Crystal Blue

Wandering around downtown Minneapolis can produce some interesting buildingscapes.

Eyeburn

Autumn can be glorious in perfect weather, or miserable with mist and rain. This day, we enjoyed a picture perfect day; the sun shone so bright, the colors saturated themselves and burned our eyes.

Sud Kessel

Copper Kettle
The second oldest family-owned brewery in America is the Schells Brewery in new Ulm Minnesota

Indecision

Going downhill?

Taking too long to make a decision is not always the best approach.

Alleen Brown wrote an article in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Life section. The article is called "A Day in the Life: Who is Minnesota?".

The Long & Winding Road

There's nothing like the feel of the wind rushing through your hair. Or the heat of the sun bleaching the gray into a silvery fox color. That's why I bought a bike. No, not a Harley Davidson, though I wish I had one. I'm talking about my bicycle. Zipping up and down the hills of Elm Creek approaching the hairpin curves in the woods. I hit the brakes hard and skidded to a stop. Twice I did this to capture the curving path through the woods.

Follow the Leader

Nothing like following along blindly.

U of M Construction

Construction is booming at University of Minnesota.

Open Spaces

Autumn falls into the wide open spaces of Elm Creek Park Reserve.

Perforation Set

Tables are set for the lunch rush on the Nicollet Mall.

Dawnrise

Early morning at the Coon Rapids Dam

Contrasts

Contrasts of this doorway scene on Nicollet Mall caught my eye. First of all, we have the contrasts of colors. The hard bold colors of black and gold with the softer tones of blue and white. But what I really found interesting was a tequila bar next to a wedding dress shop. I'm picturing shell shocked grooms knocking down a tequila shot after bearing witness to the price of the bride's dress. Or, the bride in need of a good tequila shot to get through the whole process.

Complimenting White

Pod seed explosion



Frost, not snow. Although snow will soon accumulate.

Rocks and White Cloud

From the east end of Lake Vermilion

Broke Back Boat

Deep in the Elm Creek Park Reserve near a small lake lies an old boat. It was last registered in 1984. I'm not sure what happened to it since, but it is apparant it is no longer seaworthy.

The little Cedar Tree

The little cedar tree clings to the rocky shore of Lake Vermilion. Wind and ice have all but stunted this tree to the height of a shrub.

It's not too late; Highton Ridley has a free prize draw for October. You will enjoy wonderful black and white images. For more information on how to win this free give away, visit the October Freebie Prize Draw Now open.

Morning on the Mall

Before the snow fell, we all enjoyed a bright and cheery morning on the Nicollet Mall.

Vertigo?

I am not so sure I could wash windows from a height like this. No, I am not afraid of heights; it is gravity that I fear. Gravity and I are highly compatible.

Locked Love

Shooting Mode Manual Exposure
Tv( Shutter Speed ) 1/500
Av( Aperture Value ) 1.8
Metering Mode Partial Metering
ISO Speed 100
Lens EF50mm f/1.8
Focal Length 50.0 mm

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I am drawn to simple subjects; locks and chains are one such subject I enjoy shooting. It was by no accident that this lock caught my attention. What was intriguing about the lock that lend many questions is the printing; Vitalya + Liza = S.S.8:6-7. Who are Vitalya and Liza? Why this lock on a bridge railing crossing the Mississippi River in Minneapolis? What does it all mean?

Flashback to Rome, Italy in 2006. Mrs. DL and I were crossing the Tiber River and witnessed a scene of interlocking locks on a chain. We pondered the meaning of these locks without conclusion until I viewed a recent Locks of Love post from Valeria at Verona Daily Photo. Grazie, I now understand this love story of the locks of love back in Roma and now here in Minnesota.

A quick Google search to determine the meaning of S.S.8:6-7 led me to Song of Solomon, Chapter 8 verses 6-7:

6	Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.
7	Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

To borrow a line from Paul Harvey; Now you know The Rest of the Story

Retro Red

Happy to see this old scooter on the road. We are seeing more scooters on the road; many shiny new models. However, I prefer the old classics like this one.

Season's First Snow

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October 12th, 2009, the first snow of the season and the leaves haven't completely fallen from the trees. We may be in for a long long winter.

Christmas season is also upon us. Costco, Kohl's, and Hallmark have had their Christmas displays up in their shops since early September, shortly after school started. It is no wonder I hate shopping, we're subjected to blatant marketing campaigns. Sadly, this Christmas Consumerism Campaign lasts 3 months. Merry Retail Sales and Happy Corporate Earnings.

Envy of the Little Dish

The little dish has big shoes to follow.

Leopardization

Autumn has returned late to the north metro. Dry conditions and a warm autumn has left us with an unspectacular color display. Yet a few trees give us a nice autumnal display. Winter now approaches as 2 to 4 inches of snow is expected tonight. Oh joy. (please note the sarcasm in that last statement.)

Junior Sunset

Junior Photographer, my 11 year old niece shot this sunset with her own camera earlier this summer.

Squall Brewing

The autumn wind
came blowing in
from across the "sea".

Lake Vermilion

Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra

Barger

Barging upriver on the mighty Mississippi River through Minneapolis.

Neon Guitar.

Hard Rock Cafe's giant neon guitar lights up First Avenue and north 7th Street.

Miss Monarch

Monarch Tea



Butterkite

Finally the hyper stimulated, over caffeinated butterfly took an all but brief rest on the flowers in our neighbor's beautiful garden. She was gracious enough to allow me to intrude and chase Miss Monarch throughout her flower garden. Abby, their little terrier kept me company on my endeavor to capture these images.

A Brave New World

I found this scene on the Nicollet Mall interesting and symbolic. A homeless man sitting in front of a window displaying high end fashionable under garments. The price some people pay for unseen fashion is more than enough to cover a few meals for this man. While some people are unable to make ends meet during this recession, others live their lives as if nothing has happened. Bureaucrats blather on about health care when the real need is jobs and an improved economy. Nothing thus far has worked to solve this dilemma. To save face, they shift their attention and focus to other matters.

Monochrome Weekly

Red Lantern...

...strikes again, (much to the chagrin of the Green Lantern).

The old RL3 KampLite has been around for as long as I can remember. It has been years since it was last used deep in the wilderness of the BWCA. It now hangs proudly inside the cabin waiting to be used again.

Cone of Shame

Others dogs are laughing.

Winston has been recovering from a Corneal Eye Ulcer for about a month. He is on the mend, while destroying the first uncomfortable cone. This is his second cone in a week's time. He no longer needs to wear the cone and is back to his usual antics with a vengeance.

Puppy Hug

My niece hugging a young puppy.