Windmills and Storm

On my way home from my March road trip, a fierce storm was blowing in from the west.  In the wide open space of the high plains, the distant storm front was visible for much of my journey.  The storm front itself was interesting, but when I came upon an area with windmills, I had to stop to capture a few images.

Windmills and Storm

This wide angle view captures the old ranch windmill and structure along with the modern, electric generating windmills in the distance and the massive storm clouds with rain in the distance.

I zoomed in to get more detail of the old windmill and its contrast with the modern windmills.

Windmills and Storm

Zooming in has the disadvantage of removing some of the storm clouds.

On the opposite side of the roadway there were more windmills much closer to the road.

Prairie Windmills and Storm

As I continued my journey to my overnight stop in Amarillo, Texas, the wind became more fierce, buffeting my vehicle all the way.  The wind whipped up much dust north of Amarillo.  The storm continued through out the night and I awoke to a dusting of snow and a light blowing snow, which continued for a short distance on the final day of my homeward bound journey.

I arrive home safely in the afternoon and now I have to look forward to another, as yet unplanned journey.

Until then,

Ken

 

 

Road Trip Photography Between Destinations – September 2022, Part 3 – Abandoned Farm Homes

This is a continuation of road trip photography of September 2022.

Prairie Home, Nebraska High Plains
The Gate
Homeward Lean
Still Spins

After shooting and driving away from this abandoned Nebraska home, I realized that I should have used a slow shutter speed to capture the motion of the windmill.  The windmill still spins, but the pump is disconnected.

Old Prairie Home
Stormy Horizon
Duplex Model 55

This is apparently a popular pump gear box that is or was used with windmills.  In researching this item, I found online listing for parts for this model gear box.

Listing Porch Roof
No Panes
Distraught Tree

The evergreen tree on the left seems to be distraught about the dilapidated condition of this abandoned farm house.  Maybe children once played around that tree.  This image was chosen for Flickr’s Explore Page.

Hanging On

Even more road trip images in the next post,

Ken

Badlands National Park, South Dakota, Part 4

After my morning excursion into Badlands National Park, I returned to the Buffalo Gap National Grasslands Campground Area, picked another campsite, had lunch and waited until it was time to go out again for sunset photography.

Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, September 16, 2022, PM, iPhone Photo 1
Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, September 16, 2022, PM, iPhone Photo 2

As the afternoon progressed, like yesterday, storm clouds began gathering.

Visitors, Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, South Dakota
Praire Storm
Buffalo Gap National Grasslands, Campsite 2

Rain soon began to fall with gusty winds.  It was apparent that the storm was too fierce for me to venture back out for a late day shoot.  Now I have to look forward to another morning shoot.

Until then,

Ken