So I made a couple “friends” today while I was playing along the lakefront this afternoon on my bike. While I know one is a typical seagull… err, Ring-Billed Gull to be specific. But I’m not quite sure what the other bird is?

Anyone…

UPDATE :

Okay… so we have confirmation from Karen… an avid birdwatcher…
“Juvenile Black-crowned Night-Heron. One of the last Illinois breeding colonies is at Lincoln Park Zoo.”

Well, THIS wasn’t there yesterday!!! Kind of an early morning surprise laying across the bike trail as I was going under the bridge… whomp, there it is!!!

A bright sunrise followed by some bright morning flowers. The zinnias are finally in bloom… and every time I see them I think I need to plant more of these next year!!!

Pedaling by I saw these lilies blooming a couple blocks away from my condo… and thought they might be my favorite lily ever!!! Not just the amazing color combination & ombre’ blend, but the way the sunshine is highlighting every petal & creating some stunning shadows.

After last night’s rain… always beautiful to see fresh flowers with fresh raindrops. Adds a little splash of color to an otherwise gray & gloomy morning!

Looks like it might be MULBERRY MONDAY?! Often overlooked… but these mulberries are always tasty! That is if you can pick them off the trees before the birds get after them… or even worse, they fall off and stain the sidewalks & car hoods with their purple juices!

Tiny little white flowers… so delicately perched on top of tall stems. Dramatic white heliotrope flowers with such an intoxicating aroma. A beautiful accent to any garden!

Love how the sun is illuminating these fern fronds from behind.
Making the color pop & the texture show-up even better!

Loving the larkspur that just started blooming in my garden this week! That beautiful purple color floating above feathery stems. And it looks like there are still a lot of blooms to come!!! The way these things have spread all over my garden… I’m sure they would be considered a “weed” if the flowers weren’t so pretty! HA!!!

Sunshine yellow with early morning shadows.