Enjoying the Fall Light in Siouxland, Plymouth and Woodbury Counties

I never tire of driving in the rural regions of Siouxland. Looking at the “vistas” of rural America, scenic agricultural depictions that is part of how this country was founded with the westward movement of people two centuries ago.

The light play in the fall makes driving in a “desolate” area all the more enjoyable.

A barn sits in a field in rural Plymouth County, Iowa Monday Oct. 23, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

Most of the time these vistas include fields of corn, lots of corn, barns and winding roads that locals still drive to get to their destinations.

Some trees have already shed their fall color as others slowly turn along a county road in rural Woodbury County, Iowa, part of the Sioux City Diocese, Sunday Oct.15, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Trees along a fence row begin to change color as fall slowly appears in rural Woodbury County, Iowa, part of the Sioux City Diocese, Sunday Oct.15, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I find a sense of peace driving these roadways, away from the noise of larger cities, the use of computers and a chance to just see nature and albeit man’s interpretation of nature as more acreage in rural Iowa is converted into tillable land. But still, it’s good sometimes to take a pause and just enjoy what is there.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Siouxland summer is ending, Rural Woodbury County

It’s raining today. It’s been raining a lot this summer in Siouxland. No storms, just a nice rain. August is ending and fall is approaching. Fall is my favorite time of year. The light is very sweet to photograph in, and then there are the colors. So I thought I would take one last opportunity to add to summer’s passing with a few photos.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Siouxland summer thunderstorms, Woodbury County

This past weekend quite a thunderstorm rolled through the Siouxland area. Local weather prognosticators said it has been a number of years since so much rain was dumped in a 2-day period. The next day provided many scenic photo opportunities with cooler temperatures and those great white puffy clouds. But getting around areas to photograph them proved a little difficult with some road closures due to flooding. And area farmers saw some of their fields inundated with rain water that will either cause them to replant or if that isn’t possible, suffer loss of income due to the flooding. Thunderstorms are fun to listen to and watch. But this last one produced ping pong ball sized hail and strong winds.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Santa in Siouxland, Rural Nebraska

During the “winter months” which could be from November to April, depending on the temperature,  I find it nice to get out of the house and into the country for a drive especially when the temperature is north of 15 degrees. To me temperature is important if you plan to photograph something and don’t want to lose your fingers or nose from the cold. And some days with wind gusts up to 20 miles and hour on the “prairie”, it’s just bone chilling.

I took a drive into Nebraska, checking out a small town for a possible story idea I want to pursue. On the drive I detoured down a gravel road and found a fun site, Santa in a barn. Maybe he was just scouting for a place to take a power nap during his busy night next week, but it’s not always in the city where one can find fun decorations.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa