I've been learning some new black and white digital processing techniques. Here are a few results.

Pool Player

 Gallery 37

Chicago Shoreline

 

Some shots from a nature trail now that the warm weather is here.

Budding Tree Limb

Blossom

Mushrooms

Thorn Creek Woods

A simple shot from learning to use anew camera.
Trestle Bracing

While frozen waterfalls form every year in the canyons of Starved Rock State Park in Illinois, the heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures this year have made them more spectacular than they have been in many years.  These were all taken in St. Louis Canyon at the west end of the park.
Ice Fall 2
Ice Fall
A detail of the lower half - Ice Detail
And of the upper half.  Unfortunately, the water falling from the creek at the top of the canyon is not very noticeable. Detail - Top of Falls
Finally, this is a view from behind the falls.  It is a little diffuse owing to the misting hanging in there.
Crystal Cave

I don't think I have ever mentioned it before, but my wife and I own a tavern in here in town and once every couple of months or so we have live bands come in to play.  When they do I bring my camera along, of course.  Aside from the regular shots I take to display on our bulletin board afterwards, I also take some wilder, more experimental photos.  In these, my attempt is not to shot musicians or crowds, but to capture music if that makes any sense.  
Let me know if you think I am at all successful.
Band Night 1
Band Night 2
Lead Guitarist
Blues Drummer
Channeling Hendrix
And the most bizarre one yet:Psychedelic Dancer

On a grey winter day with freezing rain and snow I thought I'd reminisce on better weather.  These were taken at at art fair this summer.
Little Bottles
Detail of Ceramic Piece
Detail of Ceramic Piece 2  
I Like it, but is it Me
Steel Palm

A couple of people expressed an interest in seeing the color version of my previous post, so I thought I would put it up today  Lover's Toast - Color along with some others.  All these were taken at Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago which featured an exhibition of her work incorporated into there usual exhibits.
Girl in the Golden Swing Water Jugs
A Romp in the Garden Tidal Dance
JazzMan
These are good examples of the rotund, voluptuous figures she is known for.  Interestingly, Ms. Sainte Phalle was a fashion model in her youth and remained quite slender through her life.
The conservatory also has fine collection of exotic plants.
Zebra Leaves AlienFlower

I don't have to much appropriate for the challenge, but I do have this. Lover's Toast It was taken at the Garfield Park conservatory here is Chicago, which was hosting an exhibition of Niki de Sainte=Phalle's sculpture.
And as long as we are talking about love, I should include one of my daughter, Tuesday.Through the Looking Glass

I thought I would try something different and post some transportation themed urban photography here.  I don't often get the chance to travel to the city but I love the opportunities it presents.  At any rate, these are my attempts to interpret urban living.
The Tube
Posting
Lineman
Underground Station
Heavy Traffic  

Thanks to everyone for their kind welcomes and comments on my inaugural post here several days ago.  From looking around it seems that there are many talented photographers here in this supportive community.

I thought I would follow up with some other shots taken in that rural area the same day Barn in Red and Black Grain Silos Rural Ruins

The sole exception is this one Wetlands in Winter (Foggy Morning) taken the following morning at a wetlands preserve in a heavy fog.

Yesterday's mornings snowfall here in Illinois came down fast and wet, plastering itself to everything facing the wind.  The snow gave an eerie appearance to this rural cemetery about fifty miles outside of Chicago.

December - Cemetery in Snow #1 Cemetery in Snow #2 Cemetery in Snow #3 Cemetery in Snow #4