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.
Minnesota
Hollyhocks
Summer seemed to come to an abrupt end this past week as our temperatures slid into the upper 30’s at night and the 50’s during the daytime. Autumn will soon grace the Minnesota landscape with its oranges, reds, and golds. I was in our backyard this morning as the sun made its way above the trees and backlit this lovely white hollyhock. The greens and the whites reminded me of summer. The long stems of the hollyhocks were blowing in the cool breeze, yet the colors had me focused on the warmth of the summer sun. We may have some days of late summer left, but I know that all-too-soon we’ll be passing into autumn and winter, each with its own special colors and characteristics.
Diamonds on the lake
An early morning fishing trip was a no-brainer this morning. The last few days have been clear, warm, and no humidity. We left the house early enough that the air was still brisk from dropping into the 50’s overnight. As we motored onto the lake I was reminded again of the beauty of the morning. It was then I saw the diamonds sparkling on the lake — the sun’s reflection in the water and waves. So many times I admire it, but this morning I decided to photograph it. The random patterns and the twinkling stars shimmered across the water. Those of you that have spent time on a lake or a river will recognize this, and I trust it will bring back wonderful memories.
Unlikely photographic subjects
Like many photographers I often head out of the house with an idea of what I’m planning to photograph, or at least an idea of what I might find. The other evening I wandered over to the horticultural gardens at the University of Minnesota. There is a wonderful display of flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, and vegetables. No matter which season or what time of the year I go to the gardens, I am almost always guaranteed to find something of interest. I had spent close to an hour photographing various flowers. As the sun was getting lower in the sky and the light was fading I decided to pack up and head home. I passed through the flower gardens and then through the vegetable gardens, but something caught my eye. The dill plants were glowing in the evening light. And as I passed, they didn’t look anything like the herb I was accustomed to seeing. With the sun setting behind them they took on an ethereal quality – something so delicate and lovely. I spent the next 15 minutes racing with the fading sun to make the photographic images that were delighting my eyes and senses. I certainly hadn’t planned to photograph any herbs, but this was a wonderful surprise.
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.
lindastaatsphoto.com 