Week Eight: flow states

50/365: here be monsteras

The split-leaf philodendron (monstera delicious) is having a moment. Suddenly, I’m seeing their unmistakable foliage everywhere I look. I had to seek one out so I could create my very own monstera picture and was lucky enough to find one tickling the ceiling of the MN Landscape Arboretum’s sunny conservatory.

51/365: send me dead flowers

I get that Rolling Stones song in my head every time I see a dried-up blossom. Truly, though, I think these roses got more lovely as they dried and shriveled. The colors deepened and the texture took on more character. I enjoyed them fully as they faded.

52/365: on the edge of see and through

There is this moment I love when the ice begins to thaw and the snow cover is gone. The lake begins to reflect the colors of the sky again. These colors makes me feel like I’m somewhere else, in some other subarctic landscape with a different view of the tundra sun.

53/365: old black water

As much as I’ve been entranced by the ice, the sight of open water inspires a giddy feeling. This once static, frozen creek is now gushing and gurgling with life and movement. It’s the way we all feel when we cast off our layers after a long winter and feel the breeze and sunlight on our skin once more. It has an exuberance and charm that is always refreshing.

54/365: it’s all too beautiful

Open water of an entirely different nature. This one actually took my breath away! In a burst of brilliant sunlight, the wind gusts blew across growing patches of open water on Lake Nokomis creating a wave patterns I don’t recall ever seeing before. Truly stunning.

55/365: fish out of water

Sometimes I can’t resist being really cheesy. Kind of like a goldfish cracker. All I could think when I spotted this one on the sidewalk was that it looked really out of place 🙂

56/365: metamorfluxus

We’re in the period of constant flux. 60 one day. 25 the next. The water performs a trembling dance between flow and refreeze, changing forms moment to moment.

i never promised you a rose garden

Everything, all around, is so lush and green. This scene just struck me in its austerity.

I love the contrasting cheer of the bright yellow flowers -a hint of the visual racket outside the frame.

192/365: branches & weeds, lake nokomis

lakeside seating

Give us 84 degrees in the City of Lakes and we will hit the beach. It was a beautiful May day for playing hooky, lunching at Sandcastle, and watching the waves with my favorite beach bum, even if we didn’t get our toes wet.

146/365: nokomis beach, may

where there’s smoke

I had a GREAT day yesterday.

Brad came back from a run around the lake to tell me to grab my camera because they were doing a prescribed burn on the lagoon areas. I spent most of the afternoon down there, got to see a burn from start to finish and shot over 300 pictures. It was fascinating to watch and something I’ve been wanting to shoot for a while now as part of my growing passion for native landscape and restoration projects.

It was seriously difficult to choose just one photo for this post. I picked this one because I like the Turner-esque elements and the contrast between the blue sky & orange flames. I’ll post a few more on my Facebook page if you’re interested.

Oh, and thanks to the team from Wetland Habitat Restorations for letting me hang out!

89/365: prescribed burn, lake nokomis lagoon

stuck in the middle

Officially, it’s spring. But in reality, we’re in seasonal limbo. Ready for the beach, but still putting away the sleds. Longing to sweat, but still shaking off the chill. It all hangs in the balance from day to day – sunscreen or snowstorm? Only time will tell.

87/365: nokomis beach, between seasons

*This wooden walkway is the winter sidewalk leading to ice skating rinks on the lake.

ice out

It is an incredibly spacious feeling when the open water returns. The lake awakens – moving with the wind, reflecting the sky.

84/365: branches, lake nokomis

city of lakes/state of hockey

Lake Nokomis. Our lake in the City of Lakes. Sawyer & Zola take swimming lessons at the beach. It’s our usual running track, part of the bike route, a favorite place to grab ice cream. The lakes figure large in our recreation during all seasons; it’s part of who we are.

And so the kayaks, canoes & paddleboats wait their turns while the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships take center stage. There are dogs and babies and still plenty of bikes. Kids on the swingset and on ice skates. No matter how cold (or hot) it gets, how hard it snows (or rains), there will be thousands of people at, in, on & around the lake any day of the year. It’s part of what I love about us.

17/365: us pond hockey championships, lake nokomis

ROY G BIV: Blue

What luck! The sole spot of color on the frozen expanse of Lake Nokomis: a bright blue ice-fishing house.

Today: Blue

10/365: blue clam on nokomis

09.08.13 large simple shapes

Sawyer and Zola got their first taste of printmaking at the Minneapolis Monarch Festival at Lake Nokomis.  ArtOrg was on hand with supplies, volunteers, and a STEAMROLLER, of course! This is Zola’s print, half inked. Conceptualizing the design, the fact that the lines & details you drew on your block wouldn’t show, proved difficult for many…

251/365: zola’s block gets inked