ON A RECENT MAY MORNING, I stepped outside with my aged camera, a Canon EOS 20D DSLR. I hoped to photograph the cardinal I’d heard shrilling within hearing distance. But when I scanned the woods behind my house and the adjoining properties, no flash of red appeared. The sharp song, too, had ceased.
Instead, I spied a gold finch hidden among the branches of the backyard maple.
I noticed, too, the green of leaves, how the morning sun danced a rhythm of light.
No green seems greener than the green of Minnesota in spring. After months of enduring a monotone world of greys, black, browns and white, I need color. Spring gives me that.
The sky, too, seems bluer, asserting itself with a profound boldness.
Yet, a softness remains in the landscape, in the unfurling of blossoms dancing in the wind in the light of spring.
© Copyright 2018 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
It is a “GREEN” Day Today – LOVE IT!!! I lived in “brown” for 11 years and then move to lush tropical greenness with pops of color. I prefer the green and vibrancy of color. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
Living in brown year-round I would not like, says Audrey.
In Minnesota, there are a few short weeks on either side of mosquito season, beyond that is mud and snow. You captured the moment well. 🙂
Shhhhh, don’t mention the “m” word. I don’t want to hear it.
Ah, there you go again – making lovely poetry with your images!
Ah, Kathleen, thank you.
The photographs are just beautiful and your descriptive narrative is perfect. I think I heard that bird singing!
🔹 Ginger 🔹
Oh, Ginger, your words sing sweet. Thank you.
Lovely Audrey and beautiful pictures. I too, love spring!
Thank you, Penny. Everything seems so new in the spring. So fresh. So green.
Nice to see the greens of the maple trees and your pictures captured it perfectly.
Thank you. Yes, quite a difference from the landscape here in April and even a few weeks ago.
Forrest had business in Minneapolis this week. He said the temps were so much nicer up there… it’s in the 90’s here. I’m glad to see your green has arrived!
How wonderful that Forrest could visit Minneapolis. The temps are changing here with 90s predicted for the next several days. And, yes, that’s highly unusual for Minnesota in May.
…and green is your favorite color! Beautiful photo’s as always Audrey.
You got that. My favorite color.
Beautiful! I love the little golden finches
They are a fun bird to watch and quite welcome after a long winter.