The rains have continued this past week. Unlike most years, everything remains green and lush. We haven’t had the excessive heat of a typical summer, and the rainfall has been more than adequate to keep things watered. As the rain pelted the window yesterday afternoon, it created a wonderful effect with the roses in the background. Each droplet reflected the roses – the bright colors and shapes seemed to dance in the water. How wondrous and mesmerizing to see the many “small roses” that decorated the window pane in those droplets.
Minnesota
Sunset fishing
The past week has been stormy and rainy, with downpours of historic amounts. What a delight to have a return to sunshine on Friday – it seemed as though everyone got outside to enjoy the warmth of summer again. The unsettled weather has also brought some amazing clouds, and on this night there was a beautiful reflection of light and dark, pink and gray, as the sun was setting in the west. The lake at Como Park was filled with people – walking or biking the paths around the lake, taking in the sunset, or fishing. Summer is short in Minnesota so it’s important to make the most of each wonderful evening.
Pivot sunset
My intention was to photograph the full moonrise, yet sometimes the best intentions don’t work out — as was the case when a layer of clouds hovered on the horizon to the east. After this change of plans, I decided to concentrate on the sunset that was about to take place to the west. We were south of the Twin Cities by 35 miles, but we were in the heart of an agricultural area. Minnesota farmers have been late getting their crops into the ground this year because of the rain, but it was good to see the corn pushing up. The pivot outlined the hillside in the distance, and the sun set to the side of the silos, glowing brilliantly before slipping past the horizon. Sometimes a change of plans creates new opportunities. (PS – On this Fathers’s Day, a thanks to my dad for nurturing my sense of adventure and optimism. Miss you, Dad!)
Morning light at Hidden Falls
I took the opportunity to venture out to one of the wonderful state parks we have in Minnesota. In the south-central part of the state is Nerstrand Big Woods Park. Along with the large trees and prairie that co-exist in this park, there is a wonderful waterfall, Hidden Falls. Prairie Creek meanders through the park and it tumbles over the layers of limestone at the falls. With the large amount of rain we’ve had recently, all our lakes are full and the falls are running with larger than normal volumes of water. And such was the case when I arrived at Hidden Falls. It was early in the morning and I was accompanied only by the birds in the woods and the sound of the rushing water. The overhead trees have come into full leaf and are green. This delicate tree branch seemed to contrast with the fury of the tumbling water behind it. The scene was complete with the early morning sunlight glistening off the falls.
Green of spring
As quickly as winter left, spring has arrived. Minnesota spring-time is short and condensed. It’s almost as if you can watch the flowers come up through the thawed and warming ground. Our lilacs are bursting forth, the peonies grow inches overnight, and the greenest of ferns have started to unfurl. From a tight bud to the gentle arches, they are a study of delicateness and beauty. Soon the fronds will be straight and upright, but I love the soft curves that they now show.
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