Minnehaha falls

Minnehaha falls flowing

after long hibernation.

Spring comes once again.

Icy Minnehaha Falls

Raging Minnehaha Falls

After receiving between 2 1/2 to 5 inches of rain this weekend in the Twin Cities, Minnehaha Falls was raging. Many long time homeowners living along the creek had never experienced such high levels of water. (Storms pound Twin Cities, prompt flood warnings, cancel marathon)

Water and Ice at Minnehaha Falls

Oops!

Minnehaha Falls

A nearby look at the falls

I honestly didn't notice the "Danger Keep Out" sign until after I managed to get some close ups of the falls.  I even hiked behind the falls to explore the view.

More pictures from Minnehaha Falls

A view of Minnehaha Creek
from behind the falls

Icy ground behind the falls

Ice formation on the falls

Behind the falls

Looking out

Ice behind the falls

Minnehaha Falls

I enjoyed a winter afternoon exploring a frozen Minnehaha Falls in south Minneapolis.  It was a bit slippery and muddy getting there, but witnessing the icy beauty was well worth the effort.

Bike ride to Minnehaha Falls

Minnehaha Falls

Took my first long (33 mile) bike ride of the year yesterday.  I followed a series of bike trails which took me along Theodore Wirth Parkway, Minneapolis' chain of lakes and then down along Minnehaha Parkway to Minnehaha Falls.  I wanted to see the falls during its peak run off period.

Much to my surprise when I got to the falls there was smoke rising.  No, the creek didn't catch fire.  Rather, there was a work group from Prairie Restoration. They were out cutting and burning brush and trees, with plans of restoring a natural habitat.

Bridge over Minnehaha Creek

Mallard

Artist at Lake Harriet Band Shell

Rabbit sculpture decorated for Easter

Fishing in Lake Calhoun

On the way home I stopped a few places to take some pictures.  There was brilliant sun shine and a high of around 60 degrees. After an extremely long, snowy winter I have to believe that even the greatest of skeptics were smiling and crying out "hallelujah", there is indeed life after death!

Global climate change

Minnehaha Falls

Today's StarTribune carries an article "High Anxiety: Spring flooding promises to wreak havoc across much of Minnesota with some river cities and towns in danger of seeing water levels that could exceed recent records." Additionally, on the global level, we're hearing about food prices rising due to poor crops caused by changes in the climate, mainly flooding.

A study reported reported by Brian Vastag with the Washington Post found that human emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are linked to the increased precipitation in North America and elsewhere throughout the world during the second  half of the 20th century.  

While  you or I can't easily influence the greenhouse emissions of others in China, India, or the United States, we can work curb our own wasteful habits.  It is both in our own best interest and the interest of future generations.

Frozen Minnehaha Falls

Frozen Minnehaha Falls with Pavilion in background

Sioux Chief Little Crow sculpture

Snowy fence

Lonely snow seat

I seemed to be the sole visitor to Minnehaha Falls yesterday afternoon.  It was a bit blustery, at 5 degrees Fahrenheit, with sun shine! 

There is a crew working down below the falls to remove invasive plant species and restore native plants.  The work started in November 2010 and is projected to continue for five years.

Frozen falls