We just recently returned from the Biking across Kansas ride where we traversed from the Colorado border, across the wide state of Kansas, to the eastern border with Missouri. As the state has had plenty of rain this spring, the landscape was lush and green. Although I was focused on bicycling (as opposed to photographing), what jumped out to me were the beautiful wildflowers that were dotting the fields and roadsides. The coneflowers, butterfly milkweed, daisies, spider-wort — all were bursting into bloom. Last year at this time I spent over two weeks in Iowa and was fortunate to document the daily changes in a prairie area. That experience gave me a new appreciation for the wildflowers that grace our landscapes with their burst of color and beauty. So our mode of travel across the state of Kansas by bicycle gave us front-row seats to this amazing display of blooms.
landscapes
Double rainbow at Como Park
Spring is an unsettled time of year in the upper Midwest. Our weather comes from all four directions, oftentimes colliding over Minnesota. Last week we had a beautifully sunny and warm day. Until about 5:00pm, when the clouds rolled in, the winds picked up, and it started to rain. I headed to my office to get some work done, not realizing that the front was moving through quickly and it would be followed by clearing. About 7:30 the clouds parted from the western horizon, creating a beautiful low directional golden light. With the rain still to the east a vivid double rainbow emerged. I grabbed my camera and hurried to nearby Como Park and the McNeely Conservatory. Luckily I arrived before the rainbow disappeared, thanking the weather and photo gods for presenting such a stunning and vibrant display.
Bougainvillea red & white
My exhibit of photographs titled “Paths and Portals” ends today at the Hopkins Center for the Arts. Thanks to all the people who came to the receptions (the opening and the closing) and to those who left comments for me at the Center. This image “Bougainvillea red and white” was one of the more popular photographs. Perhaps the colors speak of warmth and summer, while we’re still battling winter’s grip here in Minnesota. This scene is from Tucson, Arizona and caught my eye with its contrasting colors as well as the details that were so artistically painted over the door.
Winter Carnival time in St. Paul
We are now celebrating the St. Paul Winter Carnival. For 122 years we have embraced our cold winter weather, finding excuses to join 350,000 other carnival visitors reveling in outdoor activities for “the coolest celebration on earth.” We layer and bundle and venture out in temperatures that hover at zero degrees. The carnival is based on a legend of Boreas, the King of the Winds, and his enemy Vulcanus Rex, the God of Fire, battling for spring and summer to overcome the cold of winter. Lucky for us, Vulcanus Rex and his Vulcan Krewe prevail each year, giving us the promise of warmer weather to come. There are parades, ice carving and snow sculpture contests, hockey tournaments, sledding, skiing, and a sleigh and cutter rally. This year’s sleigh and cutter festival was held at the Phalen Park Golf Course and included members of the St. Croix Horse & Carriage Society. Under crisp, blue skies there were beautiful sleighs, costumed drivers, and stunning horses. It was easy to lose yourself and be transported back to the late 1800’s or early 1900’s when this was the mode of winter transportation.
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