Wildflowers

I took these in the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge in Zimmerman today. All of them were taken along the side of the road on the Wildlife Drive. It's amazing how many things you notice when you take a nice slow drive down a road of prairie. To get the full effect, click on the images to view a larger version.














This strange grass flower stood atop a long stem:

Look for the Unexpected

I was shooting portraits of my sister-in-law, Nikki, and her dad today when I noticed this small flower dangling off of the edge of his shoe. We weren't near flowers at the time and he had just been walking around through rocks at the base of a large oak tree. For these reasons, it didn't make much sense for the little bloom to be there.

It reminded me to look for — and maybe expect — the unexpected.

High Ho, High Ho, It's on a Hike We Go

(for full impact, view large)

We headed to Lake Maria State Park last Saturday for a hike. Now armed with a Minnesota parks pass, we will slowly discover the many preserves throughout the state (starting mostly in and around the Twin Cities). We're open to recommendations if you're ready or willing to give them.

Lake Maria State Park is the only Minnesota home of a rare breed of turtles (check out the turtle crossing sign below). It is also full of swamps and the mosquitoes that go with them. Yes, my legs are speckled with the battle-scar-bites that remind me it is officially summer: a.k.a construction/mosquito season.

We took the Big Woods Loop around the park.

Dandelions and Tigers and Bears Oh My

These were all taken in Burnsville the day before the yellow ones.

Some Call Them Weeds; I Call Them Art

All of these were taken on the Walsh Farm May 12, shortly before the dandelions were destroyed by lawn mowers. Tomorrow, look for my photo session with the yellow blossom's fuzzier counterpart.

In Honor of Spring

(taken on our honeymoon in Keystone, Co.)