Strength
Oberg Mountain | Lutsen, MN 2012
Tonight I had dinner with a very dear cousin. We had not seen or spoken to each other in many years, and neither of us could figure out why.
To say we reconnected is not exactly true, as we never really have been disconnected from one another.
We have had many changes in the last 7 or so years, children grown, trials of life, growth of spirit and a sense of knowing that “there is more”.
We are from a family of strong women and our roots are deeply intertwined.
So happy we have reunited, I have missed you coz!
Rachel’s Eye
Several Locations | MN 2010
Rachel is the model for the “eye”
This was the lead photo in a series for an exhibit in 2010
“Susan’s Eye”
It has been my fortune in life to have traveled a few places across the United States
In the travels I have always noticed Susan Eyes’
These flowers can grow anywhere
This started me thinking, “what would a Susan’s Eye see?”
The spider is real, in fact I have numerous photos of flowers
That have spiders nestled inside or under the petals peeking out
Spiders, that is another story, as I am drawn to spiders
Or are they drawn to me?
One of a few of my totems
Old Oak
Carver Regional Park | Minnetrista, MN 2011
Trees have always fascinated me
Called to me
Sometimes whispered to me
This old Oak brings back memories of childhood
Living in Nordeast Minneapolis there was not a lot of room to roam
There was a vacant lot on the fringes of the neighborhood
In this lot stood a tall strong oak
A few of us decided we would turn this old oak into a tree apartment
The only boards on this tree were the ones used to create a makeshift front stoop
Each child had a limb
Each limb was an apartment
Each apartment had a phone
A pink plastic replica of a real phone
Or two cans with a string
An entire summer was spent in the “apartment” complex
We were like birds sitting in the tree all day, we could not be seen from passersby only heard
Sounds emitting from the tree were not the sounds of birds singing but the sounds of children
Singing
Laughing
Playing
That was a great summer
Stretch
Silver Lake Park, 3 Rivers District | MN 2012
The same owl, stretching
She stretched both wings
before moving back into the hallow of the oak
Amazing to think that when this large
winged creature is in flight she will
emit no sound, just a swoop right before you see her
Raptor
Silver Lake Park, 3 Rivers District | MN 2012
A family of Owls has taken up residence in the local park.
At dawn and the last hour of the day
You can watch as the keen eyes peer out
from the hallows of the great oak tree
The ravens drew us near
as they screech and dive the mate
far from the nest of young’uns
Scents
Silver Lake Park, 3 Rivers District | MN 2012
As I walk around the park, with my furry companion
We pass the trees that have new blooms
I wish I knew the name of the trees
The blooms are so fragrant
I am drawn to the nearest branch
where Spring fills the senses
Sticking it Out
Spring Lake Park, 3Rivers District | MN 2012
Last season sticking in out, trying to hold tough onto the green blades of spring.
Fence Posts
Spring Lake Park, 3 Rivers District | MN 2012
The shadows always catch my attention as I come to this bend in the path.
Stately trees, casting long reminders of the passing day.
This Bud’s for You
Sliver Lake Park, 3 Rivers District | MN 2012
The trees are blooming
Senses are filled
Warm fragrance drifts along
With a fresh spring breeze
Welcome Spring!
Thaw 2012
Lake Christine | Lutsen, Mn 2012
“A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature.
It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.”
― Henry David Thoreau, Walden
FinePix S800fd | focal 4.7 | f-stop 4.5 | exposure 1/250
Misted Path 2012
Snowmobile Trail | Lutsen, MN 2012
“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious.
It is the source of all true art and all science.
He to whom this emotion is a stranger,
who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe,
is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.” ~ Albert Einstein
Canon PowerShot ELPH 100HS | focal 5| f-stop 2.8 | exposure 1/500 | fisheye
Rock Hunter 2012
Lake Superior | Lutsen, MN 2012
My grandmother taught me how to hunt rocks
she showed me how to study and
delicately view each stone
to examine the qualities
texture, color, shape
when I feel the weight of a stone in my hand
there is a vibration, a connection
as if I am holding the hand of my grandmother
Nikon D5100 | lens Nikkor 18-55 mm | focal 24 | f-stop 11 | exposure 1/3
Weathered 2012
Old Shed | Lutsen, MN 2012
She sits atop the hill
Looking out onto the big lake
Her flanks seasoned with the weather
FinePix S8000fd | focal 5 | f-stop 4 | exposure 1/50
Willows 2012
Pussy Willow | Tofte, MN 2012
Spring first shows her soft side
Even a late spring snow cannot dampen the spirit of renewal
FinePix S8000fd | focal 9.8 | f-stop 3.5 | exposure 1/105
Day Breaking 2012
Lake Superior | Lutsen, MN 2012
The shores of the Big Lake can feel like an ocean
High tide breaks the morning shoreline
Stinging wind rolls across frigid water
Colors of the rising day cast erie shadows across the surface
Swells heave and drive the rocks into each other with a crack
Receding to build again
Nikon D5100 | Nikkor 18-55 mm lens | focal 18 | F-stop 13 | exposure 1.3
Still Waters 2012
Silver Lake Park, 3 River District | MN 2012
Still reflection
broken by the glided movement
of two paired green heads
Hipsamatic | John S lens | Kodot XGrizzeled film | Dreampop flash
Sunset Gathered 2012
Silver Lake Park, 3 Rivers District |MN 2012
Spiny tree limbs reach
gathered is the warmth of the failing sun
the buds soak in the last of the day
prepared to erupt into another season
Hipsamatic | John S lens | Kodot XGrizzeled film | Dreampop flash
Companion 2012
Silver Lake Park, 3 Rivers District | Mn 2012
My strolling companion Leroy
for those not familiar
Leroy is a red merle toy Australian Shepard
she weighs in at 10.0 lbs and is 1.5 years old
thats right folks, she will get no larger unless she is overfed
Hipsamatic | John S lens | Kodot XGrizzeled film | Dreampop flash
Hiker 2010
Banning State Park | Sandstone, MN 2010
What is it the Hiker seeks
remains of another lifetime
a window into the past
or into the future
framing the life now lived
FinePix S8000fd | focal 9 | f-stop 3.5 | exposure 1/125
Birth of a Fern 2010
Banning State Park | Sandstone, MN 2010
The birth of a newly formed fern
can be heard as it
rolls from its downy cocoon
tossing up its arms wide
to break free
FinePix S8000fd | focal 9.8 | f-stop 3.5 | exposure 1/240
White Flower Bud 2010
Banning State Park| Sandstone, MN 2010
Life bursts all at once
last of the frost has melted away
while the river moves with fierce intent
there is a symphony of sights, sounds and smells
FinePix S8000fd |focal 9.8 | f-stop 3.5 | exposure 1/160
Green Leaf 2010
Green Leaf 2010
Banning State Park | Sandstone, MN 2010
Spring brings a sense of renewal
the smell of the earth
a core of a leaf just as it starts to unfurl
the rush of a misted breeze
FinePix S8000fd | focal 9.8 | f-stop 3.5 | exposure 1/60
follow the Twisted Root 