Tag Archives: Wisconsin

BAY CITY BAY- BAY CITY, WI

BAY CITY BAY

I had not been to Bay City Bay since January to photograph.  Given the low water on the Mississippi River, I decided to go over and take a look.  The weather this Spring was oddly warm;  now the dog days of Summer have come and gone.  The weather appears to be taken a turn for cooler.  No complaints here.

We often hear about the “dog days” of summer but few know what the expression means. Some say that it signifies hot sultry days “not fit for a dog,” others suggest it’s the weather in which dogs go mad. The Dog Days of Summer describes the most oppressive period of summer, between July 3rd and August 11th each year. But where did the term come from? And what does it have to do with dogs?

The phrase is actually a reference to the fact that, during this time, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth and part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog. This is why Sirius is sometimes called the Dog Star.

In the summer, Sirius rises and sets with the Sun. On July 23rd, specifically, it is in conjunction with the Sun, and because the star is so bright, the ancient Romans believed it actually gave off heat and added to the Sun’s warmth, accounting for the long stretch of sultry weather.

Thus, the term Dog Days of Summer came to mean the 20 days before and 20 days after this alignment of Sirius with the Sun—July 3 to August 11 each year. – Farmers Almanac

These photos where taken August 30th 2021.  You can really see how low the water is given the drought throughout most of the Summer.  The Algae is rather prolific as well.

WIND RIVER – Diamond Bluff, WI #greatriverroad

WIND RIVER

The Wind River is a minor tributary of the Mississippi River in western Wisconsin in the United States. It flows for its entire 9.0-mile (14.5 km) length in western Pierce County. It rises in the town of Trimbelle and flows southward through the towns of Oak Grove and Diamond Bluff. Wind River joins the Mississippi near the unincorporated community of Diamond Bluff, which is within the larger jurisdiction (the town).   ~wikipedia

Wind River Map

I’ve driven past Wind River on Highway 35 thousands of times and never really gave it much thought.  It’s rather small and not particularly picturesque from the the highway.  You can bet a better look at in along 1005th Street.  The view from the air provides an entirely different perspective.  There are so many of these little pristine spring-fed streams and rivers feeding into the mighty Mississippi.

Wind River
Horizon to Horizon Panorama
Wind River
Wind River Delta @ Mississippi River
Wind River
Vertical Panorama
Wing River
The view from Wind River Valley facing South; beyond the main channel of the Mississippi River toward Sturgeon Lake and Treasure Island

Some additional view of sandbars in the backwaters of the area

DIAMOND BLUFF – WI, Sunset #greatriverroad

A French settler, Monte Diamond, named the community after the area’s limestone bluffs.  The unincorporated community of Diamond Bluff is located along highway 35, the Great River Road, on the mighty Mississippi River.

Looking West from Diamond Bluff.  Treasure Island Casino and the Prairie Island Nuclear Plant is off in the the distance.

diamond-bluff

Looking East at Diamond Bluff

diamond-bluff

Mid-river views

Vertical panorama, up river with post sunset colors on the horizon

diamond-bluff

 

 

SEASONAL HUES | BROWNS & BLUES – Pine Creek, Maiden Rock, WI

SEASONAL HUES | BROWNS & BLUES

Pine Creek, view from Lake Pepin

SEASONAL HUES | BLUES & BROWNS

Ice breaking up

SEASONAL HUES | BLUES & BROWNS

Railroad Trestle from above

SEASONAL HUES | BLUES & BROWNS

Pine Creek, Valley View

SEASONAL HUES | BLUES & BROWNS

Lake Pepin view from Pine Creek valley

SEASONAL HUES | BLUES & BROWNS

BAY CITY, WI – Sunrise #aerialphotography

BAY CITY, WI – Sunrise 2019-10-20

Witnessed and capture a beautiful Bay City, WI sunrise.

Bay City Sunrise
At Dawn Glow

Bay City Sunrise

Bay City Sunrise
Sunrise
Bay City Sunrise
Sunrise – Opposing Horizon

 

COPPER FALLS STATE PARK, WI – Autumn Color #travelwisconsin

COPPER FALLS STATE PARK, WI

Copper Falls State ParkCopper Falls State Park is a 3,068-acre state park in Wisconsin. The park contains a section of the Bad River and its tributary the Tylers Forks, which flow through a gorge and drop over several waterfalls. Old Copper Culture Indians and later European settlers mined copper in the area. The state park was created in 1929 and amenities were developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration. In 2005 the park was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a site with 10 contributing properties. ~wikipedia

We stopped by Copper Falls State Park on our way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  A welcomed pit stop to get out and stretch our legs.   The puppy-kid welcomed the pit stop as well – they had been sleeping since we left home for the most part.

Puppy-Kids
Clover, Harley & Lucy

The Fall color was peaking in North Wisconsin along Rustic Road 95 on our way North and East toward the UP.
Explore WI Rustic Roads

Rustic Road 95
Rustic Road 95

Copper Falls State Park was teaming with color.  We didn’t take the time to hike out to the water falls here, but rather a quit walk about and a few iPhone photos.  We had many more miles to travel to get to Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park.

Streamscapes – County Road O #TrimbelleRiver

County Road O |Trimbelle River

River MapThe 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.

Trimbelle River

Trimbelle River

Trimbelle River

You can read more about the Trimbelle River on the KiapTUWish Chapter of Trout Unlimited website.

BAY CITY, WI – Catherine’s Pass #aerialphotography

BAY CITY, WI – Catherine’s Pass

Bay City, WI; Catherine’s Pass (aka Katrina’s Pass) is an area of much concern, discussion, public feedback and planning over the last year of so.  You can read about the project that will impact this area at Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance (LPLA).

You can easily see the sediment flowing into the area via Google Maps.  Follow the fuchsia colored lines outlining the sediment settling into Bay City Bay.  At one of the public meeting held in Bay City, a local resident recalled that the Isabelle River used to flow into the bay (red line), but that changed course over the years and now flows out of the bay (turquoise line) likely due to sediment build up.

Catherine's Pass

The Problem

Lake Pepin is also threatened by excess nutrients leading to eutrophication and downstream impacts. Phosphorous is the limiting nutrient and excess input from the surrounding landscape has led to eutrophication, characterized by algae blooms that reduce light and oxygen thereby threatening animal and plant survival. It is estimated that the accumulation of phosphorus in Lake Pepin sediment has increased 15-fold since 1830. This eutrophication process is tightly linked with sedimentation because phosphorous binds to soil particles, which are transported together down the watersheds to Lake Pepin. Nitrogen input is also affecting local water quality with cascading impacts all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, where a large hypoxic area, or “dead zone”, has formed at the Mississippi delta leading to environmental problems, such as fish kills. 
~LPLA

You can also see quite a difference between 1938 and present day.  The Islands have grown in size, and cuts (or passes) have been eliminated as the sediments has filled them in.  The sediment is only the beginning.

Catherine's Pass 1938
1938
Catherine's Pass 2019
2019

These panoramas of the area were shot shortly after sunrise on Saturday September 28th 2019.  It is such a beautiful area.  I love photographing the area and my wife and I enjoy kayaking here as well.  I am hopeful that the project to address the issues in this area moves forward and is fully funded.  If you love this area too, please familiarize your self with the issue, get involved and consider donating to the cause through Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance.

Catherine's Pass
Catherine’s Pass (Katrina’s Pass)
Catherine's Pass
Boat Landing

Catherine's Pass

BAY CITY, WI – Panoramic Sunrise Views #aerialphotography

BAY CITY, WI – Panoramic Sunrise Views

There was some beautiful light this morning in Bay City before, during and after sunrise.  It was very cloudy early this a.m., but Mother Nature cooperated nicely.

It’s been awhile since I’ve captured this location.  March 8th 2019 was the last sunrise attempt I made.

Bay City, WI

Bay City, WI

Bay City, WI

A few more photos of the wonderful light.

 

NELSON, WI – Panoramic Bluff Views #aerialphotography

NELSON, WI – Panoramic Bluff Views

Nelson is located at the junction of the Mississippi River and Chippewa River valleys. The river bottoms surrounding the confluence are home to a large amount of wildlife.   A causeway and bridge across the Mississippi River link Nelson with the city of Wabasha, Minnesota at the junction of Wisconsin Highway 25 and Wisconsin Highway 35. Southbound Highway 25 becomes Minnesota Highway 60 upon crossing the Mississippi River to Wabasha.

Nelson lies on Wisconsin Highway 35, the “Great River Road,” a popular tourist route that runs along the east bank of the Mississippi River.   ~wikipedia

Nelson, WI is home of the 100 year old Nelson Cheese Factory and J & J BBQ & Catering.  Two favorites stops while traveling through this picturesque bluff country.  A little North of town is my favorite wood-fired pizza establishment – The Stone Barn.

A couple different views of the causeway and bridge across the Mississippi River linking Nelson, WI with the city of Wabasha, MN.

360 Vertical Panorama

NELSON, WI

360 Sphere

NELSON, WI
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