Winter Tree

We had just had a new snow fall. I went out looking for a good snow tree. As I saw this out my driver side window, the van in front of me started swerving into my lane, and the guy following me was too close to stop. I realized all this as I held the Nikon up to snap the photo. In an instant, the van sliced across my lane into the curb on my right, and the guy behind me started fishtailing, his rear end just missing the van as we ploughed past it. I forgot I had taken this photo until today. It brought back wild memories in the skein of its serene snow- laden branches.

What's not to love about Winter Storms

Hanging over our driveway this morning.

Autumn knock-out

The oak in our front yard is a hold-out. It still has a full crown of big leaves, but they are dipped in crimson and doomed to fall. I plucked a couple and tried out a close-up bargain lens to get this shot. Says Fall!

Tow Me!

Click on the photo to enlarge and read the warning on the yellow curb...it is reflected in the Maserati door, in reverse.

Dawn does a searchlight

The low morning sun lights up the bottom of this cloud cover.

Downtown Autumn tableau

Thrivent Financial Building reflects the Government Center and Capella Tower as a backdrop to trees in various stages of undress. Preparing to sleep through the Winter, as many of us would.

The Barn in Autumn

The cliche sometimes is all you need.

The tree

While we were in Jordan I looked for the one best tree of the day. This was it.

Autumn Vines in Jordan MN

The brilliant colors of vines on an old brewery in Jordan Minnesota.

Sara and Jon in Albert Lea

Sun and Moon

Wall at the Japanese Garden/

Cat owner's peculiarities

It is a strange thing about cat owners (and new parents)-- they think their darling defines the standard for proportions and appearance, and measure all other cats (and babies) against that standard.

Taylor's Falls Dam

This is just upriver from Taylor's Falls. We are standing on the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix river, looking over toward Minnesota. There is just the slightest graze of color in the Maples. You are looking at the upper waters of the dammed river. Across the thin arc there is a steep drop, and you can see the mist rise from the spillway on the far bank. It is a confusing but beautiful view.

Early Fall splendor at Taylor's Falls.

This little maple sprout hung out over one of the potholes at Taylors Falls. On Sunday it was the first time in my life that there were no parking spaces. We drove around for an hour and came back, and found a spot. Just at the beginning of the trail these blazing leaves caught my eye. Otherwise, not so much color. Too early, but the hike and views were spectacular anyway.

Prisoner Transport

There will be plenty of time for these guys to think about their lives of crime where they are going. Just kidding. Actually they love their groomer, and look forward to the monthly trip.

Bozo's Garage

Somewhere in New Mexico. A frame of a video I took in 1995, location unknown.

Glass Doo-dads

Hanging from the lamp in the morning light.

Bromeliad

This was the actual lighting on the picture below.

Bromeliad

Taken with an 800 mm lens and ISO set to 3200. The noise in the image contributes to the artistic effect, for me.

Domestic Bliss

Sara arranges the simplest things so beautifully. This is our dining room table. We don't spend much money on anything, but we try to pay close attention to what we have.

glimpses

The bromeliad frames Sterling, who barely rouses from his nap. As usual.

Road repair geometry lesson.

When inside becomes outside

Driving through southern Minnesota, came across this exposed wall from a demolished apartment building. It was odd to think of the lives spent inside the rooms, the human drama and boredom that these wallpapers were witness to.

Cat in a bowl

My cat sleeps in a woven bowl. He thinks he is a bag of oranges, perhaps.

The view down Sixth Street

The view towards the Target Center from Marquette Ave. I accidently loaded two versions of this view and like the way the City Center stacks in the photos.
The real hidden treasure in this shot, however, is that you can see four skyways at once. I tried to time it so there were silhouettes in all four.