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Starved Rock State Park – Illinois Canyon in Spring |
This is the last day of May, and one could say spring is officially over, since in the U.S. we tend to think of summer as June, July and August, even though here in Chicago temperatures have dipped to the 50s today after hitting almost 100F last Sunday. In any case the last day of spring is high time for me to share pictures from one item on my spring list, which I actually did do:
Hike Starved Rock State Park when there might be water falls from spring showers.
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Starved Rock State Park – Illinois Canyon |
We like to approach Starved Rock State Park from the east, where there tend to be fewer people, and one can hike Illinois Canyon almost undisturbed, especially on a weekday.
Illinois Canyon does not feature waterfalls, but rather these shallow pools.
![two boys hiking across shallow pools in Illinois Canyon](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-Illinois-Canyon-Crossing.jpg)
These crossings in the Illinois Canyon can be treacherous. In fact, I didn’t fare as well as my sons in this photo, which was taken right before one of those wobbly logs gave way and I fell in.
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Wildflowers in Illinois Canyon |
![LaSalle Canyon in spring](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-LaSalle-Canyon-1.jpg)
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Starved Rock – LaSalle Canyon Waterfall |
![](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-LaSalle-Canyon-Waterfall.jpg)
Well, maybe it does. It’s the coolest thing to be able to walk under a waterfall and not get wet.
![Behind the waterfall in LaSalle Canyon](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-LaSalle-Canyon-Waterfall-3.jpg)
![Pool at the bottom of the LaSalle Canyon waterfall](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-LaSalle-Canyon-Pool.jpg)
LaSalle Canyon Pool
![](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-LaSalle-Canyon-A-Waterfall-and-a-Vine.jpg)
A Waterfall and a Vine
![](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-Hiking.jpg)
Hiking along a canyon wall. Not all trails in Starved Rock are like this, many meander along the Illinois river, or lead you through the forest until you happen upon another canyon.
![green pool of water at the bottom of a grey rock wall in Tonty Canyon](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-Tonty-Canyon.jpg)
Tonty Canyon
![Cave in rock wall of Tonty Canyon](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-Tonty-Canyon-3.jpg)
Tonty Canyon cave
![child in blue shirt trying to catch a water drop from a canyon wall above him](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-Tonty-Canyon-Catching-a-Drop.jpg)
Catching a Drop in Tonty Canyon
![Horizontal layers in yellow canyon wall with fresh green vegetation in between](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-Study-in-Rock-Layers.jpg)
A Study in Rock Layers
Lots of water in LaSalle Canyon for Reflections
![Black silhouette of tree leaning over the blue still water of the Illinois River at Starved Rock](http://annettegendler.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Starved-Rock-Illinois-River-Reflection.jpg)
Final reflection – a tree by the Illinois River at Starved Rock State Park.
Such gorgeous pictures!!! What an excellent way to end the blogathon….CHEERS for making it ALL the way!!!!!
Wow, so pretty!
Those are beautiful photos, Annette. Thanks for sharing. That last one could be a post card!
Anjuli – thanks, and yes, I felt this would be a nice way to wrap up the Blogathon.
Kelly – thanks!
Diane – thanks & glad you like it!
Beautiful photos! We've only been to Starved Rock once – and it rained the whole time. I would love to get back.
These photos are brilliant! What camera (and settings) were you using?
Jennifer – funny you should ask. My photo taking technique is as yet rather primitive. My Canon PowerShot is pretty beat up (the shutter doesn't close anymore), and then I use Microsoft Office Picture Manager to adjust brightness or crop.