Spring 2022

Flowers have arrived at the Lake Harriet Rose Garden, even though it is the coldest spring in memory. The skies are grey, my camera lens is cloudy due to neglect, and foul winds threaten to blow my Minnesota-nice temperament all the way to Lover's Key in Florida. (That's where I'd rather be during a cold-ass spring)

Yesterday, we packed our winter corduroy pants and wool jackets, and attempted our first bike ride on the Red Cedar Trail in Wisconsin. We had a sandwich in the rear carrier, windbreakers tied-up to our chins, and a can-do northern resolution. 

Bike trail fail. 

I curse you spring of nightmares! The forecast is improving this week. Still, I feel grumpy. Follow my feet...

Look at this picture-perfect picnic. Someone is braving the temperatures. 

A new memorial, just in time. Plus, other neighborhood sightings. 

The dog in the background has what I call the cone of shame. 

Spring swallow.

 

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Lake Harriet Rose Gardens: Spring 2020

"In springtime, love is carried on the breeze. Watch out for flying passion and kisses whizzing by your head."  Emma Racine Defleur

A quote for simpler times! What if Spring mutated the Coronavirus into a love contagion? Sigh.That concept sounds like a Lifetime movie. But then again, real life is often stranger than fiction.

 Life blooms anew from ashes and snow. At Lake Harriet, the smell of lilacs drifted through the air like flu droplets; stamens poked through glorious petals like Corona crowns; color spread around the park like toilet paper riots at target.

 I couldn't resist pointing my cell phone around the park last week. Follow my lens... 

Baby Robins. How many heads do you see?

Vacancy.

"Spring won't let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again." Gustav Mahler

Have a meaningful Memorial Day.

The Awesome Links:

Wild Bird Wednesday

Our World Tuesday

Sky Watch Friday

My Corner of the World Wednesday

Mosaic Monday

Travel Tuesdays

Pictorial Tuesday

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Early Spring Potpourri 2016

Look at this plump, fluffy and curious robin! We spied him at Robert's Bird Sanctuary by Lake Harriet.

There is Cedar Apple Rust growing on a Cedar tree along the Minnehaha trail. Weird!

We admired a tree smothered and covered with shrooms at Interstate Park in Wisconsin.

We caught a baby painted turtle at Wood Lake. And inspected his good side.

And lookie here. We also found a baby snapper. We left him be.

A spring rainbow at Wood lake. 

Subtle color also delighted at Wood Lake.

White flowers poked through the crumbly leaves at Interstate Park.

We saw a peek of purple there too.

There's a Rookery at Interstate Park. Soon, the wild squawks of baby blue Herons will be a disturbance of the peace. 

I profiled a great beauty at Robert's Bird Sanctuary.

Two turtle time at Wood lake.

There's green sprouts about at Robert's.

Do you know what bird these feathers belong too? Leave me a comment if you do. We found an avian crime scene among the trees at Robert's, and I couldn't resist collecting a few beautiful yellow feathers.

I heart feathers.

And do you know what else I love? My cats. Help me solve The Crime of the Cat Food over at The Chorus of the Crows

The links:

Life thru the Lens

A Rural Journal

Saturday's Critters

Bird d'Pot

Wild Bird Wednesday

My World Wednesday

Photo Friday

Travel Photo Thursday

My Favorite Trip

Image-in-ing

Practical Mondays

The Stone Arch Bridge

You never know when you're going to have a good time. (like last Summer) We decided to go for a walk after having a brew and some Cajun 2 Geaux (my favorite food truck) at the popular 612 brew.  We decided to wander around at the Stone Arch Bridge. The balloon guy didn't disappoint! 

I like how the blurry guy is looking up in amazement.

Dean is looking down with unknown thoughts.

I never tire of looking at the skyline.

I spotted a cormorant.  Wild Bird Wednesday Saturday's Critters Bird d' Pot

Drying his wings almost out of my photo range.

Something old.

And bold colors!  I love this capture.

The evening glow is starting to illuminate.

And reflect.

There were interesting sculptures of some historic buildings on our tour.

This might be one of the most interesting art installations I've seen around town.  There were at least a dozen or more historic replicas.  Yup, you never know what you'll run into when you take a walking photo safari.

A classic shot of the bridge taken a few years ago.

5 random things I love about downtown Minneapolis.  But not for Random 5 Friday.  

That ship has sailed yet again.  Geez.

1)  In the winter you can walk in the skyways.  It is a lot more fun than mall walking.  Because you are rewarded with glimpses of the busy streets and downtown architecture every time you cross one.

2)  The Oceanaire has a great happy hour.  It includes Filet Mignon sliders, cajun shrimp with cheesy grits and a James Bond Martini.  Yum!

3)  Or (unrelated to downtown) how about a Vesper?  "I never have more than one drink before dinner.  But I do like that one to be large and very strong and very cold and very well-made"  James Bond in Casino Royale, 1967  Bond switches to martinis after his Bond girl du jour Vesper meets her maker.

"The Vesper"

3 ounces gin

1 ounce vodka

1/2 ounce blonde Lillet

Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Serve with a large, thin slice of lemon peel. Why?  Because that's the way Bond liked it.

4)  The farmer's market on Nicollet.  Since my husband works right by it he can easily pick up fresh vegetables and other local products.  Opening soon!

5)  When I meet my husband for lunch I can get a great cupcake at Cocoa and Fig.  It's right next door!