Yerkes Observatory
Yerkes is an astronomical observatory located in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. The observatory was operated by the University of Chicago Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics from its founding in 1897 to 2018. In May 2020, restoration and renovation of the historic building and grounds began.
Different
Cloudless windy day, palm trees, a black & white camera and looking for something different.
Friday Firework
Chicago Glass
Clouds, blue sky and beautiful design reflecting it all.
Las Vegas Neon
Near downtown Las Vegas there is a non-profit organization that has been saving old outdoor signs from destruction. For a donation you can enter their yard and view the signs. Once a month you can make a larger donation and enter after dark for the purpose of taking photographs. About 2/3rds of the signs are lit in some fashion so against a dusky sky they make for some interesting photos.
Just look down
One day, standing on sandstone in a beautiful National Monument a very experienced photographer shouted at me "look down". I glanced at my feet and he again shouted so I took a photo, minus my feet. Due to the simple texture of the rock, that turned out to be one of the best photos I took that day. Now when searching for eye level objects of interest I'll sometimes remember to simply look down.
Vegas street walking
Between the Strip and Downtown there is this depressed area the city has named the Art District. With the hope it will attract a reason to visit the city asked spray can artists to color vacant storefronts and alleys which camouflages the existing graffiti. There are a sprinkling of restaurants, bars and shops mixed in with vacant lots and stores so they appear to making headway in an economic transformation. With all that said it is a wonderful place to wander up and down streets and alleys with a camera.
Old rolling stock
Soo Line sleeping car #1210 “Rhinelander” was built in May 1902 as a first-class, 12 section sleeper with a smoking room and a state room. The sleeper is of wood construction. Not bad for 121 years old.
April Boom
Public chalkboard
Streetwalking in old downtown Las Vegas and came upon this storefront art.
State Fair
Wisconsin State Fair at night I will mount a camera on a tripod and as the ride is spinning I open the shutter for some random amount of time which in this case was 2 seconds. I never know what these will look like until I get home and see them on the computer.
Wynwood Walls
The Wynwood Art District in Miami contains galleries, outdoor murals and private art collections. It was conceived in 2009 as a way to revitalize the neighborhood by turning warehouses into works of art. Formerly an industrial district, the area is now known for the murals that cover the walls of many of the buildings and much of the sidewalks. Wikipedia
This building contains an arts and crafts business. This mural, and all the art I saw in the area, was done using spray cans.
Perfectly engineered illusion
Easy to photograph but impossible to get the full effect. This glass case was about a foot tall and 3 wide. The reflections and angles made it appear as if there were thousands of bottles in a space the size of a warehouse, seen from any angle.
Rock House
Near Lee's Ferry Arizona. Used as a place for travelers to stop way before there was a paved road in this area. I tried to find out how old it was with our success.
B&W LAS
Las Vegas street walking, looking for architectural photo ops with my B&W camera.
Art District
Between the Strip and Fremont Street areas in Las Vegas there is what's called the Art District. Formerly (and currently) a run down area of old buildings the city has been improving infrastructure and trying to renew the 30 some block area. It now has a scattering of restaurants, galleries, auto repair shops, vacant stores etc. I assume it will someday thrive as the Strip & Fremont Street areas converge but now it's an area that to my eye is struggling. Some old walls, alleys and vacant store fronts are covered in beautiful graffiti which is fun to photograph.
Hot Air Can Be Beautiful
Roadside Art
Somewhere in Utah... I drove past maybe a mile or two, then turned around, got the camera out.......I simply had to.
Wall Art
I saw this at an art show and was impressed by the detail and color. The entire piece was about 6'x6'.
I had to stop for this
The interior was just as interesting. We came across it on a backroad trip near Capital Reef National Park.
South Dakota Homestead
The territory that would become South Dakota was added to the United States in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The first permanent American settlement was established at Fort Pierre by the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1804. White settlement of the territory in the 1800s led to clashes with the Sioux, as some of the lands had been granted to the tribe by an earlier treaty. Nevertheless, the territory was incorporated into the union on November 2, 1889, along with North Dakota.
Car trouble on a lonely road
Driving the backroads in South Dakota we came upon this 1940s vintage Ford which looked like it had been there a very long time. What a great story it could tell, from the proud owner picking it up brand new to its resting place here on this very lonely road.
Fremont Street
Downtown Las Vegas has been erecting old refurbished neon signs which is really helping the area hold on to its gambling history.
Fair Fun
Playing with the lights of amusement rides in the midway, at the state fair.
Art Vendor As Art
Walking down Duval Street in Key West I thought the art vendor display as a whole was, to my amateur eye...art...so I clicked.
Old barn old glass
Here i a photo of a reflection of an old barn behind me that is showing in very old glass in front of me.
The Key West Strand
The Strand Theater opened in the mid-1920s as a single screen movie house that sat around 800 people. The theater closed sometime in the early 1980s and reopened as a nightclub. It remained open as a few other nightclubs until it became a Ripley's Believe It Or Not museum in 1993.
The theater was again closed in 2002. It has since reopened as a Walgreens drug store. Based on research, over the past 20 years the marquee had become damaged with parts even missing. Walgreens restored the marquee to its original status. All of the interior has been removed and/or covered over with the exception of the balcony.
Hot Colored Air
Getting to ready launch a field of hot air balloons. This is one of the more colorful and dramatic events I get to photograph.
On a windy night
Trying to take photos on a windy 4th of July from a boat.
Sea Grass
Walking on a coral reef during low tide and bright sunlight offers interesting combinations of color.
Las Vegas Lines & Steel
Great city to walk around with my black and white camera.
Morning Coffee
The Reach hotel in Key West has this wonderful structure built out over the water. It's hard to find a better sunrise watching spot on the island.
The Kiss Statue
At night, in front of the Key West Customs House
Steam Engine
Henry Ford Museum
Nose Art
Nose art is a decorative painting or design on the fuselage of an aircraft, usually on the front fuselage.
While begun for practical reasons of identifying friendly units, the practice evolved to express the individuality often constrained by the uniformity of the military, to evoke memories of home and peacetime life, and as a kind of psychological protection against the stresses of war and the probability of death.
Retired
Probably produced food, feed and sore farmer butts. Found this in Pine Valley Utah which is a picture perfect town the head of the Santa Clara River in the Pine Valley Mountains, and was settled in 1859. The population was 186 at the 2020 census. Significant landmarks include the Pine Valley Mormon Chapel designed by shipbuilder Ebenezer Bryce (Bryce Canyon National Park is named after him) in 1868 using the scheme of an upside-down boat.It is the oldest Mormon chapel in continuous use.
Detroit
The Shimmer
Though about 6 inches of water the sandstone bottom of a lakeshore shimmered in the noon high sunlight.
Nose Art
Nose art is a decorative painting or design on the fuselage of an aircraft, usually on the front fuselage.
While begun for practical reasons of identifying friendly units, the practice evolved to express the individuality often constrained by the uniformity of the military, to evoke memories of home and peacetime life, and as a kind of psychological protection against the stresses of war and the probability of death.
Keane Wonder Mine
You can find this mine at the end of a very dusty twisted road on the outskirts of Death Valley National Park CA. It produced gold from 1907 to 1942 when it played out. If you hike up 1.5 miles to the top of the visible ridge, you will see a mile long tram that moved buckets of ore.
In its Day
Sad architectural decay in Havana
Alley Redecorating
What once was a rather ordinary bland alley has now become (IMHO) photo worthy after artists got involved in a beautification project.
Customs House
Opened in 1891 the Key West Customs House contained Customs Offices, District Court, and Post Office. Today it serves as a museum which I've taken a few photos of over the years due to its great color and design.
Chicago B&W
It is the reflections that really intrigue me. And, by taking this without color or sharpness it forces me to look harder at what is in the photo.
Air Show Artistry
Night airshow maneuvers as seen with a long shutter opening.
Alley Art
Walking in an old neighborhood in Milwaukee I came upon this alley behind a restaurant which looked bright and colorful. On both sides were a dozen nice murals. One even had a small flower garden planted in front of it.
Cuban Art
Color Splash
Walking through old downtown Las Vegas this effort could not be ignored.
Floored
Standing in the magnificent lobby of the Milwaukee Art Museum I placed the camera on the highly polished floor.
Air Show Finale
Following the EAA night airshow the grand finale is beautiful fireworks. I stood behind the DC9 as it was polished aluminum hoping to get good reflections.
Lou Ruvo
Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, opened in 2010, in Las Vegas. It has become a national resource for the treatment of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease); also focusing on prevention, early detection, and education. Its 65,000 sq ft includes 13 examination rooms, offices for practitioners and researchers, a "Museum of the Mind", and a community auditorium. It was designed by Frank Gehry.
Long term parking
Stumbled into a very interesting property full of rusty stuff outside Baraboo Wisconsin.
Neon museum
Las Vegas neon museum opens their yard once a month for photographers.
R.I.P.
1950 Super Buick Eight
Old and New Chicago
Dashboard Hula Girl
From the 1950s
Radial Aircraft Engine
Nelson Nevada Mines, active from about 1858 until 1945. Many of the men that created this area were deserters from the Civil War. This was one of the first major gold strike areas in Nevada. Now a gold mine of great junk. Many open mines and ventilation shafts-use caution. Man who lived here after the mines closed was a hoarder.
Plate Glass Art
A fraction of what you see was through the glass while most of it is behind me reflecting into it.
Mackinac Bridge
Connecting the lower and upper portions of Michigan. As we wiz under, the steel is 200 feet above me. The length of the steel is 19,243 feet. Depth of the water below is 295 feet. Overall total length of the bridge including approaches is more than 5 miles.
Rescued & Retired
For many years a non-profit has been saving old Las Vegas signage from the wrecking ball. They collect them in storage yard, light them and allow photographers in once a month. Some are refurbished and installed in the boulevards around Fremont Street. Day or night hey are beautiful examples of historic Downtown Las Vegas.
Another thing along that same road
Along the same fence but way different...possibly another family member likes to also weld.
Nevada Suntan
Rhyolite Nevada
In it’s day this was a large wealthy city until the gold mine stopped producing.
Sun Baked
Nevada sun.....
Nelson Art
Nelson Nevada is a wonderful collection of photogenic junk, cholla cactus, snakes and an old gold mine.
Night Airshow Eaa
Some of my favorite time playing with a camera.
Early 1900s
Nelson Nevada Mines, active from about 1858 until 1945. Many of the men that created this area were deserters from the Civil War. This was one of the first major gold strike areas in Nevada. Now a gold mine of great junk.
Friday Fireworks
I really enjoy taking photos of fireworks because of what the camera sees when it freezes the light and motion. Always a surprise and all so different.
Long Retired Buick
Many years spent retired in a Georgia forrest.
Night Airshow
Long open shutter then a surprise when I download the photo to see if it worked.
The Reach
The Reach is a hotel in Key West with this beautiful pavilion. This photo was taken long before sunrise with my shutter left open for 36 seconds to absorb as much light as possible.
Blue & Bright
Civilian Conversation Corps
Nelson Nevada Mines, active from about 1858 until 1945. Many of the men that created this area were deserters from the Civil War. This was one of the first major gold strike areas in Nevada. Now a gold mine of great junk. Many open mines and ventilation shafts-use caution. Man who lived here after the mines closed was a hoarder.
Glass Steel & Lights
Las Vegas at night is wonderful to photograph.
Attached to the earth
Maybe 50 years ago it was parked?
Carved Sand
Lit up...maybe 7-8 feet tall, very cool.
Plane enters from the right
Makes a turning loop while releasing fireworks then leaves show center to the left while releasing more before exiting.
Looking Glass
Into one building and what's behind reflected on top.
Lincoln
Not exactly sure of the year but over 50 years old.
Scenic South Dakota
Surprisingly, the town of Scenic, South Dakota is anything but and is currently in a state of ruin and disarray. Currently, the town sits abandoned and empty, as if it is waiting for nature to completely wipe it off the map, which may just make it the most abandoned town in South Dakota.
Oshkosh Night Air Show
Enters and leaves from the right performing a vertical and horizontal loop before exiting....sky art!
FW9
Truman Annex
Park at the entrance to Key West's Annex.
Falling Man
The Falling Man site is located in Gold Butte National Monument. This is one of the most stunning landscapes in the Southwest…beautifully colored red Aztec sandstone, along with purple and orange rocks. The rock art in this location has many layers of history, being used by several generations over the millennia. Estimates date the rock art between 700 years old for the newest petroglyphs to 7,000 years old for the very oldest. The name “falling man” comes from a single image of a man that appears to be falling, located on the cliff wall. Based on the image and its location on a high narrow edge of a it’s easy to think that this was some form of memorial for an individual that fell. Per Guide
Hello hello
Walking through a tough area of Las Vegas there were many signs of trouble.
Bellagio Hotel Ceiling
Designed by famous glass artist, Dale Chihuly.
Window Art
It made walk over..so colorful, strong yet delicate.
Havana
This really is a photograph. Sometimes street scenes look like paintings.
FW12
EAA Oshkosh
Plymouth
One of thousands
Silver Palms
Took this photo of palm trees against a cloudless blue sky using a black & white camera. I thought the effect was kind of nice, maybe more detail or without color maybe I just think I see more.
Hang On Tight!
Wisconsin State Fair amusement ride, at night with a long exposure. There was also a pretty sunset sky as background.
Sand Carving
Annual sand carving contest in Key West
FW13
EAA Oshkosh
Can’t you just hear the screams
State Fair...faster and faster it spins, pushing you farther out and up till it feels like you'll fly off into space......
Virgin River crossing
In the background is Zion National Park which was carved by the Virgin river. Here in Rockville UT this very old bridge crosses the river. The surrounding area is very prone to flash flooding when rains fall north of the park.
Flagler Rail Bridge
Used as a railroad bridge to Key West then converted to a highway bridge before being abandoned.
FW14
EAA Oshkosh
Decay began in 1959
One of hundreds of buildings in Havana featuring incredible architectural detail.
