practicaljourney

@practicaljourney

Retired Minnesotan 💙. Photography, art, nature, and news. (Nature photos are mine.) Never confuse wealth with wisdom.

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practicaljourney@practicaljourney· Jun 9

“Butterflies are self-propelled flowers.” ~Robert A. Heinlein #nature #naturesoothes #butterfly #bloomscrolling #garden #gardening #minnesota #flowers #photography #quotes #insects

A yellow and black butterfly with orange and blue accents sitting upon a pink zinnia flower.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· Jun 5

Spring bird migration often brings a few Tennessee Warblers through my backyard. My Honey Locust tree seems to be a favorite stopover for them. #birdoftheday #warblers #photography #minnesota #springmigration #bird #birds #nature #naturesoothes #honeylocust #birdwatcher #birdwatching

A Tennessee Warbler (small bird of olive green and yellow) picking at a bud of the Honey Locust Tree in springtime.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· Jun 5

Lily of the valley: A woodland flowering plant with an arching stem and bell-shaped white flowers whose bright, lemony scent heralds a return to happiness. ~ Meg Donohue, The Memory Gardener #bloomscrolling #flowers #garden #nature #naturesoothes #photography #plants #blooming #happiness

A close-up photo of a blooming Lily of the Valley plant. The flowers look like little white bells.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· Jun 3

Twilight in the garden calms my spirit. #photography #bird #birdoftheday #birds #garden #bloomscrolling #americangoldfinch #gardening #minnesota #peace #naturesoothes #nature #flowers

A yellow and black bird (American Goldfinch) sits on the edge of a birdbath surrounded by flowers.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· Jun 3

Isn’t it about time to boycott CBS?

A political cartoon by Jack Ohman showing Trump hiding behind the CBS Evening News anchor desk while waving a puppet wearing a MAGA cap and introducing the evening news.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· Jun 3

Some of the oranges that I left out for the Orioles during spring migration fell to the ground, much to the delight of this little chipmunk. #photography #wildlife #chipmunk #spring #springtime #nature #naturesoothes #minnesota

A chipmunk sitting in the grass and eating an orange slice.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· Jun 3

A Yellow Warbler singing his heart out from the wetland brush. #photography #birdoftheday #bird #hiddeninplainsight #warbler #yellow #minnesota #nature #naturesoothes #song #singing #wetland #birdphotography

A Yellow Warbler - a small yellow bird - singing from within green brush.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· Jun 1

“Agricultural land is where nature and nurture meet.” ~Anonymous #photography #landscape #agriculture #farming #minnesota #nature #naturesoothes #farm #supportfarmers #haybales

Photo of hay bales on a farm field at twilight. There are forests in the background and fluffy blue and pink clouds in the sky

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· Jun 1

Love is love.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 31

So much fun when a bird poses very nicely on naturally occurring props! Here, a White Breasted Nuthatch takes a breather on a mullein plant still standing from the summer before. #photography #birdoftheday #bird #birds #nuthatch #minnesota #nature #naturesoothes #minnesota #wildlife #nativeplants

A White Breasted Nuthatch (blue and white bird) posed on a Mullein plant that has been left standing from the summer before.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 31

“You never saw a bluejay get stuck for a word. He is a vocabularized geyser.” ~ Mark Twain⁣ #photography #bird #birds #noisy #blue #nature #wildlife #marktwain #birdphotography #minnesota

A Blue Jay perched on a tree branch. The bird is blue and white with black accents.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 29

Use those talents you have. You will make it. You will give joy to the world. Take this tip from nature: The woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except those who sang best.  ~ Bernard Meltzer #photography #bird #birdoftheday #easternphoebe #minnesota #nature #naturesoothes

An Eastern Phoebe - a brown, buff and white bird - sitting on the end of a dead branch.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 29

A Prickly Pear Cactus blooming, in spite of the harsh environment. May it serve as encouragement for Americans living during these challenging times. #perseverance #hope #photography #cactus #blossom #flower #desert #arizona #pricklypear #resist #naturesoothes #nature

A close-up photo of a yellow flower blooming on a Prickly Pears Cactus in the desert.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 25

On this Memorial Day may we honor and remember the American soldiers and their families who made the supreme sacrifice to protect our freedoms. #memorialday #freedomisnotfree #freedom #responsibility #remember

A photo of American soldiers holding a U.S. flag juxtaposed next to a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt - “Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsiblity."

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 25

This male American Goldfinch is a wonderful pop of yellow during the early days of spring. #photography #americangoldfinch #bird #birds #yellow #naturephotography #nature #naturesoothes #birdoftheday #minnesota #wildlife

A male American Goldfinch looking back at the photographer. He is sitting on a branch in the bare woods of springtime.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 24

This is a male American Redstart giving me the eye. #photography #birdoftheday #staringrightatyou #birds #bird #warblers #naturephotography #nature #naturesoothes #minnesota #spring #birdmigration #wildlife #staredown

This is a photo of a male American Redstart. He is primarily black with orange accents and a white underside. Here, he is pictured sitting on a branch.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 22

My Catbirds have returned and I am so happy to see them! #photography #birds #headshots #minnesota #birdphotography #catbird #portraitshot #nature #naturesoothes #birdoftheday

A close-up photo of a gray Catbird peeking from behind a branch in spring. The bird is all gray with black eyes, black beak and a light black cap.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 21

California Poppies blooming in Saguaro National Park in March 2026. #photography #wildflowers #bloomscrolling #arizona #saguaronationalpark #naturesoothes #nature #desert #flowers #yellow #poppy #travel

Yellow flowers called California Poppies growing in Saguaro National Park.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 19

The peaceful lighting of twilight in Saguaro National Park West. #photography #desert #arizona #cactus #saguaro #cholla #twilight #nature #naturesoothes #landscape #bloomscrolling #sunset #landscape #peaceful #lighting

A twilight image of Saguaro National Park West with sunlight and long shadows for a variety of cacti.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 18

The Saguaro Cactus is so impressive. While visiting Saguaro National Park East, I took this photo of Saguaro Cacti that reminded me of stately gentlemen. #photography #saguaro #cactus #arizona #desert #wildflowers #nationalpark #beauty #landscape #nature #naturesoothes #bloomscrolling #tucson

A photo of stately, tall Saguaro cactus in the desert against a blue sky with wispy white clouds.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 17

“The desert is a place of silence, light, and space with beauty in its arid landscape, and wildflowers tucked into its crevices. Spend enough time here and the desert will weave a spell upon you.” – Victoria Geelan #photography #desert #saguaro #cactus #arizona #landscape #nature #naturesoothes

A landscape image of Saguaro National Park East. In the foregound, yellow wildflowers and a purple cholla cactus. Beyond the foreground, one can see Saguaro Cactus, brush, and then mountains.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 15

The 80-arm Saguaro Cactus in Avra Valley, Arizona was an amazing site to see. Amazing when considering that it takes 75 years for a Saguaro Cactus to grow its first arm! #saguaro #saguarocactus #photography #arizona #nature #naturesoothes #bloomscrolling #desert #travel #roadtripping

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 11

Back in May 2024, I enjoyed taking photos of the Saguaro Cactus in bloom. Saguaro National Park, like all National Parks, is a wonderful place to visit! #bloomscrolling #photography #arizona #saguarocactus #saguaronationalpark #flower #desert #nature #naturesoothes #supportnationalparks #cactus

A photo of the Saguaro Cactus blossom. It is ivory in color with a pale gold center. In the background, one can see other cacti in Saguaro National Park.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 9

“Here's to celebrating light where we find it. And making light where we don't.” ― John Green #smallbirdsaturday #birdoftheday #photography #bird #warbler #nature #naturesoothes #light #yellow #minnesota #yellowwarbler #wildlife #birdwatching

Photo of a Yellow Warbler sitting on the branch of a bush.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 9

A local Pileated Woodpecker that can’t seem to get the hang of the suet feeder. I have seen it land on numerous occasions and eat in this same position. At least, she continues to visit! #birds #woodpecker #photography #minnesota #birdfeeder #nature #naturesoothes #wildlife #birdwatching

Photo of a Pileated Woodpecker trying awkwardly to eat from a suet feeder. Instead of landing on the feeder, she has landed on a tree and is leaning backwards trying to eat from the feeder in an upside down position.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 8

I’ve caught up on today’s news. Discouraging, to say the least. Here’s a handsome bird that’s migrating through my neighborhood. May it bring you cheer! Meet the male Rose-breasted Grosbeak. #photography #bird #birds #birdmigrations #minnesota #spring #nature #naturesoothes #cheerful #wildlife

Photo of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak sitting on a branch. A very handsome bird with a striking red breast against his black and white plumage.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 8

Spring in Minnesota means love is in the air. This male Ring-necked Pheasant was crowing for a mate and, if you look closely, it seems a female is responding to his call. #photography #minnesota #spring #pheasants #birds #breedingplumage #nature #naturesoothes #springtime #wildlife #feathers

A male Ring-necked Pheasant stands in a cornfield looking for a mate. In the background, an indistinct female seems to be following him.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 6

If you need a little giggle, you might enjoy the name of this little bird — the Yellow-rumped Warbler. It is one of the first warblers that arrive in my neighborhood when bird migration begins in spring. #photography #minnesota #birdmigration #birds #spring #nature #naturesoothes #wildlife

A gray, white, and black bird with sharp yellow accents. A yellow mark on his lower back has earned him the name of “Yellow-rumped Warbler.” Here, this bird peers back over his shoulder as I catch a photo of him.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 6

For many of us, water simply flows from a faucet, and we think little about it beyond this point of contact. We have lost a sense of respect for the wild river, for the complex workings of a wetland, for the intricate web of life that water supports. ~Sandra Postel #photography #conservation #spring

Photo of a Minnesota wetland in spring. While foliage is still gold and brown from winter, a stream of water from snow melt flows.

practicaljourney@practicaljourney· May 5

“Where flowers bloom, so does hope.” – Lady Bird Johnson Anyone else looking for signs of hope? I sure am. #photography #minnesota #wildflowers #flowers #wildrose #nature #naturesoothes #hope #resist #blooming #pink