the full bikini wax

chan sunset, originally uploaded by pr9000.

Normally, late April/early May is a great time for photography in Minnesota, as the last vestiges of winter fade away with warmer afternoons and evenings.

I say "normally" because today's high was about 40 degrees, and just two days ago we had snow on the grass. So "normal" isn't exactly happening in 2008.

My plan was to start posting some of favorite shots from Minnesota, so I guess I'll start with this sunset from July 2005. I remember this storm because it was quick and violent, and before it was over, you could see that just out west there was some quick clearing.

I ran outside with my old Kodak point-and-shoot -- my first digital camera -- and took a few shots. I actually posted this one to Flickr, I think because of that stray white cloud in the foreground. I think this "new" one is far better.

Having "waterfront" property was quite a treat when we first moved here, until I realized the amount of work it takes to keep the shore free of weeds. Enough sediment makes its way to the shore to deposit lots of soil between the pebbles that make up our "beach," and there are three ways you can go:

(1) Let nature take its course -- which some neighbors have done. It's a nice effect, but you have to plan it somewhat, or you'll just have a bunch of crappy weeds

(2) Patrol the living hell out of it -- which was the path I took. It requires constant vigilance, lest the weeds take over. It's the equivalent of the full bikini wax

(3) Find some middle ground, usually involving chemicals -- which was a path I took at one point. I don't like nuking nature, but it's a hell of a lot easier than working. I left what I called Frog City -- a little patch that the bullfrogs kept as a home base -- all alone, but the rest of it? Looked like Tokyo in 1945, and I liked it that way.

Maybe the best idea is (1), and I might just plan that this year. If my "natural" water plant decoration skills match my interior decorating skills, I might be best to leave it alone altogether.