We took an early morning walk at the Burnidge Park Forest Preserve near our house and here are some of the pictures we took...
Frost on fugus growing on a fallen tree.
Cherries rotting on the tree
Frost on a twig
Frost on blades of grass
Frost on a leaf
Charred acorns from a controlled burn
Frost on a leaf on rocks surrounded by light snow
This is down in the canyon at Matthessen. There is a waterfall about 100 degrees to the right. This pictures doesn't do justice to how tall this canyon is.
This is in the same canyon looking to the left of the last picture. This is the way out (should you ever suddenly find yourself there and need to know how to escape).
This is looking down the falls which empties into the basin in the previous pictures.
Lovely fall leaves.
A log cabin at the park with nice stone chimney.
Another view of the canyon.
Leaves in the water.
Standing under an overhang in the canyon.
This is looking towads the falls. You can see the bridge you have to walk over to follow the top of the canyon to where you pick up the multitude of stairs to get down into the canyon. 
The fall. To the left is a huge cave which you can climb in and around.
Looking from the bridge down into the canyon.
Another view into the canyon from the path you take to get there.
The last staircase you take to get into the canyon.
This is a side canyon within the main canyon.
You can see rust, among other things, seeping through with water at the base of the rocks that make up this canyon.
Trippy curvy barkless tree - cool!
Melinda, it's a pregnant tree!
Some really sweet looking moss - it looked like micro palm trees!
This is at Starved Rock and is park of the upper part of that canyon system.
Looking into the canyons at Starved Rock.
Nice scenery.
Interesting root system.
Beautiful fall trees in the forest.
An overhang above a canyon with some cool looking cypress trees - I love cypress trees!
A trippy lumpy tree.
Looking into a canyon.
Leaves so big you can wear them like a hat!!! Here our model Johnnie displays the largest we found.
Yea, ya think!!
One of a bazillion stair cases along trails and whatnot. It was quite a workout!
More nifty looking moss!
The lovey dovies!
Downey Woodpecker
Same Downey Woodpecker
One of half a dozen Blu Jays flying around and scarfind up the acorns
Two Blue Jays that were putting the beat down on each other over acorn rights
This if Fred. He is our resident Red-Bellied Woodpecker. He frequents our feeders all winter.
Another shot of Fred - isn't he cute!
This is one of about a dozen House Finches that live in the area and have a nest in the pine tree out the back door.
Chipmunk - they were everywhere!!!
A little garter snake - they were everywhere too and Katie and John each almost stepped on one. They were all youngsters, ranging in size from a foot and a half down to about 10 inches - the little one was adorable and really fast!!! I touched this one's tail before it slithered off.
The ubiquitous black and orange catarpillar. I can never remember what these turn into.
Leaves in the sun.
How tranquil!!
Milkweed.
Golden leaves.
Cattail.
More pretty leaves.
I'm likin' the lichen!
Red tailed hawk - dark phase.
Forest through the trees.
Path in the woods
