One of the things I love about living in the Twin Cities is the lakes: There’s nothing like an early-morning walk along the water to start the day.
Usually my lakeside walks are brisk and purposeful—and that was my intent yesterday morning as I set off toward Como Lake in search of some exercise. What I found instead was a foggy landscape that just begged to be photographed.
Alas, the fog burned off as the sun peeked above the horizon.
A sleepy mallard was unimpressed. But a lone loon greeted the day with its plaintive call as the great blue heron began his stroll along the shore in search of food.
The heron didn’t seem to mind my presence, so I moved in for a closer look. I watched him bob and weave along the shoreline at his slow, deliberate pace.
Walking parallel to my feathered friend, I experienced the familiar lake from a new perspective. I heard the rustling of the wind through the brittle bones of last year’s plants …
… saw the first spring-green blades of grass …
… listened to the stillness, and the lapping of the waves …
… eavesdropped on a couple of mallards, who stopped their chatter to eye me suspiciously …
… sang along with a red-winged blackbird …
… and sniffed the first crab-apple blossoms.
I never did break up a sweat, but that’s OK. I’ll take a feast for the senses over exercise any day.
Enjoyed this post? Then you may also like the changing seasons at Como Lake.
HeideBlog 
Beautiful … just beautiful … Thank you. 🙂
Thank YOU for being such a faithful reader, Sallyann! 🙂
You are most welcome. 😀
Absolutely STUNNING photographs! It was hard to pick just one as my favorite, as I loved them all. Thanks so much for sharing! You are such a great photographer!
Awww … thanks for your kind words, Val! It’s comments like yours that motivate me to keep posting! 🙂
I agree. These are very good.
Vielen Dank, Ian !
Beautiful images, H. I especially like the third one (path, two benches and 3 lamps), and the silhouetted shot of the heron. A very productive stroll.
A productive stroll, indeed! (And I didn’t even mention the muskrat or the coots!) What an honor to find you here, Keith. Thanks for reading. 🙂
Wow! So many gorgeous pics I also have trouble choosing a favourite 🙂 Was going to say the misty trees or the heron silhouette, but I also love the glowing leaves… Brilliant and thanks for sharing them.
Thank you, Knotrune! So nice to hear from you! 🙂
What absolutely delightful images. Thank you so much for sharing your walk, taken at a time when I would normally be still dozing in bed and missing all that beauty!
If it’s of any consolation, DB, three weekends out of four I’m also missing the beauty because I’m sleeping in late. 🙂
P.S. I just love the sound of the loons, don’t you? I first heard them when I was staying with friends at one of the lakes in Ontario. Kayaking on the lake at the still end of the day, barely higher above the waterline than the loons, was a magical experience. We get them in Scotland but they are not that common here: I still think of them as characteristic of the north American wild places.
I love the sound of loons, too. Like you, I strongly associate them with the North American wilderness, which is why I suppose it seemed so odd — and so special — to hear that plaintive cry in the middle of the city.
Aaaaah, beautiful! I’m right there with you.
I’d also take the feast over the exercise. Same benefits, I think!
Beautiful photos… I hope you keep up the good work, I’m still reading your posts 😉
It’s comments like yours that encourage me to keep at it, Edward. Merci beaucoup !!
You are an example of the hidden gems of the internet, that are yet to be discovered by the masses…
Awww, Edward … [blushing and smiling], thank you! And YOU are an example of a true gentleman — something that has been long since *abandoned* by the masses! 🙂
Gorgeous photos H!!! Truly beautiful!!! You have captured a feeling… I love it!!! 🙂 **
Thank you, Xandré! It’s a wonderful compliment when another avid photographer likes my photos! 🙂
Wonderful Photos
Thank you, Cynthia! And thanks especially for subscribing. I’ll do my best to make future posts worth your time. (Shall we start with a trip to Paris?! 🙂
This is one of the most GORGEOUS series of photos I have ever seen on any photoblog! The “sleepy mallard” shot is an award-winner. It has a timeless beauty that reminds me of an oriental painting. Find some contest and SUBMIT that one!
WOW, J. A.!! Thanks for the very kind words. (For what it’s worth, yours is one of the most effusive comments I’ve ever seen on any photoblog!) I’ll take your advice on the sleepy mallard shot and enter it in this year’s PX3 competition. Thanks for the nudge. On a related note: Guess where my plane landed this morning! Hope you’ll come along as I stroll Paris’ streets? Cheers!