I thoroughly enjoy pausing to take photographs while out in nature even when in familiar surroundings. These pictures are from the Peoria area: Detweiller Golf course (no I don't golf - I'm afraid I might like it), Forest Park Nature Center (everything is wild - no fences), and the Illinois River near Galena Marina where I do much of my kayaking. I hope you enjoy these glimpses into the respites God grants me from everyday life. He is so gracious!

Many of these pictures are of high water, since the Illinois River remained above Flood Stage in the Spring of 2009 from early March through most of June and even into July. Peoria broke their previous record for days above flood stage on the Illinois River with 86 days and counting by the end of May.