Busy evening at the Martins

I was at a retreat recently at St John's University in Collegeville and ran across this very busy Purple Martin house on one of the lakes on campus.

Yippee!

I think spring might just be coming...

Theme day: C is for curious

Theme day on City Daily Photo and ABC Wednesday arrive simultaneously today. When you go to a cabin in Minnesota the ground squirrels want to know who has moved in and whether there's anything in it for them.

For theme day thumbnails, go here. For more ABC entries, go here.

Y is for yum!

When it starts getting cold, head for the warmth (and yumminess) of a winter squash. For more ABC Wednesday entries, go here.

Swan sighting

Trumpeter swans have arrived in White Bear Lake and are taking advantage of the fine weather.

Perspective

I just visited the renovated Weisman over Thanksgiving weekend, but was glad to see this monumental study of perspective (aka chicken coop) still has pride of place on one of the main walls. I love standing near this painting as people walk up and realize what it is.

Theme day: Action shot

It is theme day at the City Daily Photo project and the December 1st theme is action. These geese coming in for a landing on the lake at Loring Park in Minneapolis were only a few of many who are congregating. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.

Alley graffiti

A little preview of tomorrow's post - this funny stencil appears on an electrical box in an alleyway in my neighborhood. Wonder of Excel Energy knows about this or maybe they did it!

Uh-oh...

Watch out for the mounted police in my neighborhood.

Downy

Last post for this week's theme and it should be more than evident today. This photo was taken along the Mississippi.

R is for robin

If the robins know what's good for them they'll be heading south about now (this was taken last spring in Fort Snelling State Park). For more ABC Wednesday photos, go here. And, remember, this is the third post for this week's theme.

Night heron

Post 2 for this week's theme is this night heron perched along the shores of Como Lake.

Banksy in St. Paul?

Just discovered on the back side of an apartment building along Grand Avenue. Looks a lot like our very own Banksy wannabe. First post for this week's theme.

Got pink?

If you've been following the blog this week, you'll see a pattern. This Friday post reprises the Monday post and was, in fact, taken at the same location earlier this year.

Halloween flamingo

A new twist to the old yard kitsch from Mother Earth Gardens in Minneapolis. Hope all American visitors to this blog are ready for tonight's mobs.

I need caffeine!

The Black Dog Coffee Shop near the Farmers Market in St. Paul fits right into the artsy neighborhood.

Did you get last week's theme? Monday was the church tower (cone), Tuesday was the railing on the High Bridge overlooking the brewery (squares and triangles), Wednesday was the stop sign (octagon), Thursday the lamp at the Riverview Theatre (can't remember the name of the shape except that it's a quadrilateral), Friday the Sinclair sign (rectangle). Congratulations!

Busy as a ... (part 2)

Back to the Farmers Market. Things are still pretty busy down there even if the produce will be getting more limited. Those farmers are hardy and stick it out until the snow flies.

Fantasy foals

These prancers were drawing curious crowds at the Minnesota State Fair a couple of weeks ago. Wouldn't it be fun to have them growing in your front yard? We're back to the mystery theme today - Monday was the Paris tea towels, Tuesday the riverboats, now this. What's your best guess?

Lace

Has anyone else noticed the prevalence of spider webs this time of year? Are they just trying to stock up for winter? Never heard of a hibernating spider. What gives?

Post #3 for this week's theme. Do you want to venture a guess?

Theme day: Spider's perspective

The next installment of this week's theme and simultaneously the theme day for the City Daily Photo. This spider has a great view of downtown St. Paul from the High Bridge.

To see other entries for this theme day, click here.