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.
Minnesota
Purple trillium in bloom
In the heart of Minneapolis is a hidden garden gem — the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden. With fifteen acres of woodland, wetland, and prairie, it is the oldest public wildflower garden in the nation. The garden was established in 1907 by botanist Eloise Butler and the Minneapolis Parks Board. We spent a delightful early Saturday morning at the garden. These purple trilliums were blooming profusely, along with marsh marigolds, hepatica, anemones, two-leaved toothwart, and trout lilies.
Fishing success
The ice is out, spring has sprung, and fishing season has begun once again in Minnesota. And this year I’ve joined the ranks of Minnesotans with a fishing license! To be honest, the last time I was fishing was when I was about 13 years old. But, like riding a bike, it’s something that comes back to you (along with some good coaching too!). Paddling against wind gusts up to 30 mph and battling the whitecaps, we put our canoe into Peltier Lake and proceeded to the calmer shore and threw in our fishing lines. After awhile without any bites, we moved to where a small river enters the lake. The water was pretty shallow, the sun was nearly ready to set, and the fish were biting! Within about ten minutes we had caught 6 crappies! Now that’s an exciting way to fish, and with that success I’m excited to try it again. Yes, I know fishing isn’t always that rewarding, but it’s a delightful way to spend a warm evening outside. (And the crappies were delicious the following night for dinner!)
Urban cows and a great friend
When I was at the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site last summer I was fortunate to have a great housemate, Jess. A native Iowan (and proud of it!), Jess was a summer park ranger at the Site. While there we attended concerts and demo derbies, and explored cemeteries and the Iowa countryside together. Then this weekend Jess ventured north to the great state of Minnesota. With a quick tour of the Minneapolis and St. Paul tourist sites we included three urban cows that reside on the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. These are grand sculptures — ones that I’ve photographed during the winter when they were blanketed with snow. This time they seemed quite serene amongst the greening grass, and tame enough to allow us this photo. Jess – thanks for your visit. I hope I live my life as enthusiastically as you live yours.
Spring blooms
I found the first bloom of spring in my backyard yesterday. Those of you in the upper Midwest know this has been a long and drawn out winter. But we had a delightfully warm & sunny day yesterday, allowing me to clear the marsh grass from the garden beds and do some general cleanup. It was a delight to find the tulip bulbs had emerged about an inch and half above the soil. That was reason to celebrate. But when I uncovered these beautiful little squill blooms I was delighted — our first glimpse of color since last fall. These are tiny flowers, only about two inches tall, so I didn’t see them at first. But for being so small they are certainly mighty; surviving the summer and bringing springtime joy and the promise of warmth and a renewed growing season!
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