Fall Light and Using it in Siouxland, Rural Monona County

Fall is my favorite season of the year, like many others, and I will mention this over and over. One of the reasons I enjoy it so much besides the obvious (fall colors, cooler days), is the light. Light is what creates the photographs we as photographers take. And I like the quality of fall light. Direct, yet not as harsh as summer as the sun moves to a different angle with the earth ( I think). Nothing more needs to be said. Although, just because there is nice light doesn’t always mean our photographs are successful, but it sure is nice trying.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Some color appears in a corn field as fall comes slowly to rural Monona County, Iowa, part of the Sioux City Diocese, Sunday Oct.15, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Wild grasses glimmer in the afternoon sunlight as fall comes slowly to rural Monona County, Iowa, part of the Sioux City Diocese, Sunday Oct.15, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Summer Fading in Siouxland, Arnolds Park

Summer has faded in Siouxland, with days growing shorter and the feel of fall creeping in. On a visit to the Iowa Lakes Region during the week, it became evident that fewer people were rummaging about and those there were enjoying those fading remnants of summer. Especially on a lake where everything revolves around the water.

The summer livin’ is easy in Arnolds Park, Iowa August 18, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Summer boating in Arnolds Park, Iowa August 18, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

As the fall’s crisp days and colder evenings begin to settle into the area, people can wistfully think about the languorous summer days and how they spent them and dream of the following year and what adventures might await them for their next trip to the lakes enjoying the moment away from cares and daydreaming of those summer days as children.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Enjoying the waning days of summer in Arnolds Park, Iowa August 18, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Lawn chairs on a dock in Arnolds Park, Iowa August 18, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Spending Time at the Lakes in Siouxland, Arnolds Park

As summer winds down in Siouxland the area up around the lakes near Arnolds Park and Okoboji and others will begin to take on their fall demeanor. The trees turn color and it becomes very pretty, but the life begins to slow much like sap running through a tree. The lakes are a summer “thing” and people will begin to pursue other avenues of entertainment away from the lakes, except those who live there and others who like the fall.

The recent day I visited I had the chance to ride the Queen II and enjoy a cruise around West Lake Okoboji and learn more about its history. This was during the week. And while there were people about, the morning was pretty quiet as I made some photos and enjoyed a walk about.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A warm and breezy day in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A sandlot and volleyball net are idle during morning hours but games will pick up in the afternoon at a beach in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Boaters head out into West Lake Okoboji on a warm and breezy day in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Umbrellas shade diners on a warm yet breezy day in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A cloudy and breezy warm day in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A couple enjoys one of the beaches in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

While there seems to be many power boats on West Lake Okoboji a sailor skippers his small sail boat around in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Exploring Light in Siouxland, Lyon County

Some days when I am driving around Siouxland I try to have a destination in mind so I feel I have accomplished something on my excursion. I visit a place and record some images to share here.

And then, there are those days when even after I have visited some place and explored and recorded I become extremely jazzed when after a stormy evening and the weather is changing that clouds become amazing. Add to that the fact that there is still developing weather and then the light becomes amazing.

As clouds pass overhead the scene on the ground changes quickly. Unlike landscape photographers who “camp out” at a specific spot to capture the moment, I drive around the Siouxland area and sometimes am not able to safely pull over to photograph a scene so must sigh and continue on as the clouds continue moving across the sky.

But then, sometimes the “photography god” smiles and gives an image of two to make the day’s driving worthwhile.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Grain bins sit on the outskirts of a small community in Lyon County, Iowa Thursday Aug. 3, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Horses graze in a field in Lyon County, Iowa Thursday Aug. 3, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Watching the Clouds go by in Siouxland, rural Woodbury County

I remember as a kid I would sometimes lie on my back in the yard and just look up and see an expansive sky. Growing up on a farm one didn’t have tall buildings interfering with your view from the yard as one might in a city. The blue sky with clouds overhead sometimes made one think of large wads of cotton candy drifting by in a sea of blue.

I still love seeing clouds fill the sky and on days when I can chase them, I do. To me it makes a nice drive in the country. If I get a little shadow action on the ground to create a bit more mood, all the better. And yes, I will admit I use a polarizer filter. Guilty of sometimes making the sky too dark, too dramatic, but hey, it’s what I see.

Some people I know tsk, tsk the use of that filter, and especially the overuse of it or creating too dramatic a sky. And well, that’s fine. But if you look at some of my photos, you might want to close your eyes.

With clouds in the sky, the day just seems to be endless as they drift by adding something to the landscape and reminding one of childhood.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Clouds pass through rural Woodbury County, Iowa Thursday July 27, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Clouds pass through rural Woodbury County, Iowa Thursday July 27, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Clouds pass through rural Woodbury County, Iowa Thursday July 27, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Clouds appearing to sit over a rural landscape in Woodbury County, Iowa Thursday July 27, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Cruising Siouxland on the Queen II, Okoboji

On a recent visit to the lake region of Iowa in Siouxland which includes the communities of Arnolds Park, Okoboji and Spirit Lake, I finally was able to take a cruise on West Lake Okoboji on the Queen II. When the lakes region around Arnolds Park and Okoboji became a resort area, a boat named the Queen brought visitors out onto the lake and showed off the region. The Queen II continues that history.

The Queen II prior to leaving for a cruise around West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A passenger gets a better view of West Lake Okoboji from the Queen II during a cruise at Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The cruise gives a nice background history to the immediate lakes region and for those wanting to know more they can visit the Maritine Museum in Arnolds Park.

Capable of holding about 200 passengers, the skipper this day, Lance Freed, gave some general introductions then played some canned information that was informative and effective.

Lance Freed skippers the Queen II during a cruise around West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017, something he has been doing for 17 years. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Originally owned by farmers, the non-tillable area was sold off to various individuals who began selling plots of land to those who wanted a place on a lake. The then cottages, although still called that, were modest and small. Now some of them are multi-million dollar vacation homes, one is estimated to be worth $12 million. And the land itself around the lake, depending on which side, east or west, can run from $10,000 a square foot to $17,000 a square foot. Not your granddaddy’s little summer getaway.

Passengers taking a cruise on the Queen II around West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017 can see mutli-million dollar homes, euphemistically referred to as cottages, which line the lake shore. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

But for the average Joe and his family, people can bring their boats, fish, waterski and pursue other summertime activities on or around the water and still enjoy a nice day out. I personally like being near the water but am not exactly a water person and not one to get in it and splash about. But on a warmish day with a breeze, it is hard to beat and just fun to learn a little more history about the area.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City,

Two sisters grimace a bit with a stiff breeze as they enjoy a Queen II cruise around West Lake Okoboji on a warm day in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A couple of parasailors show off for people on a Queen II cruise around West Lake Okobji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The Arnolds Park Amusement park seen from the Queen II as it heads in to dock after a cruise around West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The Inn along the shore West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa during a Queen II cruise was originally built in the 1800’s seen Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A seagull make its presence known to passengers on the Queen II during a cruise around West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Fishermen on the lake trying their luck as Queen II passes by during a cruise around West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A power boat flies by as the Queen II takes a cruise around West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Passengers taking in the views from the Queen II during a cruise around West Lake Okoboji in Arnolds Park, Iowa, Monday July 24, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Siouxland Summer brings Fresh Produce, Sioux City

Last year I was negligent in getting to any of the Farmers Market days in Sioux City. Various projects and it seems other needed agendas kept me away. This past week I visited the market. While technically still in the spring season, the offerings will begin to grow as summer gets even closer and vendors from throughout the Siouxland region bring their items to the market, here and other area towns. And delectable treats and organic food awaits for people to enjoy the fruits of others labor.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

The Farmers Market in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, May 31, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Easy transportation for a family at the Farmers Market in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, May 31, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A shopper finding his needs at the Farmers Market in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, May 31, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Red radishes at the Farmers Market in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, May 31, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)