Crabapple Blossoms

 
 
 

As Tulips are almost gone here, its Crab apples started blossoming here in Minnesota. It so beautiful to see green grass all around and flowers on trees. Here are few pictures to share…

Tulips in Minnesota

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When spring is about to come, the first flower we think about is Tulip. In every spring I wish to go to see a Tulip Festival but still haven’t got chance to see one. I know there are some famous tulip festivals like Seattle Tulip Festival or Holland Michigan Tulip Festival in US. This spring I did not got chance to see the Tulip Festival but luckily got chance to see variety of tulips in Minnesota Arboretum. Each tulip is so beautiful and so unique, I might have taken 100s of photos but here are few I would love to share with you.

Flowers in My Patio

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Calhoun Lake Minnesota

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A week back we just went around at Calhoun Lake to spend sometime outdoor on a sunny day after a long winter here in Minnesota. Calhoun offers many playgrounds, beaches, bike and walking paths, boating opportunities, and much more! Though we did not do much of activities but spend sometime by walking around the lake and then say an antic trolley coming near the lake. Initially we thought this is some kind of public transport and might be going to City. But later I saw they trolley track was finishing near the lake only. When next trolley come I inquired about it and came to know its a fun ride between Calhoun Lake and Harriet Lake. These trolleys are streetcars which were used to run as public transport back in 1940s or so. We took this trolley ride between Calhoun Lake and Harriet Lake, it was a great fun. after spending sometime at Harriet Lake we took the Trolley ride back to Calhoun Lake. It was a great day outing. Here are some pictures to share with you.

Windsurfing at Lake Calhoun

Information Board – Street Car

Calhoun Lake Trolley

Como-Harriet Streetcar

Bandshell at Lake Harriet

SailBoat at Harriet Lake

Ducks

Signs Of Spring

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Finally it looks like spring is here in Minnesota. Spring flowers and green leaves have started popping up on trees. Hopefully in a week or two we will see Cherry Blossom and gardens full of flowers. Here are some early pictures from Minnesota Arboretum.

Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers popping up

Spring Flowers

White Spring Flowers

Spring Flowers

Arboretum Sculpture Garden

Spring Flowers

London Trip – A Walk Along The Thames

In the Summer of 2005, I visited London for a two week trip. I stayed at a hotel in central London and very near to the Tower bridge. The first thing which I experienced here was that daylight ended at around 10:00 PM. So on a Friday evening I thought of going for a walk after coming back from the office. Taking a map with me I walked towards the Tower Bridge. It was almost 9:30 pm but the sun was still up in the sky. But as I reached the Tower Bridge it was almost dark. Suddenly all traffic was stopped going through the Tower bridge and even padestrains . For one moment I didn’t know what was going on but soon noticed that the Tower Bridge was opening and the road was lifted up as a Big Ship passes under the Bridge. This was the first time that I saw a Bridge opening up. I clicked some photos as I walked through the bridge and spent sometime there. I returned to the hotel at about 11:30 PM. I decided to come back the next morning and walk along the Thames River and experience the London City.

Tower Bridge Opening Up

Tower Bridge in the Night

Next morning I took the Bus to the Tower of London and started my walk from there. It was a pleasant sunny day. After taking some photos of  the Tower of London again I came to the Tower Bridge, clicked some photos and crossed the Bridge. There was  the City Hall building on the other side of  the Bridge. I spent some time there  and clicked some photos of some beautiful paintings.

Tower of London

Tower Bridge London

London City Hall

From the London City Hall, I walked along  the river and reached London Dungeon. This area was like a ghost town with all the old buildings and lots of scary pictures around.

After that I walked on the London Bridge and went to see “The Monument” . The Monument was on the other side of  the river. There was an option to climb The Monument but as I wanted to cover as much as possible I decided not to waste time doing so and headed further.

London Bridge

The Monument, London

From there I crossed the river again and came to see the Winchester Palace.

Winchester Palace

From there I walked along the river and on the way I saw there was some Turkey celebration going on in a park near OXO Tower. I spent some time there enjoying the music and dance and had some food.

OXO Tower

Some Turkey Function

Some Turkey Function

After taking some rest I continued my walk towards the London Eye. London Eye, Big Ben areas was the most crowded as this is place where most tourists comes. I spent the rest of my time that day around the London Eye, Big Ben. After walking for almost the whole day I took the bus and returned to the hotel.

London Eye

Big Ben

Inside the Bus, Returning Back to Hotel

In this post all the photos are taken from My Nokia 6600 VGA Camera. I wish i could have better camera that time.

Como Zoo Minnesota

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Finally this week end there was some warm weather here in Minnesota. As there is not much greenery and no spring flowers, we went to Como Zoo to spend sometime outside. It was pretty nice weather(in upper 70s) after such a long winter. Here are some quick pictures which I clicked.

Polar Bear at Como Zoo

Polar Bear at Como Zoo

African Lion At Como Zoo

Kids Playing…

como zoo shuttle bus

Como Zoo Conservatory

Flowers at Como Zoo Conservatory

Japanese Apple Plant

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum – Waiting for Spring

This week end finally there was some sun and temperature in lower 40s. So we went to see Arboretum if there is any spring flowers popping up. Visiting arboretum is always a nice experience. Still there was no flower or tulips but we got chance to see how Maple Syrup is collected from Maple trees, each maple tree was tapped and a bucket was hanging to trunk of the maple trees. Here are some pictures in mean time springs comes.

Finally some clear sky

dried branch turning red

waiting for spring weather

waiting for spring weather

Maple Syrup collection

flower buds coming out

Baby Tulips popping up

Baby Tulips popping up

Maple Syrup Collection Bucket

Root Sculpture in Arboretum

crabapple, yet to show some flower buds

Mid April In Minnesota

Its mid April here in Minnesota but a foot a snow on the ground a trees are fully covered of snow. Last year this time cherries were at peak of blossom but this time cherry trees are covered with snow. Here are few picture of yesterday snow. Still hoping to see spring soon…

Full of Snow

Sonw covered Chrismas trees – It looks like december

no green leaves yet

Wind chime or snow chime ?

Sonw covered Chrismas trees – It looks like december

Road signal covered in snow

where are cherry blossoms ?

Sonw covered Chrismas trees – It looks like december

A lean and thin plant fully covered in snow

flowers has to wait yet.

Snow covered branches

Skiing At Buck Hill, Minnesota

Last week end I went for Ski At Buck Hill, Minnesota. This was my 4th time i went for Ski and this time I did it without falling a single time. Skiing is a great fun in winter. When I did it first time around 2 years back, it was like I will be never be able to do it but now I feel like its a great fun. Here are few pictures to share.