The Big Picture:

Blue Heron


Photo: A blue heron takes flight over the River Des Peres.
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Photo: This year Mike DeFilippo finds the red buds in bloom at Grace Hill Settlement in Old North St. Louis.Photo: Michael DeFilippo found this street department crew erecting a flood gate at Poplar Street.Photo: Michael DeFilippo swings into Loretta Hall Park to capture Spring at play.Photo: Michael DeFilippo cases out International Pillow Fight Day in Forest Park. Photo: Michael DeFilippo captures two of the many area events marking the Easter holiday.Photo: Mike DeFilippo takes a dive with a sea lion at the Saint Louis Zoo.Photo: Mike DeFilippo sits center stage downtown for some tax time street theater.Photo: Mike DeFilippo caught the mayhem in the downtown Idiotard Race.Photo: Mike DeFilippo spotted two people waiting for the bus in last week's blizzard.Photo: Mike DeFilippo captures the sunset and the new bridge on Super Bowl Sunday.Photo: Mike DeFilippo captures some color from the Mardi Gras Parade.Photo: Mike DeFilippo surveys the work on Highway 40 at the Newstead overpass.Photo: Tennis players take advantage of the surprise January warm-up to get in a few sets.Photo: Mike DeFilippo performs a light painting of the Stan Musial Statue at sunrise.Photo: Mike DeFilippo creates a symmetrical image of the Fountain Pond in Tower Grove Park.Photo: Mike DeFilippo takes advantage of midday shaddows on the South steps of the Arch to take this self-portrait.Photo: Natural rock formations near the Chain of Rocks Bridge are revealed at low tide.Photo: A duck, standing on thin ice on a lagoon in Forest Park, projects its wing into the water.Photo: Mike DeFilippo finds holiday wishes over Delmar Boulevard.Photo: St. Nick puts in an appearance at the Old North St. Louis Holiday Craft FairPhoto: Sunrise photo of the minesweeper Inaugural at Chouteau's Landing.Photo: Kids playing football inside the Serra sculpture "Twain."Photo: Stilt walkers practice their craft in Tower Grove Park.Photo: Flags at the Korean War Memorial represent the five branches of the U.S. military on Veterans Day.Photo: Youth group paints a mural at Tower Grove and Shaw as community project with the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association.Photo: A family in Clifton Heights neighborhood decks out their front lawn for Halloween.Photo: Mike DeFilippo strolls along the new St. Vincent's Greenway that runs through Ruth Porter Park.Photo: Morning commuters travel on Highway 40 at Clayton and Skinker.Photo: Ballerinas rehearse at the Dancing in the Street Festival in Grant Center.Photo: Sword fighters duke it out during the Scottish Games at Forest ParkPhoto: Artist Paul Bayer working on a marble statue at the City Museum that is a celebration of the life of Bob Cassilly.Photo: Street musicians play in the Dogtown Street Music festival.Photo: Michael DeFilippo captures a moment at the Hyde Park Festival.Photo: The Greek Festival at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox ChurchPhoto: Ukelele ensemble performs during Benton Park's National Night Out event.Photo: A goldfinch on a sunflower.Photo: Children play in the sprinklers at the Southampton Neighborhood Association's annual Night Out.Photo: Organic garden and the corner of Compton Avenue and Caroline Street.Photo: The statue of Dred and Harriet Scott at the Old Courthouse downtown.Photo: Michael DeFilippo captures the drought's affect at the Mississippi.Photo: A silhouette of the Central West End at sunset.Photo: A wildfire started by illegal fireworks across from Loretta Hall Park.Photo: The Soulard Blues Band's horn section entertains the crowd during the Skinker-DeBaliviere summer concert series.Photo: Anti-gay protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church spur a loving reaction from two Pride Parade participants.Photo: The Korean Trade Ambassador joins veterans to pay respects at the Korean War Memorial in Forest Park.Photo: Soapbox derby racers at The Hill.Photo: Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars perform at 2720 Cherokee Street.Photo: Light painting of the statue of Courage at the Soldiers Memorial.Photo: Light painting of the world's largest chess piece outside the World Chess Hall of Fame.Photo: Contrasts the over and under of Metrolink Station at Skinker and Forest Park Parkway with the new buildings at the Danforth Campus at the same corner.Photo: Inventor Dean Kamen introduces basketball legend, actor and author Kareem Abdul Jabbar at the World First Robotics Championship at the Edward Jones Dome.Photo: The Shakespeare in the Street Festival on Cherokee Street.Photo: Performers at a party commemorating the last dinner on the Titanic at the Fox Theatre.Photo: The feather's fly for International Pillow Fight Day in Forest Park.Photo: Good Friday at the Basilica of St. LouisPhoto: Memorial to Friedrich Jahn, the Father of Gymnastics, in Forest ParkPhoto: Huge cloud rolls through over the statue of St. Louis.Photo: Red Bud tree on RussellPhoto: Steam wafting from manholes at 14th and WashingtonPhoto: A photo update of the painting Photo: Baseball statue with sunlight, downtown near Busch Stadium.Photo: Before and after of Mardi Gras in Soulard corner of 12th and Russell.Photo: Opera singer Kendall Gladen sings an aria from Bizet's Carmen for a sixth grade class at Dunbar Elementary School.Photo: Sunset behind the bandstand in Forest ParkPhoto: Mike DeFilippo finds a wise alley in the Wise neighborhood.Photo: Chain of Rocks pumping station during low river.Photo: Mike DeFilippo recreates a 1940s era press photo showing marchers during the Martin Luther King March.Photo: Twelfth Night Parade in SoulardPhoto: First snow of the winter at Carondolet ParkPhoto: Santa on wheels at corner of Lafayette and 9th at the store The Porch in Soulard.Photo: Artist Patrick Dougherty installation at Washington University captured via light painting.Photo: Controlled burn of the savanna in the Deer Lake natural area in Forest Park. Photo: Woman with skull cap surrounded by Christmas ornaments at Third Degree Glass FactoryPhoto: The new cannon in South St. Louis Square ParkPhoto: Fall color along Vandeventer & OlivePhoto: Poster of girls pealing off a wallPhoto: Mike DeFilippo captures the joy of Cardinals fans leaving Busch Stadium after the World Series win.Photo: Kids riding on a scooter in front of the state hospitalPhoto: A large pile of salt on Riverfront Trail evokes an urban desert landscape.Photo: Big pink suit sculpture in City Garden.Photo: Fire spinner at memorial bonfire for Bob Cassilly at Cementland.Photo: Mike DeFilippo remembers Bob Cassilly.Photo: Sunset on a 100 degree day, overlooking the River Des PeresPhoto: 9/11 Memorial of flags on Art Hill in Forest Park.Photo: Labor's "We Are One" message from the 2011 Labor Day Parade.Photo: Skeet Rodgers and the Stacy Mitchhart band at opening night concert of Blues Week FestivalPhoto: A light painting of the sculpture Photo: A dragonfly in Forest ParkPhoto: Members of the Prime Time Cowboy Club in Fairgrounds ParkPhoto: Wasp colony building its nest in a bird feederPhoto: Rebirth Brass Band joins the Compton Heights Concert Band at Tower Grove ParkPhoto: Photo of the gatehouse of the Washington Terrace on Union BoulevardPhoto: Light painting outside the gates at Kingsbury PlacePhoto: Worker lining the Arch Garage.Photo: Planter in Tower Grove Park combining 23 separate exposures.Photo: Mike DeFilippo catches the Latin American Soccer League in full gear at DeSoto ParkPhoto: The wheel man at the Chuck-A-Luck booth at the St. Stanislaus Picnic.Photo: Trophy from the Rib America FestivalPhoto: Rainbow and water tower.Photo: STL Rollers in the Annie Malone ParadePhoto: Corps of Discovery Statue viewed from Eads Bridge during flooding.Photo: Contemporary Art Museums "Run with the Bulls"Photo: Workers working on the downtown libraryPhoto: Soulard Blues Band plays at the Broadway Oyster BarPhoto: Mike DeFilippo updates his annual trophy hunt for his favorite treePhoto: Light plays off of eagles on the Bank Building at the intersection of Grand and GravoisPhoto: Kids compete in FIRST Robotics competitionPhoto: Vernal Freakinox parade celebrates the start of spring.Photo: A high view of the Bosnian Twins at the Jazz at the BistroPhoto: Photographer Larry Fink discussing his work at the Sheldon Gallery.Photo: An Easter Bunny sans headPhoto: Photo of Thomas Jefferson statue at Forest ParkPhoto: A solitary tree in a vacant lot in the 2400 block of North Market.Photo: Homeless fans cheer on the Super Bowl at the St. Peter and Paul's shelter.Photo: Ice dripping from fleur-de-Lis in Lafayette Square Park.Photo: Waterfall by the entrance to the St. Louis ZooPhoto: A church and a Church's Fried Chicken side-by-side on Skinker near Delmar.Photo: Twelfth Night revelers march through SoulardPhoto: The view from atop the City Museum on New Year's Day.Photo: Colored window panels at the Downtown bus station.Photo: Mural and worker at the Main Post Office.Photo: Street lights diffused through a rainy windshield at Gravois and GrandPhoto: Friday night fog in an City alleyway.Photo: Weather vane plus ginko leaves in Tower Grove ParkPhoto: St. Louis Film Festival goers at the Hi-PointePhoto: Photographer Mike DeFilippo captures fallen horse apples in Ivory Perry Park.Photo: A freshly painted boat house in the parkPhoto: An eerie house all decked out for All Hallow's EvePhoto: A look at an Open Streets event at the 14th Street Mall in North St. LouisPhoto: Purple Chevy outside St. Theresa's and St. Bridget's Church.Photo: Fog clearing around the Eads BridgePhoto: Volunteers take part in city garbage clean upPhoto: Poetry Scores Event featuring Missouri Poet Laureate David Clewell and burlesque performer Lola Van Ella.Photo: Photo during ceremony at the Soldiers Memorial.Photo: The South Broadway Merchant's Association Car ShowPhoto: Booker T at the Big Muddy Blues Festival on Laclede's LandingPhoto: Football scrimmage at Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls ClubPhoto: Mike DeFilippo brings back the hour of splendor in the native grass at Harris Stowe.Photo: Venice CafePhoto: New energy-efficient and dark-sky-friendly ornamental lights on Kingshighway Photo: Movie Night at Art HillPhoto: Sunset over the Forest Park golf course/Moonrise over the Grand Basin in Forest ParkPhoto: People at play in water spray at the Celebrate St. Louis Concert Series downtownPhoto: A young skateboarder under the Kingshighway Overpass.Photo: A rainbow with the St. Louis statue in Forest ParkPhoto: United States National Bocce ChampionshipPhoto: Kids have a water fight in the fountain at the foot of the World's Fair Pavilion in Forest ParkPhoto: Drag races in the Grove neighborhoodPhoto: Adult kickball gamePhoto: Photo of houses displaying two different flags in Clifton HeightsPhoto: Child sits at American Legion statue during veterans ceremonyPhoto: Worker works on bridgePhoto: A gang of mini bikers tour the City's alleys.Photo: Record collectors browse through stacks of vinylPhoto: The cataract where Gravois Creek meets the River DePeresPhoto: Two Cardinals fans enjoy a great hat.Photo: Redbud tree captured in dogtown.Photo: Dogs at a dog parkPhoto: Hooligans rampaging with a shopping cartPhoto: Photo of the Civil Courts building at night in fog.Photo: Marchers in the MLK Jr. Day Parade seen through steam rising from a grate.Photo: Chase Park Plaza engulfed in fog.Photo: Barge and ice on the Mississippi River with city skyline as background.Photo: Moon rises over Eads BridgePhoto: Artica bonfirePhoto: Photo montage of artist Jimmy Kuehnle and his inflatable suit.Photo: Autumn view of Union Station.Photo: Midtown on Saturday night.Photo: Beethoven statue at the Tower Grove Park bandstand.Photo: A turkey awaits its fate at Soulard MarketPhoto: Cellist Yo Yo MaPhoto: Photo of chair at CementlandPhoto: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: City Garden at twilight.Photo: Part of a series on Indian Mounds. Highway crew clears brush on site European settlers named the Falling Garden.Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: American flag reflected in a trombone.Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin performs at Beale on Broadway.Photo: Photo: Light-painted photo of Osage tree within a tree in Kennedy Forest.Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: Photo: March comes in like a lion.Photo: Photo: Photo: Demolition work for the 14th Street Mall project.Photo: A couple share a romantic moment at the Mayor’s Mardi Gras ball.Photo: Mardi Gras reveler tosses beads into the air during the paradePhoto: Two women chat while taking a break at the car show at America’s Center.Photo: View of Martin Luther King Jr. Parade from atop a parking garagePhoto: Martin Luther King statue in Fountain Park.Photo: Befor and after photos of 1004 Olive Street, now the home of the Simply Elegant bridal shop.Photo: The sun sets over Highway 40 at Clayton AvenuePhoto: Snow covered cannon during snow storm in Lafayette Park.Photo: Saxophonist Bill Richardson belts out a holiday tune on the corner of 7th and Olive.Photo: Father and daughter put out Christmas lights.Photo: The sun shining through the fountain at Carondelet Park makes a rainbow.Photo: Crowd surfing at City Museum’s 10th Anniversary Celebration with the band Fishbone.Photo: A member of the Vashon High dance squad performs at halftime of Vashon’s state football semifinal game.Photo: Story teller Bobby Norfolk entertains children as part of a summer concert series.Photo: North Grand area water tower.Photo: A participant portrays a period undertaker during a re-enactment of a 19th Century mourning.Photo: The shadow of an artist becomes part of his mural on the Adler Frame building.Photo: Lily pads at the Francis Park Art Fair.Photo: Couple watches Forest Park balloon race from a Highway 40 construction site.Photo: A pair of dancers at appear to be falling from the Continental Building as part of an aerial ballet at the Dancing in the Street event.Photo: Sinister black and white photo of a rat balloon at the Forest Park balloon race.Photo: Portrait of 12-year-old Cameron Jackson who had his face painted at Grove Fest.Photo: Sheet music illuminated by the setting sun as a jazz combo performs selections from ’Porgy and Bess’ in Ivory Perry ParkPhoto: Dancers take part in the Festival of Nations at Tower Grove Park.Photo: Street-level view of the kickoff event of St. Louis Fashion Week on Washington Ave.Photo: Light painting of Vandeventer Gates in Forest Park.Photo: Lightning strikes in the background in Forest Park.Photo: Crowd at Live on the LeveePhoto: Model poses for photographs in front of a Gabion Wall in midtown.Photo: The Smile and Cheer Up signs on 9th on 9th Street get a ’light painting’ treatmentPhoto: Kids playing in Fairgrounds PoolPhoto: Wild flowers in the Kennedy ForestPhoto: Dancers at the final Twighlight Tuesday Concert outside the History Museum on LindellPhoto: Racers take part in a centuries old Etruscan race during Hill Day festivities.Photo: Sixty-six new citizens take part in a naturalization ceremony at the Old Court House on Flag Day.Photo: Family covers up in ponchos to avoid the rain at the CWE Art Fair and TastePhoto: The St. Louis Perfectos face the Decatur Ground Squirrels in a vintage baseball game in Lafayette Park.Photo: A look at three crowds on Memorial Day — the Rivermarket Festival, Gypsy Caravan and the African Arts Festival in Forest Park.Photo: Runners at the Public High League track meet at Gateway Tech. Photo: Operation Brightside volunteers plant flowers outside City HallPhoto: Scene from the Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Cherokee StreetPhoto: Members of the St. Louis Wheelchair Athletic Association play tennis in Lucas ParkPhoto: Kids taking part in STL Hoops basketball eventPhoto: Runners in the Spirit of St. Louis Maraton pass by the grain elevator in midtownPhoto: Hood ornament on car at car showPhoto: SLU Business School students work in a community garden as part of their community service projectPhoto: Painter working on a window in Lafayette SquarePhoto: Elvis impersonator in St. Patrick’s ParadePhoto: Bridge support under Highway Forty.Photo: Lewis and Clark statue in the riverPhoto: Man fishes for rainbow trout at O’Fallon LakePhoto: A happy accident captured at the Mayor’s BallPhoto: Two young women taking part at ceremonies marking the 150th anniversary of the Dred Scott decision at City HallPhoto: View of the sunset on Super Bowl Sunday from Kahokia MoundsPhoto: The action at the Contemporary Art Museum’s opening of Andy Warhol’s Photo: Couple building a snowman in Forrest ParkPhoto: Marchers head up Tucker in the Martin Luther King Day ParadePhoto: A street preacher delivers a drive-by shoutingPhoto: First Night performers.Photo: Photo: Two men walking outside Goodwill industries.Photo: Soulard Market vendor looks out through heavy winter wear.Photo: Santa Claus skates at the Steinberg Ice RinkPhoto: Firefighters and police officers duke it out at the annual Guns ’n Hoses charity boxing tournament.Photo: Midwest and West Coast rugby players scrum for the ball in Forest Park, as a player on the ground hopes to avoid getting trampled.Photo: Humvee gunner in the staging area for the Veterans’ Day Parade downtown.Photo: Fall colors on Lennox Place in the CWEPhoto: Medieval re-enactors do battle in Carondelet Park.Photo: Artist David Langley stands under a ladder as he paints his mural in the Chouteau Showdown.Photo: The Enchanted Caverns at the City Museum.Photo: The camera follow the action at a Soldan football game.Photo: The Forrest Park Balloon Glow.Photo: The Arch Rivals roller derby team in action.Photo: Members of the Army Reserves Human Resource Command police the park grounds at 15th and Chestnut, while a homeless man who claims service in the 82nd Airborne naps in the shade.Photo: Civil War buffs pack up their wagon.Photo: Gateway Cup Bicycle Race passes through Lafayette Square.Photo: A Buddhist monk waters plants outside the Buddhamaneerattanaram TemplePhoto: Photo: Boy stands in front of Court of Honor statue in late afternoon light.Photo: This big pic diptych depicts the theme of Time by combining Paul Pagano — AKA Father Time — at Strassenfest, and Morris Day who performed with his group The Time at River Splash a few hours later.Photo: Crooner Jason Little seranades a woman at the McDonald’s Soul Search finals at the Loft Night Club.Photo: Mom and daughter take part in swim lessons at the Marquette recreation centerPhoto: Photo: ’King Louis XVI’ and ’Marie Antoinette’ face the guillotine.Photo: Photo: Five year-old Justin Cunningham stumbles as he skates at the Fairgrounds Park roller rink with his grandmother Sheila Cunningham.Photo: View of fireworks at Fair St. Louis from the Eads BridgePhoto: Marchers in the Pride Fest parade pass by a mural of Jesus reaching out to children.Photo: Girls playing in fountain in Tower Grove ParkPhoto: The Photo: Three bridal parties Photo: Family attending the Bosnian Festival with Bevo Mill in the background.Photo: Vashon High School Marching band struts their stuff in the Annie Malone Parade.Photo: People attending open house at the Fort Gondo Art Gallery.Photo: Before and after photos of a retouched photo of three girls looking at the river at Bellerieve Park.Photo: Teenage boy plays baseball at night on the 3800 block of McNair.Photo: Interior of the Compton Hill Water Tower.Photo: Man loading car into trailer at an auto show in the upper Muny parking lot.Photo: Runners in the St. Louis MarathonPhoto: Lightning in a stormy St. Louis spring sky.Photo: Woman standing at bus stop with an umbrella on a rainy day.Photo: Photo of yellow daffodil in snow near the Forest Park BandstandPhoto: Giant Shamrock balloon moves through downtown during the St. Patrick’s Day ParadePhoto: Painter in Lafayette Park near cannons.Photo: Two celebrants at the Mayor’s Ball.Photo: Lynn Jackson, the great, great granddaughter of Dred Scott.Photo: Retriever jumps into tank as part of a clinic at the boat show at America’s Center.Photo: A couple Photo: Collage of images of the St. Louis ArchPhoto: A tabletop view of breakfast at the Majestic Cafe.Photo: Martin Luther King Day March in 1995Photo: Two young boxers take part in the 50-pound division during Friday Night Fights at the South Broadway Athletic Club.Photo: People watching First Night fireworksPhoto: A-B Christmas lights.Photo: Families gather to enjoy their neighborhood Christmas lights.Photo: Snow covered cannon in Forrest Park.Photo: Construction worker on top of the Bee Hat building.Photo: Photo: High school running back Robby Mandel returns a kick in the state championship gamePhoto: Cheerleaders at Roosevelt High School football playoff gamePhoto: Photo: Woman getting a tattooPhoto: Man playing hand ball in Forest Park.Photo: Musician Henry Townsend performing at BBs on his 96th birthday.Photo: Young soccer player kicking the ball in mid-air.Photo: Photo: Cardinals fans grill tube steaks before a playoff game.Photo: Photo: Melvin’s Permanent Village store with Photo: Photo: Ozomatli performing in the crowd at the Taste of St. Louis.Photo: Photo: Members of the St. Louis Youth Chamber Ensemble at practice.Photo: Photo: Attendees at a gallery showing mingle with the reflected images of passersby on the street.Photo: Photo: Mother and children riding on The Scrambler ride.Photo: Photo: Girls playing softball.Photo: Photo: Juggler twirling torches on the street at night.Photo: Photo: Erin Bode with a mic.Photo: Photo: Woman with goggles and sledgehammer.Photo: Young woman driving a go kart.Photo: Photo: Dog playing in fountain.Photo: Two cyclists riding on a bike path.