Maple & Main

I thought a few comparison photos of the rise of the Fox River would be interesting.

I took these a few days ago and compared them to photos taken earlier this summer.

This first set shows a photo taken back in June (just after the Fox River became temporary parking for this automobile). Note the sewer drain pipe in each photo.



The next set illustrate the current amount of water coming over the dam as compaired to the amount in July.



These next four photos were taken just beyond the dam near the bear statues.





It’s no big secret that we have had a lot of rain in August, but these photos really put it into perspective. That being said, it could be a lot worse. Many surrounding communities have experienced major flooding- some to the point of evacuation.

Good thing the Fox River handles itself well through the City of Waukesha.

However, with more rain in the forecast, I may be downloading instructions on how to build an ark later this afternoon.

The rising water has had an effect on the local wildlife as well. The great blue heron that usually fishes this area has been seen gliding over but not landing. I think he knows his scrawny legs are no match for this current.

Three minks have been seen scampering around our parking lot early in the morning. I usually see them go by with a mouth full of sparrow eggs and a few dozen angry sparrows giving chase.

And this little guy popped up on the bike path last Saturday morning. It's a baby snapping turtle (much more gentle than the adult version of the same species). After a quick photo shoot, I returned him to the river's edge. Hopefully that's where he wanted to be- I figured it was better than in the path of a speeding bike.

Whoops.

I think I forgot that I am supposed to occasionally write a blog for the WaukeshaNOW page.

Things have been very busy here and time to sit and write blogs has been hard to find.

Summer Camp at Otto’s Art Academy is in full swing and we have two more weeks to go.



If we aren’t down at Frame Park catching frogs in the springs, then we have been retrieving model rockets from the Fox River, or at the Potters Shop learning how to spin clay pots.



It’s been a blast so far. And, as soon as things calm down a bit, I will be back to work on the blog.

There has been so much happening downtown and around Waukesha that it’s hard to keep up.

As a matter of fact, if you are hard up for news and events that effect Waukesha, you should try logging on to one of the many other excellent Waukesha blogs that haunt the web.

Two that come to mind and that I read every day are The Spring City Chronicle and The Five Points Blog.

And from these sites, you can link to a host of other Waukesha blogs as well.

Anyway, thanks for your patience. I hope to have some interesting stories for you guys by week’s end.

In the meantime, enjoy the cooler weather. I hear it’s supposed to get down to 80 later today…