Artist Date 4/23/08

I had to get myself into ‘gear’ to do this week’s outing. I could have easily put it off till much later, if not another day, and that would not have served me well in the final analysis at all. So, I made myself ‘get to it’. I wasn’t going to accept not doing it today for any reason short of Armageddon.

The day here in southern Minnesota was a rousing spring one. The sun bright in an almost cloudless blue sky along with a warm and kind wind inviting on the air. Stirrings of renewal of life, after a long winter, were apparent everywhere that nature touched. Truly, who could resist that?

My jaunt out was ‘scheduled’ to explore the waterways round here. There are little puddles, ponds a plenty and, of course, the grand old Mississippi River in my neck of the world. The last ten days or so have brought out every sort of boat, along with motorcycles and convertibles.

Any who, off on the photographic adventure folks!



This is the first place I stopped at in my meanderings. A little ‘fishing pond’ off the main highway, on a sort of back road I guess. Honestly, I had no idea that it was even there.



This is a shot off the pier looking upwards to the main road. The trees aren’t doing much yet.



These two blokes were hanging out on the pier fishing. They got a bit quiet when I showed up with my camera. I had to tactfully sneak a shot of them. Fortunately, I was forgotten when a big old black truck pulled up in the adjacent lot and asked about the fishing happening there today. Sadly, it wasn’t good for anything for conversation apparently according to the guys.


This leg of my journey wasn’t holding much promise, so off I went down the road to another stop. I ended up in a sort of ‘alcove of the Mississippi River’ next.





I had to snap a picture of this warning and put it up. It was amusing to me. One look at the muddy, brown water and I can’t imagine anyone being so inclined. Obviously, there is some worry that someone might be tempted to partake in such festivities or has down so in the past.





These were some boats docked out in the harbor. The majority looked as if they were just getting readied for the season. A couple, however, appeared as if some folks might be residing out on them.



I couldn’t resist this picture opportunity though. I was intrigued with the shoreline’s rugged look.

After this lap in my excursion, I gave up entirely on things ‘watery’. There just wasn’t a lot catching my interest. It might have been too early in the season or just that my heart wasn’t in it.

I decided to go for the next thing I usually love to chase with my camera. That being candid snaps of people roaming around.

So, the next presentation is the people roaming around downtown Red Wing, Minnesota on April 23, 2008 at approximately noon.












Again, I was reminded how uncomfortable people are in general with someone roaming about with an uncapped camera in their direction. Certain times and places you can get away with it, but on an ordinary spring day like this one, not likely.

I ‘remembered’ today how much more I enjoy shooting people candidly in all sorts of situations. I also realized that I am a bit ‘clumsy’ with the cameras. There is a need to get reacquainted.

Well, that’s the bulk of this week’s ‘Artist’s Date’. There were some side trails I took off on. I wandered into a store that was selling ‘Native American’ crafts and items. They had some lovely dresses, beading examples of key chains and necklaces. Apparently they have been there two years unbeknownst to moi.

Well, I will close this off for now. Tentatively, next week’s adventure will be to the south in Lake City, Minnesota.