In The Soul

A Few Pictures to Brighten the Day

I haven't posted many pictures here in a while. I've been too busy doing nothing and then being too serious too often. Been slacking some on my writing and posting here. So, to keep it light as we head into Mardi Gras weekend, here are some pictures from the last couple weeks.

Cormorants on Bridge Pier, Mobile Five Rivers Delta

Dancing Heron #1- On the Beach

Dancing Heron #2- Mobile Five Rivers Delta

An Amazing Sunset- On the Beach

A Big Log With Teeth- Here's Looking at You

Because They Don't Know the Words?

Just for fun- some pictures of Hummingbirds. Fun to try to get different pictures and as good a shot as possible. Sometimes you get close to succeeding. (Obviously close-cropped.)

Lent Picture A Day (33): Fifth Sunday: Celebrate

Heron Walk

Just your average Great Blue Heron moving deliberately toward the shore catching fish (didn't get that picture) and trying to get out of the camera's view. No music, just the heron. Taken with a digital SLR and a zoom lens.

Disobedient

Six Years Ago

Cannon River, Cannon Falls, MN  September 21, 2008

Being an Artist

I can't draw to save my life. Stick figures are even beyond my ability. That has always been a frustration and no doubt why I have always been a photographer. It gives me the chance to be artistically creative. With digital photography I have been able to do things like crop and enlarge without even a darkroom.

I have tried to play with some of the other digital bells and whistles from time to time. I sat watching TV and started playing with GIMP and came up with something that I liked. So I decided to share it.

First, the original picture, taken at Whitewater State Park.

Here is the digital "work of art."

Has a nice oriental feel to it.

A Family Scene At Home

I wanted to title this one, the family that sits together, but I thought better of it.


Anyway, stopped by Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan on Friday and took a short walk at Jensen Lake. I came across this laid-back group just sitting. They could have cared less than I was there. I got a tired eye, but I guess they knew I was friendly. And just a few feet away sat the fourth of the family, I assume.

Not far away were these trees, 

still with the greens of summer,

but soon to fade, I'm sad to say.

On a sign nearby, this wondrous quote.

Things With Wings

Whitewater State Park, like the rest of Southeastern Minnesota is settling in for summer. Lots and lots of green, especially since we seemed to be living in a rain forest the past month or so. Last week's visit to the park brought some pics of fauna and not as much flora. To be specific- here are pictures of

Things With Wings

We'll call this one The Pollinator

Ooops! Forgot these other things with wings- birds....

And Let the Birds Sing...

Saw a good share of birds along with the Bluebells at Carley State Park last week. Here's a sampling:

And let's throw in a chipmunk for good measure:

Flying Fauna

Last Sunday was a beauty of an "early" spring day in May. Found our first Trout Lily of the year (see bottom.) 

But the fun pictures were of flying fauna, 

or at least fauna that are able to fly. 

Thought I would share some of them.

No- not falling off, flying from an inverted position.

This one just paused and posed.

Flying away from me. Tough to get these guys sometimes.

Silhouette to be found.

Coming in for a landing on the Trout Lily.

A Fine Day's Ride

Sunday was a beauty of a day on the Gulf coast of Alabama, so I set out for Florida. Well, I didn't expect to make it but I was only a few miles short as I crossed the Perdido Pass bridge and stopped at the state park beach access. I gave old Trusty Trek a rest and walked a mile and a half or so, just enjoying the day, the sun, the water, the birds.

All in all it was a 22 mile round trip. I can't believe how good a shape I am in this year. All that stationary bike riding- and the loss of 30 pounds in the past year- sure are making this a fun trip.

Can't wait to see what I find next.

The bridge across Perdido Pass. Yes, I biked it.

Trusty Trek taking a rest at the beach

One big old heron

Perdido Pass looking to the Gulf of Mexico

The view from the top of the bridge (above.)

Landing. This one was on the way home. Birds are everywhere.