Creating images in Siouxland, Sioux City

The other day it was a not, muggy, miserable type of midwestern summer day in July that is probably best spent indoors if possible. But this was a continuation of a few days of hot, muggy and miserable days in Iowa and I needed to get outside and breathe some fresh air even if it was a bit unbearable. I visited Bacon Creek Park and walked its three mile loop. Thankfully there was a breeze and most of the loop passes through a forested area.

Because I chose mid-day to take my walk, not a bright idea on a hot, muggy and miserable kind of midwestern summer day, the light was vary garish. And so I started looking for scenes that would best use this type of light. I tell students you can photograph any time and anywhere. It’s just a matter of being observant. That doesn’t mean mid-day photos are more successful than a nice sunset or evening shot during the golden hour, but the possibilities are still there. And if you’re taking a walk on such a day, it pretty much reflects the experience, maybe.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A lone picnic bench among a small grover of trees at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sunday July 9, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Pond scum forms a bright green at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sunday July 9, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sumac berries on a plant at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sunday July 9, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A fisherman (person) tries her luck at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Sunday July 9, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Spring in Siouxland brings new Arrivals, Bacon Creek Park

With the arrival of spring and the Siouxland landscape now becoming green and lush after this past winter’s brown tones, there are also other new arrivals. During a recent walk out at Bacon Creek Park I came across a number goose families lounging on the shore with their young brood of goslings. As I approached this gathering which was spread along the walking path, it struck me as reminiscent of a French painting by Georges-Pierre Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”, only instead of people, geese.

As I slowly approached the grouping of geese slowly began to disperse, all being a little wary of the approaching person. Not wanting to disturb them more than I needed, I walked even slower, but one gallant young goose hissed very loudly and slowly began circling me as I tried to get around him and his family, not wanting to startle the little goslings, which I succeeded in not upsetting.

But it was a touching scene, more like a social event for these families of geese and nice encounter, without any biting on their part, as spring continues to unfold.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Some geese families out for a social at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A poppa goose hisses making certain a passerby knows to keep his distance from his chicks while on a walk at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Families of geese out for a social at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Families of geese out for a social at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Spring’s Rebirth in Siouxland, Bacon Creek

It was a cold and blustery day, that even saw a few flakes of snow falling. It’s almost May and Mother Nature keeps tossing small reminders of winter at the Siouxland area. While out for a walk at Bacon Creek in Sioux City it was nice to see vibrant greens contrasting with the dark bark of trees, signaling the rebirth of spring and a new season. Some “valleys” in Bacon Creek Park look like rivers of green. Spring is here, although Mother Nature seems to be warming to the idea of that slowly.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A walking path snakes through Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Vibrant green of new growth looks like a river of green in Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa Friday, April 28, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Enjoying a Spring Day in Siouxland, Sioux Falls, SD

In early April I took a trip up to Sioux Falls, SD to enjoy lunch at a little eatery I found and to just enjoy a warm day in spring. Currently the weather is much cooler again with rain, and that is too be expected. But the nice day brought like-minded people out as they too came to Falls Park in Sioux Falls to enjoy sunshine, the water and just being in the moment.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

On a warm day after cool weather people enjoy themselves at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Saturday April 1, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A rock island at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Saturday April 1, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

People enjoy a warm spring day taking in the sights at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Saturday April 1, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A couple enjoy themselves enjoying the falls on a warm spring day at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Saturday April 1, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

People enjoy a warm spring day at Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Saturday April 1, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Siouxland Snowfall, Stone State Park

I went for a hike recently in Siouxland’s Stone State Park in Sioux City. There was fresh snow from a recent and hopefully last snow storm of the season. Although there are times when a blizzard hits the area in April. I walked down a roadway leading to a couple trails and a small pond. No person had yet walked the roadway, and only one person had been on the trail that I could see. The only other sign of life were deer tracks, and some bunny tracks. It was quiet. It was fresh and it was just very nice. And maybe I thought that since, again, I am hoping it’s the last snow shower. As I get older, I enjoy the type or precipitation that I don’t have to shovel.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A partially sunny day at Stone State Park in Sioux City, Iowa Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

Deer tracks in fresh snow at Stone State Park in Sioux City, Iowa Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

Single deer tracks are the only ones seen on this roadway at Stone State Park in Sioux City, Iowa Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

The fresh snow creates an openness in the woods at Stone State Park in Sioux City, Iowa Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

Only a small number of hikers shifting through fresh snow at Stone State Park in Sioux City, Iowa Tuesday, March 14, 2017.

Siouxland’s Spring, coming soon, Bacon Creek Park

On a recent visit to Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, the day was sunny, but chilly. Some geese were walking on water, frozen maybe, but still walking on water which was fun to see. Other geese were practicing take offs and landings. Maybe getting ready for that day when they would be returning north and getting the youngsters a little extra practice in.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

An usually warm day in February at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, Feb. 22 2017.

Visiting geese take flight to stretch their wings while doing an overnight on an unusually warm February day at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, Feb. 22 2017.

Two geese walk on water (ice) as they head to join their friends on an unusually warm day in February at Bacon Creek Park in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, Feb. 22 2017.

Dreaming of Blue Skies in Siouxland, Adams Preserve, SD

With the 10 inches of recent snowfall shoveled off my sidewalks and temperatures predicted for Siouxland to hit the 40’s it’s hard not to be dreaming of blue skies and warm sunshine to hit one’s face and make you smile. Spring is coming. I keep saying that maybe more to give me hope although this hasn’t been a bad winter. But recent days of 60 degree weather sure can spoil a person and wish for spring to come a little sooner.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Fauna at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota, Sept. 2, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)