Sugar Creek in Southern Door County

Sugar Creek in Southern Door County

Last Thursday afternoon I got a text from my husband asking if I had plans for the night.  He was asked to go walleye fishing after work.  I replied, nope.  No plans, but go I’ll make some now.  It was a very warm day and we had an extreme amount of rain earlier in the week, so I knew the creeks would be running. Late in the day makes a wonderful time to play in the water and makes me happy to play in Sugar Creek in Southern Door County Wisconsin with a tripod and camera.

On the Road to Sugar Creek

The creek is about a 20-minute drive from my home.  It is a pleasant, country backroad drive where I enjoy watching the farm fields and edge of the woods for wildlife, farm equipment, and barns to photograph in all seasons.  

Getting Set Up

I brought along my old tennis shoes to walk in the creek so I laced them up and then removed the camera, tripod, camera trigger, and filters from the car. Heading down toward the creek there were swarms of Wisconsin’s state bird, so back to the car for bug spray. I bathed in the stuff.

Bridge over Sugar Creek Brussels, Wisconsin

Water Was Pleasant

Since it was rather hot, the cool water was a pleasant place to be.  Although, I was still fighting the skitters off. They must have taken a pint of blood out of my body, even with heavy deet as my new scent.  Relentless little buggers.

I walked up and down the creek looking for photo ops. the entire time thinking about how many times I had been in this creek during the early 1980’s netting smelt with my grandpa and uncles.

Even back then I was not a girly girl.  I did stuff with the boys, like catching worms for fishing by using cool shock rods and treeing coons at night with the hunting dogs.  Fond memories.

Long Exposures Cool Photos

Even in fairly bright sunlight with filters on I was able to extend the exposure of the photographs.  Giving the water different looks. Sometimes like glass, and other times leaving just a little motion.

Sugar Creek water running over some rocks

This small step-down rock ledge looked interesting.  Sometimes with a little longer exposure, even the small step down with water can look a tad majestic. I love how you can see the flowage pattern of the water.  Some flows over the rocks and additional water flow in front of the rock steps.


Walking The Shoreline

I thought I’d explore and enjoy the beach area until sunset.

Double-crested Cormorants

It is hard to miss what looks like giant bats in a tree during the middle of the day, that’s for sure. I think they have a prehistoric look, do you agree?

Double-crested Cormorant is a prehistoric-looking bird. It has aqua eyes and an orange beak. The double crest is only seen during the breeding months.

The front and center cormorant has its wings spread out wide to dry them off. Unlike many waterbirds, the cormorant’s wings do not repel the water. You will see them drying their wings up in trees along the water.


Jewelweed Impatiens capensis

In the swampy areas, I spotted jewelweed which is an annual plant in the balsam family.

Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis

Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis, is native to northern and eastern North America.

The plant starts blooming in summer and will be a showstopper until the last frost.

Also goes by other common names including orange balsam, orange jewelweed, spotted jewelweed, and spotted touch-me-not.

Jewelweed has a liquid in the stem that is excellent for poison ivy and stinging nettle. Paint the liquid from the stem just like a paintbrush.


Eastern Red Columbine

Eastern red columbine

This show-off caught my eye, the beautiful Eastern red columbine. A perennial flower that grows up to two feet high, The flower has showy red and yellow petals and its stamens curl upward as it ages. Wildflower varies from deep red to pinky peach.

You can find this wildflower growing along river banks and woodland areas in Wisconsin.

Read more about the wildflower.


Sunset Over The Bay

One of my favorite things was walking on the beach. This year the water level is much higher, so there isn’t as much beach this year, but how about all those round stones?

I ended up talking to a guy about photography on the beach and before I knew it, I was at the place I like to leave and head for home. At my age, I finally understand why my grandmother always said she didn’t have headlights. The large population of deer that enjoy playing chicken with your car.  I have been in a losing battle once.

A Fond Farewell

A fond farewell to another beautiful day! Thanks for tagging along on my visit to Sugar Creek, until next time I wish you health and happiness.

Related posts:

0 Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Reddit
Share
Email