About 20 minutes into our barn scouting, this crop duster caught my eye. “Hey, Tim. Wanna photograph this crop duster? I’ve always wanted to catch one of these guys and here’s our chance.” “Sure!”, Tim responds.

I did get this great shot but the car and we both got doused with pesticide.

Tim knew about Yerkes observatory built by Chicago Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics in 1897. As we walked up, the moon was peering between the tree and the big dome.

We dumbed our way to this gem of a barn that looked to be in a perfect spot for a night scape shot. I knocked on the door to ask permission to return later. Unfortunately, the owner had a dog and didn’t want to be disturbed later in the evening.

Our host, Hope, recommended going to the White River Trail. It did not disappoint. Because of the bugs we endured, I am compelled to post this shot. The outcome could have been better.

After the poor shot from the back, we walked around and noticed the galactic core was hanging right over the silo. Too much city lights but possibly a portfolio shot.

After lunch on day 2, we hunted for barns again stumbling on this one that I believe is on
County Road H. Not too bad.

We noticed these red barns on the other side of the highway and found our way over to this outstanding scene. If we had only returned later in the day for better light.

This much better looking white farm house and barns were across the road from the red barns. The sky is all natural.

After dinner, the skies to our north-east looked very interesting. I walked to the back of the property with my 100-500 and captured this gem. Kinda looks like a African Sahara Storm. Another Portfolio Shot. That’s two!

Behind the barn is the White River the runs through the park where I shot this early-morning shot (6:45 AM CT). I didn’t think much of it but when Deb saw it, she said it could be “wall-worthy”. That makes this my third Portfolio worthy shot.

October 2022, Deb and I woke up before dawn to catch the sunrise at Banner Marsh. This shot was worth the trip.

In September 2024, I plotted the darkest sky I could find in a 1 hour radius to take this shot of the galaxy. The lights on the horizon is Macomb, IL.

In March 2025, I noticed this large blob in our back yard tree. Turned out to be an owl. I took my long lens thinking he would flee as soon as I approached. To my surprise, he stood there watching me as I walked up within 50 feet.

In May 2025, Deb and I were scouting scenes to shoot and as I drove towards Princeville, I saw this perfect, old, rustic Red Barn in a beautiful scene.

Detweiller Drive in any season is beautiful. When the snow sticks to the trees, the beauty is even greater.

Stepping away from the bright farm lights, the sky was crystal clear enough to capture the milky way. Look for this star pattern in the next image.

Later in January, winter's wolf moon arose to light up the snow on Detweiller Drive.

Looking directly above the red barn, you can make out the Milky Way rising into the dark sky.

October 2022, Deb and I woke up before dawn to catch the sunrise at Banner Marsh. This shot was worth the trip.

Fall colors come to life every year on Detweiller Drive

In September 2024, I plotted the darkest sky I could find in a 1 hour radius to take this shot of the galaxy. The lights on the horizon is Macomb, IL.

In March 2025, I noticed this large blob in our back yard tree. Turned out to be an owl. I took my long lens thinking he would flee as soon as I approached. To my surprise, he stood there watching me as I walked up within 50 feet.

Peoria on a cold and icy December night - gorgeous

01 Dec 2020 - Moon Showed Up

01 Dec 2020 - High atop the East Peoria bluff, looking down into the Peoria Motion at night as the stars gaze down from a distance.

27 November 2020 - Beautiful purple sunset. Perfect Weather!

On a beautiful November night, the wind was still and the reflections from the city on the River was too good to pass up. (Also known as Peoria Pano Red)

02 December 2020 - Peoria almost sunset

In May 2025, Deb and I were scouting scenes to shoot and as I drove towards Princeville, I saw this perfect, old, rustic Red Barn in a beautiful scene.

Further up Rte 88, you will see beautiful flowing fields. On this Sunday drive, the billowing clouds were creating a heavenly scene.

The modern wind turbines were beautiful on this sunny and fluffy cloud day. We found this old farm equipment perched next to the bean field creating a fascinating juxtaposition.

One of the most famous scenes in Rome: Looking up at the iconic St. Peters Basilica from the Tiber river in Rome.

The Fountain of Neptune is a fountain located at the north end of the Piazza Navona, a short walk from the Tiber River.

Found in the center of Piazza Navona, Fountain of the Four Rivers was designed in 1651 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini for Pope Innocent X.

Night shot of the Fountain

Located at the southern end of the Piazza Navona, Fontana del Moro (Moor Fountain) represents a Moor, or African, standing in a conch shell, wrestling with a dolphin, surrounded by four Tritons.

It was completed by the emperor Hadrian and probably dedicated about 126 AD. Almost two thousand years after it was built, the Pantheon's dome is still the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Pantheon is one of the best-preserved of all Ancient Roman buildings, in large part because it has been in continuous use throughout its history, and since the 7th century.

Night shot of the Pantheon

Trevi is one of the most famous fountains in the world. An estimated 3,000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day.

We went back for some night shots

Trevi Fountain Night shots

A monument built in honor of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of a unified Italy found in the virtual center of the city.

Looking past the monument to ancient Rom from the Piazza Venezia.

Looking over to Vatican City from high atop the Altar of the Fatherland.

Looking down into Ancient Roman ruins from atop the altar.

Elephant and Obelisk - Obelisco della Minerva

As we come close, we can see the shear cliffs of Sorrento.

The Hilton Sorrento is located high on the hill above the city center. We find out later that's quite a long walk.

The Executive Honors Floor was on the rooftop with a breathtaking view of Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples.

Thursday morning, we had perfect weather for our tour. The view of the bay was gorgeous.

Zoom into this one. You will get an idea of how beautiful our view was.

Down the steep zig-zag walkway, Deb and I made our way to Sorrento Harbor. From their looks, this old walkway had been here for centuries.

This gives you an idea of how the cliffs pop out of the ocean directly up nearly 300 foot high.

Viewing Port of Sorrento from high atop of the cliff.

Thursday was our day to visit Amalfi Coast. This was our first official picture stop looking back north.

You can begin to see how locals build quite literally on the face of cliffs overlooking the sea.

Positano is probably the most recognizable cities of the famous coast.

Incredible food is available at every stop along the coast - evident of this fruit stand.

Making our way south, the view looking back north continued to get more and more amazing.

Make sure you watch my video where you see professionals and amateurs alike jumping off this 100' high bridge into the water below.

Kinda cheesie but the Emerald Grotto is quite unique. Discovered in 1932, this marine cave is known for the turquoise water that fills the cavern with an emerald-green light.

Looking north, you can begin to see Amalfi in the distance. Note the shear cliffs and emerald green waters. Imagine swimming here in the summer.

Villa Cimbrone has one of the most iconic views of the Amalfi Coast.

Villa Cimbrone stands on a rocky outcrop known as "Cimbronium".

You cannot imagine how uneasy it is to look over this terrace. As you stand this oval shaped terrace, you feel like you are floating perilously 1,000 feet above the sea.

Famed Amalfi from sea level pier

Amalfi from sea level pier

Amalfi from sea level pier

[Thursday] It is said that the coastal village was named after Poseidon, God of the Sea.

[Saturday] Making our second visit to Positano, the weather was more active making the colors more interesting.

[Saturday] With the cloud cover and sun breaking through, the city and sea colors were fascinating.

Trying an artistic shot

Looking over the iconic Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano

[Thursday] Positano from sea level. Our first visit to Positano, the seas were quite calm and the bay was busy with boats of all kinds.

We were fascinated by the ancient guard towers north and south of the Positano bay. The guard towers were built as look-out points to warn against Muslim invaders. When pirates were spotted at sea, the guards would light a fire on the top of the tower to alert the villagers. The people's only defense was to run to the hills.

Getting wet while getting that shot. I think the camera is OK.

On Saturday night, I took Deb to a local, authentic Italian restaurant near the Marriott, La Locanda.

Deb found her new, favorite chocolatier, Venchi. Yes, that is a chocolate wall.

On our way to Sorrento, we asked Francesco to stop somewhere we could eat. Little did we expect this delight. Love Truffles was outstanding.

I don't take pictures of food often, but this was both unique and delicious.

Be sure to see the video I made of our journey from Donna Sofia. Again, this was both entertaining and delicious.

On Friday, we walked down to the port of Sorrento to have authentic Italian Pizza at Acqua e Sale (Water & Salt). Then, we had this dessert. Imagine elephant ears with unreal custard topped with a cherry.

We visited Positano again Saturday where we stopped at Le Sirenuse , an incredible view and incredible food.

Overlooking iconic Positano from Le Sirenuse

Friday night was a treat on the Sorrento water front at Bagni Delfino

I recommend the Delfino to anyone visiting Sorrrento

On Saturday evening, dinner was at
Bistro Sorrento, up the hill a ways from the Hilton.

[Saturday] Looking over Sorrento from atop the Hilton rooftop Saturday morning.