Tenney Park Lock and Dam, Lake Mendota

Located along the shores Lake Mendota in Madison, this portion of Tenney Park has a nice extension into the lake. It also contains a boat lock and dam. The current boat lock was built in 1959. The original dam was built in 1847 out of earth, enlarging Lake Mendota and increasing its depth. A large flour mill was erected over the outlet in its early days. Torrential rains destroyed that dam in 1866.

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Tenney Park Waterways

Walking through Tenney Park in Madison is a pleasant experience, with its many bridges spanning the waterways. Fishing is a popular past time here.

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Tenney Park Bridges, Autumn

The other evening I went for a walk to nearby Tenney Park. The early autumn lighting was quite nice, complemented by the very still conditions.

Here I focused on a few of the bridges in the park, combined with some the some changing leaves.

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Not Quite Giverny

A few weeks back, a friend posted some photos of her tour of Giverny. I fondly remembered my trip to Monet's Japanese-inspired garden as well as his home. When I want to capture Madison bridges in my imagery, Tenney Park is one of my favorite places to visit. The park system is working on transitioning the landscape with native wildflowers.  Although many of the wildflowers had already begun petering out, there still was a fair amount of color near the red bridge. No, it's not quite Giverny, but its beauty hearkens me back. 

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Into the icy water

What a difference a few months makes. Tenney Park is now a stark winterland, the branches of the fallen tree blanketed in snow and a bit timid about dipping its tips into the frigid waters.

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April Snowshowers Bring Unhappy WI residents

You'd be mistaken if you thought this scene was photographed in January. No, it was photographed yesterday in Madison, Wisconsin. A record 7.2 inches (18.3 cm) fell yesterday - just when the snow from the weekend's storm was nearly melted. 

Although I wasn't happy to see the snow, I felt compelled to brave the elements and take some photos.

A snowy tunnel

While walking to Tenney Park, I spotted these two taking a spring/winter swim. While they might be pining for summer, I'm just eager for spring to be here. 

Oh well.

The good news is that within a few days, the snow should be gone. This better be the last time.

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One Lonely Leaf

Although some trees have really begun to change, there still are a fair percentage whose leaves are green or yellow-green. While walking in Tenney Park, I spotted this maple tree which had a highly contrasting red leaf dangling from a vertical branch. Perhaps it had more courage or was in no mood to procrastinate.

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Ice Trails

With the rather dreary weather and melting snow, I decided to look for some different patterns in nature. While walking over a bridge at Tenney Park, I noticed the intriguing linear patterns created by the ice below.

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Out for a walk to Tenney Park

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Duck leading her ducklings by Tenney Beach. Lake Mendota, Madison. #sunset #madison #sunrise_and_sunsets #amazingly_sunsets #sunrise_sunsets_aroundworld #wisconsin #midwest #igerswisconsin #thecameracompany #madisonwi #madisonphotographymeetup #landscapephotography #nature_perfection #simplybeautiful #lake #ducks #lakemendota #sunset_madness #best_moments_sunset

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