A little history of the area where I photographed the image I have entitled "Wisdom Meadow" This tree grows in a section of countryside where there are marshes, bogs, shallow lakes, farms and silty, clay bottom creeks much like the midwest prairie regions of the U.S. and the "muddy Minnesota" River that flows through Chaska towards the Mississippi.

I photographed this tree just west of Chaska in April of 2005 when the wild prairie gasses and trees are just beginning to grow and bud out, giving sharper definition to the trees and clearer definition to the terrain.

The town of Chaska was established in 1858, just a year or so before Minnesota became a state. The native people of the area were mainly Dakota Sioux as in much of Minnesota at that time. The name "Chaska" was a common Sioux name often given to the first born son in families within the tribe.

Chaska is about 23,000 in population and has a central city park where there are 4 or so Indian burial mounds from prior to the 1800’s.

Chaska’s main industry from time of establishment and through today is brick and masonry. The Minnesota River runs through and if you ever had to get out of a canoe from paddling this river you would have clay and mud stuck on your shoes and lucky to be able to use them again. There are several "Clay-hole" lakes around the area as well where the brick industry has excavated its clay.

Chaska is a quaint small town and very picturesque all along the Minnesota River with its hardwood forests and ambling prairie grass hills.

"Wisdom Meadow" is the name I have entitled the photo, combining the old adage of the old oak tree with wisdom due to thier longevity and the peaceful meadow it stands in.