We just visited Chicago over the weekend. In addition to shopping and eating, we were looking for interesting ways in which nature shows up, even in a dense urban setting like the area around Michigan Avenue.

Millennium Park afforded us some cool partnerships between human design and nature.

Take a look.

“The bean” or the Cloud Gate Sculpture is framed by nearby trees. The sculpture is also reflecting a row of trees while hosting a group of five seagulls (they are lining the top right).

An extra large allium (along with other nice flowers) is blooming in a nicely designed bed at the entrance to Millennium Park.

Mother Nature rolled in some clouds behind this museum lion, obscuring the skyscaper background. Two large trees occupy the bottom of the image, giving the scene color.

Of course, we always find water. Here are two contrasting fountains, displaying different flow patterns.