Blooming Butterflies #2

This "paper kite" (Idea leuconoe) is part of the butterfly exhibit I described on my blog yesterday. Scroll down to see it and another butterfly!

Camera Saga Continues: I won't go into excruciating detail, but I STILL am without my camera and am still using my son's. The painful story began on May 15th when I dropped it for repairs at a local repair shop that couldn't fix it nor were they particularly communicative about their lack of progress; it's now sitting at a Canon shop somewhere in America and I'm waiting for its eventual return, hoping that it will be in good working order!!

Blooming Butterflies

Butterflies live a precarious existence because of habitat destruction, pesticides and collection. Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is doing its part to help save the butterfly by planting native plant species providing food and shelter for butterflies in some of its outdoor gardens. The Blooming Butterflies Exhibit allows people to walk within an enclosed tent and move among the butterflies. The Exhibit which runs until September was made possible by the generous support of Como Friends, and the plants and materials were donated by local businesses: Linder's Garden Center, Monrovia and Interlock Concrete Works. Quite a display, and it's AWESOME!

Support Protesters in Iran-Special Blog Day

To show solidarity with the protesters in Iran, several CDP bloggers are using this special theme day to post photos related to the struggle.We are, in particular, concerned about the whereabouts and safety of one of our own photo bloggers who has "disappeared" after posting some spectacular shots of the protests on his blog.

ADDED LATER-In response to a question re. the photo, I found several on Google images, which I assumed are NOT copyrighted, selected two and superimposed them on one another.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Follow Us!!--Saturday and Sunday Camera Critters

Seen on the back of a truck. To see more critters from around the world on Saturday and Sunday click here.

Where's the Beef?

The vendors at the Farmers Market offer an alternative to red beef, and farms that raise bison are available in Minnesota and nearby Wisconsin. Bison contains less fat than standard cuts of red beef and is considered healthier. A local restaurant features bison burgers and they taste great!

Invasive Ash Borer

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture announced the discovery of an emerald ash borer infestation (EAB) in St. Paul, the first detection of the destructive tree pest in Minnesota.

EAB is an invasive beetle that attacks and kills ash trees. Its larvae kill ash trees by tunneling into the wood and feeding on the tree’s nutrients. Since its accidental introduction into North America, EAB has killed millions of ash trees in 10 eastern states. With an estimated 900 million ash trees, Minnesota is a prime target for EAB.
Residents have been advised not to transport firewood, even within Minnesota. Don’t bring firewood along on a camping trip. Buy the wood you need locally from an approved vendor. Don’t bring extra wood home with you.

Don’t buy or move firewood from outside your area. If someone comes to your door selling firewood, ask them about the source of the wood.

TO TEST FOR INFESTATION ODD SHAPED OBJECTS THAT YOU SEE IN THE TOP PHOTO ARE SUSPENDED FROM THE TREE. THE BEETLES ARE ATTRACTED TO THIS COLOUR, AND THE STICKY SUBSTANCE WILL TRAP THE CRITTER, GIVING THE HOME OWNERS AND DEPT. OF AGRIGULTURE EVIDENCE OF INVESTATION. THE SMALL PHOTO IS A SIGN ATTACHED TO THE TREE TRUNK.

A Different Kind of Critter-Camera Critters

Recently I've been posting lots of photos of dogs, but this one I saw at the Farmer's Market in St. Paul was a bit different. The smaller photos indicate the kind of audience and interest this lovely young woman attracted with her special canine.

To see more critters from around the world on Saturday and Sunday click here.

Peter Rabbit's Paradise

In the spring the market is awash with brilliant colours and hues when the flowers and plants are on display. When the vegetables are being harvested, it takes on different colours and shapes. Both phases are SO welcome after a hard, cold winter. In our neighborhood, rabbits are bounding everywhere, feasting on anything eatable. Looks like these vendors have kept the hungry critters at bay. Wouldn't the rabbits love this feast? Eat your heart out, bunny rabbits!!

Fun at the Farmers Market

The little girl's father looks pleased that I'm taking their picture. She looks pleased to have had both chocolate ice cream and a balloon animal!

Mystery Woman

I saw this woman at our local Farmers Market last Saturday, and I was fascinated by how quickly she moved from spot-to-spot. I enjoyed watching her as she strolled, both rapidly and leisurely, from one vendor to another. Didn't see her make any purchases, tho. Perhaps she just enjoyed the scene as I do.

Lilies of the Field

“Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Bible

Put on a Happy Face

"I remember in the circus learning that the clown was the prince, the high prince. I always thought that the high prince was the lion or the magician, but the clown is the most important."
Roberto Benigni

Cafe Canines-Camera Critters

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." ~Robert A. Heinlein

Leo, the 2-year-old German Shepherd and his companion-Maxy, the 5-year-old shelter mixed-breed (Shepherd and !!) look like they're posing for me, but they have their eyes only on the door of the coffee shop, waiting for one of their masters.

Often used as working dogs, German Shepherds are direct and fearless, and alert. Bold, cheerful, obedient and eager to learn. Known for their tremendous loyalty and courage. Calmly confident, but not hostile. Serious and highly intelligent. They have a high learning ability. German Shepherds love to be close to their families, but can be wary of strangers. This breed needs his people and should not be left isolated for long periods of time. They only bark when they feel it is necessary. German Shepherds have a very strong protective instinct, so they should be extensively socialized.

To see more critters from around the world on Saturday and Sunday click here.

Postcard Friday-#1

What better way to start a new meme, "Postcard Friday", than with the city in which I live. These postcards depict only part of this city so if you want to know and see more, visit Visual St. Paul daily! For more bloggers who are interested in vintage postcards, click here.

"In the morning the city
Spreads its wings
Making a song
In stone that sings.

In the evening the city
Goes to bed
Hanging lights
About its head."

---Langston Hughes

Minnesota Workers

A familiar summer scene.

Escape Artist

Meet Millie, a young and rambunctious one-year-old dog who had been adopted from a shelter. I met her after one of her escapes and joined a number of people running around trying to catch her, but not until Millie decided that the game was over. She saw our own dog, Maggi, peering out of the front door, watching the fun so she ran to our porch to greet Maggi. We then collared Millie and admired this young, new neighbor. I think she'll become one of our favorites; love her spirit!

Beautification of America

It's always so pleasing when businesses take time to try to make their surroundings more attractive. Every year a local dry cleaning establishment plants lovely flowers in this combination bench and planter. In the midst of concrete on the sidewalk and parking area, these flowers are truly a breath of fresh air and beautify the front of the store. Catches my eye whenever I pass by.

Lily, Cafe Canine-Camera Critters

Lily is a 2-year-old Keeshond. Unusual looking, isn't she?

"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." ~Roger Caras


Keeshonden are compact little animals with a strong resemblance to its ancestor the Samoyed, with oblique chestnut eyes, erect triangular ears, and its medium-length tail rolled on its back. It has a cream or pale gray undercoat and a luxurious outer coat that comes in shades of gray with black tips and stands away from the body. Its coat always appears to have just been washed and combed. The markings are quite definite and there are distinctive pale "spectacles" around the eyes.

To see more critters from around the world on Saturday and Sunday click here.

A Summer Ritual

During the summer, city workers check all the fire hydrants to make sure that each one is operating and functioning as it should. Thank you for your diligence. I hope that our neighborhood or our house never has to use the facility.

Griz-Cafe Canine

"Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend." ~Corey Ford

Griz, a two-almost-three-year-old Bernese Mountain dog is a gentle, loving animal who willingly posed for my camera. Isn't he a beauty?

These gentle, cheerful dogs love children. They are very intelligent, easy to train and are natural watchdogs, but not overly dominant. A friend for life. Self-confident, alert and good-natured. They are fairly friendly with strangers, and are generally good with other pets and dogs. These dogs may be slow to mature, remaining puppy-like for quite awhile. The Bernese needs to be with people and not relegated to the backyard or kennel run.

I Did It! I Did It!

Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein


Several years ago I bought this little cycle for my granddaughter who was not at all interested in riding until last week. She got on and rode away. I love bicycles and use mine to go to the library, grocery store, cafe, and short range shopping. Now I have a companion.
PS. Meet more Cafe Canines on Thursday and Saturday!

Meet Guber-Cafe Canine

As soon as the weather gets warmer, Minnesotans move to the outdoors on bicycles, in canoes, hiking, and walking. A favorite pastime is visiting outdoor cafes, and many bring their pets along. Several years ago I posted dogs I saw at the coffee shops and decided to do it again. It's a wonderful conversation starter and the owners LOVE to have their dogs photographed. This dog was friendly, gentle and difficult to photograph because he is a ham and wanted to cozy up to the camera.

Feet-Theme Day, June 2009

I think that I like the black and white better than the colour. How about you?

As you can see by the title, today is the Theme Day for June. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants. Please keep in mind that time changes may affect when a blog appears. Check as many as you can to see the diversity and creativity among the bloggers!

PS. Check my Mazatlán blog, too. Even tho I'm now in Minnesota rather than there, I couldn't resist posting that photograph.