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BNSF storms out of Tunnel 5 at Cliff, Tehachapi, California.

My first trip to Tehachapi and to Cliff was in the early 90's and I have 'fond' memories of dragging a Pelican Case jam packed with Medium Format Camera Equipment along with a very large Tripod to this very spot in the morning heat. I had set up approximately 100 yards to the left of the Stop Sign and I was sitting on a large rock waiting for a Southern Pacific Eastbound to reach me as it climbed the hill out of Bealville. I was just about to stand up and ready myself for the shot when I spotted a Rattlesnake no more than a few inches to my right. I can't explain the adrenalin rush you get when you spot a curled up Western Diamondback sharing a rock with you! The real trick of course was shuffling sideways without disturbing the snake, which luckily I did manage and no, I didn't get the shot and yes I did move to a different location pretty quickly. In less frantic times BNSF General Electric ES44DC 7623 leads 3 Sister locos out of the Tunnel #5 with oil cans in tow.

 

Leica M8

28mm/F2.8

250/F8

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Uploaded on June 5, 2024
Taken on August 4, 2012