Soaring Pelican

Now is a good time visit the Mississippi River to view migratory birds. Pelicans, eagles, ducks and geese are all active in the Midwest migratory routs. Good places to view are Riverlands, the River Road through Grafton and the lock and dam in Clarksville. This was taken in Clarksville last February near the lock andContinue reading “Soaring Pelican”

Wainwright Tomb

Early in the New Year, means a trip to the family plot in Bellefontaine Cemetery in the northern section of the City of St. Louis. Founded in 1849 as St. Louis’s first rural cemetery, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum (the first west of the Mississippi) became a unique garden landscape for prominent figures like William Clark andContinue reading “Wainwright Tomb”

Exploring Forest Park’s Mallards and Waterfowl

A pair of Mallards hanging out in Forest Park. The park is filled with waterfowel, particularly geese and Mallards. Not far from the lagoon, these birds flock together making it a good area to observe them.

Father Christmas

St. Charles, Missouri, is an old 18th Century river town and trading post. Main Street, which runs along the Missouri River has been nicely restored, and is the sight of many Christmas activities. Diane and I drove over there from St. Louis for dinner in one of their many unique restaurants. While walking down theContinue reading “Father Christmas”

Empty Bandstand

The Nathan Frank Bandstand on a cold winter day. We had a brief snow but not enough cold weather to freeze Pagoda Lake. A snowy day is a great time to visit Forest Park with the geese and ducks still swimming around and sledders on Art Hill. The park is only a few miles fromContinue reading “Empty Bandstand”

Winter Sets In

Winter is setting in in Forest Park and St. Louis. This is one my favorite areas in the park with the suspension foot bridge and ducks, geese and egrets hanging around. Just east of the park’s Grand Basin, this was the site of the St. Louis World’s Fair, 120 years ago. Click on the photoContinue reading “Winter Sets In”

Getting ready for Christmas at the Botanical Garden

A nice way to start the season is to visit Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Glow. A walk through the park gives you scene after scene of the upcoming holiday. See the Climatron with its reflecting pools, walk through Henry Shaws home, see the beautifully decorated gatehouse and endless holiday lights. The grandkids love the trainContinue reading “Getting ready for Christmas at the Botanical Garden”

Ally Mill

Ally Mill is an impressive Grist Mill in Souther Missouri. The mill, built in 1894, is said to be one of the most photographed in the world. Alley Spring which used to power the mill is one of largest fresh water springs in the state and remains 57 degrees year round. The deep dark blueContinue reading “Ally Mill”

Hodgson Water Mill

Know as the most photographed Mill in Missouri, Hodgson Mill is nicely preserved. The Mill is located 17 miles northeast of Gainesville on Hwy. 181 in the Sycamore area. The first mill on the site on Bryant Creek was built by William Holeman in 1861. Alva Hodgson bought the mill in 1884. The original burnedContinue reading “Hodgson Water Mill”

Exploring Grist Mills in Missouri

For the next few photos, I am going to focus on old grist mills in Missouri. However, this is sort of a faux grist mill since it was recently built and never served as a mill. This is the entry way to Big Cedar Lodge’s Dogwood Canyon a stunning valley with beautiful waterfalls on bothContinue reading “Exploring Grist Mills in Missouri”