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Remembering in Siouxland, Omaha National Cemetery, Omaha, NE

28 May
CATHY COLEMAN attends to her husband’s (Tom) gravesite prior to Memorial Day at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE Saturday, May 27, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The nation as a whole including the Siouxland region will be celebrating the holiday Memorial Day this weekend. Traditionally it kicks off the summer season as community schools and universities end their school year and families and folk look forward to a summer vacation. But a number of folk around the country will be remembering loved ones and those who served in the armed forces at various Memorial Day service this weekend.

CATHY COLEMAN, left, attends to her husband’s (Tom) gravesite as SUSAN HUSSEY, right, sits quietly and as she talks with her parents at their gravesite prior to Memorial Day at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE Saturday, May 27, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
American flags are placed next to all grave sites at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE Saturday, May 27, 2023 in honor of Memorial Day and the service individuals provided to their country. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
SUSAN HUSSEY sits quietly and sheds a tear as she talks with her parents at their gravesite prior to Memorial Day at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE Saturday, May 27, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Communities large and small will host celebrations to honor those who stepped up to serve their country. Some will truly eulogize these service men and women, some will give lip service knowing it may benefit or help them is some future endeavor, mostly political. A cynical view, but one that’s been proven time and again.

The U.S. flag flies at half staff along with a flag from each service prior to Memorial Day at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE Saturday, May 27, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
An American Legion Post honor guard stands ready for a funeral later in the morning at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE Saturday, May 27, 2023, prior to Memorial Day. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Most times at the beginning of the weekend of Memorial Day families will visit the gravesites of their loved one to set out flowers and some graves will be honored with a small American flag that volunteers will post next to the grave of each service person. A small act with large implications for a small thank you for their service and sacrifice. Families visited the Omaha National Cemetery and paid their respects, spending time to catch the departed souls with up to date news items, reminiscing about the shared past and current happenings.

A large debt that is owed by all who live freely and should take a moment to quietly remember before pursuing those summer joys all also look forward too.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

TODD MIDDAGH places a floral wreath next to his father’s (Eugene) gravesite prior to Memorial Day at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE Saturday, May 27, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
American flags are placed next to all grave sites at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE Saturday, May 27, 2023 in honor of Memorial Day and the service individuals provided to their country. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
American flags are placed next to all grave sites at the Omaha National Cemetery in Omaha, NE Saturday, May 27, 2023 in honor of Memorial Day and the service individuals provided to their country. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Enjoying Color in Siouxland, Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, NE

14 May
Flowers in bloom at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

There are various gardens in and around Siouxland that are fun to visit and explore. The indoor garden at Lauritzen Garden in Omaha, NE adds a bit of an educational aspect by listing the name of the plant so one can become better informed at what they are seeing. The same is true for the plants one comes across outside while traversing the garden’s grounds during the various season.

The indoor garden allows visitors a chance to shake off the cold winter months by enjoying these plants in their enclosed habitat and still enjoy wonderful plants. And the colors of some of these are simply amazing.

Flowers in bloom at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Flowers in bloom at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes when photographing, the flowers are wonderful subjects, but it is the color they produce and show the viewer that then becomes the subject, aided when the window rooftop allows in strong sunlight, somewhat filtered by the glass or whatever light passthrough material is used for the indoor habitat. On a cold winter’s day, or cold spring day, the color is fun, something to remind a person that yes, better, more seasonal weather is approaching, and a chance to just enjoy nature.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Flowers in bloom at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Flowers in bloom at Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Behind Door #1 in Siouxland, Osmond, Randolph and Snyder, NE

12 May
A doorway that apparently hasn’t been used in years or even decades at a residence in the downtown area of Snyder, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Although a local resident said a number of felines have been seen coming and going. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

My travels throughout Siouxland to small towns and communities always provides an opportunity to see doorways. And for some odd reason I find doorways a fascinating subject. I have not found similar doorways in most places I have visited. I suppose the odds are similar to winning the lottery. Infinitesimal chances of any two being the same. So although shapes and construction might be similar, doorways are not.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A new and older door of a building in the downtown area of Snyder, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A very nondescript doorway to the police department in the downtown area of Osmond, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An older building in the downtown area of Randolph, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A side doorway entrance to a building in the downtown area of Osmond, Nebraska, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Swimming among Diamonds in Siouxland, rural Thurston County, Nebraska

6 May
Swimming in a pond of “diamonds” two Canada geese are silhouetted with backlight shining onto a pond seen Monday, April 17, 2023 seen in rural Thurston County, near Winnebago, NE. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

It’s always fun photographing in Siouxland to watch the “light play” that can occur depending on the time of year, day and whether or not Mother Nature grants a reprieve so the sun shines, and it’s also a clear day.

With the recent wacky weather seen this spring, the Siouxland weather also changes capriciously. And I was glad it was no hallucinations one day when I saw some Canada geese and other waterfowl swimming among diamonds on a pond that I check out from time to time. Rich in the moment of light, if not in wealth, the day just shone a bit brighter.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Deciding on Perspective in Siouxland, Gene Leahy Mall, Omaha, NE

28 Apr
An archway leading into the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes when I am photographing in Siouxland and various parts near it, I have self-discussions concerning perspective and what I want to show in a photograph. Some decisions are easy with the subjects easily discerning what I show. The angle is good but do I include more or less of what I photograph?

A pigeon sitting in sunshine on an archway into the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A pigeon sitting in sunshine on an archway into the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

When I first photographed the pillars I saw them in black and white, grey tones with light and shadows. Only after photographing a bit did I notice the pigeon sunning itself and ignoring the other “tourists” who were enjoying a day out after some blustering winter weather that was sticking around. The stone in the larger shot easily shows off the texture of the rock. Getting closer it becomes more about the pillars and the light and shadow play. Tighter still, the pigeon then comes into play.

And if one photographs in color, a whole new dynamic is created.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A pigeon sitting in sunshine on an archway into the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Nothing Special in Siouxland, Omaha, NE

20 Apr
Light and shadow play at the Old Market in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes while out photographing subject matter is not of any particular interest to me, but rather color or light and shadow. The object or place photographed might or might not be of any significance. But rather what is created by its and surrounding tonality. A snippet of space with no apparent past or future. It just is. A moment in time. Sometimes that is enough.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Light and shadow play at the Old Market in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Making More Choices in Siouxland, Black and White, or Color, Omaha, NE

8 Apr
Downtown Omaha seen from the Gene Leahy mall in Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

No matter where I might roam in and around Siouxland, there are always choices to be made when shooting photographs. And depending on the subject or location and other particulars like lighting, choosing to make black and white images or color can sometimes be a tough choice.

I like color for when it really work and is as much the subject as whatever the photographed subject is. But then, black and white could be a crutch when subjects are boring and the contrast between light and shadow creates some dynamics in the photo. But then, like color, it becomes the subject more than what is photographed.

Downtown OmahaNE seen from the Gene Leahy mall Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And tonality in black and white is important. The top photo uses darker shades to set off the buildings and architectural elements while the next photo the middle grey doesn’t enhance the image, but doesn’t necessarily detract either. So then it’s incumbent upon the photographer to frame the subject so it will stand out from the surroundings if that is the intention of the photographer.

And color is just that, color. People see their surroundings in color and do not give most times a second thought what they are seeing. So is the image more banal because color becomes a default or the norm? Choices. Sometimes too many, sometimes not enough.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Downtown Omaha seen from the Gene Leahy mall Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Artistic Choices in Siouxland, or Close by, Omaha, NE

25 Mar
Light and shadow play in black and white seen at the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

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 table and chair highlighted by the sun seen at the Gene Leahy mall in downtown Omaha, NE Monday March 20, 2023. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

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.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Changing Seasons in Siouxland, rural Nebraska, South Dakota and Sioux City

5 Mar
Hoar frost decorates a plant in rural Thurston County near Winnebago, NE Saturday, Jan. 21, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

As March grows nearer along with the “official” spring date the landscape in Siouxland will begin changing like everywhere else. And sometimes it’s not the grandiose landscapes that can draw one’s attention, but those “scapes” that are small in nature.

Dew covers a lawn early morning Wednesday, May 27, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Morning dew clings to grass stems in a meadow at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota Monday, July 18, 2022. This week temperatures are regularly going to hit triple digits with high humidity creating tough conditions in the Siouxland region of Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Somedays it is very easy to walk by and never cast a glance at the small things always taken for granted. Thoughts of “I don’t want to get my feet wet” course through my head as well. Let along lying down in the grass to make a photograph. But then these scenes would never be recorded or seen by others if one wanted to share. Let along someone else really caring about blades of grass. But the seasonal moisture decorates the surroundings in some marvelous ways. Some are just more slippery than others.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Hoar frost decorates a plant in rural Thurston County near Winnebago, NE Saturday, Jan. 21, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Morning dew clings to grass stems in a meadow at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota Monday, July 18, 2022. This week temperatures are regularly going to hit triple digits with high humidity creating tough conditions in the Siouxland region of Iowa, South Dakota and Nebraska. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A Bird on a Wire, Perching in Siouxland, Sioux City, rural Nebraska

25 Feb
An American Goldfinch sits on a feeder wire while checking things out in the backyard of a residence in Sioux City, Iowa Tuesday May 10, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Watching birds in various places around Siouxland whether it’s a backyard, a park, a nature preserve or some place in the rural areas, it seems that a landing perch can be described as “any port in the storm” approach. It gives the bird a place to momentarily access its surroundings and whether it wants to continue its present course or deviate from one.

A dark eyed junco sings from a wire fence in rural Thurston County, Nebraska near Winnebago, NE Thursday, July 28, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A sparrow clutches a wire fence in the backyard of a residence in Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.(photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

No matter the perch, the little guy’s antics can still be entertaining as it quizzically looks about deciding on a course of action, which sometimes just staying in place. It also tests the skills of a photographer to be quick enough to “catch focus” and compose before it flits away to another perch or just somewhere else. I am still working on the quick focus aspect and trying to keep the little bird’s head in focus rather than a tail feather. And some days are better, and I never talk about the 100 or so plus photos taken that will never see the light of day. But, practice makes better if not perfect.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A sparrow sits above a feeder checking out its surroundings in the backyard of a residence in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, July 20, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
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