So often when I run or bike or walk through Forest Park (which happily lies half a mile from our doorstep), I'm bowled over by the beauty of the trees, the wildlife and even the joggers, cyclists, and families taking advantage of this wonderful place. Since we moved here last fall, I've been meaning to take our camera on a field trip to Forest Park, in an attempt to capture a few moments of natural beauty.

Just to preface, Forest Park is a park the is apparently larger than Central Park in New York City although probably quite comparable. It holds 2 museums, a zoo and endless bike paths, ponds, creeks, hidden bridges, benches and picnic spots. Autumn is particularly beautiful as certain tree varieties seem to be on fire from their tops down. I remember falling in love with the park as we first moved here in October last year.

Oh, pardon the ridiculous amount of photos. I've been longing to explore some of these paths for a year now and couldn't resist posting at least one from each location...ok more than one.

This is one of the many bike paths that we often run together.

Here are some of these fiery trees I mentioned above.

I stood watching these butterflies for quite a while.  They are so stunning! — I stood watching these butterflies for quite a while. They are so stunning!

This is a suspension bridge that we often run over, although it's sort of unsettlingly bouncy.

Ugh!  I love those trees! — Ugh! I love those trees!

Willows by the bridge.  I often rest on this bridge mid-run for an excuse to take in the scene. — Willows by the bridge. I often rest on this bridge mid-run for an excuse to take in the scene.

World's Fair Pavilion.  I discovered that there are both steps and a bicycle path that wind their way up to the pavilion from the street at the bottom of the hill.  Lots of people take advantage of this place for sprints, yoga, step workou… — World's Fair Pavilion. I discovered that there are both steps and a bicycle path that wind their way up to the pavilion from the street at the bottom of the hill. Lots of people take advantage of this place for sprints, yoga, step workouts.

Sleeping in or perhaps a mid-morning nap for these ducks.

This steel sculpture celebrates the zoo and captivates me every time I ride by.  The birds on top really seem to be in flight. — This steel sculpture celebrates the zoo and captivates me every time I ride by. The birds on top really seem to be in flight.

Umm...there are horses at the park!!! The first time I discovered the path that went past the horses we changes our running route to accommodate my obsession :)

Oh, and there are dinosaurs!!  (thanks to the science museum) — Oh, and there are dinosaurs!! (thanks to the science museum)

What's that enormous building over there.  Oh!  My workplace.  Well, I guess even Forest Park isn't perfect ;) — What's that enormous building over there. Oh! My workplace. Well, I guess even Forest Park isn't perfect ;)

I have run past this bridge so many times but honestly wasn't really sure how to get over to it.  Isn't it beautiful? — I have run past this bridge so many times but honestly wasn't really sure how to get over to it. Isn't it beautiful?

Well, I found my way over and I put my bike in the photo to show how big the bridge is.  And there are benches on it!!  And, there's another one like it just afterwards!  I think I found a new running route... — Well, I found my way over and I put my bike in the photo to show how big the bridge is. And there are benches on it!! And, there's another one like it just afterwards! I think I found a new running route...

There were tons of mallards busy in the marsh.  It was so quiet apart from their splashing and paddling around. — There were tons of mallards busy in the marsh. It was so quiet apart from their splashing and paddling around.

One pic to feature my fearless companion for this adventure :)

I apparently came upon Mr. and Mrs. Mallard during their morning bath time.  Oops! — I apparently came upon Mr. and Mrs. Mallard during their morning bath time. Oops!

Another hidden bridge!  I don't even think I'd seen this one before. — Another hidden bridge! I don't even think I'd seen this one before.

Last photo.  Forest Park is definitely used by many for exercise and sports and events.  But, I love that it rarely feels overcrowded. — Last photo. Forest Park is definitely used by many for exercise and sports and events. But, I love that it rarely feels overcrowded.

Hopebench