Bay City is a village on the Mississippi River in Pierce County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 500 at the 2010 census. It is one of my favorite places to shoot a sunrise. It’s close proximity to Red Wing makes it an easy distance to travel. This isn’t such a big deal in the Winter when sunrise is 7:30 a.m. In the Spring and Summer months, though, sunrise is closer to to 5:30 a.m.
I made the trip to this very spot yesterday a.m. and it was less than colorful.
iPhone photo
That morning was more suited for photographing the hoar frost.
iPhone photo
This morning was a completely different.
It was a chilly morning, but it wasn’t too bad at 19 degrees. Always a good time with nature, cameras and friends.
On the way home from capturing sunrise in Bay City this a.m. I made a quick stop at the back channel of the Mississippi River. The steam was rising wide and high this morning. It was a pretty magnificent sight.
After missing sunrise and quick drive down the lake and back I stopped in to Colvill Bay. Per usual this time of year, there was a flurry of activity. Ducks in the water and eagles flying overhead and perched in trees.
I was greeted right away by a mature eagle perched close by. The snow was falling pretty good at this point; it sat there eye-balling the ducks below.
There were quite a few very active eagles there this morning. As I was shooting, a poker theme emerged.
4 of a kindA pairA full house
It was tough shooting with the steam rising off the water and snow falling from above.
Joker
It is always interesting to see what variety of ducks will be in the bay.
Situated on the southwest bank of the Mississippi River, the floodplain forest of Colvill Park is one of the most popular spots in Minnesota to watch wintering bald eagles. In the spring and fall migrating ducks such as mallards, common mergansers, and common goldeneyes can be seen feeding. White-tail deer, mink, and gray squirrels are also common sites. ~#exploremn
There were not many eagles this a.m., but the light, shadows and reflections were wonderful.
The Trimbelle River is a 29.4-mile-long tributary of the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin in the United States. It flows for its entire length in western Pierce County, rising West of the town of Martell and flowing generally southward through the towns of Trimbelle (at Cty O & Hwy 10) towards the Mississippi River near about 5 miles west of Bay City. ~wikipedia
I have spent many hours on the Trimbelle River chasing Brown Trout. Most of my time fishing has been between The Great River Road (Hwy 35) and Hwy 10. There are plenty of access points North of Hwy 10, but the stream isn’t as good in my opinion.
There is one particular area that I have always enjoyed more than any other. The following photographs are from that area.
The Pasture Stretch
This pasture stretch is especially beautiful this time of year as the Fall color begins to set in. I have not fished this stretch in years. The bridge you see at the bottom of the first image is known locally as the “swimming hole” bridge. A very popular place to cool off during the steamy summer months. Access to this swimming hole and stream banks used to be wide open, but after many years of people leaving trash everywhere – swimmers and fishers alike, the land owner shut down access. I cannot count how many times I fished that stretch and the amount of trash I would haul out in my waders, vest and net. It’s unfortunate. I wish I would have thought of organizing a trash cleanup event back then.
In a March 28, 1985 edition of the Leader Telegram, the story of Esdaile, WI, entitled Serenity Lingers, featured in Section C, The Road Less Traveled by Chuck Rupnow. Esdaile is no longer what it once was back in the late 1800s/early 1900s. Back in its hay day, there may have been upwards of 500 resident in this small village nestled in between the bluff land along either side of the Isabelle River. Today, there are no more mills, general stores, hotels, or much else. All that remains are individual residences along with Eidsvold Lutheran Church and the Rally Bat Company.
West View – Eidsvold Lutheran Church in the foregroundEast View of Esdaile VillageSouth View of the Isabelle River meandering through the valley; Bay City Water Tower on the horizonNorth View, the Isabelle River meandering through the valley
In the photo above you can see a small parking lot at the bottom of the image. There is a public park right along the river. A great place to wander, fish for trout, have a picnic or simply relax in the serenity of Esdaile, Wisconsin.
Esdaile is also home to the 500 Feet of Mean! Valley Springs, a trout farm, also has motorcycle hill climbs. There are three events on the 2019 calendar. If you have never been, check it out.
This beautiful lake in twenty-two miles long, varies in width from one to two and a half miles, and overs about thirty-eight square miles. It was caused by the delta of the Chippewa spreading across the gorge of the Mississippi at the southeastern end of the Lake. Because of its steeper grad, the smaller Chippewa was able to bring in more glacial debris than the Mississippi could carry away. This delta provided a natural dam and as the water was backed up, Lake Pepin was formed. State Highway 35 hugs Lake Pepin along most of its Wisconsin shore and has been called on of the most scenic drives in America.
Delta creating a natural dam
One of Lake Pepin’s admirers was William Cullen Bryant. He praised its natural scenery and declared the area “ought to be visited in the summer by every poet and painter in the land.” ~Geographical Marker, Hwy 35, Warrentown, WI.
I would add photographers to Bryant’s list as well. I would also argue all seasons; not just summer. Having grown up in the area, I’ve always known the lake as well as the rivers, streams, bluffs, beaches and views from many areas surrounding Lake Pepin. The more I photograph the area, the more I appreciate its beauty.
Change of plans
I was not able to [easily] reach my normal sunrise spot in Bay City this a.m. due to back to back 10″ snowfall days. I was actually stuck at one point and thankfully managed to maneuver my way out. It was plenty cold out too. I wasn’t really interesting in wading through huge snow banks to get to my normal spot.
I called an audible and headed further down the road to another spot with an excellent vantage point. There is a geographical marker along Hwy 35 not far past a wayside rest just before Warrentown. The view from there is expansive. I have hesitated in the past to photograph from here as the trees have grown up and block some of the view. This has limited the locations from which you can photograph from. This is no longer an issue now with drone capabilities.
A few overhead photos. I am growing more fond of this perspective.
Given the lack of clouds this a.m., I think this is my favorite shot of the morning. The color washing over the ripples in the snow drifts on the lake was pretty amazing.
LAKE PEPIN LEGACY ALLIANCE
There is a very important initiative in regards to Lake Pepin right now; please check out Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance to learn more. Please consider supporting this effort in whatever form you are able.
I know better. When in doubt…go anyway. Even in sub-zero weather. You can always go back home.
This last Friday I looked at the forecast and figured I should pass based on the cloudy forecast and pending snow. The Photographer’s Ephemeris Skyfire, however, was predicting a good sunrise.
Weather Underground
Photographer’s Ephemeris Skyfire
I elected to sleep in. By the time I woke up and looked outside it way beyond sunrise and it looked like I missed a good one despite the forecast.
By the time I reached Bay City, the snow clouds were moving in and the sun was barely visible.
Bay CityBay City
I drove to Maiden Rock to see how the ice looked there. The ice heaves are nothing closed to what they have been in years past. I stopped by the Warrentown Coulee Wayside before Maiden Rock to capture the wide-open vastness from that location.
Warrentown Coulee WaysideMaiden Rock
Lots of ice fisher people. The clouds were closing in and the light fading fast. It didn’t take long for the sun to disappear altogether. By the time I arrived back at Bay City is was almost a complete white-out.
After shooting sunrise in Bay City Friday morning and heading further down river to Maiden Rock chasing the sunrise, I went to a favorite spot of mine close by to explore it from a whole new perspective. I have many fond memories of Pine Creek as child. There was a pretty amazing restoration project in this area and the recreation area open to the public is very nice. Here is an article about the Pine Creek Project from August 2018.
Mavic 2 Pro| ISO 100 | f/2.8| 1/640 seconds | 10.26 mm | 5 FramesMavic 2 Pro| ISO 100 | f/2.8| 1/640 seconds | 10.26 mm | 7 Frames
The views directly overhead were pretty great. Love capturing this new point of view.
After shooting sunrise in Bay City Friday morning, I headed further down river to Maiden Rock. I made it there just in time to see the sun rising over the bluffs. The sunlight warmed up the blue-cold landscape instantly creating a lovely scene.
Mavic 2 Pro | ISO 100 | f/5 | 1/640 seconds | 10.26 mm
Maiden Rock Panoramas
Mavic 2 Pro| ISO 100 | f/5 | 1/640 seconds | 10.26 mm | 7 FramesMavic 2 Pro | ISO 100 | f/4.5 | 1/640 seconds | 10.26 mm | 9 FramesMavic 2 Pro| ISO 100 | f/3.2 | 1/640 seconds | 10.26 mm | 5 FramesMavic 2 Pro| ISO 100 | f/3.2 | 1/640 seconds | 10.26 mm | 8 Frames
