Heron Island in Mississippi River

11x14, oil on board, plein air painting with palette knife, 2016

Painted at North Mississippi Regional Park

Until the Minneapolis Tornado in 2011, this small Island in the Mississippi River had been a rookery to Great Blue Heron for decades.  Hence the name of Heron Island came. Despite a busy major freeway to the west, herons made it home to nest.

Today herons have not come back, but the concept remains. As the park stretches over 67 acres along the bustling I-94, Heron Island stands to give us a unique beauty to behold. The reflection on the Mississippi river and the orange brick buildings of Minneapolis city water treatment facility add charm to the scene.