06/29/25

 It's Steamy Sunday here on the Blog!  Today's image once again is from my recent week in Minnesota.  They hold a Kid's Day every year during the Steam School weekend and it was as popular as ever.  We had lots of riders who enjoyed being behind a steam engine.  I took this image during a test run I was doing the day before in front of the cool coaling tower that was donated to the railroad along with the buildings seen in other pictures and videos.  

I have a short video of the train traveling past this Coaling Tower HERE:

06/28/25

 While I was out looking for wildlife photo opportunities I was down by the big pond on the grounds.  It was so still and serene with nice reflections.  It was quite the contrast to what we are having lately with high winds and heat.

06/27/25

 It's Friday, TGIF!  While in Minnesota a couple weeks ago, I was able to capture this Redwing Blackbird as it sat beside a pond.  The water and Cottonwood fluff made for interesting bokeh behind it so I had to share today because Friday's Are Bokehlicious!

06/26/25

 In the summer I like to go looking for Jewel-wing Damselflies.  They are such a lovely color and their wings are differently shaped than most.  I usually find them around streams in the area.  I was not disappointed this past weekend when I found a few.  I decided to share this one in a bit of a different pose than I usually capture them in, with it's wings open.

06/25/25

 It's Wildflower Wednesday here on the Blog!  It's also a double digit day!  😀  Today's wildflower is one that is blooming quite a bit in my area called the Prairie Coneflower.  These flowers usually bloom May through August.  They are part of the Sunflower family.  The leaves and flowers can be used to make a tea and the leaves and stems can be used to treat various things like Poison Ivy.

06/24/25

 While I was in Minnesota, I was able to add a new bird to my list of birds I have seen and captured.  While I was out on the evening I took the sunset photo I was able to capture this image.  I originally thought it was the type of Heron I always see, a Great Blue, but I realized it is not.  I am pretty sure this is a Green Heron and I have always wanted to see one and now I have.  😁 I wish the conditions had been better, like more light, but beggars can't be choosey as they say.

06/23/25

 Happy Monday and happy new week!  I saw a new flower for me while in Minnesota last week.  This is a Nasturtium which are generally annual type flowers.  These were in the garden planter that is on the Ortner Rwy grounds.