Delicate and light, constantly in motion, mesmerizing and beautiful – these are the words that come to my mind in describing the Blooming Butterfly exhibit at Como Park. Yesterday morning’s gray and cool weather provided the perfect conditions for a photographer’s visit to the exhibit. The lack of sunshine and temps in the low 60’s allowed the butterflies to rest and not be as active as when the sun is bright and the air is warm. The exhibit is filled with butterflies from Asia, Africa, North and South America, although only one of these can be found native to Minnesota. Some are bright with multi colors, others are one or two colors, but beautiful just this same. This Paper Kite butterfly settled among the bright flowers and rested, as if posing for this photograph.
Como Park
Light and shadow play
I was at the McNeely Conservatory at Como Park the other day and found myself mesmerized by the palms. They’re towering and huge but this day the sun was filtering through the dome and creating some imaginative shadow and light plays. Part of it reminded me of puppet shows we used to create when we were children. I found myself trying to make up stories as to what was going on. This image seemed to be of a flock of birds at the bottom; others weren’t as abstract as this. Either way, the lines, the colors, the shadows, and the light all came together amongst the palms.
Hot summer evening at the lake
As our temperatures rushed into summer highs yesterday, people were resorting to the tried and true ways of staying cool. Mid 90’s and high humidity cause some Minnesotans to shelter in air conditioning, while the majority choose to embrace the weather but cool off by a lake. Whatever wind that’s blowing across the lake surface cools and becomes a delightful and welcome breeze. People were out at Lake Como canoeing, kayaking, walking, relaxing and savoring the warmth of summer; winter’s cold seemed a long way away!
Spring and Easter
Spring and Easter – all at the same time. Bright colors, light colors, the colors of spring. This flowering crabapple bonsai seemed to sum up the season and the day. Wishing you the bright colors and warmth and joy of spring and Easter!
Hope
Webster’s dictionary defines hope as wanting something to happen or be true. So it is with spring this year. We “hope” for sunshine, warmer temperatures, the bright colors of flowers. We “hope” that the passing days bring longer hours of sunshine. And yet Mother Nature has alternative plans. This week we rode a roller coaster through snow and strong winds, rain, and the promise of warmer air. Through it all we strive to embrace what it is, just as these runners ran through a deserted Como Park having the trails and snow to themselves in this once-again wintry landscape.
lindastaatsphoto.com 