5/31/14

I was able to get this image last night while walking on the Konza Prairie.  There was rain to the east, we did not get any of course.  The setting sun was illuminating the clouds just beautifully.  Couldn't resist getting off several images and this is one.

5/30/14

This is an image of what the inside of the firebox on a 20HP Minneapolis Steam traction Engine looks like.  It is also what a steam locomotive's would look like only it would be larger.  You can see the Flue Sheet which is where the Flues or tubes connect to and then run the length of the boiler.  These are what the heat travels through to heat up the water in the boiler to produce steam.

5/29/14

I took this at a pond at the railroad I help at in Topeka a couple of weeks ago.  I loved how the light was sparkling on it's wings.  This is a young Eastern Pondhawk.

5/28/14

I have had this photo for a while but never shared.  I had taken after a rain so the web even have some rain drops on it.  I didn't know what kind of spider it was but thought it was fairly colorful for one.  I have since found out, thanks to a couple of people on Google+ that it is an Orchard Spider.

5/27/14

I took this image in Minnesota, last spring I think.  It's a female Redwing Blackbird in the reeds of a marshy area by a pond.  Amazing how they look nothing like the males or like their name.  No red wing, no black.  :-)

5/26/14

Happy Memorial Day!  This image was an experiment inspired by a photographer on Google+ whose work I really admire.  He mostly is known for snow flake photography but he does cool images like this at times too.  While mine is not the quality of his I thought it turned out well enough to share.  Those are real raindrops on the spikey part of a Cleome flower.  Wish we would get more rin but it keeps going around us.  Glad for what we have gotten anyway.  Remember you can always click on the image to view larger and see more detail.

5/25/14

Steam train time!  This is an older image from when we visited the Durango & Silverton Railroad a few years back.  The train was just coming off the famous High Line and the Fireman blew down the engine as it was coming towards us.  When they do this for just a few seconds it can remove crud and scale that may have gotten into the boiler.  It's an impressive sight to see and loud as all the steam goes.