Changing Sights Around Siouxland, Omaha, NE

An older office building framed with fall colors in a downtown Omaha, NE Thursday Oct. 28, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

When visiting various communities in and around Siouxland it’s not often that I find changes occurring in smaller communities. Sometimes, but most often they happen in the larger metro areas.

Omaha, NE is still a growing metro area in the Midwest and new construction there as well as adaptation of older buildings into lofts and other, more current kinds of usages is ongoing.

New construction work in a downtown Omaha, NE Thursday Oct. 28, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A blend of old and new in a downtown area of Omaha, NE Thursday Oct. 28, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

There is a blending of older and newer types of architectural structures seen in Omaha. Older buildings become dwarfed by newer buildings. No judgement, but it’s not surprising how “tastes” change over the years, decades, etc. And in some cases the cost to replicate or build some structures that were done one to two centuries ago would most likely be prohibitive.

And yet progress continues, as life, changes come, and sometimes go. Moving forward and hopefully not backward.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

A plaza surrounded by apartments and food eateries in a downtown area of Omaha, NE Thursday Oct. 28, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A look at a downtown area in Omaha, NE Thursday Oct. 28, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

A Rainy Day in Siouxland and Revisiting Pioneer Courage Park, Omaha, NE

Detail image of one of the statues in the Pioneer Courage Park in downtown Omaha, NE Thursday Oct. 28, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sometimes when I am out and about and carrying a camera I will revisit a place I have previously photographed. Sometimes I can find images that are better, most times I look for images that are different. The Pioneer Courage Park is part of the “campus” of the First National Bank of Omaha. On a overcast day it takes on a different look different from the previous visit. Finding the raindrops on the faces of the statues gave them a different feel and made me think that possibly on their journey west those days it might have rained may have been a blessing depending on the territory the group was passing through. The Mormon Trail passed through some high desert country and rain storms may have been scarce certain times of the year.

And it’s a challenge to revisit someplace and look for a different image. Of course time of day, weather, time of year, all that plays into how a place might look and feel. And then one’s imagination takes over.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

Detail image of one of the statues in the Pioneer Courage Park in downtown Omaha, NE Thursday Oct. 28, 2021. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Summer Storms in Siouxland, Rural Sioux County

Summer storms are events in the Midwest in places like Siouxland that can sometimes be spectacular. When I previously worked or newspapers I would be out photographing storms or the aftermath. Not so much anymore. But the cloud formations created before, during and after can be rather spectacular. Just getting caught in hail or a downpour doesn’t quite have the allure of when I was younger.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

storms clouds along Highway 60 North near Orange City, Iowa Tuesday, July 7, 2020. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Sunrise in Siouxland, Sioux City

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

Weather Change in Siouxland, Sioux City

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

Spring’s Arrival in Siouxland, Sioux City

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©)

 

Enjoying the “Seasons” in Siouxland, Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, NE

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©)

Finding the Time and Place in Siouxland, Sioux City

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©)

 

Greeting the New Year in Siouxland, Sioux City

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

Capturing Moments in Siouxland, Rural Plymouth County

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