Summer at the Arboretum

Location coordinates:
44°86'19"N, 93°61'51"W
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
Chaska, Minnesota

 As a budding photographer I am always on the lookout for enjoyable places to go and practice my craft. A Twin Cities favorite spot for photographers of all levels is the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, located in Chaska, about 22 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. Spread over one thousand acres, the Arboretum features an incredible array of northern climate plants, flowers, shrubs, trees, and hedges set in manicured gardens or in fields depicting a more natural setting. Throughout the Arboretum are miles of walking paths, along which you will find dozens of benches to sit and admire the view. This is a four-season destination, and it has been quite interesting following the changes of scenery over the past year. I've marveled at the brilliant colors of the stands of maple trees in the fall, trekked across the winter landscape in snowshoes, attempted to calculate the precise peak of spring blossoms on the cherry and flowering crabapple trees (I missed it by a week!), and dodged the wedding parties seeking that perfect photographic backdrop in the summer.

During my most recent visit I focused on the blooming gardens nearest the visitors center, hoping to catch a few good shots in the late afternoon light. On this particular day the bridal parties had been replaced by impatient members of the high school Class of 2011, doing their best to look excited and self-assured while posing for their senior portraits. Most seemed quite embarrassed by the attention given them by curious onlookers as their photographers placed them in what likely felt as very unnatural poses. As annoyed as they were, I'll bet they will find the effort was worthwhile when the final product is gracing their parent's fireplace mantle.
 

Getting away from the crowd is the best tactic to use while visiting the Arboretum. Wandering from the heavily-used Three Mile Drive and following a smaller trail, or no trail at all, can land you in a secluded spot all to yourself. Once there you can appreciate the sights and sounds of nature, watch the birds, or, perhaps, run away from the snakes. (This actually happened to me once. I freely admit I hate snakes. There is just something about their movement that is truly creepy.)

I'm never disappointed when I go to the Arboretum. No matter what the weather, season, or time of day, you can always find something beautiful to appreciate. Lucky for me I live close and am able to visit often.

Extraordinary Weeds

Location Coordinates:

44°48'52"N, 93°32'13"W

Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail

Eden Prairie, Minnesota

     After a long stretch of recent travel, I was anxious to get back on the bike and out on my hometown area trails. Last weekend, Chrys and I ventured out to a trail we had not yet ridden around the area of Lake Riley in the suburban Minneapolis communities of Eden Prairie and Chanhassen. We found the Minnesota River Bluffs Regional Trail running alongside Lake Riley's eastern shore and started in a southwesterly direction. Spending so much time on the crowded urban trails within the city, it was a very nice change to be almost alone on this path, riding through deciduous forest along a bluff overlooking the Minnesota River and the town of Shakopee.

     Perspective truly is everything. In a well-manicured lawn, a clump of thistle would likely be viewed as unwanted weeds. But in Scotland, thistle is a national icon, and is really quite pretty in an open, natural setting. As we leisurely pedaled our way along the regional trail we came across a large clump of thistle. Chrys has an appreciation for thistle (it appears as a decorative feature on her best Scottish dishes), so we made note of the location so I could return with the camera. When I returned Tuesday evening I found the thistle humming with industrious bees, doing their jobs moving pollen from one place to the next. A few passing bicyclists did double-takes as they observed me snapping photo after photo of what appeared to be a big clump of weeds. And while the photos didn't end up being as "frame-worthy" as I had hoped, they do illustrate how a change of perspective in how you look at something can make a big difference. Unwanted clump of weeds, or charming bunch of flowers? Everyone can decide for themselves.