Although we were in sub-zero temperatures earlier this past week, we are all looking forward to spring on the calendar. And as if in answer to our pleas, the thermometer has been getting into the 30’s and 40’s the past few days. Sure signs of spring in Minnesota are puddles of water from all the melting snow, as well as people outside in their shorts and short sleeves. Granted, to most people 40 degrees doesn’t warrant shorts, but for us the temps are 50 degrees warmer than what it has been — a grand reason to celebrate. To me, another sure sign of spring are chicks, and in this case, baby chicks less than a day old! Through the generosity of some great new friends, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph a group of silkie white bantam chicks that had hatched within the past day. Silkie chickens are unusual in that they have dark blue flesh and bones, and they have five toes on each foot whereas most chickens have four. What an amazing group of little birds! They would be up hopping and walking around chirping, and then be fast asleep all huddled together under a heat lamp. The little chick being held in this photo has a look of determination in his eye. In his short life he’s already pecked his way out of his egg, has gotten his feet working, has dried out all his feathers (and had them fluffed up thanks to the humans watching over him), and is ready to get on with his life. In no time he’ll grow into a full white pompadour of hair on his head.
spring
Lessons learned from a sprained wrist
It’s now been two weeks since I slipped on our notorious Minnesota ice and badly sprained my right wrist. Much like the camellia in this photo, I am starting to emerge from this injury although I’m still seeking some protection as I do so. I realize though, that I’ve certainly learned some lessons from my injury: (1.) Appreciate all the things you take for granted. Until now I haven’t realized all the things, big and small, that I do with my hands. (2.) Trying to do things with a non-dominant hand is not as easy as one would think. OK….I tried to get my brain to talk to my left hand and tell it how to move and what to do, but of course the message wasn’t getting through completely. I have humbled myself many times as I fumbled trying to do simple tasks. (3.) Mindfulness is really important, and not second-nature. I have learned to pay more attention to what I am doing at a specific time. If I’m outside walking, I try to concentrate on my walking — one foot in front of the other. How easy it is to be distracted with thoughts of how cold it is, where I’m going, what I’m going to be doing there, what the roads are going to be like, what I’m having for lunch, etc, etc, etc. Live in the present!! (4.) When walking on ice or slippery surfaces, always carry things in your dominant hand. I read this tip the day after I injured my right wrist. If you have something in your dominant hand and you fall, you will most likely use your non-dominant hand to break your fall. OK, you just might injure it badly, but you will not be nearly as incapacitated as you would be with injuring your dominant hand. (5.) Everything takes longer when you have an injury, and patience is something to strive for. I haven’t been able to tie my boots, put a glove on my right hand, or turn the key in the car ignition without some assistance from either my left hand or from the willing two hands of a friend. My frustration would get the best of me at times. And photographing with a tripod and a dominant-hand injury forces me to slow down — look, observe, envision the shot, and only then do I spend the five minutes to mount the appropriate lens, place the polarizing filter, set the camera on the tripod, adjust the tripod legs, attach the cable release, focus, and then make the image. And just maybe, that’s not a bad thing.
Peonies and roses of late spring
Our spring garden is in full bloom right now — a delight to all the senses! We have three peony bushes that are all beautiful. The white bush is one we purchased here in Minnesota, but the two pink bushes are from my parents’ yard in Overland Park, Kansas. It’s always a treat to see it bloom and think of them. Our roses are also in full bloom, making for a wonderful and delightful compliment in this arrangement. The John Cabot roses in this image are from a large climbing bush in the backyard. Our early spring and summer weather has the gardens about two weeks ahead of their normal schedule, but I’m not hearing anyone complaining. It is such a treat to enjoy the blooms not only outside in the garden, but to be able to bring them inside to brighten our home.
Earning my fishing license
Yes, I’m finally earning my Minnesota fishing license this year. Last week we were catching northern pike on a northern Minnesota lake. Today we ventured south of the Twin Cities in search of bullheads. Prior to this I don’t believe I’d even heard of bullheads let alone known what they looked like. As it turns out, they’re a bottom feeder similar to catfish. Although they aren’t very big I’ve learned they do like to flop around a lot. On a beautiful sunny early afternoon we headed out on the lake, accompanied by pelicans circling overhead. We paddled our canoe to a likely area for bullhead success. Within a few minutes we had our first bullhead on the line, followed by another and another. Our success was measured by a total of 11 bullheads. I have yet to eat one so I can’t attest to their flavor, but I can say that the fishing adventure was great fun and a delightful way to spend time in the outdoors on a lovely lake.
It was a dark & stormy night
We headed north this weekend for a little fishing trip — one that was full of delights and surprises. We were tent camping and were fortunate to find a beautiful campsite on the shore of a northern lake. As we drifted to sleep last night we were serenaded by a chorus of frogs and loons. And yet in the middle of the night a storm moved through, bringing lightning and thunder, wind, and rain. I lay wide awake in the tent, imagining a worst-case scenario and worrying about what we would do. Luckily the worst of the dark & stormy night was off in the distance and what I was imagining didn’t develop. When we awoke this morning we were greeted with summer temperatures, a calm lake, and clearing skies. Today was beautiful for fishing. With blue skies, white clouds, clear water, and the serenade of red-winged blackbirds and loons, we were successful in catching a “slug” of northern pike. After having lived here in Minnesota for almost four years I’m appreciating even more the specialness and richness of our 10,000 plus lakes.
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