Making Choices for Placement when Photographing in Siouxland, Sioux City

One of the toughest things to decide sometimes when I am photographing in Siouxland and elsewhere is how I want to frame up a subject and where I want to place that subject within the frame. Placing a subject within the frame of a photograph can evoke different emotions or feelings about that photo, even if it’s a simple outdoors image. Does a viewer believe they are right there with the photographer viewing the subject, or at a distance, purveying a scene from afar.

Perspective has a lot to do with presenting viewers images and the subjects contained within. And what is it the photographer wants the viewer to see, or experience with the image, if anything.  It’s all very subjective. But the photographer needs to show a person seeing an image what it is he/she sees, because it is their vision or perspective or object they want to share. And photography is all about visuals and sharing them with others.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A foggy day near the Missouri River Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A foggy day near the Missouri River Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A Warm-up in Siouxland, Bacon Creek Park, Sioux City

A runner takes advantage of a warm day at Bacon Creek park Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

During a recent change in weather in Siouxland, I ventured out to a local park, Bacon Creek, to enjoy some breathable fresh air without my lungs freezing. And I wasn’t alone. The recent extreme temperatures that with windchill was well below zero, approaching almost a -40 degrees. But people with their dogs or by themselves getting some exercise were enjoying the 40 degree weather, practically a 100 degree swing from the couple days previous.

On a warmer day than normal people walks the path at Bacon Creek park Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A runner and her dog enjoy the warmer than normal day at Bacon Creek park Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

More snow and cold is expected in the forecasts which is not to be unexpected for this time of year. But it is nice for a respite from the very cold weather and a chance to enjoy nature again without feeling the need to hurry from one indoor location to the next.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Someone left a Christmas ornament hanging on one of the trees at Bacon Creek park Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A warm day at Bacon Creek park Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Spring Temps bring Fog in Siouxland, Sioux City

Fog along the Missouri River Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Recently Mother Nature has been giving Siouxland residents a roller coaster ride with temperatures going from extreme cold, to warm and extreme cold again. But visually it’s a break during the winter months, as well as a nice break to get outdoors without wearing 10 layers for warmth. I attended a presentation about wildlife photography recently and spent a few moments on the walking path nearby and enjoying the warmer temps and the fog created as it rose off the Missouri River. Not one anymore for being out in extreme cold, it was nice to spend a few minutes enjoying some fresh air and creating some images that don’t always occur. But Mother Nature has more in store yet this winter, and sometimes one needs to be patient to enjoy it.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A foggy day along the Missouri River Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Fog obscures the Missouri River Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Daydreaming in Siouxland, Le Mars

With the recent polar vortex hitting the Siouxland area and other parts of the Midwest and the U.S., I have been daydreaming of spring and summer. Warmer temps and the chance to wander about outside and not worry about freezing one’s arse or nose off. It just doesn’t apply to us poor humans. Area birds seek shelter out of the cold and blowing wind and snow and a perch that isn’t covered. And eventually the warmer temps and chance to wander will arrive, but until then, just some wistful thinking.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A fall scene in a neighborhood of Le Mars, Iowa, Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Birds sit on a deck railing out of the wind on a cold February day, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019 in Sioux City, Iowa (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Enjoying a Short Day in Siouxland, Solstice at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center

A solstice hike is led and explained by naturalist Dawn Snyder, Education Program Director at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Hikers head out for an hours walk led by naturalist Dawn Snyder, Education Program Director at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, Thursday during a solstice hike , Dec. 20, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

In December I went for a short walk on a short day in Siouxland to learn a bit about the solstice at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center. Dawn Snyder, Education Program Director for the nature center led a a small group during a late afternoon hike up to a hillside and overlook and talked about the shortest day of the year and reminding people that longer days of sunlight are coming hopefully with more sunshine to counter the current cold spell.

Even on cold days, the sunshine is still sweet to help one overcome any feelings of gloom that sometimes happens when days are filled with overcast skies and snowfall. And it’s always nice to get out and enjoy nature with others of similar mind. And to learn a bit more about area parks. The group stopped under an oak tree that Snyder pointed out was probably 200 years old or so according to its branch structure, having grown in such a fashion  because they were fewer trees at the time allowing it to “spread its wings” so to speak, compared to other nearby trees that were growing more vertically. This would have been a period during pre-Iowa statehood when the area was probably mostly prairie.

During an hour hike naturalist Dawn Snyder, left, Education Program Director at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center talks about nature and some of the park’s older inhabitants like the oak tree speculated to be about 200 years old during a solstice hike Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A few hikers spent an hour learning from naturalist Dawn Snyder, Education Program Director at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center during a solstice hike Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

On extremely cold days I don’t venture out as much as I used to when I was younger. Enjoying my creature comforts too much as I age and liking to spend my time during the daylight hours and pondering such thoughts as I have on those long winter nights.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A few hikers make their way down a hill spending an hour learning from naturalist Dawn Snyder, Education Program Director at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center during a solstice hike Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A few hikers spent an hour learning from naturalist Dawn Snyder, Education Program Director at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center during a solstice hike Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Children get into the spirit of a solstice hike is led and explained by naturalist Dawn Snyder, Education Program Director at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A solstice hike is led and explained by naturalist Dawn Snyder, Education Program Director at the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Seeing Beyond the Trees in Siouxland, Le Mars Bike Trail

Fall colors on the bike trail in Le Mars, Iowa, Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes after visiting a place in Siouxland, even a place I have been too a few times, I don’t always see things until later, when I review images. Seeing the forest for the trees is an old saying. I don’t remember who coined the phrase or when. But this particular bike trail in Le Mars I have walked and ridden on a number of times. I enjoy it in all seasons. It mostly runs along a creek and is on the edge of town. It borders along corn fields and you are “in the country” even if you are near the town. But looking at the trees and the brightly lit leaves I begin to see leaf motifs in the trees. The branches and leaves mimic the the veins in the leaves themselves. Walking this trail I have looked at these trees and the area numerous times. And it begins me thinking how many interesting items are sometimes in plain sight, if only we take the time to actually see and wonder and ponder what is right before us.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Fall colors radiate a sun shiny day along the bike trail in Le Mars, Iowa, Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

Branches on a tree appears almost like veins with colorful leaves along the bike trail in Le Mars, Iowa, Tuesday Oct. 17, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Fall Remnant in Siouxland, Adams Homestead Nature Preserve

The last vestiges of fall laying on the ground at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota November 1, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Siouxland has already had a couple of very cold days and overnights in the single digits and teens as well as just a dusting of snow, although some areas received up to 8 inches or so. So I already miss the short fall season the area had while trying to get into the spirt of the holidays that will soon be here. The bright colors of fall have mostly turned brown or shades of grey depending on how much weather some have seen already. I took one last walk around the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve to just enjoy the color and quiet and milder temps that were still around.

The last remaining leaves at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota November 1, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

The last of the leaves clinging to their branches at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota November 1, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

But with winter activities and the decorations that are going up around the area it will be easy to overlook the chill or cold and enjoy the festivities leading into the celebration of the birth of Christ and the many holiday events that will soon begin unfolding.

The waning days of fall at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota November 1, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

The last remaining days of fall at the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve in North Sioux City, South Dakota November 1, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And many will begin thinking about those Sugar Plum fairies dancing in their heads, the Nutcracker ballet traditional performance and hearing some cry out, Merry Christmas, and to all a Good Night.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Wishing patrons of the Adams Homestead and Nature Preserve a pleasant holiday season in North Sioux City, South Dakota November 1, 2018. (Photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)