Nature has a way of seemingly replicating life, even in Siouxland, although that might be a projection of sorts. Recently on an outing this winter I watched as young juvenile American bald eagles jostled with one another to find a perch in a tree top. Sometimes accommodating one another and sometimes not. But in the end they always seemed to make it work.
And there were many treetops to accommodate all of the eagles, juvenile and adult. But it seems everyone vied for the same treetop until they couldn’t. I couldn’t even guess if the drama was play acting or actual as the young ones felt their way in pecking order of the world, testing their own mettle and that of kin or neighbors. I was only glad I could watch and not participate.
When out photographing in and around Siouxland I sometimes make “artistic” esthetic decisions on the fly. Shooting with a digital camera one can “work” in black and white and then again in color. A lot of folk I know always, always shoot raw images and later decide what to do and state they then have plenty of image “space” to do as they believe an image should be represented, that is, their presentation of their artistic vision.
And that is good. Everyone sees differently. When teaching a photographic location class through a Lifelong Learning program at a local community college, the group would travel to 4 different locations that I would select. And these were vary and change with the seasons, indoors, out of doors, morning and evening. I wanted students to work in various conditions so if they happen to be traveling for vacation for other reason and wanted to photograph something, they could acquire a skill set and thought process that might help them navigate what it was they wanted to photograph and how to photograph it as well. Plus these sessions reinforced the basic photographic skills taught in another course about shooting manually, selecting appropriate white balance, or not, and picking an aperture and shutter speed while shooting in manual. It was all to get people comfortable in using their individual cameras and making informed choices when photographing rather than relying on the camera to make decisions for them. Aperture priority never takes into account low ISO settings and even slower shutter speeds while trying to achieve the desired depth of field for an image, and then the photographer realizes upon returning home that there is little usable from their most recent excursion.
A recent discussion by some local camera club folk revolved around in camera and software editing skills and not truly representing the scene photographed as it was. Press the shutter and no cropping and minimal toning and voila, a Henri Cartier-Bresson moment. But that may not be what the photographer intended. Ansel Adams photographed a lot of landscapes and always brought a vision of how he wanted the scene interpreted. From his selection of lenses, film, filters, processing (over or under) then the printing and the use of his zone system.
The world revolves diversity of thought and vision. Although recently some might question that. So open and thoughtful debate should always be a good thing. Respectfully done of course, but then again, there will always be a few zealots not in agreement or nice about how they respond to others. Sad really, to be stuck in time with no before or after.
Sports fans everywhere, including Siouxland, love to get up close and personal with their favorite players at sporting events if it’s possible. Taking in the sights, the action and enjoying what they are seeing. More enjoyment if the hometown or favorite team wins.
Fans just can’t help themselves. Attending any high school football or basketball game the parents and other fans are cheering their hearts out. Professional sporting events are the same, no matter the level. An indoor arena football team calls Sioux City home and have been playing a number of years. The action is fast and looks brutal at times as the players hit and and get hit by opposing teams and the barriers surrounding the field. Many times winning catches are made as they tumble over the safety wall. Much to the delight of the fans. I wonder when practicing if the offensive players actually practice going “safely” over the barriers. Maybe that it a trade secret. But it happens. And when it does, the cheers become even louder.
Many times when photographing birds in backyards I find them gazing at me or the optic I am using to photograph them and sometimes wonder what each bird might be thinking. The gaze seems intense and direct. Maybe interrupting a lunch plan, or that this intruder has designs on the feeder the bird is interested in. Or maybe it is just curiosity.
But I find it entertaining and also calming in a sometimes noisy world to just slow down and observe. The birds are on their mission to survive, eating meals and staying safe within the confines of bushes and trees. And just getting through that particular day as best as they can with maybe hopes for a tomorrow.
Some days driving about in winter weather has its challenges besides just trying to stay warm. A winter scene might look nice to the viewer’s eye, but is it compelling enough to “force” a person to stop and get out of a warm vehicle to walk about and select a composition and photograph the scene.
Besides, white is, well, white. Not always the most interesting of subjects to photograph. But one still needs to attempt and create an image and hope that it converts something about the area or scene that attracts a viewer, besides thinking what an idiot this person was to go out in freezing weather just to photograph something white. Guilty. Sadly, it is not the first time and probably will not be the last time this photographer attempts those winter forays into the countryside looking for something that catches the eye and is worthy of others’ time and attention.
On a recent outing in Siouxland the daylight hours ended with some strong sunlight after a very drab, grey and overcast start to the day. When shooting in black and white I am reminded of turn of the century photographs taken by various photographers, using light and shade to create images. Normally large cities produce better images of this type simply because of the buildings there. Even better when the buildings themselves have survived from early 20th century.
Many of the smaller communities I have visited in the past in and around Siouxland have some older buildings, since the state of Iowa became one in the mid 1800’s. Earlier communities all had some kind of structure that served as a courthouse, hotel, bank or maybe some kind of industrial facility. Now, many of these former buildings are seeing life as law firms (people with money to refurbish them), apartments or other non industrial kinds of businesses.
Photographing older brick buildings in black and white still gives them an austere look and demeanor that color can not achieve. The tonality created has a certain look that red brick or other kind of faded exterior color shade just doesn’t work. But used judiciously black and white achieves a desired affect that I think is timeless and and harkens back to an earlier time period.
As many times as I can get out into Siouxland and look for places that the American bald eagle might be hanging out these days during migration, I never tire of watching them. Sitting in tree tops, perched, alert, ever watchful. Of course if I was always looking for a meal I would probably do the same, except for perching in tree tops.
The winter season has not left the area as more snowstorms or wintry weather mix is still occupying most of the days recently and into the near future. It seems this year I have been out photographing on more overcast, cloudy and hazy days than I remember from last year. So while it may not be as ideal of photography weather with crisp blue skies setting off the eagles flying or perched, the joy and fun of watching them is still there.
When I do get out and look for critters, like American bald eagles, to photograph in Siouxland, I am always amazed at their abilities, even during those take offs and landings that seem not as graceful as when watching them soar overhead. Of course they would probably think the same of me who works really hard in keeping both left feet moving in the same direction.
Like any flying “machine” a little distance and time is needed to make that jump to get airborne and then to continue the climb to reach that area overhead and begin soaring above the earth. Looking for the next meal or just seeing what is around, the eagles and other birds make it look somewhat easy. Of course I always thought that it wasn’t the take off that was hard, it was the landing that could hurt.
Sometimes a person is limited only by their narrow imagination. And not from lack of such. I find exploring Siouxland on foot provides more opportunities in seeing. Although when driving back roads I do prefer four tires as it allows one to travel farther without becoming too tired. I have passed by many shadows as I walk about and may not always “see” the forest but for the trees. But not this time.
As spring officially ticks closer via the calendar in Siouxland, I always anticipate seeing the American Robin singing and hanging out in backyards. To me, when the presence of robins occurs, it is a sure sign that warmer weather is here for the year until it’s time for winter to return.
Robins will sometimes hang out in this area of Siouxland until the cold becomes too much. Many times I will find them south in the Omaha, NE area which isn’t all that far south, but evidently far enough and warm enough for the creatures. Winter is still on in this area even as I have relatives somewhat complaining about more winter in their neck of the woods, the Siouxland region seems to be a magnet for the snow and cold, and sometimes just the cold.
So, wishing a speedy return of the robin and the warm weather it will usher in and hopeful it is sooner than later.
I live in the Siouxland area that encompasses a wide swatch of land in northwest Iowa, northeastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. The people that inhabit this area are generous folk and your basic honest, Midwestern people you like to have as neighbors. I explore the area and share observations, mostly photographic, sometimes through video, and and short text. All images and video are copyrighted material of the author.
Jerry Mennenga, Sioux City, Iowa
jerrylmennenga@yahoo.com
lostinsiouxland 