Yesterday dawned as a beautiful day – sunny and warm, with almost a feel of summer’s return. But late in the afternoon a front moved through, changing our blue skies to dark with rain and strong winds that moved across the area rapidly. After the storm, the sun returned and we opted to go to the University of Minnesota Gopher women’s soccer match. As we walked to the stadium, I looked to the east where the soon-to-be-setting sun was illuminating the storm clouds that had moved through our area. The golden sweep of the clouds was contrasted with the cool blue of the clearing sky, reminding me of the beauty of nature and also the quickness with which it can change.
landscapes
Daybreak over the lake
Last week I shared a sunset photo from our northern vacation. As beautiful as the sunsets were, I was equally amazed at the sunrises. We were staying on Jack the Horse Lake – a quiet lake with only a few cabins and houses and only one resort. The stillness of the morning, while the sun was yet to rise, was wonderful. The air was calm and the lake’s surface was like a sheet of glass. Off in the distance I could hear an owl making its presence known, and eventually the loons would add to the chorus. Slowly the sky would turn from black to a deep rose color, then to a pale pink and eventually to a brightness of yellow as the sun cleared the horizon and the distant shore, all the while reflected in the mirror-like lake surface. It was a wondrous and delightful way to greet the day.
Vacation for the spirit
We’ve just returned from a most relaxing and refreshing vacation. A mere four hours north, in the land of lakes and pines, is a sure spot to restore one’s spirit. The Minnesota north woods were calling us, and we were not disappointed. The weather was perfect with highs in the 70’s and lows in the 40’s. I photographed six beautiful (and equally different) sunsets, one full moonrise, three peaceful sunrises, and many adventures in between. We caught more than our share of bass, crappies, and sunfish. We canoed over an aqua-marine lake, and hiked through the woods. And during all of these we were accompanied by the sounds of the loons – a haunting yet wonderful call. Without the distractions of television, radio, news, and city-life we quickly decompressed into a life of quiet and simple pleasures, relaxation, and the appreciation of the beauty and wonder of this area of Minnesota.
Sunflowers at sunset
Our past week’s weather has been warm with winds out of the northwest. That’s usually not something to note, except that there are wildfires in Canada and in the Pacific Northwest. The smoke from these fires has been passing through our atmosphere in Minnesota, creating hazy days and amazing sunrises and sunsets. Last night we had a quick rain shower that moved through the area in the evening. Before sunset, the rain passed and I grabbed the opportunity to see what the sunset might be like. These sunflowers were backlit by the orange sky and glowing sun; they all seemed to symbolize the warmth and golden colors that we associate with the summer months.
July’s full moonrise
Yesterday was the full moon of July. I’d heard it referred to as the “supermoon” – appearing immense in size due to its proximity to the earth. As rainstorms moved into the area in the afternoon, I had given up any hope of seeing the moonrise. But the clouds parted and the skies cleared about 6:00pm. We had gone out for a night of fishing (which was not so weather-dependent), yet we lucked out in so many ways. The fish were biting, the sunset was beautiful, and it was quickly followed by the rising of the pink full moon. It cleared the trees on the east side of the lake, and let its reflection glisten in the still water below. For a short while it hung in the sky between the trees and the upper clouds, then quickly slid out of sight into the clouds. We stayed on the water for another half hour, and as we headed to the landing the moon cleared the clouds again, this time shining clear and white.
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