‘Decoding the Driftless’ continues filming in area
Rob Nelson, left, and Jonas Stenstrom, right, test their equipment and get some preliminary shots of producer and on air personality George Howe, center, before embarking on a long hike up two bluffs near Bagley in search of an algific talus slope. (Photo by Ted Pennekamp)
The wildflower northern monkshood is found near algific talus slopes. (Photo by Tim Jacobson)
By Ted Pennekamp
A natural history documentary about the Driftless Region called “Decoding the Driftless” has gotten its second wind with the coming of the summer season and has been filming in the Prairie du Chien area in recent weeks.
In fact, members of the international film crew from the production company Untamed Science came to the Bagley area several days ago in search of an algific talus slope. Algific talus slopes comprise a very rare, fragile ecosystem and habitat initially thought to exist only in the Driftless Region. In summer, the cooler talus-covered slopes power an air exchange with sinkholes atop a ridge, with warm air entering the sinkhole to an ice cave. The air is cooled and vented on the algific slope. The northern monkshood is a threatened wildflower in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) and is one species that needs the cooler temperatures of an algific talus slope.
The search for the cool air vent of the algific talus slope became an arduous hike up and along a bluff on a hot, muggy day through dense forest and foliage as crew members lugged cameras and other heavy equipment. After several hours, the site was found on a second bluff. The footage the crew filmed was well-earned indeed.
The film crew included producer Tim Jacobson, Rob Nelson, Jonas Stenstrom, and on air personality and producer George Howe.
“I’m amazed at how all of the unique features of the Driftless Region are so spread out, they are not all concentrated in one area,” said Stenstrom, a filmmaker from Sweden who is visiting the region for the third time. Stenstrom and Jacobson said the crew had filmed timber rattlesnakes and lizards called prairie race runners a day before the search for the algific talus slope site. In fact, footage of mating of prairie race runners was captured which may have never been filmed before. Prairie race runners were a challenge to film, said Stenstrom.
The day after filming the algific talus slope, the busy crew got wetsuits and traveled to near Decorah, Iowa, to get footage of the underground water and interesting features of a cave. Within the past few weeks, filming was also done of the banding of peregrine falcon young near Lynxville, Lansing, and the Maiden Rock Bluff State Natural Area overlooking Lake Pepin.
The team will continue to explore the Driftless Region by airplane, boat, car and on foot. The feature length documentary is being shot in southwest Wisconsin, southeast Minnesota, northeast Iowa and the northeast corner of Illinois.
The crew has gained footage of caves, dramatic waterfalls, vegetation, wildlife, the Kickapoo and Upper Iowa rivers, effigy mounds, threatened habitats, fossils and unique geological features.
In November of 2014, Rob Nelson, Tim Jacobson and George Howe received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Programs for the short film “Mysteries of the Driftless,” which aired on PBS and was an official selection at numerous film festivals.
“Decoding the Driftless” is being produced by the non-profit organization Sustainable Driftless, Inc., which is based in La Crosse. Sustainable Driftless, Inc. is dedicated to inspiring resource conservation, vibrant communities, and sustainable growth in the Driftless Region.
The goal is to have “Decoding the Driftless” edited in the fall of 2017. “Decoding the Driftless” will reveal the majesty and allure of the Driftless Region using a stunning combination of filmmaking and genuine adventure.
