AUTUMN’S OAK LEAVES cling to branches.
Swatches of green pop in the woods.
Fungi ladder tree trunks.
Brilliant red flashes against weathered grey.
Ponds populated by trilling peepers reflect the changing blue of the sky.
Geese honk territorial warnings best respected.
A camouflaged bird blends into stands of invasive buckthorn.
Dried vegetation proves a visual reminder that spring is not yet fully here in Minnesota.
But tell that to the woman walking barefoot.
Just behind the boys with feet still snugged inside winter boots.
At River Bend Nature Center in Faribault, people hiked and biked and rested on benches and even tracked squirrels in Sunday’s 60-degree temps. (More on the squirrels later.)
If not for the forecast of major snowfall later this week, I might believe these brown woods will soon leaf into a canopy of green.
No one would doubt that on Sunday, an ideal day to delight in the outdoors, to read poetry in the woods.
Spring spread her wings over River Bend on a lovely early April afternoon in southern Minnesota.
© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Ahhh, that glorious pop of regal red amidst the bare gray branches. A symbol of fervent hope.
I, too, appreciated the contrast of colors. And, yes, fervent hope seems quite fitting.
Those birds are pelicans and I also saw 15 of them in Stillwater yesterday. I can’t believe that we are going to get slammed with snow in the next two days!
This time last year we had a major blizzard of 15 inches of snow. From the latest I’ve heard, this one will not be nearly as bad.
I thought those were pelicans. I didn’t realize, though, that they flew in a group V formation.
I remember that storm last year. One at the end of March and one in April.
Yup. I missed my granddaughter’s second birthday party last year because of the blizzard. 😦
It’s pretty watching Spring emerge. We are doing the same in our visit to Ohio and with so many years living in mild temperatures, I’d forgotten how renewing it was to see the earth starting to come alive again. I hope the warmth continues at least a few days as other family members converge to the area to celebrate a couple milestones. The cardinals photos are quite lovely!
Enjoy your spring in Ohio with your family celebrating those milestones.
Those sixty degree temps feel mighty good, don’t they? We’re to reach the high 80’s today and tomorrow. My arms are already tanned after a few days working outdoors. This is my favorite time of year.
I pulled out the lawn chair for the first time this season and just sat on the patio for awhile yesterday afternoon reading. I even pushed up the legs of my jeans.
Enjoy the 80s.
Love the Cardinal shots – that pop of red just grabs your attention. We had one flitting in the trees this weekend. That is one of my favorite parts of living where I do is the birdlife and they come in all shapes, sizes and colors too. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
I am always amazed by all of the birds you photograph. I learn a lot by reading your blog and scrolling through those nature images.
I have to say the loudest birds here are the Peacocks – that is quite a disturbing sound to hear in the wee hours of the morning.They hang out in the woods with the coyotes near the cemetery across the road from our house.
Oh, my coyotes and peacocks hanging out. Do they get along? I’ve heard a peacock and I agree that they emit a disturbing sound.
It is amazing to see the different species interact here. You have gators and birdlife that live in the same environments as well as what we call urban wildlife like peacocks, coyotes, possums, otters, etc. We had the hood possum do his morning round through our backyard yesterday.
The variety of wildlife in your area amazes me.
I, too, like the photos of the cardinals. I’ve taught my grandchildren about cardinals and now when they see one they point it out. Grandma’s favorite bird. 😉
I love that, Grandma’s favorite bird. Randy does a great cardinal voice and even gets the cardinals to respond to his whistle.
Great pictures! Winter doesn’t want to let go. I’ve seen forecasts for as much as 20 inches of snow for my area. At least it won’t last long
I’ve heard/read the same. But 20 inches. Come on? Stay safe.
We will take this like every other winter storm! If we don’t have to go out we won’t and I’m planning to make homemade soup.
Great ideas, the staying home and the making homemade soup.
beautiful photos Audrey, I too like many of your readers like the cardinal photo’s. The contrast is crazy vivid.
Thank you, Jackie. I was thrilled when Randy spotted the cardinals in two locations and that those birds stayed in one place long enough for me to photograph them. I, too, love the contrast.
Beautiful peaceful photo essay. Thank you for sharing this!
You are welcome.