Sunday, October 28, 2012

Choo Choo... See the trains......

More travels have come our way.   It's every young boy's dream to be a train conductor or to ride on a train at some point in their childhood.  Mountain Man was no different and is sharing some of his grown up perspective on the romanticised world of old trains from times past.
     First stop, the central U.S.  In Missouri along the Mississippi River at Fort Madison.  The old Atchison and Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Steam Engine brought history into view.  What a monster of power
    Then on a trip in Alaska, Mountain Man rode on the Yukon Railroad along White Pass, once used during the Alaska Gold Rush.  You can see and then imagine the rough terrain and diffifulties that were encountered to reach the gold fields and to ship it out.

Enjoy the ride:

Photographer:  Mountain Man


The A.T. & S.F. Railroad Steam Engine
(Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe)

At Fort Morgan In Missouri

 
Look at the size of that steam engine





King of the Rails


On to Alaska, one of the last frontiers

At Skagway in Alaska is the Yukon Railroad Engine House at the base of White Pass.

Yukon Railroad Engine House

Snow Plow Engine used to eat through the snow when the tracks were  completely buried under many feet of snow up on White Pass.

White Pass Railway SnowPlow


Along White Pass,
a tunnel blasted through the mountain.


The original Train trestle.  The ends were blasted out when the new track was laid, to keep people from climbing out onto it.

Broken Trestle

Looking back at the old trestle.  The newer track travels miles further along Dead horse gulch, shown here, and then doubles back to continue along it's path.

Old Trestle and New Track



 The Yukon Railroad along White Pass travels 21 miles and rises over 2,885 feet in elevation.  It is one of 2 of the steepest railroad grades in the world.

2,885 feet incline in elevation in 21 miles


The railroad tracks run parrallel to Dead Horse Gulch which refers to the infamous trail used during the gold rush.  The steep grade and requirements at the time that each miner bring along at least one ton of supplies by horse drawn wagons nessesitated numerous trips along the 21 mile trail followed by a raft ride down the river to the gold camps.  Over 400 horses were worked and beaten to death while hauling supplies up the steep grade of the gulch.  Time restraints to reach the pass and set up before winter set in added to the pressure to travel quickly.

Another trestle and tunnel along the way!
 
 
View from inside a tunnel
 
 
End of the trail for this ride!
 
Please join us and share your adventures or favorite pictures if you are an amateur who just loves to take pictures or just happened upon a cool photo shot.  If you only have one picture but you want to share it, that's ok.  You can be featured as a guest on this blog.  So don't be shy, just follow the instructions on the top right sidebar of this page and let us enjoy your favorite shots too.
 
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Sunday, October 21, 2012

Bridges and Waterways

Mountain Man is back and offers a view and perspective that is pleasing to the eye.  It's amazing how relaxing the sight of water can be, thrilling or even chilling, depending on the setting, temperature, volume and speed of the water's flow.  Enjoy and let leave a comment about your favorite shot.

Photographer:  Mountain Man

Under the boardwalk in Alaska



Quiet Stream


Alaskan Waterway


Historical bridge


This would make a perfect
 5,000 piece Puzzle


I've got plenty of room for more amateur photographers so contact me if you're interested in sharing. 
   Remember, your pictures do not have to be perfect, scenic or of any particular subject matter.  They just need to be yours, of general interest to others, and of good taste.  Please read the top sidebar information on goals and guidelines for sharing your pictures on this site and note that all pictures will be watermarked for your protection. 
   When you send in photos please include a 'handle' or made up name you would like to be known as on this site.  That way your family and friends will know which are yours but otherwise you will have privacy and protection for the general web info floating around out there.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Waking a Great Horned Owl

What a treat. 
   Even an amateur can run into a spectacular moment and opportunity to interact with nature.  This weeks photo shoot was taken by the blog moderator, Photo Amature. 
  While camping at a Colorado campground in September a Great Horned Owl decided to hunt and sleep amongst the trees in our camp group.  Caught catching a morning nap, this owl wasn't particularly happy and maybe a little perturbed by the intrusion of looky loos admiring his physique and size and especially close proximity.
  He measured aproximately 2 feet tall and wore the evidence of a recent hunting catch.  We found his uneaten prey in another tree in camp and that night he made use of it while we slept.  We found the left over feathers only scattered over our camp and picnic table.

Photographer:  Photo Amature
 

Sleepy Wise Old Owl


I see you sneeking up
 
 
 
How Dare you Interuppt my Nap


Hmmm... Look at the Looky Loo's


Can't a Night Owl catch a Day Nap?



Alright, I've had enough of this
 
 
GOT IT?


You are in my sights


Evidence of last hunt

Beautiful Feather Patterns


More beautiful feathers


You looking at me? 
I'm looking at YOU!
 

Please leave comments and let us know which pose is your favorite.  Got a picture or two you have taken and would like to share?  Just contact us at the the email address above on the right sidebar.  We would love to experience what you have.

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Waldo Canyon Sunsets

Camera Shy is back and sharing some beautiful sunsets near her home.  Somewhat ominous in nature, the sunsets are beautiful even though they grew from smoke from the Waldo Canyon Fire that destroyed thousands of acres, hundreds of homes and at least 2 human lives.
   Even in devistation the awsomeness of nature can be seen if we take a moment to look.  Thank you Camera Shy for sharing in the memory and yet the beauty of that season of fire this summer.

Photographer:  Camera Shy

Smokey Haze over the Mountain

Smoke Rising to meet the Clouds


Ominous Overshadowing

Sunlight Finds a Way
(over Pikes Peak)

Golden Sunset

The Burning Bush?
(What would it have said?)


Please leave comments and encourage our photographers to continue sharing their inspiration and keen eye through their camera lenses.