Hyrum and Joseph Smith, Nauvoo, IL

Bishop Hill, IL. Neat playground gear. I haven't seen equipment like this since I was a kid.

Bishop Hill, IL was founded by a group of Swedes seeking to form a communal Utopia on the prairie

The Latter Day Saints temple in Nauvoo, Illinois​

Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, IL

Heritage Canyon, Fulton, IL

Burpee Museum of Natural History

Apple River Fort, Elizabeth, IL

View of Elizabeth, IL from Apple River Fort

Midway Village Museum, Rockford, IL

A "duplex" at Lincoln's New Salem historic site

Tufted titmouse

Starved Rock State Park, Utica, IL

White Pines State Park, Mt Morris, IL

Power plant at Byron, IL

An early summer morning on a hilltop near Galena, IL

Starved Rock Dam, Utica, IL

Ronald Reagan Birthplace, Tampico, IL

The kitchen at Ronald Reagan's Boyhood Home, Dixon, IL

Railroad Park, Rochelle, IL

View across the Rock River, Oregon, IL

Wildflowers abound at Mississippi River Palisades State Park, Savanna, IL

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Dubuque, IA

Vegetable garden, Midway Village Museum, Rockford, IL

Matthiessen State Park

Abe's nose

Why the heck is Abe's nose so shiny?

OH!

Castle Rock State Park, Oregon, IL

The Back Roads Field Office at Lowden State Park, Oregon, IL

I carry a Nikon D5000 digital single lens reflex camera. Actually I carry two. I found when I carried one camera I was constantly wishing I had a different lens attached. For a time, I carried extra lenses, but that was only somewhat better since when the opportunity came to shoot a subject that I would prefer with the other lens, I still had to stop, fish out the alternate, remove lens one and put it away, then install lens #2. So, unless the subject was perfectly static, more often than not it was too late. Even with landscape photos the light can change, a cloud come over and the photo seen in my mind is gone.

So I acquired a second camera body; this one I found gently used for about half of the cost when my camera was new. I intentionally chose a second unit precisely like the first so the controls and settings available would be identical between the two.....when switching cameras, there would be no confusion and which unit could perform which function. I carry one with an 18 - 55 mm variable for panoramic scenes or shots requiring little if any magnification. The other camera is a variable long lens, 80 - 300 mm. The telephoto lens is actually quite useful for shooting flowers --- I get really nice close-ups of blooms without needing to stand right on top of the subject.

I invested in a vest that allows me to carry one camera on my chest and the other on my belt. each camera is held in place by a button attached to the bottom of the camera battery plus a safety strap for extra security. My hands are free when walking, but either camera is immediately at hand when the next "money shot" presents itself.

Now available

Illinois By The Back Roads

by

James R. Eilers

"Illinois by the Back Roads" is a photo travelogue of gems from lesser known sites within the Land of Lincoln. The first in a planned series of books, this 114 page volume includes full-color photos from sites in the north-most region---outside Chicago. An outline map is provided for each site showing its approximate location. Also, each site provides references to sources of detailed information.

About the Author

Jim Eilers is a life-long photo enthusiast. He has been taking photos seriously since being the Head Photographer for his High School yearbook. When attending his 40th class reunion, another attendee noted Jim's Nikon D5000 and remarked, "I see you are still carrying a camera everywhere you go." Eilers is now retired from a 35-year career in food manufacturing. Jim and wife Sue have been married since 1978, have two grown children and one grandson (who is the subject of plenty of photos). Jim and Sue were raised in Iowa and were transplanted to Illinois in 1986 where they now make their home in Villa Park.

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Apple River Fort, Elizabeth, IL

Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, IL

Lock and Dam 13, Fulton, IL

Keywords: Illinois, travel, photography, nature, history, scenery