A Sunday Afternoon in Siouxland, rural Plymouth County

A local makes haste down a gravel road in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

There are days I enjoy driving out into the countryside in Siouxland and just wandering backroads. There may not be anything special about a destination or photographically appealing as the sun in high overhead and the light reflecting the time of year. As spring moves toward summer one must continually awake earlier in the day, and go to bed later in the evening to catch “the beautiful light”. Much photographic sensors, my wake time dynamic range is only so large and I enjoy my sleep.

But it doesn’t mean that one doesn’t find subjects or situations that piques one’s interest. A person might need to look a little harder and parse what could be of interest. Even if only in a documentary sort of way.

A cat eyes a visitor from afar in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Spotting something of more interest a cat leaps off its window ledge perch to explore in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And so I wander country roads looking for those moments. Sometimes starting earlier in the day and sometimes on the spur of the moment. Wondering what I might find, listening to music and with luck driving in warmer weather so I can open my car windows and enjoy the day. No expectations, no need for something spectacular, just a day to wander, contemplate and enjoy.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A gravel road disappears around a bend and beyond some tree limbs in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Making Friends in Siouxland, Rural Plymouth County

A horse looks toward a visitor in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021, possible hoping for a little snack. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I always look forward to meeting new “folk” when driving about Siouxland. One particular day I felt bad that I didn’t pack a carrot lunch with me to snack on as a couple of locals would surely have enjoyed me sharing that I met while driving some backroads.

It was a nice day and they seemed to be enjoying themselves on a hillside on a pleasant, finally, spring day.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Two horses eye a visitor in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Hanging Out in Siouxland, Rural Plymouth County

An immature Red Tailed Hawk navigates a landing on a high perch in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

While cruising about Siouxland on a weekend with somewhat warmer temps and winds, I noticed I wasn’t alone in just enjoying a day in the country. Animals seem to do that as well sometimes. I noticed a young Red Tailed hawk riding some thermals over a gravel road in rural Plymouth County. Soaring, diving, soaring again and occasionally coming to a rest.

An immature Red Tailed hawk flies by a possible high perch in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An immature Red Tailed Hawk takes in its surroundings from a high perch in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Taking a break and watching for its next snack possibly or watching the ever so casual visitor drive by underneath its high perch. Some days should just be enjoyed for the moment, warmer weather, sunshine and a lazy day feeling. However, for this young bird and others I somehow think most days are not lazy. But it was fun watching it seemingly enjoy its time in the air.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

An immature Red Tailed hawk enjoys some thermal winds in rural Plymouth County Sunday, April 18, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Enjoying a nice evening in Siouxland, Rural Plymouth County

Sometimes serendipity is a nice thing. While visiting with some friends over the Thanksgiving holiday I was greeted with a glorious site as I headed home. Anymore I don’t carry long lenses with me as I seldom use or need them for the kind of photography I do these days. But this was a time I wish I had one so I could photograph a scene a bit tighter. But still, I was glad I could stop on a backroad, get out, and enjoy what I saw while still making a couple of photographs to remind me that nature is surprising sometimes. Although probably not to those who follow the moon phases. But, I happen not to be one of those folk and just like the surprise as I crested a small hill and saw the scene unfold in front of me.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

The moonrise in rural Plymouth County, Iowa Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Exploring Siouxland, Plymouth County

I have made a few ventures out into the countryside in recent weeks. Attempting those days when the temperature is not hovering around the 20’s with the wind blowing 25-30 mph gusts which makes it even chillier. And even though some of the images look like a nice day, trying to stand up straight and take a photograph proved challenging. Thank goodness for not using a 4X5 view camera on a tripod. The more “artistic” attempt with camera shake would probably stand out as the wind buffered one outside of one’s vehicle.

But the sunny skies just remind me that warmer days are again on their way, even with the errant snowfalls that might still occur. This Siouxlander is not California Dreamin’ but Spring dreamin’.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A grain bin in rural Plymouth County near Le Mars, Iowa Monday, March 6, 2017.

Standing sentry in a field in rural Plymouth County near Le Mars, Iowa Monday, March 6, 2017.

Finding the Light in Siouxland, Rural Plymouth County

Some days when I am driving around I don’t expect to make great images, or even okay images. I enjoy just being outside and cruising some backroads, listening to jazz and enjoying the day. And then sometimes you are pleasantly surprised. I enjoy sharing my images, but it doesn’t break my heart if not all enjoy. Photographing is kind of a personal experience, and while you can’t capture all of the essence of that moment for lack of sounds, smell and atmosphere, one does the best one can.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Blue skies dominate a recent day out looking for scenics in rural Plymouth County, Iowa Monday Oct. 24, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A tractor that may have seen its glory days in an earlier decade sits in a filed in rural Plymouth County, Iowa Monday Oct. 24, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Backroad Delights in Siouxland, Plymouth County

These days of what feels like dogged days of summer with high humidity and heat, I am not driving about as much as in spring when traversing the backroads in northwest Iowa in Siouxland when it’s much more pleasant. Windows rolled down, a light wind and looking for interesting sites. And sometimes when you find a place, it strikes you as unique in that time and moment but then you think about the best way to visually record the scene and to share with others. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder its said, and sometimes what is seen and what is recorded can vary. Because when viewing a scene all the senses are working. Sight, smell, touch and hearing. The scent of spring flowers, birds chirping, a light breeze and a beautiful scene. But when sharing, one can only provide the scene and hope the other aspects might somehow present themselves to the viewer.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City

Wildflowers in a scene in rural Plymouth County, Iowa off of Butcher Road Wednesday, May 25, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A scene in rural Plymouth County, Iowa off of Butcher Road Wednesday, May 25, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Deer Creek Lake in rural Plymouth County, Iowa off of Butcher Road Wednesday, May 25, 2016. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Waning Summer Days in Siouxland, Plymouth County

As the sun sets these days one can hear the locusts performing for a random audience as the sound ebbs and flows throughout many neighborhoods. September is almost gone and those dog days of summer are dwindling. But still, there are some nice images to be found while driving about and taking the time to look for them. I personally like the fall season. It’s cooler than summer. The days are not so long and shooting sunsets fits in with my bedtime, well, almost.

I just really like the quality of the light that I see. It’s not the harsh light of summer, but softer, more diffuse and reminds one that the season are forever changing.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Grain bins remind visitors they are in farm country in Rural Plymouth County, Iowa, Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Harvest will soon be occurring in these corn fields in Rural Plymouth County, Iowa, Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Siouxland Murals, Le Mars

On a recent outing to Le Mars, Iowa, home of Blue Bunny Ice Cream (Wells Dairy), I noticed some new murals up in the alleys. The community has a number of murals painted on various walls throughout its downtown area that brightens up what could be a rather drab appearance, and makes it fun for visitors.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa