May 26, 2019 - Urban Nature Photos

You don’t always need to go to a remote wilderness area to get nature photos. Nature is all around us and these photos were all taken in the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. On April 20, the snow from this past winter had finally melted. I was at Silverwood Park in St. Anthony, Minnesota. Leaves were not sprouting yet on trees and shrubs. Last year’s dead brown leaves still covered the ground. Then I spotted this single bright spot of color provided by a group of Crocus plants poking out from the ground.

CrocusSilverwoodParkAnthony20190420

There always seem to be Canada Geese around Silverwood Park. This one was voicing its displeasure about another goose that came a little too close for comfort.

GooseCanadahonkingSilverwoodParkAnthony20190416

Most ducks find a mate while they are still on their wintering grounds in the south. They migrate north together and find a place to build their nest. This pair of Hooded Mergansers (male on the right) stayed close together at Silverwood Park.

MerganserHoodedmaleandfemaleSilverwoodParkAnthony20190416

This Ring-billed Gull was at Como Lake in St. Paul, Minnesota, this spring. We are used to seeing these birds in their adult plumage; white body and tail, gray wings with black tips. But it takes two years before a Ring-billed Gull molts into its adult plumage. This one has lots of brown feathers, so it is only one year old.

GullRingbilledflightComoLakePaul20190405

Red-tailed Hawks are often seen soaring over urban park areas looking for a meal. This photo was taken at Reservoir Woods Park in Roseville, Minnesota.

HawkRedtailedReservoirParkRoseville20190507

Also at Reservoir Woods Park, I found this pair of polypore mushrooms growing out the side of an old tree trunk.

PolyporeShelfReservoirParkRoseville20190507