Dane County Parks
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Brigham County Park is located just northeast of the Village of Blue Mounds on County Highway F. This 232-acre park is named after Ebenezer Brigham, one of the first settlers in this area. The park provides a panoramic view of the Wisconsin River Valley. Park features also include a group camp area, a 25 unit rustic campground, two shelter facilities, picnic area, play equipment, and a nature trail through a maple woods.
Early this morning I followed a whim and grabbed my longest zoom lens and headed out as soon as the kid was off to school. I ended up at Brigham Park, just past where I now work at Cave of the Mounds. There's a view there that simply tickles me. You can see around sixteen miles from the top of the smallest of the two "Blue Mounds." That's the Wisconsin River Valley you see off in the distance. Not long after shooting this a man came riding up to me on his bicycle, I could tell he was a distance rider and hailed him. He was up from Chicago, and was scouting out the area. Having seen that view earlier I helped him map out a bike quest from the Cave. He passed by this view, which is a nice meandering ride down the Mound into a charming little valley. I told him how to also find a scenic restored Prairie, and the best trout stream in the area. His route then brought him back full circle through Stewart Lake, past my house and to the local brew pub. From there he could take the Military Ridge trail to his camp in the nearby state park. It made my day knowing I'd sent him off to see things I knew he'd really enjoy. By the end of the day I received an email thanking me and letting me know he's bringing his scouting troop up over the summer to explore, come to the Cave and asked me to guide their tour. God, I love my job.
When I was a little boy my family lived on the top of hill on the edge of forest overlooking a lake. Every time I hear the cry of a Red-winged Blackbird I am instantly transported through time to that home. I remember it was a hot summer day in the 70's. I was in the backyard looking out at the high grasses that grew in the field leading from our place and then down the hill. The forest was to my right and as I stood there I became mesmerized by a Red-winged Blackbird as it cried out it's distinct call. It was just downhill from me in a black cherry tree and I could see it so clearly. Not a single instance of hearing that call to this day doesn't transfix part of my brain to that moment in time nearly forty-something years ago. i can even recall the feel of the sun on my tanned skin, and the wind in my face.
I took the "long way" to work this morning. There's so much to enjoy visually all around Mount Horeb. I noticed the way the rocks were reflecting on Stewart Lake and wanted to get a shot with my gear. The dim, cool and wet spring morning gave me a slight challenge in sorting out my camera's settings. As I continued to seek for a vantage through the trees I'd take test shots, adjusting as I went. After a few minutes I couldn't find just the right viewpoint. And then a Red-tailed Hawk landed just uphill from me. Taking my cue I slowly moved to just below it, knowing it was in the canopy above me, though I couldn't see it. And there it was, the viewpoint I sought. As I began to snap a few frames the hawk let out a series cries. It set the tone for my entire day.
Facts About Baltimore Orioles
Facts About Red-headed Woodpeckers
Facts About Brown Snakes
What a day it's been! After a busier than normal morning hustling the kid off to school I barely had time to clean up and get into my spats. My friend stopped by on his way to the city and we practiced a few BJJ techniques. It's really awesome having someone come by to work out the little details that go into perfecting a move. He's also an experience kick boxer so we're both looking forward to hanging my heavy bag outside in the spring. Once he split for work I then hit the gym for my usual fitness routine. I'm staying at a constant 225 or so weight (102kg) while still increasing the amount I lift. @thalesblaso & I also came up with a plan to workout together here in Mount Horeb on days I can't make the city! It'll be in the mid afternoons once or twice a week. Once the weather breaks we can also begin doing cardio runs into Stewart Lake. I managed to find time to walk into the park myself today. I wasn't out for long, just long enough to find some fun lighting to photograph. I have no idea what this plant it but it caught my eye today.
Stewart Lake Photo Hike: 2018-01-10 This section has been cleared of Buck-thorn and burned. Prairie is coming back.
You know you've adapted to the Wisconsin cold when you think it's a perfectly warm day to go hiking just because it reached the 20°s F (-6°C). Teri I had time to take a nice stroll along the trails. This is a shot taken along one of the newer ones. In fact this particular section was one I myself worked on as volunteer a few years ago. Myself and a neighbor who is a tree cutting maniac cleared all the invasive Buck-thorn that had choked out this small piece of Oak Savanna. He'd cutting it down and Id haul it into a pile and BURN it all. There are times I miss working in the park. I should contact him and see if I can get back into it. Maybe? I really used to spend at least an hour/day on these trails in some way. I'll see what unfolds. #stewartlake #stewartcountypark #danecountyparks #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #redditig
Today had an interesting photo session. I was hired to take photos of the local horse trails. I met up with an awesome pair of siblings and their horses. We did a 3 mile walk along the equestrian trails in nearby Donal County Park. I can't think of a more easy going photo shoot. Even though lugged along all my camera gear in my cargo stroller I never broke any of it out. Instead I just took photos on the fly as things caught my eye. There are days I love my job. I just wish they were more frequent. #donaldcountypark #donaldpark #danecountyparks #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #nature #horse #horses #equestrian #horsesofinstagram #equine #horseriding #horsestagram #horselove
Here's another photo from my session covering the equestrian trails in Donald County Park. This particular assignment came at a very critical time. On the day before I took this photo I had been at the gym when I I got the call to do the shoot. It was a beautifully sunny week. I really loved the vivid colors of fall that all around our town. I felt like I needed to be doing some sort of promotional shot for the for the local Chamber of Commerce. Not ten minutes later they called me to set up this local travel shot. And then the shoot turned out to be an amazing experience. I got to know a couple of interesting people who were very welcoming to me as well a finally "discover" just how amazing the trails in this park actually are. It has also brought home to me that I really never go into the park directly beside my house. A place I'd once spent so many hours. Hmmmm... #donaldcountypark #donaldpark #danecountyparks #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #nature #horse #horses #equestrian #horsesofinstagram #equine #horseriding #horsestagram #horselove
One of the striking things about the equestrian trails in Donald Park is that they are really wide. You can ride side by side. The people who maintain this park have done a truly amazing job. #donaldcountypark #donaldpark #danecountyparks #travelwi #explorewi #wisconsin #wisconsintrails #wisconsinparks #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #midwestliving #explorewisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutthere #naturelover #nature #horse #horses #equestrian #horsesofinstagram #equine #horseriding #horsestagram #horselove
"One's destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things." ~ Henry Miller
Blue Mound State Park Mountain Biking
While photographing the mother & daughter on the nicely graded Military Ridge Trail the day before I learned her husband was very involved with a nearby mount bike trail. Located in Blue Mound State Park is a biking trail rated for advanced riders. He and I met in the park and I sort of jogged along behind him carrying my gear on my back and holding a C-Stand. We didn't have to go too far though. He's involved with Capital Off Road PathFinders, a local chapter of the IMBA, who maintain this trail, so he knew of a certain rock formation that would be perfect as a setting. I had to agree and we quickly got "the shot" of what biking along this trail can be like. I'm hoping they'll need some fall colors as well and I'll get to redo this series in more depth. #driftlessregion #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #getoutdoors #biking #cycling #mountainbiking #mountainbike #bikeporn #mtb #mtbporn #mtblife #bikelife #freeride #bikepark #instabike #bike #bikestagram #biking #cycling #cyclinglife #cycle
Cycling on Military Ridge Trail
Cycling on Military Ridge Trail. This week I was assigned the task of capturing "summery" looking photos of people riding along Military Ridge Trail, and biking in general. It's very late summer here in Wisconsin. Even though we're experiencing a very unseasonably period of summer like warmth the trees are already turning golden and the walnuts are shedding their leaves. I asked a local mother and daughter to model for me and we rode a good 4 miles along the trail until we found an area that still looked "green" enough to look like summer time. All in all it was a lot of fun and makes me think I really need to go biking more often. I'm STILL riding the same bicycle I bought in 1991! #driftlessregion #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #travelwisconsin #outdoorlife #getoutside #loveoutdoors #outdoorsy #outdoors #getoutdoors #biking #cycling #mountainbiking #mountainbike #bikeporn #mtb #mtbporn #mtblife #bikelife #freeride #bikepark #instabike #bike #bikestagram #biking #cycling #cyclinglife #cycle
This morning a local artist posted some new content to their social media. It was photos of some freshly created prints. I met them this year while photographing The Spring Art Tour here in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin. I spent extra time at the artist's studio so I could literally bask in the creative energy. It was as if there were unseen ribbons of "something" boiling around the property like the super heated waters found around deep sea volcanic vents. As I looked at the new pieces of art this morning I remembered my family & I had also gone to a picnic there. It was late summer. While my wife & daughter ran around the property I just relaxed, taking it all in. I'd brought some camera gear but only took a few photos. Seeing those images today I realized I still hadn't shared one of them. Hopefully I'll get to do some creative work there again? Here's hoping so. #marketweightpress #driftlessregion #driftless #driftlessarea #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #thedriftless #driftlessart #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #madison #madisonwi #danecounty #mounthoreb #wisconsinartist #contemporaryart #artsy #instaartist #fineart #redditig #redditphotography #outdoorlife #getoutside #liveoutdoors #getoutstayout #getoutthere #naturelover #lifeoutdoors #optoutside
Scandihoovian Winter Fest - 2017
Today has been a crazy, busy day and I couldn't be more thrilled! I've been running all over town photographing the Scandihoovian Winter Festival. I've cover a number of their hosted events. As I write this I am taking a break to process a couple of images before I head back out into the cold to photograph Frozen Turkey Bowling, and then a Cajun dance at the Old School House. I'll have to caption these images on another day... #scandihoovian #winterfest2017 #winterfest #scandifest #mounthoreb #midwestisbest #midwestliving #wi #travelwi #discoverwisconsin #wisconsin #wisco #onwisconsin #madisonwi #madisonwisconsin #wisconsinphotographer #travelwisconsin #explorewisconsin #driftlessarea #midwestmoment #conquer_wi #themidwestival #danecounty #nordic #norse #nordiclife #viking #vikings
#danecounty #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #madisonwisconsin #madsionwi #frost #trail #trailhike #morningwalk #stewartlake #mounthoreb #stewartcountypark #stewartlakepark #stewartpark danecountyparks
It's the first real frost of the season. Being that it's almost mid-November here in Wisconsin the icy cold we've become used to is certainly taking it's time. Not that I'm complaining, but I have to admit I'm just ready to get on with it. Bring on the snow! It'll be nice to have an excuse to build fires inside and prepare hearty meals. #wildernessculture #folkvibe #folkcreative #areyouawake #MoodyGrams #AwesomeEarth #nature_perfection #awesome_earthpix #ourplanetdaily #fantastic_earth #unlimitedplanet #earth_deluxe #allnatureshots #unlimitedusa #unitedstatesofamerica #loves_united_states #landscapelovers #americandream #igersusa #igusa #ig_usa #usaprimeshot #danecounty #wisconsin #wisconsinlife #discoverwisconsin #madisonwisconsin #madsionwi #frost
Apparently I have a knack for spotting perched hummingbirds, and running into neighbors on the trail of our local park. The last time I went for a photo walk I caught a shot of a perched hummingbird and then met a fellow that lives near us. We spoke for a while and was kind of pleasant. Today I took the same walk, caught two perched hummingbirds and spoke to a different neighbor at just about the same spot as last time. Again, it was a very enjoyable experience. I should walk in the park more often... #hummingbird #bird #Trochilidae #birding #stewartlake #stewartcountypark #danecounty #danecountyparks #wisconsin #wisconsinwildlife #wisonsinbirding #birdingwi #hike #park #trail #mounthoreb #wisconsinlife
