Friday, October 7, 2016

The Red Barn Mystery and Lots of Ducks



I made sure to take my camera along when we went to Rochester on Wednesday, and couldn't resist taking a photo of this beautiful red barn. I'll let you in on a secret about it at the end of the post. I know, the suspense will just kill you!


In the meantime, I'm showing you some pics taken at a pond, and I think it was a National Wildlife Refuge on the Mississippi River at Wabasha, (Okay, Mr. C. just corrected me and said it was 'just' a pond. Fine. Well, very close to it is the wildlife refuge then.) Anyway, it lies just across the border of Wisconsin (which IS the Mississippi River) in Wabasha, MN. Wabasha is a pretty little town and heavily decorated for fall. The prettiest decorations, of course, come from the Creator who has given us abundant beauty in his creation. But Wabasha makes sure that ribboned corn shocks are hugging all the lamp posts and pumpkins are scattered thickly throughout the town.

What caught my eye, though, was the number of ducks on that bit of water, and how interested they were in us when we pulled off the road and stopped the car. Those  curious birds immediately started swimming toward the shore and the first brave fella walked right up to our car. I was afraid he was going to ask us for a permit or something! 




After a while they became disinterested and decided to leave. The takeoff was so fun to watch!

Birds of a feather, more or less.


On a quiet and pretty duck pond in Wabasha, MN



And now for the secret. The red barn at the beginning of this post is the very same barn as the one pictured above, (photo taken in early August). They had painted the barn since we were last there! I'm very glad that I got the 'before' photo as well as the 'after.' Although the photos were taken from different roads, this is the same barn, somewhere between Rochester and Wabasha, MN.

Linking to Eileen's Saturday's Critters
and Tom's Barn Collective

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Judy

32 comments:

Christine said...

A fine paint job but I did like it more rustic and raw looking!
Those are just the prettiest pictures over just the pond with the ducks all in a row!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

Cool Pond Pics. I must admit I liked the barn better in the Before. I'll have to Google why barns are red. I like red, but rustic is better.

Hope all is well with you.
xx, Carol

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

Wonderful shots, CM. Loved the barn - after the paint-job. And isn't it amusing the way those ducks line up, like a cute little flotilla?! I wonder if there's some kind of hierarchy at play there? "Right, lads, line-astern - and 'make paddle'!!"

Lynne said...

Loved your "secret!"
I too enjoyed both . . . dappled and weathered, bright and beautiful . . .
The winner of the week . . .
Natures beauty . . .
The green and blue . . .
The "make way for ducklings" and more . . .
The splash and fly away . . .
And then the quiet water with the ducks in the middle . . .
Gorgeous photos . . . views . . .

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Your pics are always beautiful, Judy. I think that barn wears red beautifully. Have a great weekend.

Sylvia said...

Love the ducks and that barn looks so good painted red!

Cathy said...

I love all your barn pictures. There is just something so cool about a barn.

Cheryl said...

Wow! Love the barn with her new outfit! And I know I'm behind the times...but I am very glad that Audrey was found! When one of our strays (we've now had him for over 8 years!) first came to The Farmhouse, he disappeared a lot. I used to worry and stew and fret, but less as the years went on as I learned his patterns. (He was neutered, so his disappearances were more related to weather and who-knows-what.) Now that we've moved, he's a house cat, so I always know where he is!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

As much as I like the rustic look of the barn, wow, amazing what some paint can do.

Tired Teacher said...

Amazing before and after photos of the barn. I'm thrilled it is being maintained and thus preserved.

The "ducks" on the pond, swimming toward you, are actually geese; although, there are a few ducks on the shore, preening. 😉

Susie said...

Judy, First of all, I am loving that the owners of the barn painted it...that will keep it going for a lot longer in live. The ducks are so darn cute....love seeing them also. I can always count on some wonderful picture on your blog. :) Blessings, xoxo, Susie

Jill said...

Wow, they really brought that barn back to life! I love it! :-) I always enjoy your photos as I am a huge nature lover too. Have a wonderful weekend!!

blessings,
Jill

Cranberry Morning said...

Thanks Nancy! I thought that might be the case, but didn't know about the 'birds of a feather' thing. :-)

Linda Kay said...

Beautiful barn, for sure. And that is a lot of ducks!

Anonymous said...

That's one nice paint job! All the photos are great!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Wow, what a change in that barn. Glad to see the owners are keeping it up. xo Laura

Terri D said...

That is sure a lot of ducks!! Rivals our Lake Morton here in Lakeland! I love the before and after shots of that barn. What a difference!! Your mention of Wabasha made me think of Grumpy Old Men (and Grumpier). We LOVE those two movies!!

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

The photo of the ducks taking flight is wonderful Judy. Your area is so pretty. The barn painted red is perfect for me. I love a red barn! Have a nice weekend. ♥

Lowcarb team member said...

Goodness, that sure is a lot of ducks, lovely photo's.
I just love the red barn.

Wishing you a good weekend

All the best Jan

NanaDiana said...

Wow! What a difference paint makes, huh? I actually like the barn both ways. There is just something 'homey' about a weathered barn to me. My dad always kept our barns painted red. I think it was stain -not paint. We did one side every year so by the time we got all the way around the coat was 4 years old and ready for freshening again. Great POND pictures! xo Diana

TexWisGirl said...

someone loves that little barn and wants to keep it protected. love all the ducks and geese!

Michelle said...

I will guess that those ducks thought you had brought them some food!

Debby Ray said...

Wow at that wonderful barn and WOWWIE WOW at all of those ducks! You really got some great photos and I especially love the action shots! What a beautiful place. Enjoy your weekend, Judy!

vivian said...

There are a lot of beautiful old barns around here too. I dont usually pay much attention to them. but I bet I notice a few this week! lol!
and the ducks are awesome! Im thinking it wont be long and soon there will be thousands of geese passing through on their way to where ever they go for the winter! I always love to see them flying by and you cant miss them with all their HONKING! lol!
have a great day
xoxo
vivian

This N That said...

I think I like the pre-painted barn !! The ducks probably thought they were going to be fed..Enjoy your weekend..

Jenny Woolf said...

Strange the way that ducks like to swim in a line. I am not sure I don't like the unpainted barn better - or pre painted barn. I thought you were going to tell us if Audrey was back. I hope so.

L. D. said...

Loved seeing the barns. They are great shots. The waterfowl really put on a show. Unusual to see but glad to see it.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I love the before and after shots of the barn. I do love the red barns, great paint job. The ducks and geese are wonderful, I love seeing the big groups of birds together. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Happy Sunday, enjoy your weekend!

cedarmerefarm said...

It must have been fun for you to see the barn all painted. I am glad they painted it so it will last longer. Those birds were friendly and trusting!!!

Lea said...

Love the ducks!
The 'before' barn photo has an appeal about it that the new-painted one lacks.
Have a great week!

Tom said...

Judy, it's hard to beat a red barn? Thanks for the visit, I hope to see you again.

happyone said...

Great capture of getting the before and after of the barn.

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