Sandy Pine Elk Farm, Deer Grove, IL

Totem Pole

Sandy Pine Elk Farm, Deer Grove, IL

Eagle Pole

Sandy Pine Elk Farm, Deer Grove, IL

Native Chief

8 x 10 Fine Art Print(s)

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Sandy Pine Elk Farm is among my favorite places in the Sauk Valley. Please click on the link above to find out more about the times and offerings available at this local attraction.

One of the things that draws me to this place is that my heritage includes a native component. I am descended -- three generations back -- to the Blackfoot tribe. The Sauk and Fox nation also figure prominently in the history of this region...as you might expect from the name, Sauk Valley. Abraham Lincoln helped fight the Black Hawk war here before he became the 16th president. As some of you may know, Chief Black Hawk was among the last *freedom fighters* for the lands from Saukenak, Wisconsin to Grand deTour, IL.

The totem pole at Sandy Pines Elk Farm is something that you should not miss. It speaks to the history of this land we humbly and respectfully call home.

Sunrise Over Lowell

Sunrise Over Lowell

Fine Art Photo by Wayne Wilkinson

Limited Edition of 30 prints

8 x 10 inches on archival paper

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Until you have walked through this nature wonderland, will you not appreciate this wonderful gift that was presented to the City of Dixon near the turn of the 19th century.

Established in 1907, it has stood through all these years as a place whereby people could relax and enjoy recreation to its fullest. It is where Ronald Reagan took a summer job as a lifeguard and is reported to have saved 77 people from the river during his tenure. We hope you will enjoy the picturesque scenery and that some day you will visit this magnificent park.

The scenic overlook from the park has been an artists' delight for nearly a century. You can view the scenery for miles and observe the river meandering along its course. The image above was taken from this vista in the early summer of 2007; one hundred years after the park was established. By all accounts, the beauty and grandeur have not been compromised.

Do The Clothes Make the Man?

Curious Doe

Fine Art Photography by Wayne Wilkinson

Under License: Not For Sale

Often we can determine a person's profession by the clothes they wear. Medical doctors, policemen, soldiers, sailors...military personell...firemen, et cetera. It is not so typically discernable with photographers. Most look indistinguishable to you or me. Perhaps this is why so many of us are becoming increasing harrassed by law-enforcement and security types?

In an effort to establish my photo-centric attire, I recently purchased the field cap and lapel pin from the Nature Photographers Network. I have also been considering the photojouralist vest from Command Post as they have the best prices that I have been able to find.

My concern is that while I wish only to capture the nuances of our beloved Sauk Valley, my dressing as a para-military member may draw the ire of Conservation forces or worse.

Am I being over concerned or critical? Maybe, maybe not. There has been much to do over photographer's rights lately. Yahoo Groups have breeched the subject in detail. This blog has made mention as well. I am not a conspiracy theorist by any means but I cannot help but wonder how long it might take before the simple act of taking a picture will be deemed illegal here among the cornfields?

Taking only pictures, leaving only footprints,

Wayne

Illinois Freedom Bell, Mt. Morris

Illinois Freedom Bell, And Plaque

Mt. Morris, Illinois

Fine Art Prints Available

Purchase Buttom Below

This past week end proved eventful for me. Saturday, I was hoping to take in the Homestead events at Muller Lane Farm . As Mother Nature would have it, rain prevailed. I was, however privy to the Twin City Market in Sterling, IL. This was more than I had expected! Local farmers and artisans were well represented with their produce and wares. I ate a delicious bison burger from a local husbandman, and was able to take in the fine banjo playing of a man who had a love of bluegrass music.Had it not been raining steadily, I know that photos would have been spewing forth like a cornicopia. Alas, my picture safari would have to wait another day...

Sunday dawned with a typical overcast "Illinois Grey" sky. At least the rains subsided, and I was able to travel the 12 miles to Mt. Morris. I had hoped to capture some images of the Illinois Freedom Bell, along our famous Black Hawk Trail. I was not disappointed.

That illustrious bell rings loud and proud every fourth of July at the climax of the Let Freedom Ring Festival. Ronald Reagan, president of these United States dedicated the first bell in 1963. Later, in 1984 he invited the most ardent supporter of its appeal --apology for the pun-- to the White House.

Even with the images of the Illinois Freedom Bell lodged securely within my camera, I wanted more. I took off for Leaf River. A village barely north of Mt. Morris in search of a few shots of the history museum located there. Regretably, these were not to be had. A car in the parking lot along with the heavy lay of precipitation negated my chances of capturing acceptable images.

Not to be disheartened, I returned to Mt. Morris, and found Mike Norman of Mt Morris Country Crafts manning his shoppe. This quaint crafter's paradise is open to the public and awaits you on the west side of village square. Mike is a wood worker. His wife is a weaver. They have some of the most beautiful examples of home-made items I have ever seen. Of course other crafters also occupy booths within their walls; perhaps my work will be there too? I hope so.

After all this, I was off to Amboy, IL. for the inaugural (first birthday ) of my serugate nephew, Gabriel. It was a grand affair where I took nearly sixty pics of the tyke, along with other family and friends; the innocence of a baby coupled with chocolate cake smeared across a face never ceases to astound, amuse and inspire me.

I hope that your week end was a good one and that you were able to find time to capture your share of memories!

All best,

-Wayne

ASMP - LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Illinois Feedom Bell

Mt. Morris, IL

Illinois Freedom Bell II

Mt. Morris, Illinois

Fine Art Prints Available

Purchase Button Below Article

ASMP The American Society of Media Photographers has issued a legistlative alert!

Legislative Alert:

June 14, 2007 — ASMP is concerned about a bill that has been introduced in the New York state legislature. The issue is related to rights of publicity and could have an impact on your business even though you are not a New York state resident.
Please take the time to read the documents link provided in red above, especially the draft letter, to have a complete understanding of what is at stake.

Yes, New York state may seem far removed from our beloved Sauk Valley of Illinois but with the immediacy of the world wide web, it is much closer than its physical geography.

The precendent(s) that the New York bill(s) would introduce can and will affect our photography businesses. Especially if you have a photo of anyone who has died in the past 70 years and want to sell it (most commonly this applies to celebrity pics) you will want to read the alert!

To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

-Wayne

lightning Bugs (or Fireflies)

Lightning Bug & Lilly Series

Fine Art Prints Available

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Editorial and Commercial Interests Preferred

On the first day of summer, 2007, I wasn't expecting to be taking photos of a lightning bug! The lillies were what I was originally after, and yes, I did get some excellent shots of them as well. But this was a "happy coincidence."

I never gave much thought to where fireflies go during the day. Now I know. It seems as though they prefer ground cover, and in this case -- a bit of camoflauge. Come to find out, adults will eat the nectar of flowers, so perhaps this little guy was getting his breakfast before he was rudely interupted?

Just goes to show that photos can happen everywhere or anywhere. Of course, we can't get the shot without our cameras so be sure to take yours along where ever you go!

lightning Bugs (or Fireflies) Lightning Bugs are the same as Fireflies. They are members of a particular family of the Beetle Order. The Firefly Family is technically known as the Lampyridae. Lightning Bugs are beetles. They can't be "flies" as their name suggests, since "flies" are members of the Fly Order. Glow-worms, which produce light similar to Lightning Bugs', also are beetles, but they belong to a different, though closely related, family, the Phengodidae. There are many Lightning Bug species.
-- Click on the red link above for more of this article.

Photography Banned in Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland | The News is NowPublic.com

Don't Shoot!

Freiheit

Wings of Peace And Freedom

images above taken at the Wings of Peace and Freedom monument, Dixon IL

Fine Art Prints Available in Various Sizes

Photography Banned in Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland The News is NowPublic.com

You're going to want to read the following two paragraphs twice because you're not going to believe them.

"This past Tuesday I went to downtown Silver Spring, had lunch, and then took out my camera and standing on Ellsworth Avenue, I began taking shots of the buildings with the blue sky and clouds as a backdrop. Almost immediately, a security guard approached and told me 'there was no picture taking allowed in Downtown Silver Spring.' 'What do you mean?' I said, 'I am on a city street, in a public place -- taking pictures is a right that I have protected by the first amendment.' The guard told me to report to the management office."

There, Stacy Horan informed me that Downtown Silver Spring including Ellsworth Avenue is private property, not a public place, and subject to the rules of the Peterson Companies. They have a no photography policy to 'protect them from people who might want to use the photographs as part of a story in which they could write bad things about us.' And she told me that many of the chain stores in Downtown Silver Spring don't what their 'concepts' to be photographed for security reasons." ...



When the president declared in November of 2005 that the US Constitution was just "a goddamned piece of paper" red flags should have gone up all over the country. Obviously, they were never raised. And why should any of us be surprised? No one has been asked to sacrifice for the "war on terror." Well, not more than paying higher gasoline prices. Unless, you have a loved one who was killed, the cost for domestic freedom seems to be at an all time low.



What I find unforgivible is that even among those with whom I talk to in my beloved Sauk Valley; very few have any inclination or desire to question the powers that be! This is not what I gave 8 years of my life to defend. I would go so far that it was not what generations of my brothers-and-sisters-in-arms fought and died for over the course of this country's history. It is from a veteran's perspective as well as an artist's viewpoint that I decry the privatization, socialization, and corporatization of this land.



Next year, 2008 will see the passage of the REAL ID ACT . This will effectively take us back to 1939 Nazi Germany; "Show us your papers!" And all done legally in the name of sacrificing freedom for security. Hmmm, perhaps we should take our pictures while we can my friends. Next year may be too late.



Yours, under the all-seeing eye,

-Wayne