Finding an Image in Siouxland’s Winter Wonderland, Adams Homestead

Finding the right angle for photographing frost encrusted grass stems at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Wandering about in Siouxland looking for images one sometimes needs to slow down and check various angles. A few inches one direction or another can give a particular image a “different” look. Is the background appropriate to set apart the subject you are photographing. On especially cold days when the toes begin to go numb that can be challenging. Slowing down and looking for different angles.

I find photographing frost a sometimes tough proposition in that one needs a background to set the grass stems apart from the background and standout. And photographing ice particles is tough in and of itself. I do not own a macro lens and make do with a zoom lens that I have. Shooting too tight doesn’t give one sense of place and too loose the focus on the subject is somewhat lost.

Finding the right angle for photographing frost encrusted grass stems at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Finding the right angle for photographing frost encrusted grass stems at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

But a person can’t photograph different subjects if the attempt is not made. But planning ahead is never a bad thing and the welcome center this particular day was open and a welcome break for feelings to return to toes and fingers and then a second round of looking for intriguing images on a sunny but particularly cold February day.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

at Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Nature’s Alarm Clock in Siouxland, Adams Homestead, North Sioux City, SD

Geese fly over Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in North Sioux City, South Dakota. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

Ah, seeing geese aloft again in Siouxland and making their way in the opposite direction as spring gets nearer is always a relief. One actually believes that warmer weather might really, truly be on the way. A number of these birds had taken a rest stop near the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve. And while I didn’t make images to write home about, I was pleased they cooperated a bit as the cagey birds wouldn’t let me get too close.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Geese fly over Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in North Sioux City, South Dakota. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Geese fly over Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in North Sioux City, South Dakota. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Geese fly over Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in North Sioux City, South Dakota. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Geese fly over Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020 in North Sioux City, South Dakota. (photo by jerry L Mennenga©)

Enjoying Extremes in Siouxland and Waiting, Iowa and Nebraska Scenes

Living in the Siouxland region means that residents can experience extremes in weather. Generally not all at once, but with each season comes that particular weather pattern. Personally I like fall and parts of early summer before the very hot and humid settles in. It’s just nice to be out and about.

around Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

But along comes winter bringing its own weather taste and while I would prefer a longer lasting fall and shorter winter, I know at least that eventually one will go and another will arrive. As the saying goes, “Just wait a minute…….”

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A winter scene near Winnebago, NE Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

A Cold January in Siouxland, rural Monona County

The month of January is only halfway though and winter has reminded Siouxland residents that it still has a lot to offer its residents. Cold, below freezing and zero cold. More snow. And the chance to daydream about those coming summer months with heat, humidity and warm summer nights.

Cruising in rural Monona County, Iowa Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I always begin thinking about driving the backroads when winter in Siouxland gets its second wind and sends real chills down the back while one is out navigating snowy and slushy roadways and sidewalks. The days may be sunny, but at zero or below temperatures one knows winter is still here. Growing up on a farm I enjoy these days driving about the countryside and “smelling” the freshly tilled soil or crops once they have begun growing. Yes, there is definitely a particular smell emitted by the soil and plants. Much like someone city-born could identify certain aromas from a neighborhood they grew up in whether it is from a restaurant or seaside community. Childhood smells remain with us as we get older and maybe more discriminating in the aromas we want to partake in.

Planted crops on a summer’s day in rural Monona County, Iowa Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And I try to put out of mind the thought of too much humidity on a hot summer’s day. That thought will come eventually, but for now, looking out a a white landscape, it seems very enticing and comforting. It’s always nice to have something to look forward too.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Planted crops on a summer’s day in rural Monona County, Iowa Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A Siouxland Fall in Preparation Canyon State Park, Moorhead

Taking a look around Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A sign provides visitors with a history about the area of Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes it’s just nice to get out of doors and enjoy a walk, even a short one, in nature. Preparation Canyon State Park is one area I had not done much hiking in. And it was still pleasant enough of a fall day one could enjoy a walk and not be cold and still see some color in the Loess Hills region of Siouxland. As the cold settles in and the precipitation turns to snow all the color in this and surrounding areas will disappear until next year.

Taking a look around Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Taking a look around Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Looking out onto surrounding farm land near Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And because this area along with others in Siouxland were settled in the 1850’s or so there is history to be found if one can find it and help you understand a bit more about the area. All of which must look a lot different than the prairie that the first settlers laid eyes on before the invention of the plow changed the landscape.

The vegetation and animal life has changed a great deal over the centuries around Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Taking a look around the forrested area of Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I am hoping for a few more days of pleasant fall weather and maybe a milder winter without days of cold and windchill with a minus 5 or more below zero temperatures for a little more exploration before any ideas of hibernation set in.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Taking a look around Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Taking a look around Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Finding the Rustic in Siouxland, Rural Iowa

A weathered barn near Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Driving around the Siouxland area that I live in, there are many “rustic” scenes one can find without much effort. Weathered barns are a bit of a staple in rural Iowa. But over the course of the years these barns have begun to diminish as farmers put up more durable buildings that are made of metal. And as the “family farms” that dotted the rural landscape in Iowa for decades get swept up into ever larger conglomerations if just for survival or bought by corporations, these scenes will probably disappear entirely. Many I have seen over the years and able to revisit have fallen into disrepair. And the need for such buildings has disappeared as well as small farms or farms in general no longer have the variety of livestock (milk cows, pigs, chickens, some steers, etc.) there is no need. Another American icon that will eventually fade into memory for those who can remember such scenes.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Tractor parked near Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Changing Seasons in Siouxland, rural Monona County

Colors are appearing in Monona County, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Fall colors this year have been a bit spotty. Appearing here and there, just getting started and making one wonder if the colors will mature. Wet weather and heavy winds recently makes me think I am lucky if I find a nice patch of woods to share its beauty as I hunt around the Loess Hills in Monona County and other places.

Fall colors near Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And sadly, as the light appears later in the morning my personal engine doesn’t rev up as quickly until I down a couple cups of coffee and then bundle up against 35 degree temperature to look for the changing scenery and the fact that soon Christmas music will be heard over the radio airwaves and in stores. I can wait for the weather that comes with that change in season and hope to enjoy one or two, maybe three more weeks of fall and the spectacular display that Mother Nature can on occasion share.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Fall colors near Preparation Canyon State Park located near Moorhead, Iowa Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)