Photography

Wildlife on land, water, the wing, and a stump

May 21, 2025

Photographer Ben Threinen spotted a few wild things recently. Clockwise from left above: a sandhill crane in flight, a blue heron wading in the water, a robin trying to join the Threinen’s picnic, and a painted turtle.

A summery weekend

May 14, 2025

Remember winter? Neither do we. Lake and lake-adjacent activities proved popular over a warm Mother’s Day weekend. Sailboats, speedboats, pontoons, and fishing boats were out on the water. Bathers and anglers occupied local beaches. Even the splash pad at Ohuta Beach was operating. Playground...

Sales, boat, and bird

May 7, 2025

Lincoln High School promgoers took a ride on a boat Saturday. Pictured above, from left, are Benny Lopez, Ella Juers, Delilah Benjamin, and Cade Oliver. Photo by Heather Gilbertson. At right is a photo of a glossy ibis, the first one photographer Ben Threinen has ever photographed on Frontenac Pond...

Storm recedes, rainbow emerges

Apr 30, 2025

Sue Davidson took this photo of a vivid rainbow that appeared following the thunderstorm Monday night.

Birds abound

Apr 16, 2025

Lake City photographer Ben Threinen captured images of three bird species (a bald eagle, a cormorant, and a pair of wood ducks) on the Mississippi River over the last week. Lake City is in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, a major seasonal migration route for birds. According to the Audubon...

National bird in flight

Mar 26, 2025

Photographer Ben Threinen captured this image of a bald eagle in flight from a beach on Lake Pepin. The bird has graced “The Great Seal of the United States” since the 18th century, but it didn’t officially become this country’s national bird until Dec. 24 of last year, when then-president Joe...

Compost site opens Friday, marina still weeks from opening

Mar 26, 2025

Spring things keep happening around the area. The first tow of the season passed through town early last week, and the relocated community garden is soliciting interest from potential gardeners (see related stories). A forecast blizzard on Wednesday of last week led to a school cancellation but...

Blood moon observed

Mar 19, 2025

Ben Threinen captured a full lunar eclipse at 12:45 a.m. on March 14. It’s nicknamed a “blood moon” because of the red tint the full moon takes on during the event.

Birds take advantage of dwindling Lake Pepin ice

Mar 19, 2025

Birds flocked to what little remained of the Lake Pepin ice over the weekend, as shown in these photos from photographer Ben Threinen. Above, a bald eagle peers downward. Below, a trio of ring bill gulls spread their wings.

Spring comes rippling

Mar 12, 2025

Ice was in retreat and a northerly breeze was creating ripples near the shore at Ohuta Park in Lake City on Tuesday, March 11. Snow from a blizzard a week ago didn’t stick around long. Especially after Monday’s high temperatures. The National Weather Service’s La Crosse office recorded a record...