This particular fall season in Siouxland seemed fleeting and unfulfilled. While there were pockets of color here and there, this fall was like a poem of unrequited love. It is always so nice to see brilliant colors and many hues when fall comes around. It is one of my favorite seasons as it is others as well. But this year that love of fall was not returned by Mother Nature. Mood swings in temperature in extreme seemed to have dampened expectations and the colors. So one must then hope and wish that next year’s fall will be better and somehow like memories past of a period of cooler temps and slowly changing colors that last a bit and not washed away with wind and rain.
There were nice days though when the temperature seemed perfect for sweater, fleece or jacket wearing. Too cool for shorts but not cool or cold enough for a heavy jacket. The sun and its light rays caressing the path with direct yet diffused lighting. Adding another element to be cherished in photographing landscapes and such. Not the harsh, direct light of summer. And once the colors have faded, the brown landscape emerges and holds sway until spring and warmer temperatures prevail and green shoots reemerge. But now patience is key and the ability to embrace other styles of photography until winter has passed.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
lostinsiouxland 
Jerry: Did you have to hike up a hill for those photo captures ❓ ~Will 🙂
Will, There is an easy trail along a ridge line from the preserve’s nature center. However, I started on another trail and had to cross over and jp some steep inclines to get over to the ridge line. A while back I posted about meeting two people at Hitchcock and the view from that post shows the height of that hillside compared to the valley below. Jerry
Or autumn colors seemed to pass fast as well – lingered longer than last year where there was essentially zero phases between green and dead. Here’s to a better next year!
There’s an ongoing drought in this area, the last 2-3 years and so if there isn’t much snowfall this year or rain next spring it could affect the area adversely and the wildlife. Hoping for better color next year, but will wait and see.