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©)

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©)

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©)

Simple Images in Siouxland, Omaha, NE

A street car on display at the Durham Museum in Omaha, NE Tuesday, March 11, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes as the saying goes (KISS), it’s a good dictum to follow. I find myself trying to always tell a story with the photos I share but realize that some photos are of themselves something simple, no storyline, just a moment’s glance and pondering of what I have seen. Good, bad or indifferent, it’s all in the eye of the beholder. And then there is that bonus when colors magically coordinate.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A saffron finch perched inside an indoor area at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Angles and Lines in Siouxland, Sioux City and Omaha, NE

Light and shadows during a walk in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, March 12, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

It seems the sunshine has been absent in Siouxland for a while now, or at least appears in the early morning hours or late afternoon breaking through clouds as sunset draws nearer. With temperatures dropping back in the 20’s and 30’s I have not been inclined to get up and out early or stay out around sunset after the recent change with daylght savings time.

Old Glory flies high on a building in Old Market in Omaha, NE Tuesday, March 11, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

But when out looking for simple images to take I often look at buildings and the hard light that hits them and then see what develops working within the frames of the viewfinder. I enjoy angles and lines within the confines of four angles and four lines making a person’s eyeballs jump around within the frame. And enjoying what sunshine there is that “fits” within my day.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Light and shadows during a walk in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, March 12, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Light and shadows during a walk in downtown Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, March 12, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Srping Cleaning in Siouxland, Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, NE

A swam does a little preening as it dips and rolls in the water during an unseasonably warm day at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

On a recent visit to the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE, it was a warm February day for winter. Siouxland doesn’t always get a lot of those and so it was pleasant. And fun to see one of the zoo’s animals taking advantage and doing a little spring cleaning of its owns while the warm day lasted.

A swam does a little preening as it dips and rolls in the water during an unseasonably warm day at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A swam does a little preening as it dips and rolls in the water during an unseasonably warm day at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A swam does a little preening as it dips and rolls in the water during an unseasonably warm day at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

And like many other zoo visitors checking out the sites, one in particular seemed to have lunch on its mind. I am certain this guy/gal was not a resident and wondered if it enjoyed its stay and got any snacks for its trouble.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A raptor, not one of the zoo animals, watches from a tree top during an unseasonably warm day at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, NE Friday, Feb. 22, 2020. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Birding is not for the Weak in Siouxland, DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Correctionville

Recently I went with some friends to the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge in Siouxland near Missouri Valley. It’s a way stop for a variety of migratory birds that pass through the area during the fall and spring months. Recently bald eagles have been passing through and one couple are nesting across the Missouri River from a bird blind at the park which give people an opportunity to see them.

A bald eagle nesting in a tree along the Missouri River at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missouri Valley, Iowa Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A bald eagle sits atop a tree at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missouri Valley, Iowa Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I have not a “nature” or wildlife photographer. Although I like seeing the birds. It’s just impressive. And my poor attempt at capturing images pales severely with many wonderful photos I have seen of these birds in flight, swooping and catching fish out of a river or soaring overhead. And I can’t say I don’t have nice gear to capture such scenes, but we can’t be great in all our endeavors, but it doesn’t mean one can not enjoy being out in warmer temperatures and seeing nature and such majestic birds.

An immature bald eagle sits atop a tree at the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missouri Valley, Iowa Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A number of bald eagles sit atop trees across from the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge near Missouri Valley, Iowa Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

But I did kind of catch the “I got to get me a better bald eagle photo” bug and went out again looking and found one along the Little Sioux River near Correctionville. It helps that the sun was shining brightly off and on and I saw the “white cap” before I actually recognized the bird. It was soaring and swooping and checking out the river looking for a meal. Above the tree line and then lost below the tree line as it skimmed the river. I also wasn’t the only spectator watching this bird do its aerial thing. Two onlookers perched on a high line wire were also watching along with some close friends and relatives nearby. They didn’t leave their perches until the eagle flew away looking for another spot along the river then they went out and did their own aerial stunts, but much closer to the tree tops, guessing they wanted to be near something to duck into in case big brother returned.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

An eagle sits in a tree top overlooking the Little Sioux River looking for a meal Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

An eagle soars over the Little Sioux River looking for a meal Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Two pigeons watch from a high line wire as an eagle soars over the Little Sioux River looking for a meal Tuesday, March 3, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)