Images: Photo Contest Finalists
Fall colors unfold during a bike ride in Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine.
Leah Langenstrass of Schaumburg
A prairie flower up against the blue sky in September.
Kelly Salt of Arlington Heights
Three doors in a courtyard in the city of Civita Di Bagnoregio in Umbria, Italy. This city is known as the dying city.
Vincent Abate of Vernon Hills
Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park last month as seen from Glacier Point.
Arnold Germann of Gurnee
Great blue skimmer dragonfly perched on a light pole.
Jason Thompson of Wadsworth
As the rains we had a few weeks ago were finally moving off to the East we got a very lovely sun set. This is Wildflower Lake in Huntley, with the crescent moon looking down.
Bob Williams of Huntley
A female ruby threated hummingbird is attracted to this purple flower at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Susan Birr of Carpentersville
While the Tevatron was shut down last week, the sun continues to set on the prairie grasses at Fermi Lab.
Mike Tillmans of St. Charles
Kristi is on a mission team in Cambodia serving at an orphanage, where this photo was taken.
Kristi Zboncak, from Wheaton.
What do you see in this photo? My husband sees an arm, the edge of a short sleeve and a hand; I see a brontosaurus — others see a loon, a goose and even a jumping deer. Ive always admired the beautiful trees along Butterfield Rd in Glen Ellyn, especially with their brilliant fall foliage. So yesterday, I finally stopped and walked underneath one and noticed this odd looking branch. The various dark limbs against the colorful leaves creates patterns — have fun with your imagination!
Amy Peterson, from Wheaton
This midland brown snake was basking in the sun and warming its belly on the paved path near the west parking lot entrance at Timber Ridge Forest Preserve in West Chicago, Ill. It was a small snake, so I used a macro lens and got down on the ground to take a photograph with the maximum details. This is the first time I have encountered a snake at a forest preserve or anywhere outdoors and I was ready to take advantage of this photo opportunity.
Angela Cichosz, from Carol Stream
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