Contrasting Realities Under a Picture-book Sky

This is not the typical view of Northfield, Minnesota, which would make most people who have been here think of college architecture, a historic main street dating to the second half of the 19th century, and pleasantly varied houses on tree-lined streets where in many cases there are no longer any above-ground utility lines. I find the little touch of urbanism above interesting and rather endearing: the telephone or power lines; the unadorned flat faces of the rear apartments; the absence of green; the little hint of Europe (somehow I imagine Marseilles) in the balcony with the yellow backdrop. This is the view not meant to be seen.

Stepping back and swinging the camera a few degrees to the left, this is the public counterpart to the same location: the graceful mature tree (I'm guessing an elm, by its shape, but perhaps a cottonwood) framing the stately post office whose parking lot opens the way to the view seen above; the old-fashioned street lamps; the hint of the public square beyond.

The contrasts intrigue me.

See more Skywatch photos from around the world here.