Hampshire

  These beautiful lavender plants were photographed around sunset at Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles last summer. They were planted in flower beds around the historic picnic pavilion.
Mike Weimer of St. Charles

  This was taken on a March trip to the Phoenix area at the Desert Botanical Garden's butterfly exhibit. I thought the contrast of the yellow flower under the fully-opened butterfly wings made for an interesting picture, especially the symmetrically balance over the yellow pedals.
Rich Gorecki of Naperville

  This is moonlight reflecting onto the clouds showing rainbow-like colors.
Arlene Hudson of Naperville