Real Estate Blog for the North & East Twin Cities

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Wordless Wednesday--Beautiful Blooms!

Conservatory Flowers by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Beautiful white flowers as big as dinner plates in the rotunda of the Como Park Conservatory.

If you are buying or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

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LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

 

Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

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LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

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Como Park Minnesota Eye Candy—Spring Photo Tour of Conservatory

Como Park Conservatory Photo by Teri Eckholm RealtorA visit to Como Park in St. Paul, Minnesota brings back so many wonderful memories. As a kid it was a place for the annual summer family reunion with all of the cousins, aunts and uncles. I enjoyed skipping along the stone walkways, through the beautiful flowers in the Como Zoo Conservatory and begging for pennies from my grandmother and great aunts, Ida and Ann, so I could make a wish in the rock fountain Koi pond. It was wonderful to dream of my future wedding where I would have photos taken in this lovely building.

As a college student, the first warm spring day would inspire many of my dorm mates to join in a jog to the park and around the lake as it was a short distance from the Hamline University campus. My husband and I spend several of our first dates walking around Como Zoo, feeding the bears apples and marshmallows. They used to be in open enclosures and we were told they were former circus bears. If you held up a treat, they did tricks.

Almost every weekend, as a young starving college grad, I would head over to the zoo or conservatory with my nieces in tow to photograph the bears and throw fish to Sparky. It has always been free to visit Como Park and what a great way to spend an afternoon. When I had children of my own, we headed to the year-round flower festival in the Como Zoo Conservatory in November for a colorful backdrop where we could snap a Christmas photo of the boys.

It had been years since we visited Como Park. Last Saturday, on a whim or maybe it was a bit of spring fever, we decided to visit the park and take some photos of something other than house interiors and exteriors. Many others must have been bitten by that same bug, as the park was full...there were lots of zoom lens and cell phones out for taking photos rather than talking for a change. It was a challenge but I managed to keep the people out of my pictures.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the flower and plant side of Como Park:

Como Park Conservatory Photo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

The new Tropics building exterior.

Como Park Conservatory Photo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Interior shot beneath the dome.

Como Park Conservatory Photo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Como Park Conservatory's beautiful main dome exterior.

Como Park Conservatory spring flowers Photo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Spring flowers bursting into bloom!

Como Park pond Conservatory Photo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Beautiful burst of color reflection in Koi pond.

Como Park Conservatory flower Photo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Beautiful flowers!

Como Park Conservatory Photo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Unique plants!

Como Park Conservatory pond fountain Photo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Make a wish!

Como Park Photo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Wedding photo favorite spot overlooking outdoor pond.

Interested in Photos of Como Zoo Animals? To see my favorite photos of the Como animals, CLICK HERE!.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

******************************************************************************************************

LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

 

Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

******************************************************************************************************

LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

 

Speechless Sunday--Playing Coy...I mean Koi!

Como Park Koi by Teri Eckholm Realtor

Close up on the Koi in the Como Park Conservatory. See more conservatory photos by CLICKING HERE.

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

******************************************************************************************************

LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

 

Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

******************************************************************************************************

LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

 

Enjoy a Saturday Pictorial Walk in the Park--Como Park Zoological Garden That Is!

Main Zoo building at Como Park by Teri Eckholm Realtor

A visit to Como Park in St. Paul, Minnesota brings back so many wonderful memories. As a kid it was a place for the Summer family reunion and a destination for school field trips. As a college student, I enjoyed riding my bike around the lake as it was a short distance from my Hamline University campus dorm. My husband and I spend several of our first dates walking around the park, feeding the ducks at the lake and seeing the Como Zoo animals up close and very personal in their original small cages. Almost every weekend, as a young starving college grad, I would head over to the zoo or conservatory with my nieces in tow to photograph the bears and throw fish to Sparky. It has always been free to visit Como Park and what a great way to spend an afternoon.

When I had children of my own, we headed to the year-round flower festival in the Como Zoo Conservatory   in November for a colorful backdrop where we could snap a Christmas photo of the boys.

It had been years since we visited Como Park. Last Saturday, on a whim or maybe it was a bit of spring fever, we decided to visit the park and take some photos of something other than real estate for sale. Many others must have been bitten by that same bug, as the park was full...but I managed to keep the people out of my pictures.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the zoo side of Como Park:



Como Park Lions by Teri Eckholm Realtor

 The lions were out and enjoying the beautiful spring weather oblivious to the gawkers above them.

 

 Como Park Lioness by Teri Eckholm Realtor

 

 The mama lion was wide awake keeping an eye on the tigers across the way.

 Snoozing Lion at Como Park Zoo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

 

The papa lion was enjoying an afternoon nap!

 

 Como Park Tiger by Teri Eckholm Realtor

 

The tiger was out and on the prowl!

 

Como Park Snow Leopard by Teri Eckholm Realtor

 

A sleepy snow leopard opened an eye to watch us.

 

Swimming Sea Lion at Como Park Zoo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

 

A retired "Sparky" was quietly swimming in lazy circles waiting for the fish food building to open.

 

Swimming Sea Lion at Como Park Zoo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

 

I guess trained sea lions don't bother barking unless he can see the fishy treats!

 

Sparky the Sea Lion at Como Park Zoo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

 

It was still too early in the year for the infamous daily Sparky the Sea Lion shows but his statue stands grandly at the entrance of the aquatic animal building.

 

 
Sloth at Como Zoo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

 

The sloth was very "sloth-like"; lounging in a tree in the primate building. (I used a photo editing software to make this appear as a painting.)

 

 
Hungry Zebra at Como Zoo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

And then there was the hungry zebra more interested in dinner than people in the hoofed animal building. It is much better on the senses when these hoofed guys are out of doors and they were very scent-ouous in their indoor abodes!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

******************************************************************************************************

LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

 

Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

******************************************************************************************************

LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

 

Speechless Sunday--King of the Jungle Zoo Snooze

Napping Lion at Como Park Zoo by Teri Eckholm Realtor

No need for a king-sized bed for Como Park Zoo's big cat...just a few leaves and a bit of shade to catch forty or so winks on a Saturday afternoon. (We thought he was going to get up but he just rolled over.)

 

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2009 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

******************************************************************************************************

LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

 

Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

******************************************************************************************************

LIKE MY BLOG? Subscribe and let me email you an update!

Subscribe to Teri's Notes & Anecdotes on Twin Cities Real Estate by Email