Thursday, October 30, 2014

Geometric figures


Looking up from the bottom of a large electrical tower presented an abstract view of many geometric patterns, including lots of triangles.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Wood duck on house


Over the years I've seen all kinds of birds, both big and small, perch on this wood duck house.  Finally I saw a wood duck!

Monday, October 27, 2014

Dolan Springs Nursery


I had to chuckle and stop to take a picture of the sign above the entrance to the Dolan Springs Nursery in Maplewood, MN.  They use a lot of big trucks to dig and transport trees, and so they relayed this in their sign over the driveway.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Springbrook Nature Center

Grasses backlit with afternoon sun
Muskrat
Yesterday we went for a walk around Springbrook Nature Center in Fridley, MN.  While walking through the woods there was very little underbrush.  It seems they've had a massive effort to rid the park of buckthorn.
Good luck to them!

Friday, October 24, 2014

Bald Eagle Visitor


An American Bald Eagle decided to perch on a cottonwood tree overlooking the pond at Bassett Creek Park yesterday.  It seemed to be eagle eying the many ducks and geese swimming in the pond.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Fall Egret Reflection


This is a reflection of a Great Egret in the pond at Bassett Creek Park.  I flipped it upside down so that it appears right side up.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Heron wading in the leaves


This Great Blue Heron was wading in the water, which was blanketed with autumn leaves yesterday morning.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Getting off the beaten path

While on a road trip in southern Minnesota we decided to take the back roads, instead of the freeway.  It wasn't long before we were on a gravel road and discovered some tents and tepees that looked interesting, so we pulled over to explore.  Turns out it was a rendezvous; people spending the weekend camping like others might have lived in the late 1700's or early 1800's in this country.  They were practicing archery, fire starting, mussel loading, and hatchet throwing. We would have never happened upon this interesting encounter with these delightful people had we not gotten of the expressway, and took a slower route through the country.







Saturday, October 18, 2014

Fall Fliers


This is a panned shot of a few Canada Geese in Flight over the pond at Bassett Creek Park.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Impressionism at the park


I think the reflective fall colors in the pond at Bassett Creek Park provide an impressionistic appearance.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Season's Greetings

I happened to catch a shot of this maple tree by the pond just as a gull was passing by.  It reminded me of a variation on a Christmas tree, with a maple instead of a pine and a gull filling in for a dove or angel. This also serves as a symbol of transition; from fall to winter; and life to death. It is dedicated to my Godfather, George Austin, who is now in hospice care.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Still in training


It seems this group of Canada Geese is still in training. They are practicing their navigational skills while preparing for a landing.  Later in the fall they'll be in a V formation, that will help to take them fly efficiently during their migration south.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Canada Goose


There is a good reason that the Canada Goose is also called a "Honker".  They communicate regularly with others around them, even upon takeoff.

Monday, October 13, 2014

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Saturday, October 11, 2014

Friday, October 10, 2014

Heron putting on a show


This Great Blue Heron put on quite a feathery show for the Hooded Merganser and Canada Goose... who seemed to be quite disinterested.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Solar eclipse



Pictures from this morning's solar eclipse.

Northern Shovelers

 It has been fun watching the Northern Shovelers swimming in the pond at Bassett Creek Park.  It seems about half of the time they have their heads underwater, filtering out food from the pond.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Fall flying by


Fall is rapidly flying by, as are these Canada Geese, by this maple tree at Bassett Creek Park.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Banning State Park

Wolf Creek Falls
Kettle River

Remains of Rock Crushing Facility

Over the weekend we went to visit Banning State Park, located along the Kettle River in northern Minnesota.  The fall colors were still beautiful.  The park has a series of walking trails, which become nordic ski trails during the winter months.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Fall Maple Leaf


Isn't it impressive how many different colors are represented in this one maple leaf?

Friday, October 3, 2014

Swamp Milkweed


Seems to me Swamp Milkweed looks much more elegant than its name might suggest.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Mallard


On a brisk afternoon this mallard seemed to want to do what it could to stay warm on the shore.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Geese in flight


After staying on the pond over night the Canada Geese depart for grazing during the day.  Pictured is a couple of geese making their morning departure.