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.
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.
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.
Memorial Day will be here in another day and with it the beginning of summer. But Memorial Day is more than the start of summer vacation for school kids, it is remembering those dear to us, those who have served their country and for some, a time to reflect and honor those who gave all and continue to do so.
Salix, Iowa is a small community in Siouxland. Some houses, a defunct grain elevator, a quiet downtown area and a Catholic church. The church’s cemetery is small, but like all cemeteries, is decorated with American flags flying to remind all who pass that it is time to remember, and to take time to reflect.
Brown’s Lake is part of a small park near Salix, Iowa. During the summer it is popular with boaters for fishing, water skiing and camping. It also has a couple shelters and a few picnic areas as well as a beach area along the lake. I checked it out recently during an early evening when I was certain no one would be there to see what the park looks like after dark. Because of the winter season, access to all areas are basically locked down, except for the boat ramp. Which isn’t in use because the ice forming on the lake would stop a boater before he/she got too far.
I wish I had gotten there a little earlier for a little more color in the sky, but then you do what you can and make the most of it. I recently purchased a mirrorless camera and wanted to see how it handled controlled but not ideal shooting conditions. And I am pleasantly surprised and happy with the results. Both for the image quality and the fact that I was shooting handheld at a slow shutter speed and using the lens’s stabilization ability to get me sharp and decent photographs.
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 