California has just about everything: the lowest and highest points in the continental US, deserts, ocean, mountains, and more. Sometimes that makes me forget the wonder in other parts of the country. On a recent visit to the Minneapolis area, I reflected on the biodiversity of the US and realized that I need to travel more at home. While in Minnesota, I not only saw family, but I experienced the lush environment that comes with humidity and thunderstorms.
The Mississippi River cuts between St. Paul and Minnesota.The upper Mississippi has 29 locks and dams primarily to control navigation. St. Anthony Falls is popular area for walking along the river and admiring the power of the water. From the path, this arched bridge makes a wonderful reflection in the calm waters, just before they start to tumble. I reflected the image and used an artistic treatment to bring out different colors.
The Brakken Museum (https://thebakken.org) is a Minneapolis gem. It focuses on science and innovation with many interactive exhibits to complement the more traditional ones. The founder, Earl Brakken, was an electronic whiz inspired by the movie Frankenstein. He went on to invent the first external battery-powered pacemaker. Mr. Turner collected rare books and instruments on the theme “Electricity in Life”. That was the start of the museum and its mission to provide public-facing programs.
While I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the museum, I was quite taken with the architecture of the West Winds Mansion and its medicinal garden. I took many photos, but these are my two favorites. The first image is Culver’s Root. I don't know the name of the plant in the second image, but I love the beads of water. At this time of year, water beads are rare in my area of California.
After visiting the Biology lab where my sister-in-law works, she took us to the University of Minnesota Conservatory and Botanical Collection (https://cbs.umn.edu/conservatory). It has an outstanding collection of plants from all over the world. We weaved through the ecospheres: Antarctic forest, ancient rainforest, Mediterranean scrubland, and diverse deserts. It was fascinating. One of the more interesting plants was the Blechnum gibbum fern. I like the way it draws my eye into the center.
There is a green space just across the street from my brother’s apartment. The path leads past marshland, a pond, gardens, a community center, ice center, a Frisbee disc golf course, and Plymouth creek. It is an incredibly beautiful place. This photo is looking across meadow and marsh with the community center in the distance. I applied an oil paint filter to the image to enhance the serenity.
Black Eyed Susan.
Pink Milkweeed.
Butterfly weed and a Coneflower in its "shabby chic" stage.
Milkweed Leaf Beetle.
The pesty Rose Chafer bug.
Plymouth Creek, image treated with an artistic filter.
My visit to Minnesota was marvelous. Special thanks to Amanda and Greg for coming up with many wonderful things to see, great conversation, and fun games!
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