James Parenti
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jparenti.bsky.social
James Parenti
@jparenti.bsky.social
150 followers 250 following 54 posts
Chicagoan working as a developer & software engineer. In my spare time I take photos and paint. My personal website is https://www.jamesparenti.com
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jparenti.bsky.social
Somewhere in #chicago in November
The weathered, old exterior of a house. A wooden staircase with much of its paint flaked off leaves to a pair of old wooden chairs on its porch. In the foreground a pine tree is seen in front of vines growing up the exterior and across the front window, the leaves changing from green to red fall color
November 9, 2025 at 12:50 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
October in Chicago
People standing and sitting at a busy outdoor festival, dressed in summer attire for a warm day. A woman sits in the foreground interacting with her mobile device. A woman pulling a red wagon behind her in an urban environment is standing at the middle of a busy intersection looking at her mobile device as cars go by Group of people at a large outdoor protest. Some are carrying various signs and flags and in the foreground, seem from behind, is a young woman carrying an American flag with the flag turned upside down – generally understood to be a sign of distress A small brown dog is being pushed around while it sits in a bright pink colored, small stroller amidst a crowd of people
October 31, 2025 at 10:59 AM
jparenti.bsky.social
Horner Park this morning #chicago #chicagophotography
A nature reserve at a park just before dawn. It is just on the cusp of autumn so the plants and trees visible in the foreground and background have begun to show hints of color change. The sky isn't yet filled with sunlight but is filled with pastel light. A sand path runs from to the foreground through the foliage.
October 1, 2025 at 11:26 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Sunday evening #chicago #photography #chicagophotography
A couple wearing bicycling gear is stopped near a bike in the evening. They are standing along a large lakefront with a pair of boats in the background and further off in the distance, many large skyscrapers are seen illuminated by the sunset.
September 29, 2025 at 12:57 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Jake’s #chicago #chicagophotography
An older building exterior photographed at early evening with a local hot dog stand occupying the first floor which has a colorful assortment of signs advertising its tacos, chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, ATM and more. People are seen strolling along the sidewalk in front and just off to the side around the corner are some tables with umbrellas and a yellow hanging sign with a Vienna Beef hot dog logo and the name Jakes
September 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Concrete Beach, Summer 2025 #chicago #lakemichigan #chicagophotography
View from the water of several tiers of raised concrete walls along a waterfront with swimmers in the water, one in an inter tube. Other people in swimsuits sit along the concrete tiers enjoying bright, sunny weather. some clouds and trees are seen in the background
September 13, 2025 at 12:51 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
My #BikeTheDrive 2025 ride in about a minute and a half. #chicago #cycling
September 3, 2025 at 12:53 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Some photos from Bike The Drive 2025 🐶🚴‍♂️ #chicago #photography #chicagophotography #cycling #dogs
Hundreds of cyclists – adults and children – are riding their bikes in both directions of a tree-lined, multi-lane road in morning sun. In the distance beyond them, the horizon is filled with dozens of skyscrapers of various styles A man is seen cycling with a white & brown furry dog strapped to his back. The dog is wearing red goggles A view of a man and child riding their bikes among dozens of other cyclists on a multi-lane highway with no cars on it as they pedal toward a large group of high-rises and skyscrapers Hundreds of cyclists riding in both directions of a tree-lined, multi-lane divided highway. In the distance are a large skyscrapers of various styles
August 31, 2025 at 5:35 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Underwater view near one of the concrete beaches. It's hard to really give a sense of scale but those rocks are enormous #chicago #lakemichigan
August 24, 2025 at 2:42 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Brown Line near Paulina 6:08pm #chicago
Firefighters near their truck spraying water on elevated train tracks. A group of firefighters is also on top of the tracks
August 11, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Reposted by James Parenti
darlingstarling.bsky.social
"It's ok, honey. The Sears Tower experiencing a blackout won't hurt you!"

The Sears Tower experiencing a blackout:
The Sears Tower looking insanely creepy during a blackout, including the impression of a scary face topped by a crown of spikes. It looks like a giant humanoid evil robot or a demonic Minecraft creature.
July 29, 2025 at 4:08 AM
jparenti.bsky.social
Chicago Grit racing photos #chicago #chicagophotography #cycling
A cyclist in a race passes through shadows amidst other riders as he races under an elevated train track A group of racing cyclists quickly rounding a corner among a large pack of racers A side view of a cyclist on a gold-colored racing bike and wearing a mostly-black uniform. He's seen turning among several other racers A head-on view of a large group of racing cyclists passing under the finish line as a large crowd on either side of the finish line area looks on.
July 29, 2025 at 12:43 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Chicago Grit Cycling Race through Fulton Market. I wish we had more of these throughout the city. #chicago #chicagophotography
A trio of three cyclists are quickly rounding a corner underneath large elevated train tracks as they race through city streets. They lead a much larger group of racers seen well behind them in the distance.
July 28, 2025 at 12:52 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
#chicago
A group of sunbathers and swimmers along a concrete beach in Chicago. It is a bright, sunny day. There are trees at a nature sanctuary visible in the distance
July 27, 2025 at 7:50 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
A view of the Chicago lakefront. Several people are seen relaxing a long, concrete seawall. In the far distance, the Chicago skyline is visible against early evening clouds and warm light from the sunset
July 3, 2025 at 11:28 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Some photos from Pride Parade 2025 #chicago #chicagophotography
As a marching band moves by, a man with a fair complexion and short beard and wearing a white, blue, rainbow-flag color accented uniform is playing a trombone. Each trombone in his section has a different color of the rainbow flag on its handle. A uniformed Chicago Police officer is seen moving along the parade fence. He has his traditional checkered police cap and light blue uniform on under his kevlar vest, but is also wearing a Pride rainbow flag as a cape. Parade viewers smile at him as he goes by. Governor JB Pritzker is walking through the crowd and is pointing and smiling at the camera. His wife is seen next to him. A double-deck bus upper deck is full of men and women in bright, colorful outfits singing and dancing and waving an assortment pride flags, colorful tassels and pom-poms
July 1, 2025 at 11:47 AM
jparenti.bsky.social
Morning swimmers #chicago #chicagophotography
A group of 5 swimmers in water near a wall structure face toward the rising sun over Lake Michigan, which has just broken over the horizon and reflects over the calm waves. One of the city's water intake cribs is seen miles off in the distance along the horizon
June 7, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Reposted by James Parenti
kellimarshall.bsky.social
This happens way more than most would think, especially during summer. #SaveFerris
arditidpopolo.bsky.social Arditi d Popolo @arditidpopolo.bsky.social · May 19
Seen at the Art Institute of Chicago today (my friend is one of the curators)
I admire their commitment to the bit.
May 20, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Reposted by James Parenti
acannon.bsky.social
Lincoln Square Road Closure and Accompanying Comments From The Local Facebook Page (April 2025)
Picture of kids and adults gathering on Lincoln Square, playing jump rope. Text overlay saying "I will never understand the appeal of playing in a street" Picture of Chicagoans of all ages lounging on Lincoln square, enjoying a beautiful spring day. The sun is out and there is chalk art covering the ground. In the foreground a man in sunglasses sits on a yellow bench. Text from a local facebook group reads "It's really unfortunate that they feel the need to create this kind of chaos for the community, our square, and the small businesses trying to thrive here, this feels like a targeted effort." a man blows bubbles for a group of children playing in Lincoln Square, the kids are jumping and pointing at the bubbles. many adults are circled around watching. A quote from the Lincoln Square facebook page reads "FORGET ABOUT IT. Ban kids from playing in the street." A wide shot of Lincoln Square. People are congregating in the road, lined up to patronize local businesses, or sitting on the curb watching neighbors stroll by. A truncated facebook comment states "how dare you... People like you in this community absolutely disgust me."
April 28, 2025 at 6:12 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Bird at dusk #chicago #chicagophotography
A single, small robin is seen in silhouette amid a tangle of small tree branches that are starting to sprout buds against an early evening lavender-colored sky
April 6, 2025 at 10:13 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Along Lawrence Avenue #chicago #chicagophotography
Moment under a large underpass in a city at sunset. A woman with an orange winter-weather stocking cap, blue denim jacket and jeans is seen in profile walking a long an underpass sidewalk just behind a row of bikes locked on partially-unoccupied lightstand. Behind her is a a large mural with assorted imagery of eyes, stylized architecture and star and circle shapes, all in different bright hues like red, yellow, purple blue green and light green. The texture of the mural wall is a series of uneven groves that are far enough out of the wall they catch the setting sunlight in even streaks across the mural face. The underside of the large bridge over this has a series of steel beams which partially reflect lamp light and daylight below.
April 2, 2025 at 11:47 AM
jparenti.bsky.social
Michigan Avenue #chicago #chicagophotography
A woman with shoulder-length dar hair, wearing cold-weather clothing, and holding several shopping bags is talking on the phone is seen standing next to a tall, curving glass window lining the entrance to a storefront in an urban building development at night. The lights from a busy nearby city street reflect off the glass and are distorted by the windows' curved shapes. Several other people are seen walking near the window outside. Apart from the woman who is illuminated by the store light, the other figures in the image are only seen as dark silhouettes.
March 26, 2025 at 12:43 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
It's as if they're from another, better-dressed era #chicago #chicagophotography
2 men are walking down a city street in front of an old, late 19th-century light-colored, limestone brick building with some convenience store ads plastered in the windows. The first man is in a short-sleeved, white, button-down shirt with a vest and tie on, and is wearing a scally cap, and casual leather shoes. The second man seen is in a full, medium-color suit with a light knee-length, button-down lapel outer jacket and leather dress shoes on
March 19, 2025 at 12:51 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Woman By The Sea #chicago #chicagophotography
A woman in warm clothing is seen from afar staring off into the distance with her back toward the viewer standing on a concrete barrier next to a large body of water. Small waves roll along the barrier
March 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
jparenti.bsky.social
Lincoln Avenue at night #chicago #chicagophotography
A group of old brick buildings on a city street at night on a winter evening. There is a light layer of snow on the ground and the building storefronts are warmly lit with assorted personal care products in the window. The building windows have some holiday decorations up and decorative window tiles running along the top of their wood facades. Above them, some holiday lighting is seen hanging in a leafless tree.
February 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM