I'm visiting my parents this week in Burnsville, MN (south of Minneapolis).  One thing that impresses me about the Twin Cities area is the number of urban forests & parks.  Seems like most that I've seen around here also include ponds, small lakes or other water in addition to lots and lots of foliage. One of these wonderful sanctuaries is just across the street from where mom and dad live.  Quite a busy street, but still really handy.

It is amazing the variety of plant life you can find in these parks.  This morning, as it was a little damp from rain (therefore how could I mow the grass!?) the light was fantastic with the overcast skies.  So, I took a quick walk around the pond with my camera and was able to capture a number of great spring shots.

Blooms on Flowering Crab TreeBlooms on a Flowering Crab tree in the Vista View city park in Burnsville, MN

The "keeper" of the morning is this shot of one branch on a Flowering Crab Tree. The thick forest and pond made for a great backdrop for this image.  A big "congratulations and thank you" to the city planners around here for including so much natural space in a very busy community!

Perhaps a "photographic" moral of the story is, there are beautiful things wherever you look.  You don't have to run out to the country or out to a state park, just take a few moments to look around you as you go.

Until next time!

PJ

Nikon D700 at ISO 800, 1/125 sec, f/7.1, 75mm