Water Lilies

The color of these flowers is amazing.   They are Asian water lilies found at Como Park . . and probably in Asia too.

Before the fireworks

I took this before the July 4th fireworks began.  The high bridge is a wonderful place to take photos from and as the sun goes down I like the challenge of getting them when the “1″ is lit up.

Como Park Conservatory

I would probably photography this building every day if I could.  I just shot a part of it last week but I managed to get shadows, reflections and clouds in the shot.  I need to try it at night and I will soon. I would imagine it gets even better as the sun goes down.

Water lily

I am tickled pink to be on vacation this week and by the time this posts I will be long gone and if I am lucky off the grid.   I may come back some day but only after I have taken a lot of photos.  The photos will keep posting all by themselves . . you won’t even know I am gone which is kind of the idea. I will know I am gone which is equally important.  When If I grow up I want to roam around take photos and write.  Is there such a thing as a photography bum?

Duck

Quack

After the fireworks

I love to photograph the Mississippi river at night.   With the colors and the reflections it never looks the same twice.  I took this one just after the July 4th fireworks in St. Paul. I like the boats and the barges.   I have a rule about shooting downtown and that is that the 1 must be lit up on the first bank building.  It blinks on and off and I delete the shot if it is off.  I did get some shots of the fireworks too but amazingly they look the same every year.

In the river

I am just heading out to grab some photos of all of those rusty barges parked alone the river.  I love to photograph the Mississippi river.

Fireworks over the Misssippi River in St. Paul

I take pictures of fireworks every year but I may skip it this year.  These are from the Taste of Minnesota on Harriet Island.  Most years there have been fireworks several nights in a row and the rumor is that this year there will only be fireworks on the 4th.  For tips on how to shoot fireworks . . and I think it is challenging here is an article on the DPS web site.   The biggest challenge for me has been the bright spot lights on Harriet Island. Good luck!  and be careful out there.

Reflection in the bean

Pictures of the famous cloud gate sculpture, usually referred to as the bean, are a dime a dozen.   It is located in Millennium park in downtown Chicago and it looks like a huge stainless steel bean.  Most people try to get a photo of the whole thing and most try to photograph their reflection in the bean like I did in this photo.  mine is different though because it is almost impossible to go to the bean and be alone.  Photos with just one person in them are fairly rate.  I got up early last Sunday and it was worth it.  I had a lot of fun before heading off to an all day conference.

Kids in Bikes

It was a cloudy day but no one cared because it is always wonderful to be in Canal park on lake superior in the summer.   I can’t wait to go up there again.  Maybe in a couple of weeks I can ditch work for the day and go play.