When originally built in 1908, Lincoln Park’s South Pond was a reflection the Victorians’ romantic and recreational concept of 'nature' in the city. Today the pond offers benefits that extend beyond the visual spectacle. A Nature Boardwalk has been added around the entire pond. South Pond has become a connective habitat for resident and migratory animal populations, a popular outdoor destination, and a learning landscape for city residents and visitors alike.

South Pond, Lincoln Park
Chicago, IL
June 2022

Twelve Spotted Skimmer by Paul Sager, on Flickr


Although a man-made pond, Lincoln Park's South Pond is now a lush, natural, prairie-style garden filled with native plants and brimming with wildlife. Lincoln Park Zoo manages this fully functioning ecosystem. A renewal project was completed in the summer of 2010 that removed invasive species. The Zoo's Horticulture staff now annually surveys and maintains native plant diversity around the pond.

Blue Dasher


All images shared in this post were captured in RAW using an EOS 5DIII, the files were processed in Lightroom 6 and Topaz DeNoise 6. The EF 500mm f/4L IS II was used with the EF 2x III tele-extender, creating an effective 1000mm focal length.

Red-eared slider


The Renewal 2010 project transformed the polluted and neglected South Pond into a native wildlife refuge, with a boardwalk and education pavilion.

American bullfrog


The Halloween pennant is a new species for me. This species occurs in eastern North America. They perch at the tips of plants, waving in the breeze like pennants, in their Halloween-inspired colors.

Halloween pennant

When originally built in 1908, Lincoln Park’s South Pond was a reflection the Victorians’ romantic and recreational concept of 'nature' in the city. Today the pond offers benefits that extend beyond the visual spectacle. A Nature Boardwalk has been added around the entire pond. South Pond has become a connective habitat for resident and migratory animal populations, a popular outdoor destination, and a learning landscape for city residents and visitors alike.

South Pond, Lincoln Park
Chicago, IL
June 2022

Twelve Spotted Skimmer by Paul Sager, on Flickr


Although a man-made pond, Lincoln Park's South Pond is now a lush, natural, prairie-style garden filled with native plants and brimming with wildlife. Lincoln Park Zoo manages this fully functioning ecosystem. A renewal project was completed in the summer of 2010 that removed invasive species. The Zoo's Horticulture staff now annually surveys and maintains native plant diversity around the pond.

Blue Dasher


All images shared in this post were captured in RAW using an EOS 5DIII, the files were processed in Lightroom 6 and Topaz DeNoise 6. The EF 500mm f/4L IS II was used with the EF 2x III tele-extender, creating an effective 1000mm focal length.

Red-eared slider


The Renewal 2010 project transformed the polluted and neglected South Pond into a native wildlife refuge, with a boardwalk and education pavilion.

American bullfrog


The Halloween pennant is a new species for me. This species occurs in eastern North America. They perch at the tips of plants, waving in the breeze like pennants, in their Halloween-inspired colors.

Halloween pennant