Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) - Stillwater, MNNikon D800E + Nikkor AiS 105mm f2.8 Micro — Dutchman's Breeches (*Dicentra cucullaria*) - Stillwater, MN
Nikon D800E + Nikkor AiS 105mm f2.8 Micro

Inner Conflict

April 26, 2015 in April 2015

The transition from August to September and April to May are when I often feel conflicted about the priorities in my life. August is the tunnel that begins in summer and arrives in Autumn. This is the period when I mourn the loss of the me that is bruce and become the adult that is Mr. Leventhal. Emotionally conflicted, I feel the need to retire my camera each September just when fall is ablaze with color.

Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) - Stillwater, MNNikon D800E + Nikkor AiS 105mm f2.8 Micro — Wild Ginger (*Asarum canadense*) - Stillwater, MN
Nikon D800E + Nikkor AiS 105mm f2.8 Micro

Now that April is yielding to May, and the spring ephemerals have returned from their winter respite, I must continue to play the role of Mr. Leventhal when I'd rather be bruce. This is the life of a photographer who teaches biology and the teacher who pretends to be a photographer. Until I finish molding young minds into neophyte biologists, this wannabe artist/naturalist/traveler will suppress the desire to wander afar and squelch the inner conflict that now bubbles from within.

Young Fiddle Head - Stillwater, MNNikon D800E + Nikkor AiS 105mm f2.8 Micro — Young Fiddle Head - Stillwater, MN
Nikon D800E + Nikkor AiS 105mm f2.8 Micro

Great Horned Owls in a Box (Bubo virginianus) - East Central MinnesotaNikon D800E + Nikon AFS200-400mm f4.0 @ ISO1600 — Great Horned Owls in a Box (*Bubo virginianus*) - East Central Minnesota
Nikon D800E + Nikon AFS200-400mm f4.0 @ ISO1600

Has Spring Sprung?

March 22, 2015 in March 2015

The calendar suggests that winter is for retro’s and spring is for futurists. On March 20th at 5:45 PM CDT the Vernal Equinox has ushered in a new season. This day is one of two that occur within each calendar year; it is a period when the hours of daylight equal the hours of darkness at night. While the pre-glow of dawn and after-glow of dusk fudge the truth behind the definition, the equinox always is a harbinger for change. So while today continues to feel a bit like winter with the weather terrorists threatening a 6 inch snow, the promise of the Gregorian calendar gives me hope for longer days, warmer weather and a busy spring migration.

Skunk Cabbage - Kalaloch Rainforest, Olympic PeninsulaNikon D700 + Nikon AFS 200-400mm f4.0 VR — Skunk Cabbage - Kalaloch Rainforest, Olympic Peninsula
Nikon D700 + Nikon AFS 200-400mm f4.0 VR

Tiger Lilly (Lilium columbianum) - Jasper NP, CanadaCanon 5D Mark ii + Canon 100mm f2.8L IS Macro — *Tiger Lilly (Lilium columbianum) - Jasper NP, Canada*
*Canon 5D Mark ii + Canon 100mm f2.8L IS Macro*

Almanac

March 16, 2013 in March 2013

On March 16, 2012 the temperature in Stillwater, MN peaked at 80.1 ℉ (26.7 ℃). The echoes of spring embraced anyone who cared to listen to the sounds of red-winged blackbirds that reverberated throughout the morning air. Our tepid winter was ending with a whimper, and a premature summer seemed to be on the horizon. Thoughts of unruly students ready to declare mutiny were almost as frightening as my fears of climate instability. The year was one of the warmest in Minnesota, drought gripped the Midwest, and fierce hurricanes battered the East Coast. Meanwhile, my students succumbed to cabin fever and quickly lost interest in anything I was selling. 2012 was a year for the record books.

Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) - Jasper NP, CanadaCanon 5D Mark ii + Canon 100mm f2.8L IS Macro — *Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum) - Jasper NP, Canada*
*Canon 5D Mark ii + Canon 100mm f2.8L IS Macro*

Today is March 16, 2013. The morning low was 17 ℉ (8.3 ℃), and the high temperature soared to a whopping 27 ℉ (-2.8 ℃); what a difference a year makes. There are no red-winged blackbirds or great blue herons declaring territories, and we are bracing for a another winter storm. While I happily embrace the return to normalcy, I am still fearful of our climate's unpredictability. The new normal might best be described as abnormal. What was, no longer is, and what will be, is now more uncertain than ever. Is the drought over or will it persist? Will another hurricane destroy the coast while tornados terrorize the heartland? Your guess is as good as mine.

While I'm certain that the Farmer's Almanac once offered valuable insight about the emergence of spring flowers, I doubt its predictions will be any more accurate than the weekend weather forecast. Sure, this "normal" winter has been a respite from recent history, but to claim that we are back to normal would be an admission of ignorance. The data's in, the future climate promises to be a wild ride.

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