Sharing in Siouxland, Sioux City

A female house finch takes a drink of water from a bird bath in a backyard residence in Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.(photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

While watching critters, birds and other animals in Siouxland, I am sometimes amazed at the civil behavior I witness. When photographing birds feeding they will often times work to move one another out of the way so they too can get a “seat at the table” of a particular bird feeder. But watching a couple of house finches, which could actually be mates, the male watched as the female drank from a bird feeder and then helped himself. Whether planned or not or behavioral or not, this particular day the male was chivalrous to the female until they drank their fill and left.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A female and male house finch share a bird bath for a drink for a drink in a backyard residence in Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, Nov. 3, 2022.(photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Watching Crafty Critters in Siouxland, Sioux City

A squirrel slowly makes its way down the side of a tree in the backyard of a residence in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, June 12, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

It never amazes me when I watch little critters behave, especially when in search of a treat in a backyard. Squirrels can be quite entertaining, and sometimes animated as they look for peanuts some friendly neighbor has left them or kernels of corn. Some of the squirrels busily obtain and they scurry to bury their treats, while others simply enjoy and chow down on as many as they can.

A squirrel peeks over a fence in search of some peanuts in the backyard of a residence in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, June 12, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Always cautious yet always moving, hoping to score a morsel, one or two of these backyard neighbors put on a show without realizing their entertainment value. And I hope they make it through another winter even though fall is only just arriving. It seems the weather recently has been just as wacky as some these critters’ antics but a little more serious.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A squirrel lowers itself to reach some nuts in the backyard of a residence in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, June 12, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A squirrel leaves with a prize in its mouth after visiting the backyard of a residence in Sioux City, Iowa Saturday, June 12, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Snack Time in Siouxland, Sioux City

A squirrel enjoys an ear of corn to itself in a backyard in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, March 29, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A house finch checks to see if the coast is clear in a backyard in Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, April 2, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

There is never a bad time to snack. Although don’t tell many moms that. Visiting neighbors have always stopped by and checked out what’s available, sometimes even saying thank you. And it’s always good to wash that snack down with a beverage.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A robin sounds off while getting a snack in a backyard in Sioux City, Iowa Monday, March 30, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A squirrel helps itself to a meal visiting a feeder in a backyard in Sioux City, Iowa Tuesday, March 31, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

A squirrel helps itself to some water while visiting in a backyard in Sioux City, Iowa Monday, March 30, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

When Neighbors drop by in Siouxland, Sioux City

A backyard neighbor robin stops by to say hello Sunday, March 29, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

During this recent pandemic and need for social distancing, it’s always nice when neighbors drop by, even the fine feathered ones. Although this robin was keeping its social distance sitting on a nearby fence, as it hung out for 5 to ten minutes checking things out.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Siouxland Neighbors say enjoy Winter, Sioux City

My nearest neighbors where I live can be heard chattering away most days. Industrious souls these as they go about their business. On a snowy day as the temps were falling with the latest passing storm, I wistfully looked out my window thinking of spring and longing to be in my car driving around Siouxland looking for images. Then I noticed my neighbors and saw they had paused in their labor to enjoy a snow day, and remind sometimes you just got to enjoy the here. Tomorrow will come of its own accord.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A squirrel sits to decide what to do in freshly fallingsnow Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Squirrels play in freshly falling snow Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Squirrels play in freshly falling snow Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2017. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)