Sometimes it is possible to find species sharing a little space without much fuss. At least in the animal kingdom. Over winter I went to Stone State Park and spent some time along the Big Sioux River which runs just on the outskirts of the park. And it was amazing to find various creatures within “spitting” distance of one another, minding their own business and focused on whatever task was at hand.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Back in March winter was still clinging onto the Siouxland area as it was in much of other parts of the continental U.S. Actually, winter is still clinging with recent sleeting and snow flurries occurring in April. Driving out to a spot to check on some waterfowl I came across some snow geese that also seemed surprised by the weather. They had moved from wherever they had been and again hunkered down as snow and sleet began blowing about.
Watching the waterfowl as I photographed them, some of the birds seemed surprised with the sleet and flurries as much as the humans were as well. Hoping to “return home” in a decent amount of time the birds would have to do a layover until weather improved. Just hopefully they wouldn’t be any cranky passengers flying with them that would attack the “pilots” (lead birds) or later decide to open passenger doors mid-flight.
This year’s winter and spring is unusual. I am hoping it stays unusual and doesn’t become a trend.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Waterfowl have been migrating through the Siouxland region for a few weeks now, somewhat slowly. In recent days however the pace seems to have picked up. And depending on the weather the various types of waterfowl and others have stayed put or moved on. Recently I spotted American robins close to home which is always a good sign that while not Constant Spring temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s, maybe those will be showing up as well. Recent temps have generally started out in the teens and 20’s with highs maybe hitting the 40’s, sometimes 50’s, but then snow showers or a cold north wind returns and the temps plummet once more.
Recently I made a couple of trips to the a local park, refuge area for waterfowl, Snyder’s Bend Park. The one day I arrived and stepped out of the vehicle thousands of Canada geese lifted off the water (before I had a camera ready) and it looked like starling murmurations as they swarmed about the sky before taking off. And of course, these and other geese didn’t give me the courtesy of repeating that act.
I also saw some American bald eagles about and sadly, the remnants of what looked like a snow goose laying on the ice and apparently someone’s meal.
The one day I was trying to photograph the large gathering of Canada geese and other waterfowl I overlooked an eagle enjoying a meal just behind them as they played about the water, coming and going and not paying any mind to this particular predator. I didn’t notice the eagle myself until reviewing images later.
And after spending some time just watching and photographing, I was leaving and happened upon a group of geese at the basketball court near in-season camping sites at the park. And it struck me that maybe this group was going to shoot some hoops or do a little three on three, until I saw no one brought a ball to play with.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Some days driving about in winter weather has its challenges besides just trying to stay warm. A winter scene might look nice to the viewer’s eye, but is it compelling enough to “force” a person to stop and get out of a warm vehicle to walk about and select a composition and photograph the scene.
Besides, white is, well, white. Not always the most interesting of subjects to photograph. But one still needs to attempt and create an image and hope that it converts something about the area or scene that attracts a viewer, besides thinking what an idiot this person was to go out in freezing weather just to photograph something white. Guilty. Sadly, it is not the first time and probably will not be the last time this photographer attempts those winter forays into the countryside looking for something that catches the eye and is worthy of others’ time and attention.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
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.
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
Somedays while out photographing in the Siouxland region I am not really inspired by what I see. However I do enjoy witnessing and seeing the various lighting conditions that might occur when out. Whether it’s sunshine or heavily overcast, the lighting is the one thing that creates the image one will take. The conditions may not be ideal, but still, I used to tell photo students that I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a day that out photographing.
When I first began photography the film used was Kodak’s Tri-X, 400 ASA black and white film. A versatile choice as one could utilize it in so many ways. Underexposing and pulling processing to flatten it out for better tonality and resolution or pushing it by one, two and sometimes three stops or more to work in low light situations. Then selecting a paper to help complete the “visual” process.
Now while out shooting I consciously shoot either color or black and white, tweaking settings in camera for one or the other. With some added tweaks in post processing. I am not a “raw” shooter. Jpegs only. It makes me think of shooting slide film where one had to be spot on in exposure. Unlike shooting negative film (think color negative) where one sometimes had latitude to do some tweaks while printing. At least one has choices, then as now. And it’s better to pursue what is comfortable to a person in pursuing their endeavors than to listen to the “maddening crowd” and follow. One might never see the cliff for all the bodies in the foreground, metaphorically speaking.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
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.
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
So for a week or so some American bald eagles, adults and juveniles, have been hanging out in the Siouxland area. Somewhat taking up residence along some smaller rivers where there is some open water from which they find fish on which to feed. The times of day I am finding the they generally are perching or roosting in tree tops, swaying in the wind high up and watching their surroundings.
Most times I go early or earlier in the morning, but the weather hasn’t really been cooperating. Sometimes it isn’t until the later afternoon when the sun briefly peeks through grey and overcast skies when one might catch a little sun and some blue sky rather then the silver grey look that often accompanies dreary winter days.
It is interesting to watch them “close up” through a telephoto lens, watching expressions as they look and swivel from their perches of which I am guessing they are looking for food movement down below. One area I have found them takes me a bit of time to walk slowly, very, very slowly, from tree to tree. In such a way as not to spook them so I can be in a position to photograph them more clearly. The trees along this small river have many, many spindly branches that are everywhere. And they are sitting across the river and have a commanding view of the countryside.
And sometimes I think they amuse themselves as they land and take off from those branches up high, occasionally breaking a piece off and having to try again. It’s mostly the juvenile eagles that seem most active. Riding wind currents and gliding over the mostly frozen river bed. I only hope for a few more tries at improving my ability to capture them in flight, maybe catching a fish but mostly enjoying their gracefulness. Although, while panning and lining up a chance to photograph them, that “odd” tree pops up and fills my frame and I silently curse, knowing it would have been a beauty of a photo.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Apparently during the fall I was asleep when birds were migrating to their winter climes and somehow I kept missing them or seeing them when I was out driving about Siouxland. But that may have changed as spring approaches and birds are again making their way back to someplace where they want to spend their summer months. Recently I have been finding quite a few eagles and they will be appearing in some posts down the road.
My skill set are photographing these creatures is still developing as I can capture an image, it’s just that it is not always in focus. Operator error while using my longer telephoto lens, and sometimes coupled with a tele converter reaches 1000mm or better. And my cavalier days of handholding a long lens while shooting sports or some kind of emergency scene when working for newspapers has been on the shelf a few years.
But these creatures are fascinating to watch and see them jostle with one another for a food source or positioning on a branch. I also enjoy hearing them call a warning out when some large creature with a “big glass eye” is creeping about, or just chit chatting amongst themselves. This particular day I was happy because the sun was really shining and the grey clouds and overcast skies were not present. And they have been for most of my outings looking for these large raptors. But it is an enjoyable way to spend part of a day.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
It seems I recently have noticed more migration of waterfowl while driving about Siouxland, even though I don’t really have any statistics per se that back up that assumption. When driving I do see more flocks of geese flying overhead, and a congregating of eagles and a few other birds when I visit outdoor places, either parks or near open bodies of water, large or small.
I do get tips from a “birder” friend of where some species have been spotted and try to make my way over to such places to see if I get lucky and photograph whatever species happens to be hanging out. Most of the species are fairly stationary when I arrive to these places, and that’s okay. the sunshine seems spotty these days with mostly overcast and cloudy days so I don’t begrudge the fowl relaxing and enjoying a respite while the sun is out.
On a recent trip down to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge there was a mix of waterfowl, with various species of ducks, trumpeter swans and Canada geese. Most of these were sticking to the open water areas near the refuge’s visitor’s center which allows people to watch through large windows from inside. Although it does make it a challenge to photograph them. But not all of the Missouri was open water. There were parts up river from the visitor’s center that was frozen over, much to chagrin of some folk I believe.
Seeing the tip of someone’s boat peeking out from the river, stuck in ice, was probably not a pleasant sight for the folk looking for their small craft. But at least they knew where to find it, until the river thaws. I had not seen this particular area that iced over previously on excursions during winter time trips. But although it’s winter, it seems the frigid temps and the extremes of which they have occurred this year are different than in precious years. Just hoping it’s an anomaly and not a trend.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
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