Winning images of our weekly photo contest

I purchased a new lens and was frustrated by the lack of wildlife, the weekend I received the lens, to test its performance. I didn't have to wait long in order to find the wildlife, although I did have to venture out to find the wildlife in their environment. I like the fact that the wildlife is oblivious to me and going about there normal routine. I'm surprised by the diversity of wildlife located so close to home. Len Baumgart of Roselle

The photo of the pink oriental lilies was taken on my I-phone July 18, 2016 in my backyard garden. Pat Hartmann, of Elgin

I was at Prairie Meadows Park in West Dundee with my children. The sun was setting, and my 7 year old daughter was very excited by all the beautiful colors in the sky. "Mommy! The sky is so beautiful! It's like a piece of artwork and WE'RE IN IT!!" She ran up to the top of the playscape to get closer to the sky, and that's when I snapped this picture. Christa Bellock of Elgin

Look closely and you can see the parents in front and one of the young owls hiding behind the parents. There are two young owls but I only got one. This was taken in Warrenville by the West branch bike path. David Kushner of Naperville

Last month I completed my 3rd photo trip specifically targeting the Northwoods of Wisconsin and the Michigan UP. This is Long Slide Falls on the Pemebonwon River near Pembine, Wisconsin. From the parking lot it is a 220 yard hike down a path to the river where you come upon this intimate setting deep into the woods. The photo consists of 3 exposures combined in Photoshop so as to freeze the trees/leaves but include the waterfalls with a long exposure effect Larry Lato of Lisle

This charming and colorful street scene was captured in Alicante, Spain, several years ago. I was staying there for a month living with a local family while taking a 100-hour intensive course in Spanish. I would take every opportunity to grab my camera in my spare time and venture out exploring my surroundings.While making my way up to the castle ruins on top of a large hill I came across this quant little neighborhood plastered against the side of the hill. The vibrant colors of the flower pots, flowers, tiles and what have you made it totally stand out! Ilse Gallico of Elgin

A grasshopper stops to search around on a carpet one summer afternoon. Matt Dempsey of Mount Prospect

Four girls have fun on a water trampoline at a family reunion in Michigan. Fred Share of Arlington Heights

A herd of cattle look over a stone wall as they surround a cemetery in Todler, Luxembourg on July 6. Christine Bohlmann of Mundelein

The sun sets over Big Bear Lake at Century Park in Vernon Hills. Ed Kabot of Vernon Hills

A ferry crosses between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with the city in the background in September of 2015. Kevin Hert of Lake Zurich

Sunset at Siesta Key Beach in Florida on July 21. Jeff Stahl of Arlington Heights