Seeing the White of the American White Pelican in Siouxland, Brown’s Lake and Snyders Bend in rural Woodbury County

American White Pelicans at Snyders Bend Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

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.

American White Pelicans take off at Snyder’s Bend Park in rural Woodbury County Saturday, April 1, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

American White Pelicans fly over the water as an egret watches in the background at Snyder’s Bend Park in rural Woodbury County Saturday, April 1, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

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.

American White Pelicans fly in synch at Snyder’s Bend Park in rural Woodbury County Saturday, April 1, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

American White Pelicans set out to fly over Brown’s Lake in Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

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.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

An American White Pelican makes a landing at Snyder’s Bend Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An American White Pelican flies along the surface at Brown’s Lake in Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An American White Pelican skims the water at Brown’s Lake in Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

American White Pelicans on parade while others enjoy the sunshine amongst the reeds at Brown’s Lake in Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

American White Pelicans and double-crested cormorants at Snyder’s Bend Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

American White Pelicans riding the “waves” at Snyder’s Bend Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An American White Pelican joins friends at Brown’s Lake in Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A Trumpeter swan flies over two American White Pelicans at Brown’s Lake in Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A small duck tries to keep pace with an American white pelican at Snyder Bend Park Thursday, April 6, 2023 in rural Woodbury County near Salix Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An American White Pelican flies overhead at Brown’s Lake in Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 2, 2023 near Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Lurking in the Shadows in Siouxland, Owego Wetland Complex rural Woodbury County

A Great Horned owl looks out at a visitor near the Owego Wetland Complex in rural Woodbury County Sunday, April 3, 2023 near Luton, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes when traipsing about in Siouxland looking for critters I get surprised with what I might find. I have driven past the Owego Wetland Complex numerous times, seeing the sign along a highway but never took the time to really stop and explore. While walking about a wooded area that is surrounded by an open field I saw what I thought was an unusual shape in amongst tree branches. A big lump as it were that seemed out of place. I slowly made my way over and the realized it was an owl of some description that I learned later from a birding friend that it is a great horned owl.

It was a nice sunny, blue sky kind of day, but the dear was sitting in a tree grove, looking out from the shadows in the afternoon looking for a snack I believe. I would have preferred a better angle with a little more sunshine and sky with color, but the dense shadow on even an early spring type day didn’t happen. As I backed away and tried to make my way around so the sun would be shining into the shaded area, the little guy left. Its solitude shattered by a curious one-eyed cyclops.

Maybe another time.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Admiring the (Pink) Moon in Siouxland, rural Woodbury County

A full moon or pink moon rises in the distance behind a barbed wire fence Wednesday evening, April 5, 2023 in rural Woodbury County, Iowa as the sun sets. Reports indicate the pink moon was named after ground phlox flowers that bloom in early spring and was used by Native American tribes as a way to keep track of time. The moon will be its fullest April 6. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Recently the full moon for the month of April appeared. It was reported to be a special moon, or pink moon, because of historical aspects reflected by different cultures. Spring brings forth flowers and blooms and it was thought that the appearance of a ground phlox was the reason April’s moon is referred to as a “pink” moon.

The challenge of photographing full moons in a rural setting is that, unlike cities, there generally are no tall buildings to visually play off of. Plus, as the moon rises above the taller buildings it has risen above the horizon and the sun has set, and general city lighting plus building lighting makes it easier to balance the brightness of the celestial body with that of nearby surroundings.

A full moon or pink moon rises in the distance behind a barbed wire fence Wednesday evening, April 5, 2023 in rural Woodbury County, Iowa. Reports indicate the pink moon was named after ground phlox flowers that bloom in early spring and was used by Native American tribes as a way to keep track of time. The moon will be its fullest April 6. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

So sometimes one must improvise and make do with what is there. All the more need to actually scout locations that face away from the east in general so there might be something to juxtapose with a rising moon. I always tell myself next time I will be more prepared than just driving out into the country and finding a spot I think will work. Hopefully next time I will be more prepared.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A full moon or pink moon rises in the distance behind a barbed wire fence Wednesday evening, April 5, 2023 in rural Woodbury County, Iowa. Reports indicate the pink moon was named after ground phlox flowers that bloom in early spring and was used by Native American tribes as a way to keep track of time. The moon will be its fullest April 6. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Seasons in Siouxland, Bigelow Park and Brown’s Lake, Salix

A number of Canada and greater white-fronted geese take off from Brown’s Lake at Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Monday, March 7, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

The “spring season” in Siouxland as elsewhere seems out of whack with weather bouncing back and forth between seasonal and a bit warmer, to still cold with biting wind gusts that reminds one Mother Nature is not quite done with sharing winter yet. A couple of different days checking out Bigelow Park and Brown’s Lake yielded different results. Wind gusts making temperatures feel like the teens and only allowing one to stay outside of a warm vehicle for maybe 10-15 minutes tops.

Sandhill cranes make a flyover at Brown’s Lake at Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, March 6, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Some common mergansers look like low flying missiles over Brown’s Lake at Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Monday, March 7, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A common merganser flies low over some Canada geese and other waterfowl at Brown’s Lake at Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, March 6, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

But the wind and temperature didn’t seem to affect or bother the waterfowl present at the lake. Flying in and flying out, taking wing on whatever pretext, although some did react to low flying raptors looking for a meal and watching perched in nearby trees.

A juvenile bald eagle surveys Brown’s Lake at Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, March 6, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

An adult bald eagle looks over at a juvenile bald eagle in tree tops at Brown’s Lake at Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Monday, March 7, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

But as much as I like watching the birds fly about and test my skills trying to photograph them, the windchill and cold temps made the prospect of having breakfast and a pot of coffee a strong influence in seeking a warmer climate than my vehicle. And nothing like having another opportunity to try again to capture these creatures in nature.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A common merganser flies low to land at Brown’s Lake at Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, March 6, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Canada geese lift off at Brown’s Lake at Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, March 6, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Canada geese do a fly over before landing at Brown’s Lake at Bigelow Park in rural Woodbury County Sunday, March 6, 2022. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Driving in Siouxland, rural Woodbury County

An afternoon drive in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes I am grateful that I can get out the house and just take a drive in Siouxland during this pandemic. For folk living in a city, that becomes a bit more problematic. It doesn’t take too many minutes or miles to find oneself on a backroad, taking in the sights and just enjoying some peace or in my case, a little jazz.

The moon is seen during an afternoon drive in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

I don’t always expect to find anything exciting to photograph while on these excursions. Sometimes I don’t even take any photos. Just like to let the mind wander on its own as I am doing, mulling ideas and thoughts and just enjoying a slow, quiet drive in a place I feel at home in.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

An afternoon drive in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

History in Siouxland, Communication Breakdown and the Inkpaduta Tragedy, Rural Woodbury County

A stopping place for Inkpaduta before he and his Indian band in rural Woodbury County, Iowa before he and his group later moved north to an area near the Iowa Lakes where the group killed white settlers and kidnapped young girls, seen Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

It’s probably been long stated that communication is key in any context. Even in today’s vitriolic political stalemate. People just don’t listen to one another and take offense at what is said. So history repeats itself. And a bit of history in Siouxland informs a person that communication between native Americans and the early settlers did not always garner the clarity that would have prevented violence and misunderstanding.

A plaque commemorating a stopping place for Inkpaduta before he and his Indian band in rural Woodbury County, Iowa before he and his group later moved north to an area near the Iowa Lakes where the group killed white settlers and kidnapped young girls, seen Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

In 1857 a band of renegade Sioux Indians were wandering what is now the rural Woodbury and Monona Counties and places north. Settlers were pushing the Native Americans off their former land to live their own version of paradise and renewal, starting life in a new place. Inkpaduta was a tribal chief of this small band of Sioux and his name became infamous in what was to become northwest Iowa when later in the same year he and his band killed settlers and kidnapped young girls from the Spirit Lake area. It’s hard to imagine even what the area looked like in the late 1850’s compared to now, with farming of the area continuous since that time period, and probably even more expanded as technology allowed farmers to cover more ground with tractors and other mobile equipment.

Terraced corn crop in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Horses grazing in a field in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And whatever few trails carried travelers through the area probably still exist as one or many of the current roadways that traverse the area. What was probably idyllic looking then is probably the same as now, only with fields rather than prairie grass. Over so many decades one would hope people would learn that it is better to communicate and find a way forward than repeating past mistakes than generally never end well.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A gravel road running through a part of rural Woodbury County, Iowa Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

An area in rural Woodbury County, Iowa near an Inkpaduta plaque marking a place where he and his tribe camped prior to heading north to the Iowa Lakes they later killed white settlers, seen Saturday, August 6, 2016. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

 

Zen and Photography in Siouxland, Hillview Park

Sometimes when I am out driving around Siouxland I have no set destination but am just looking. Looking at vistas or clouds if they happen to be in the sky that particular day. Clouds and light, and how the two interact. My mind kind of goes onto autopilot and I chase the light and the clouds and try as best as I can to combine the two. Some days are better than others, but each day is another day enjoying what is there to see.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Clouds appear to be rising up in the sky in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Tuesday June 26, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Plants near the edge of a small manmade lake at Hillview Park in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Tuesday June 26, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Photographing scenes in Siouxland, Hillview Park in Hinton

I always find it interesting when visiting places in Siouxland or elsewhere how people interpret those visits. Especially doing so through photographs the viewer can take away a myriad of perceptions. And it all depends on what the photographer has in mind. Does he or she what people to see something in particular or take away a certain viewpoint of what they themselves encountered? One can only speculate. But a line from a Christmas movie kind of sums it up when the character said “Seeing is believing,” not believing is seeing.” And so too a photographer’s interpretation of what is seen.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A difference in exposure changes a scene in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Tuesday June 26, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A difference in exposure changes a scene in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Tuesday June 26, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Honoring the Birth of a Nation in Siouxland, Rural Plymouth County

A lot of my driving around the backroads of Siouxland is done in anticipation that I will find something surprising and not previously seen by me. Although many of the places I visit I am certain are frequented by those living nearby.

I came across a small, well kept cemetery recently that I don’t recall visiting in the past. In the country it was quiet. Not even passing traffic disturbed the quiet. Seeing one grave in particular it made me think of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday that America celebrates, as do all countries when it comes to their birth and becoming the nation they are today.

A remembrance of a person who served his country in rural Plymouth County, Iowa Tuesday June 26, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Fourth of July celebrations for most communities involve parades, backyard cookouts and fireworks. Two out of the three are noisy but fun and delightful. Children these days live for parades and the free candy generally tossed their way by those on participating floats.

So it was this quiet and solitude, a salute to a person who served their country that resonated. No distractions, no noise, just a thoughtful embrace of those who came before.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

 

A dove finds a quiet spot to rest in rural Plymouth County, Iowa Tuesday June 26, 2018. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Savoring Light in Siouxland, Rural Woodbury County

The late fall and winter seasons are times I really enjoy savoring light in Siouxland in the early morning and evening. With the change from daylight savings to standard time, the mornings are not so early and the evenings come earlier. So I can savor and still get some rest. The quality of this light is just really nice. On a recent drive out into rural Woodbury County the sun was beginning to set and the light was sweeping across the landscape. I thought it was just gorgeous. Another evening out the sunset glowed behind a hill as it set. I enjoy its beauty, though fleeting and the effect it has on the objects or landscape it surrounds and the peace that comes to me in watching it.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A glow from the setting sun filters across rural Woodbury County, Iowa Thursday Nov. 30, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

An afternoon sunlight glow filters across a farmland as the sun sets in rural Woodbury County, Iowa Thursday Nov. 30, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)

The sun glows over a hilltop in the countryside near Bronson, Iowa Thursday Nov. 30, 2017. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga)