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.
Photography
Spring passages
In amongst the hustle and bustle of the past week I noticed the whitest of lilac blossoms peeking out amongst the green leaves. Whereas the purple lilacs are now past their bloom, the white lilac is at its peak. So similar yet so different, not only in its blossom but also its scent. Our house has been filled with the fragrance of spring, although that too will be coming to a close as the last of the lilacs fade away.
We celebrated another ritual of spring this past weekend — a quick trip to the Kansas City area to attend my niece Alyssa’s high school graduation. With her high school studies, sports, dance, and other activities behind her, she’s now looking forward to attending college in the fall. Congratulations, Alyssa — you’ve made us all proud and we’re excited for you and your future endeavors.
The scent of lilacs
One of the most delightful signs of spring is the emergence of the lilacs. Here in Minnesota lilacs are used as trees, shrubs, and even hedges. They are in every neighborhood, with some bushes looking like they’ve been there for decades. By the sides of the highways and roadways there are blocks of lilacs, all in full bloom with various shades of purples, pinks, and whites. Even more exciting than the sight of lilacs is the wonderful scent that floats throughout the air at this time of year. A fresh rain shower, a light breeze, and the air is alive with their floral scent. I have cut some of our lilacs and brought them into the house to enjoy the scent. Although the blooms don’t last long, I will not tire of replacing the spent blossoms to enjoy their fragrance for the brief few weeks that they grace our landscape.
The unexpected strikes again
In what seems to be a theme, once again I’ve been surprised by the unexpected scenes that present themselves. A dear friend was driving home from work the other night and told me about a field of US flags that were just down the hill from the Minnesota State Capitol Building. In my mind I was picturing a few small eight-inch tall flags. And yet when I went there to see for myself, I was amazed at a lawn full of 800 full-size US flags along with another area filled with 1,500 pinwheels. This amazing scene was set up by the Minnesota chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America (www.pcamn.org). Their Child Abuse Prevention Healing Field was in honor of Minnesota’s children and also those people who have survived child abuse. With late evening light streaming across the flags and the Capitol Building, and a light breeze to unfurl the flags, it presented a very striking image. For a few short days this scene graced our Capitol grounds, causing many passers-by both on foot and in cars to stop and reflect on the scene, the beauty, and the cause.
Spring’s softness
Last week’s photograph was of vivid red tulips. In the bright sunlight of spring, colors often become bold, striking, and rich in contrast. But there’s also a flip side to the season, and that’s the softness that’s found in the spring palette. When the sky is overcast, or in the early morning or late evening there’s a calming and quiet hush that sometimes settles over the gardens. It’s almost as if nature is resting after all its exuberance in bursting forth after winter. In trying to photograph this softness and hush I’ve chosen to take this image with a slight blur, making this more about the shapes, tones and feelings rather than the direct representation of the tulips.
lindastaatsphoto.com 