There is just something about seeing young birds or young creatures of any species that can give one pause. They are cute and adorable, although I would not recommend someone trying to pick up a gosling, as the parents, like any parent, might have rough words with the unwanted attention towards its chicks.
During a recent walk about in Bacon Creek Park, I thought I would meander hoping to find some passing songbirds migrating through the area that a friend had mentioned finding. Ever hopeful. Once arriving and beginning my walk, I encountered a “family” also out for a stroll meandering along the same path.
I noticed the adult geese taking their time while the goslings were learning to forage and feed themselves. Walking to a far side of the path ever so slowly, that geese paid me little attention as I got past them. And walking further up the path, I could see the little ones snacking on worms they were finding after a recent rain. With the geese’s attention on their foraging, it allowed me to sit on the path further up the way and just watch life unfold for this family.
Sometimes it is surprising what one might find in Siouxland when out exploring areas like the Heron Haven, albeit in Omaha, NE and probably a bit south actually of Siouxland. On a visit last year a fellow photographer and I came across a number of Eastern Painted turtles themselves enjoying the park area sunning themselves in a large pond. It looked to be quite and extended family affair and they are far enough out and away from a bird blind so they didn’t seem to mind some curious onlookers. Barely any movement but the occasional head tilt, or until one felt sufficiently “sunned” only to slip back into the water. Just a nice day out with the family.
Recently on an outing in Siouxland at Brown’s Lake and Snyders Bend in rural Woodbury County, a number of American White Pelicans numbering between 100-200 were seen between the two places and bodies of water. Moving in tandem they swarmed and fed together circling areas of water then turning bottoms up while others soared overhead and skimmed the water’s surface, just enjoying a day out as they migrated back to wherever home is.
The pelicans put on quite a show and their graceful agility is pretty amazing to watch. Recently a few numbers can be seen flying about various parts of Siouxland soaring high on the air currents and circling climbing ever higher until they swoop toward the earth only to repeat themselves.
Watching nature is always fascinating I believe, and away from all the white noise and other distractions that so easily encroach on one’s days and time. It’s just good to get away and birds times appear ready to perform their floor shows while on the road.
I also find it challenging to photograph them depending on the day and environment. The stark whiteness on an especially bright sunny day works well on the water in early morning light but more difficult as the day moves forward. The light skimming the area accentuates the blue water which contrasts nicely with the white bodies. Skyward, not so much. The images taken at Snyders Bend was the same morning as at Brown’s Lake, but the direction of the sun and the movements of the birds were different thus creating totally different types of images as the sun lit the two areas in a much different fashion. But still, capturing the pelicans’ movements and antics was still fun and nice being out in nature.
It’s always fun photographing in Siouxland to watch the “light play” that can occur depending on the time of year, day and whether or not Mother Nature grants a reprieve so the sun shines, and it’s also a clear day.
With the recent wacky weather seen this spring, the Siouxland weather also changes capriciously. And I was glad it was no hallucinations one day when I saw some Canada geese and other waterfowl swimming among diamonds on a pond that I check out from time to time. Rich in the moment of light, if not in wealth, the day just shone a bit brighter.
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.
There have been times over the years I have photographing, here in Siouxland and elsewhere, that I could tell my presence wasn’t appreciated. When working for a newspaper and covering news events, it is not always possible to spare people’s feelings especially is they are public figures or involved in a public event. And sometimes those folk let the photographer know in no uncertain terms that their presence is not welcome. I recently encountered that while driving by an area I was familiar and had seen what appeared to be abandoned eagle’s nests years before.
In another area I had an eagle’s nest and it was occupied, but by Canada geese. Who also didn’t seem to like my presence on the ground but did not raise as big a fuss as this particular eagle who continued to soar and swoop and scream until I walked quite a distance away from the area.
The eagle seemed to be protecting its own nest along with that of a Canadian goose couple in a nest not far away. And some ways down a road there is yet a third nest, also occupied by Canadian geese. It’s always good to have neighbors, because that couple also raised an alarm that someone was walking about on foot. Welcome to nature’s Neighborhood Watch.
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.
Life in Siouxland has been heating up as it were. Like most of the country it seems the heat has settled for a few days with only intermittent rain showers to cool things down. On those days I wistfully think back to brisk walks I have taken outdoors, mostly at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve looking for critters and enjoying the time when I get back home and I put some coffee on to sit down with and enjoy the warmth.
As I’ve learned more about “birding” and being of aware of the creatures on my outings to local parks and preserves, sometimes I am amazed at the diversity I see within a small area and the numbers and types of birds there. And I know I am only scratching the surface of getting photos and seeing these critters. Others who post information while out have a list that is sometimes 15-20 species or more long. I am not quite, if ever, there.
And by no means are these birds exotic and flashy themselves, although my awareness was mostly of robins and sparrows, and occasionally a raptor or hawk of some kinds.
And of course there are those cute, non aviary types one runs across who are determined not to be disturbed while trying to finish a meal. And of course I don’t blame them as those pesky paparazzi photo types walk by.
The creatures blend in so well and are most times too quick to photograph. I have learned anew the value of patience and perseverance. And of course the the usage of a digital camera that allows the deletion of many, many images with birds within thickets that only I know are there. As I tell students, “If you have to tell me about the great deer photo while showing it to me, maybe then one should try again. Oh, that small speck? Marvelous!”
It happens to the best of us. And with practice it can get better. But it’s also nice just being outdoors without a heavy coat, gloves and stocking cap along with hand and feet warmers. Although the wind gusts have persisted well into spring. But warmer months ahead and the opportunity to find and photograph more of these winged creatures.
On a recent walk at a local park in Siouxland I was surprised to see so much “beaver” activity, yet I didn’t really see any beaver buildings that one often sees in the country along and in water. I was hoping with some recent warm weather that maybe the trees were beginning to green up at the park, but alas, I was disappointed with the progress but then came across all of this activity.
I did see where park personnel has been clearing areas of trees, possibly those downed by winter storms where wind gusts up to 60mph along with reported tornado sightings in December and again in February were occurring in Siouxland and elsewhere in Iowa. But the gnawed look of so many trees seemed very indicative of some ambitious creatures who possibly needed a new addition to an existing home or maybe the kids decided to move back in because various reasons.
I have never been up early enough, or maybe late enough, to find these critters working their magic . I probably would not have the patience to sit and wait to attempt to photograph them. And probably don’t have the proper gear to work in such low light or darkness to begin with. But it seems no mistaking their handy work and evidently a thriving community within the midst.
I live in the Siouxland area that encompasses a wide swatch of land in northwest Iowa, northeastern Nebraska and southeastern South Dakota. The people that inhabit this area are generous folk and your basic honest, Midwestern people you like to have as neighbors. I explore the area and share observations, mostly photographic, sometimes through video, and and short text. All images and video are copyrighted material of the author.
Jerry Mennenga, Sioux City, Iowa
jerrylmennenga@yahoo.com
lostinsiouxland 