I prefer to move around on a bicycle as it gives you the liberty to stop and observe things. Like I halted at this bridge to take in the nature and the activities around it.
That is when I saw this great Egret trying his hand at fishing. He did try a couple of times and the success rate was something like one in five.
There is this big park with a water body and an excellent cycling/jogging track around it. (Volkening Lake)
Suits me fine as one lap around the lake adds a km to my daily target of pedalling.
You get to see many activities over here, like this man trying his hand at fishing.
He must be good at it as I did see his catch on my third lap.
You keep meeting joggers and fast walkers who are regulars over here.
I saw these young cycle enthusiasts who were trying to help each other in fixing a stuck bike
There is some exercise equipment fixed over there and at times one gets to see it in use.
It may be someone performing solo or maybe a group of students from the school nearby.
There are some who like to paint and the pretty flowers get transferred to their canvas
The thrill of maneuvering a sailboat with a remote is something different. I stopped to capture a bunch of enthusiasts having a gala time.
Spoke to one of them and he confirmed that there are no motors on them to propel them forward. It was just wind power and how you flip the sails that gives it direction. I was really fascinated by their skill, and their dedication to meet on a daily basis to enjoy the sport.
I had enough footage to make it into a ten minute video.
If you are lucky you get to see a variety of birds, like this blue heron was flying very close for a good shot
or this black bird in the bulrushes daring me to come any more close to him (probably he has a nest somewhere close by)
While pedalling alongside the main road, I observed these postal delivery vans zipping past, the only vehicles I noticed in the US with right hand drive.
They were perhaps so designed so as to allow the driver to get in and out without the fear of the oncoming traffic (where there are no road dividers) It also gives access to the postmen to reach the roadside postbox without alighting.
All that is mentioned above is capsuled into a short video so that you can see some of the action.
Then there are things that make you think from the design point of view, like why do some benches have only one armrest ?
I must shamefully admit I've never learnt to ride a cycle and envy those who have. As usual in your posts, great captures - this time of things and activities one sees on a ride: fishing, joggers and walkers, benches with one arm, saiboats on remote control, a cute, tiny black bird etc.. Your video of manoevering boats with remote control is quite fascinating!
I always think that to travel by bike is to be part of the landscape, whereas to be in a car is to sit at a remove. I have made many journeys to France and elsewhere and always a bike you are welcomed so much openly - once I rode the length of the Pyrenees on a tandem!
Lovely photos. I too enjoy cycling, but then I live in the Netherlands where people cycle a lot. It looks as if you had fun on your ride! Are you in Chicago permanently?
@Vallypee : Not permanently in Chicago but keep visiting. Oh yes, Netherlands is full of fun especially when it comes to cycles. Reminds me of the tandem ride I had with wifey on Marken Island about ten years ago.
@Tom: Yes always in a hurry for no reason at all. Life is supposed to be taken slow and steady (like a cycle)
@roentare: It is the right place for everyone to do what they love.
I used to love to cycle but that sadly stopped. With all the e-bikes and e-scooters rushing left and right you cannot stop and take a pic. So these days I prefer to walk - and take pics. With a camera...
@Raj: I noticed that and tried to take a picture of him/her delivering directly into the postbox from his driver's seat, but could not get a good picture. (will keep trying and add it here)
@Gaurav: So true, and everyone misses on the finer aspects of life.
Dear Joe, Good camaraderie during your cycling...I too have noticed some unusual designs in USA like Right Hand Drive US Postal Delivery vans, with single hand benches in Parks. Although it is convenient for a driver to deliver post without alighting from van but I have a strong scare in my mind how he would be experiencing running RHD vehicle in LHD & RH Traffic system!! Imagine if we drive LHD vehicle in Indian Traffic system!!! Keep posting!!
29 comments:
I must shamefully admit I've never learnt to ride a cycle and envy those who have. As usual in your posts, great captures - this time of things and activities one sees on a ride: fishing, joggers and walkers, benches with one arm, saiboats on remote control, a cute, tiny black bird etc..
Your video of manoevering boats with remote control is quite fascinating!
Stunned.It seems our suppressed activities bloom after retirement.
@ Jagdish. Rightly said Jagdish, now we get time to activate our brain cells and indulge in our hobby :-)
@ Duta. I think you can still learn cycling :-) Thanks for the compliments. I too enjoyed capturing those sail boats.
Enjoyed reading the blog. Thanks for sharing. Loved the candid captures. - Lolly
It looks like you had a nice day at the park.
@Liz : Right Liz, and this was captured over a period of time, something like two weeks.
So peaceful are the quietness of bicycles and artists at work. :)
@Penelope Notes : You are right, as this area is in the suburbs of Chicago, it is relatively quiet.
Nice photography. With the weather being nice, people spend a lot of time out and about. You captured a nice slice of life. Well done!
I always think that to travel by bike is to be part of the landscape, whereas to be in a car is to sit at a remove. I have made many journeys to France and elsewhere and always a bike you are welcomed so much openly - once I rode the length of the Pyrenees on a tandem!
@Bill: Right Bill, a slice of life it is.
@The bike shed: Given a chance I would always opt for a bike. Tandem riding is fun (and an alternative for tired feet.)
Lovely photos. I too enjoy cycling, but then I live in the Netherlands where people cycle a lot. It looks as if you had fun on your ride! Are you in Chicago permanently?
..travelling slowly allow us to see the things that surround us. But we seem to often be in a hurry.
It is a beautiful park. Everyone seems to be in the zone doing what they love
@Vallypee : Not permanently in Chicago but keep visiting. Oh yes, Netherlands is full of fun especially when it comes to cycles. Reminds me of the tandem ride I had with wifey on Marken Island about ten years ago.
@Tom: Yes always in a hurry for no reason at all. Life is supposed to be taken slow and steady (like a cycle)
@roentare: It is the right place for everyone to do what they love.
Very nice photos. Very keen observation.You have captured the sights and sounds of nature beautifully
I used to love to cycle but that sadly stopped. With all the e-bikes and e-scooters rushing left and right you cannot stop and take a pic.
So these days I prefer to walk - and take pics. With a camera...
@Anonymous (George) : Thanks for that. I was keen on capturing the sound as it is (especially of the birds)
@Iris: keeping clear of powered vehicles is a big task (and more difficult in the cities) Yes, walking is the next option.
The right hand drive on US postal vehicles also allows the drivers to pull up close the mailboxes to take/keep mail.
So true Joe. People are in such a great hurry, that they forget to see the beauty of life around them. - Gaurav
@Raj: I noticed that and tried to take a picture of him/her delivering directly into the postbox from his driver's seat, but could not get a good picture. (will keep trying and add it here)
@Gaurav: So true, and everyone misses on the finer aspects of life.
Thank you so much. I felt like i am present on the site
Good experience - Vinayak Nandakumar
Dear Joe,
Good camaraderie during your cycling...I too have noticed some unusual designs in USA like Right Hand Drive US Postal Delivery vans, with single hand benches in Parks. Although it is convenient for a driver to deliver post without alighting from van but I have a strong scare in my mind how he would be experiencing running RHD vehicle in LHD & RH Traffic system!! Imagine if we drive LHD vehicle in Indian Traffic system!!!
Keep posting!!
Regards
UGK
What a beautiful park! I love that second shot, with the egret trying to catch something in the water. You timed that perfect!
Nice video too with the sailboats.
Beautiful photos. Our local streets are not set up well for bicycle riders, which is really too bad.
It's many years since I last rode a bicycle ...
Loved seeing all of your photographs, a wonderful collection.
All the best Jan
@Vinayak Nandakumar - Glad you liked it.
@UGK - You are right. Driving a LHD vehicle in India would be a nightmare.
@Greg - Right the click happened when he went for the dive.
@Spare part & pic- Make the best of it, even though the roads are not good.
@Low carb team - Time to get on that saddle again.
Genial paseo te mando un beso.
All beautifully captured. The mystery of the one handed benches in the park remains!
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