City of Mankato Calendar
As the time to turn the page for a new year approaches, I’m happy to announce that my images are being featured in two different calendars!
First, my image entitled “Betsy has an Autumn Adventure,” will be featured as November in the City of Mankato’s calendar. I entered this image into the City’s photo contest earlier this year. The theme for the contest was “hometown pride,” and this image, plus the story behind it fits that perfectly!
You see, during the pandemic shutdown last summer, I sought comfort in exploring our local areas. I dived into the Betsy-Tacy historical fiction series by local author, Maud Hart Lovelace. The series was about characters living in early 1900’s Mankato, and was based on Maud’s true-life experiences. Upon finishing the series, I went on a self-guided walking tour of Mankato, and photographed a number of historical places referenced in the series. This home is where Maud Hart Lovelace, known as Betsy in the series, grew up and where a number of the stories took place.
Standing in front of the home tucked into the beautiful Minnesota River Valley, I could imagine the adventures of the characters, and could feel the history of Mankato. This was such a beautiful way to explore amid the turmoil of the pandemic, and I’m happy others will now be able to enjoy my special hometown image.
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota Calendar
Secondly, my image entitled “Bison in a
Snowstorm” is being featured as the February image in the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota calendar. This calendar showcases the beauty of Minnesota State Parks. I’m honored to have my image presented alongside so many other beautiful
images of my home state!
The day I took this photo started with huge flakes fluttering down, and I knew it would be the perfect day to capture the magic of a winter storm. I ventured out, not really having a destination in
mind, but found myself thinking of prairie animals and how they, once prevalent across my region of Southern Minnesota,
would have dealt with our howling winter winds and pelting snow. That sparked my interest to check out the conservation bison herd in Minneopa State Park, in hopes to glimpse these creatures handling the winter.
After a short drive down Bison Drive, I found the herd, and watched a few animals roaming around. When this beautiful bison began walking towards me, I snapped away and was able to grab this wonderful shot.
Besides the blizzard-feel the snowflakes evoke in this image, my other favorite detail is the snow accumulating on the bison’s back. These animals are so perfectly adapted to Midwest winters they develop thick, woolly coats that protect them from the weather. In fact, “it is said that a bison’s winter coat is so thick and provides insulation so effective that when snow accumulates on its coat, it will not melt from the heat of the bison’s skin,” according to the National Park Service Biological Resources Division.
I truly enjoyed being out experiencing the snowstorm, enjoying the wonder of our native wildlife, and exploring a beautiful state park. I’m glad this image made it into the calendar for others to enjoy as well.
Purchasing a Calendar
If you’re interested in purchasing the State Parks calendar, you may do so by becoming a member of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota for a small fee. While this organization is worthy of your funds in their own right, please note, I do not receive financial support from the sales.
The City of Mankato calendar was shipped to all Mankato residents, but unfortunately is unavailable for purchase.
