A sunrise on the second day of spring, Friday, March 20, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Some days it’s just nice to pour that first cup of coffee, take a step outside and enjoy the quiet of a coming day. No matter the vantage point, while watching a newly created canvas unfold. The day may be better or worse than the one before, the sunrise is always fresh, always new and a beginning.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
A cardinal sits in a bush in a backyard in Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, April 2, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Besides everything else these days Mother Nature still hasn’t decided if spring is here to stay in Siouxland. Recently the temperature was at 70 degrees and it was a pleasant change to the blustery days previously with rain here and there. Now a very cold front is moving into the area and more snow, or at least freezing rain is predicted. It won’t last long, but it feels like it’s time for winter to retire for the season.
A cardinal sits in a bush in a backyard in Sioux City, Iowa Thursday, April 2, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A pair of cardinals were enjoying some treats in a nearby feeder then retreated to a bush as gusty winds blew through the area. I was surprised to see water crystals on each of their crowns so I am guessing these two are hoping for spring to actually stick around with this latest temperature change and at least sunny days in the foreseeable future.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Snowfall greets residents on the second day of spring, Friday, March 20, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Spring “officially” arrived in Siouxland and other parts which hopefully may give way to April showers and May flowers. But not quite yet. With everything else that is going on that doesn’t really need mentioning, sunny skies and some warmer temperatures would surely boost morale.
Snowfall greets residents on the second day of spring, Friday, March 20, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Sitting outside is not yet a possibility to enjoy that fresh spring air. And while the snow and cold temps will probably not last all that long, it is almost April, though here in Siouxland and elsewhere I have lived people use the same refrain, just wait 5 minutes and the weather will change. I did though get to look out a window and see a neighbor and his son built themselves one last snowman. And I knew the postman had arrived and left as well as tracks are easy to find between houses.
Spring on day 4 in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, March 22, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
The mailman’s tracks on spring’s day 4 in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, March 22, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
So am having a little wishful thinking and waiting, and waiting, and waiting. For spring to be more than officially here.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Snowfall greets residents on the second day of spring, Friday, March 20, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A fountain and water fall flow inside a plant enclosure at the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Sometimes during inclement weather or seasonal changes, one can seek refuge exploring the indoors as opposed to the outdoors. On a visit to the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE I was surprised to find “waterfalls” in various places within a green house that added to plant environment which is limited during the winter months in the Midwest. While small, the area utilized by the gardens encompasses every inch.
Space is not wasted for exhibiting plants at the the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Unexpected treasures are stashed to be seen at the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
And on a cold winter’s day it was a nice refuge to see something green and growing and just lending more credence to the upcoming spring season when it will be possible to walk out doors in just a sweater or light jacket and not worry about one’s ears turning red and falling off.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Waterfalls continue to flow at the Lauritzen Gardens in Omaha, NE Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
The setting sun creates a colorful sky seen in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. 9photo by jerry L Mennenga©)
A recent two-day warm up has put a smile on a lot of folks’ faces in Siouxland recently. Inches thick ice on sidewalks and driveways has melted away and even blue sky and sweater apparel made an appearance. But some times those nice days don’t coincide with other work projects and while looking out a window towards evening the beginning of a beautiful sunset was in play. Knowing there would be no time to “get anywhere” with a nice view and interesting foreground elements, I walked into an alley near my home and made a few images. Sometimes it’s hard to just take a photograph when you know that a different place could make it a very splendid photograph. But life doesn’t always work that way, so I settled for enjoying a sunset, and wishing for more warm days to come and blue sky and some color to celebrate.
And then I realize that the month of February has not yet really begun and will try to curb my enthusiasm as I am certain more winter weather will this the area. At least the little rodent, Punxsutawney Phil did not see a shadow which predicts an early spring. One can only hope.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
The setting sun creates a colorful sky seen in Sioux City, Iowa Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020. 9photo by jerry L Mennenga©)
Sunrise on New Year’s Day in Sioux City, Iowa Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Like most people living in the Siouxland area and across the world, all greeted a new year and decade. I was awake “early” to catch a sunrise, although the sunrise these days happens closer to 7 a.m. which makes it a little easier to catch. And for the start of a new year, seeing color in the sky and no grey clouds, it was a pleasant way to begin with hope it portends a better year for all.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Fields are still flooded along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
I recently drove around parts of Siouxland after a weather bomb had visited the area like so many places and flooded fields and communities. Driving along one stretch of road where the water reached up I noticed a driveway into a field, actually two fields, both filled with water. The images taken were literally one minute apart, but yet enough time for wind to effect a scene.
Fields are still flooded along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Sometimes in photography it is only moments when the effective image can be taken before something occurs that changes the scene into another scene, different from before. Most times we may think the time of year or time of day will most definitely change what we saw before. But sometimes it’s just moments.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Fields are still flooded along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Mother Nature recently seems intent on reminding people in Siouxland that maybe winter isn’t yet over, but that spring is very close. A couple weeks ago the ground was still frozen with snow, and then the temperature warmed up enough that the snow began melting but also started raining. The combination of the rain and melting plus the frozen ground didn’t give the wet precipitation any place to go, but where it really wasn’t wanted.
Trees are reflected in flooded fields along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Reflections of trees sitting in flooded fields along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Fields in many places were flooded and still water is found in some of them although it has receded. It’s interesting that Mother Nature can create what might seem like beautiful images but reap such a terrible price. Many roadways that were inundated still need to be checked out and in some cases rebuilt. Interstate highways passing through Siouxland are still closed in places and only recently opened in others. Farmers are paying a heavy price and some may not be able to plant a crop this year because of the heavy flooding that occurred.
Fields are still flooded along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
It seemed that only the passing water fowl moving through the area as they fly north ending another winter season enjoyed the bountiful water landing spots and didn’t have to perch on frozen waterways on the way to their summer home. Time will tell how the flooding has affected the area which now seems like a distant memory.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Geese float in a flooded field along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Low flying geese look for a place to stop as they fly over flooded fields along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
A bald eagle glides past treetops along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
It’s always nice when I am out and about to sometimes find an unexpected photographic pleasure in Siouxland. As the weather warms and driving conditions become easier, at least no ice on the roadways, I am venturing out to see how things have changed with the current flooding and to photograph the area. On a recent and somewhat short drive north I saw a railroad crew working on a track line that was crossing the Little Sioux River from Iowa to South Dakota. And then I saw them.
Bald eagles sit in treetops along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
These days the photographic gear I carry is not what I used when working for newspapers, at least not telephoto gear, and one works with what one has on hand. I saw the two bald eagles sitting in a tree top. Guessing that they were eyeing the flooded river below and looking for a meal. What caught my attention was what looked like a flash of white. One of the heads. Some friends of mine from the local camera club are nature enthusiasts and spend time searching for these majestic birds and capture photographically some very compelling images. My background as a newspaper photographer is dealing with the moment that arises, and in seeing these two lovely creatures spent some time to get a few shots at quite a distance.
Geese are on the move in the background, right, as a bald eagle glides over the Little Sioux River running parallel to Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Both of the birds alighted at some point while I watched and photographed easily gliding over the river and through the tree line and then back again to the tree they were using at a stopping point. I know eagles populate the area and others have captured some very nice images. I settled for what I could get. Happy that I got a couple “action” photos while enjoying the grace of flight these two birds exhibited.
I know this outing these are fine photos for my blog, but nothing stellar to hang on a wall. But like most outings, it’s nice to return home with images that one enjoys making or able to create, but it’s more of a pleasure for the experience encountered while making the photos.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
a bald eagle comes in to perch in a treetop along Highway 12 north of Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
The recent weather in Siouxland has been generally wacky. Winter held on for much longer than most folk would like and spring just hasn’t been pushing hard enough to bring people relief. But sometimes for images resulting from Mother Nature’s mood swings create some different results.
Jerry Mennenga
Sioux City, Iowa
Fog envelopes trees near Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
Fog envelopes trees near Riverside Park in Sioux City, Iowa, Friday, March 22, 2019. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)
