This beautiful farm lies a few miles south and west of my home. Late summer Ironweed grows naturally in the open meadow. These tough plants provide nectar favored by a variety of pollinators and serves as the foreground for this family farm. Shot at sunset, the photo is a quintessential portrait of rural life cherished by those who appreciate life on or close to the land.

Like a lot of my photos, this is a scene I’ve visited many times. It’s convenient because the barn sits a few miles from home, just off Route 4, for those who live in Macoupin County. While I’ve shot this barn before, it was almost always late in the day. Because I love morning light, I felt sunrise would provide the mood missing from previous attempts. As summer passes the sun pushed further to the south, rising just behind the old barn. As it rose, rays of light appear, highlighting the last of the early ground fog.

An early, November snowstorm sweeps through and blankets the area with a fresh layer of snow. The red barns stand out against the wind-swept snow reminiscent of a Christmas greeting card.

Macoupin County - According to Native American folklore the June full moon is the Strawberry Moon, so-called because the short season for harvesting strawberries comes during the month of June.

As Summer ends, and Fall begins, crisp morning temperatures and patchy fog signal the changing seasons in rural Macoupin County, Illinois.

This photo is on display at OA Gallery in St. Louis, MO - SOLD