Northbrook landmarks stand out in downtown aerial view

High winds have kept my drone grounded recently.

Though I keep a close eye on official weather apps while planning a flight, the sight of fallen leaves moving horizontally at a high rate of speed en masse is a sure sign that the drone will remain in its case.

However, a clear, calm day allowed the opportunity for a flight near downtown Northbrook Friday.

Rather than focus on any one particular subject, I chose an angle that included several of downtown Northbrook's landmarks in this westward view, taken from the vicinity of Shermer Road and Church Street. Most prominent in the photo are The Village Presbyterian Church of Northbrook with its red roof at lower right, and the bright green grass of the baseball diamond at Village Green Park, which stands out from an otherwise muted landscape of browns and grays.

Storefronts and restaurants line Shermer Road, and Cherry Lane continues on a westward path to the right of the image.

The North Branch of the Chicago River passes through the scene under the bridge on Sherman Road.

Beyond the water tower, viewers can see Village Hall and the Northbrook Public Library.

Trees lining residential streets have shed their leaves, and, with the exception of scattered evergreens, a uniform brown tone covers the upper portion of the photo. Though at first glance the day appeared to be crystal clear, a haze hangs over the horizon line.

Winter arrives next month, and the area will soon be covered with a fresh blanket of snow. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to take aerial views of the snow-covered landscape, weather permitting.