High-Water Sunset, Cannon River

I took these photos Sunday evening when Dave and I were walking along the Riverwalk at sunset. Despite the swift, high water the mallards are making themselves at home now that the ice has broken up. (Today I saw a pair come in for a water landing, then turn abruptly sideways like skiers to slow themselves and move toward the bank.) The water is spilling over the west bank today, and is up as far as the rodeo bleachers south of downtown. It's hard to believe the river was still ice-covered above the dam a week ago.

Winter Sunset

I took this photo last Thursday shortly before 6 p.m., looking southwest past the Sibley Elementary School playground. The fiery golden pink color and the streaky cloud wisps across the darkening sky were compelling, but there was so little light that I had trouble holding my camera still enough to avoid completely blurring the shot; this was the only usable shot of the several I took.

Gorgeous Sunset

While driving home from Target on Wednesday night, I was gasping at the color of the clouds to the west. I found a spot by Papa Murphy's where I could pull over safely, which rather unfortunately positioned me right in front of the Furlong auto dealership -- not the most nature-friendly of views, but worth catching before it quickly faded.