Sun Shine in Siouxland, Sioux Falls, SD

Sunlight creates a pattern on the sidewalk at Sioux Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I enjoy the use of light and shade when making photographs as I drive about Siouxland. Although lately, the spring showers have arrived and sunshine has been in short order. Many times the shapes and forms are there, sometimes literally under foot, and one only has to look down with intention to realize what is there.

Sunlight creates a pattern on the sidewalk at Sioux Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Simple is good, but awareness is helpful. Hoping more sunshine shows up sooner than later to brighten days and spirits.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Sunlight creates a pattern on the sidewalk at Sioux Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Weather Change in Siouxland, Sioux City

A cardinal sits in a bush in a backyard in Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, April 2, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Besides everything else these days Mother Nature still hasn’t decided if spring is here to stay in Siouxland. Recently the temperature was at 70 degrees and it was a pleasant change to the blustery days previously with rain here and there. Now a very cold front is moving into the area and more snow, or at least freezing rain is predicted. It won’t last long, but it feels like it’s time for winter to retire for the season.

A cardinal sits in a bush in a backyard in Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, April 2, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A pair of cardinals were enjoying some treats in a nearby feeder then retreated to a bush as gusty winds blew through the area. I was surprised to see water crystals on each of their crowns so I am guessing these two are hoping for spring to actually stick around with this latest temperature change and at least sunny days in the foreseeable future.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Thinking of Warmer days in Siouxland, Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, NE

It’s always unseasonable warm in the butterfly house at the Henry Doorly Zoo even on an unseasonably warm day in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

Maybe because I like many others in Siouxland and elsewhere have been house bound a while and will continue to do so during this disruptive virus episode that I am looking forward to days ahead. Although I am never lucky enough to come across the multitude of butterflies that are in the Henry Doorly Zoo’s butterfly conservatory. At least during the day I was there it was a pleasantly warm day, 50’s thus not so terribly hot within the area the butterflies are kept as doing the summer months.

It’s always unseasonable warm in the butterfly house at the Henry Doorly Zoo even on an unseasonably warm day in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

It’s fun to watch the graceful little creatures flit from one area to another feeding and just hanging out. I always find a challenge in photographing them without bumping into someone else as my eyes are glued to the camera’s viewfinder following the quick little creatures moving about.

It’s always unseasonable warm in the butterfly house at the Henry Doorly Zoo even on an unseasonably warm day in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

Just when it seems they come to rest and will stay in one place a moment or took for the autofocus to kick in, no, they are off again following their own muse that keeps them afloat and flittering here and there.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

It’s always unseasonable warm in the butterfly house at the Henry Doorly Zoo even on an unseasonably warm day in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

When Neighbors drop by in Siouxland, Sioux City

A backyard neighbor robin stops by to say hello Sunday, March 29, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

During this recent pandemic and need for social distancing, it’s always nice when neighbors drop by, even the fine feathered ones. Although this robin was keeping its social distance sitting on a nearby fence, as it hung out for 5 to ten minutes checking things out.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Enjoying a Day to Oneself in Siouxland, Sioux Falls, SD

A man takes a selfie with the water rushing over the falls at Sioux Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

There are those days when the weather is nicer in Siouxland, but still not nice enough for some folk. I personally like those days. The wind is brisk and one still has to dress warmly but at times you have a particular place to yourself, or almost to yourself.

An empty paved trail at Sioux Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

It doesn’t happen often, but I try to enjoy those fleeting moments as much as I can in popular places. When the weather becomes warmer, people will swarm the Sioux Falls Park enjoying the sunshine, scenery and spray from the falls. Many photographs will be taken and the sidewalks will be full. At this point, that is probably not a good thing, so one might get a place to wander alone except for one’s thoughts.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

The water rushing through the falls area at Sioux Falls Park in Sioux Falls, SD Wednesday, March 4, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Enjoying the View in Siouxland, Sioux City

Two geese enjoy some “box seats” while visiting the Sioux City Historic Railroad Museum in Sioux City, Iowa Friday, March 13, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes depending on the event and venue, a person, or animal can get lucky and find themselves enjoying the view from a “box seat”. These two geese at the Sioux City Railroad Museum, found the perfect spot to watch the surrounding area and look for friends dropping by. The day I visited was not busy and these two had the place to themselves and the solitude, except for their honking recognition of a passer-by, to enjoy the day.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Two geese enjoy some “box seats” while visiting the Sioux City Historic Railroad Museum in Sioux City, Iowa Friday, March 13, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Spring’s Arrival in Siouxland, Sioux City

Snowfall greets residents on the second day of spring, Friday, March 20, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Spring “officially” arrived in Siouxland and other parts which hopefully may give way to April showers and May flowers. But not quite yet. With everything else that is going on that doesn’t really need mentioning, sunny skies and some warmer temperatures would surely boost morale.

Snowfall greets residents on the second day of spring, Friday, March 20, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sitting outside is not yet a possibility to enjoy that fresh spring air. And while the snow and cold temps will probably not last all that long, it is almost April, though here in Siouxland and elsewhere I have lived people use the same refrain, just wait 5 minutes and the weather will change. I did though get to look out a window and see a neighbor and his son built themselves one last snowman. And I knew the postman had arrived and left as well as tracks are easy to find between houses.

Spring on day 4 in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, March 22, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

The mailman’s tracks on spring’s day 4 in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, March 22, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

So am having a little wishful thinking and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. For spring to be more than officially here.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Snowfall greets residents on the second day of spring, Friday, March 20, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)