View allAll Photos Tagged four_up
Four UP units, two SD40N's and two AC4400CW's, lead NS train 115 on the connector track from the KCT to the UP KC Metro Sub at St. Louis Ave as it makes a trip across town to UP's 18th St. Yard. Being a train that interchanges with the UP, it's not uncommon to find UP power. The SD40N's, however, were added at 10th St. near NS's Avondale Yard after bringing in a train to the NS. 4/16/22.
Freightliner's 90048 and 90049 power through Stafford with stablemates 90004 and 90015 hitching a ride on a lightly loaded 4M87, the 11.13 liner from Felixstowe North to Trafford Park.
Four UP SD40-2s (3637, 3137, 3662 & 3773) on lease to the Utah Railway are W/B with a loaded coal train. 3637 is wearing a placard advertising "America's Salvation? Energy Conservation!".
Pulled to the curb in LeMars, Iowa to take photos of this beautiful old car in October. I displayed it as a kind of abstract of shapes and added a frame. The frame of shopping carts I took back in the nineties. I was experimenting with a B&W film that developed in C41 chemistry. I made a scan and wrapped the carts like a frame around the car.
Four Freightliner Class 90s on the front of 4L81 19:36 Coatbridge Freightliner Terminal to London Gateway as it passes through Hartford - 90049 + 90045 + 90047 (DIT) + 90014 "Over the Rainbow" (DIT).
The second two 90s in the new orange livery of Freightliner's parent company, Genesee & Wyoming Railroad, were being returned to Crewe after being moved up on the previous day's 4S50 to attend a publicity event at P.D. Stirling in Mossend.
Pictober day four - up there
Posting early and out of order because it so perfectly fits today's theme.
A few days before Labor Day I walked down to the Irondequoit Bay outlet and out to the end of the west breakwater pier. We had high clouds and bright sun. I was in the mood for taking pictures.
Argus C3 Brick with the 50mm lens, yellow filter
Ilford HP5 Plus
Epson Perfection V500 Photo Scanner
#blackandwhite, #ilfordhp5plus, #ilfordphoto, #argusc3, #ishootfilm, #shootfilmstaypoor, #rangefinder,
#windsurfer, #lakeontario, #pictober2021, #pictober,
Four UP SD40-2s (3637, 3137, 3662 & 3773) on lease to the Utah Railway are W/B with a loaded coal train next to the Price River. 3637 is wearing a placard advertising "America's Salvation? Energy Conservation".
27/100 bird life and action, 13/20 flying birds
Flickr Lounge: fill the frame
Sandhill cranes in their winter quarters tend to spend a few hours feeding and then fly in large numbers to a different spot to rest or to feed some more. I was in the right spot at the right time today to see hundreds or thousands of birds fly over, mostly in small groups of three or four up to about twenty, but a few times the numbers were larger, as here.
One of the seven eastbounds on the BNSF Transcon at Mazon. This stack train had four UP units up front and a pair of UP DPUs in the middle.
The stones are thin slabs, approximately 300 mm (12 in) thick with sharply angled tops. Four, up to about 5 m (16 ft) high, were originally elements of a stone circle of up to 12 stones, laid out in an ellipse about 32 m (105 ft) diameter on a levelled platform of 44 m (144 ft) diameter surrounded by a ditch. The ditch is cut into rock by as much as 2 m (6.6 ft) and is 7 m (23 ft) wide, surrounded by an earth bank, with a single entrance causeway on the north side.
The entrance faces towards the Neolithic Barnhouse Settlement which has been found adjacent to the Loch of Harray.
The Watch Stone stands outside the circle to the north-west and is 5.6 m (18 ft) high.
Union Pacific's JOS, "Junior Oldtimers Special", is E/B crossing the Rock Creek trestle on the Canyon Sub. Four UP GP40Xs ( 95, 92, 90 & 94 ) are on the point. Down below, CA Rt. 70, The Feather River Hwy, snakes along next to its namesake river. What can't be seen in the shot, is the approximately 60 railfans on the hillside photographing the train and about 20-25 girls & guys skinny dipping in Rock Creek. The looks on their faces was priceless as we arrived, creating quite a dust storm on the dirt access road, and scurried up the hillside to get in position.
My husband, Jerry, drove our party of four up scenic Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara, about a two hour journey.
The Natural History Museum is a delightful collection of Spanish Tiled buildings on a lovely stream-side setting, in the shadow of the Santa Barbara Mission.
I was inspired by Victoria Morrow's photos from the exhibit, "Butterflies Alive." She captured butterflies on beautiful flowers, in a fantastic garden setting. Quite different than my memories of the Los Angeles butterfly exhibit of many years ago; I recall chrysalis hanging on coat hangers in a tool shed atmosphere, fitting for LA; not much green.
Upon our approach to the pavilion, we were greeted by a nice young lady sitting at a display table with a Tupperware container of caterpillars and a small tree branch with chrysalis attached. We were all schooled in butterfly etiquette prior to entering: Don't touch the butterflies, watch where you step as they sometimes land on the ground, don't pick the flowers.
more of the story under the colorful Peregrine Falcon photo. : )
small shoot for the biltwell/knockaround collaborated limited edition sunlasses for night and day riding with wayne and gabrielle from ODFU
Aiden was awestruck by Vincent's cold and swift justice! A big part of him had known all along that this was how it would end but seeing Vincent actually do it?
"Whoa..."
The sound of his companion echoed distantly in his ears as Vincent stared down at the corpse of his captor. Breathing heavily, Vincent allowed himself to come back to himself. He'd succeeded in his mission! As he went to sit back on his knees, Vincent groaned softly as he shifted his shoulders.
Behind him, Aiden watched as Vincent pushed himself to stand a moment later. As he turned, their eyes met and Aiden's heart skipped a beat. He found himself feeling intimidated but it was not in fear. It was in awe. And...there was just something oddly attractive about his man and how he stood there looking so fierce and dangerous.
As Vincent took a step towards Aiden, however, his right knee gave out on him! He stumbled forward and barely caught his footing! Clenching his side, he gasped in pain as ahead of him the sounds of Aiden's feet hitting the floorboards grew louder as he ran for Vincent.
"Whoa, easy!"
Vincent cursed under his breath as he saw the world spin. Nausea hit like a massive wave and he wasn't even able to open his mouth to argue as Aiden half carried, half guided him to sit down on something nearby. Vincent closed his eyes and fought to push aside the pain and nausea.
"Wait here, let me see if I can find something..."
Vincent nodded silently, having no intention of getting up just yet as he willed his body to cooperate. Faintly, he could hear Aiden nearby as he rummaged around and muttered to himself. Now that Thorn and Micah were gone, they'd need to make their next move and fast. Vincent was aware that soon the adrenaline was going to wear off and if he thought he was hurting now? God, he was NOT looking forward to that! They needed to get things moving now!
"Aiden?"
God, his voice was hoarse! Licking his lips, he opened his eyes and glanced up. A moment later, his vision was filled with the determined and worried expression of Aiden's as the younger man knelt down in front of him.
"I found some clean linen."
"Wait."
"We need to cover your wounds-"
"Aiden, wait."
"-wounds. Vincent, I'm not playing around anymore! We NEED-"
"Please stop. Just... listen to me."
Vincent hadn't even raised his voice yet Aiden fell silent. He closed his lips and scowled slightly as he waited for Vincent to continue. Vincent sighed and took a slow, painful breath. A moment later, his eyes met Aiden's empathetically.
"I know you're scared but I'm going to be okay, I promise. Do I look worried?"
Aiden blinked, disarmed slightly at this question. Yet he had to admit that no, Vincent didn't look worried. Vincent watched Aiden's demeanor relax as he responded with a quiet, "No."
"Mhm. If I'm not worried, you don't need to be worried, okay? I have every intention of getting medical attention and I know my limits. But I need your help with something else first. I need you to trust me. Can you do that, Aiden?"
Aiden wanted to be upset at Vincent but found he couldn't be. He did trust him. He'd agreed to come up here with complete faith in Vincent. He needed to keep believing in him.
"Okay. I trust you. What do you need me to do?"
Feeling relieved, Vincent licked his lips and began to explain, "I don't want to ask this of you, but it's an important job. I need you to take THAT filth," he gestured towards Thorn's corpse, "down to the cells with the other one then come back for me." He suddenly remembered the forgotten keys abandoned in the jail cell lock.
"Secure and lock them up and grab those keys we forgot there in the lock. Those will be useful later. In the meantime, I'll bandage myself up. We need to get this done as quickly as possible."
Despite what they'd just gone through together, Vincent prayed that his request wouldn't be too much to ask of Aiden. Thankfully, Aiden nodded and stood without further complaint and began setting down the linen for him gently in his lap.
"Don't be getting into any more trouble without me, eh, Captain?"
"I'll try to keep a low profile."
Aiden smirked slightly, taking a quick peek at Vincent just in time to catch Vincent's hint of a smirk. He took one of the linens and approached Thorn's corpse so he could get this over with.
...
CLANG!
Aiden set his hands on his hips with a sigh as he stared into the cell where Vincent had been kept and beaten by Micah. Pete's lantern illuminated the scene before him. Inside lay Micah and Thorn's prone corpses side by side. It had taken some effort but he'd managed to quickly get Thorn down here and drag them both in there. In his hand was the key ring Vincent had reminded him to grab. With all the keys on there, it had to be a master key ring. Vincent was right that it would come in handy!
Knowing he shouldn't linger, Aiden turned away from the gruesome scene and stepped over the wrench he'd abandoned earlier once again with resignation. It would not be cheap to replace but getting Vincent to safety held priority over some tool. He didn't even have to think about it. Already putting it out of his mind, Aiden's thoughts turned to Vincent and he began to make haste. Aiden knew they were on borrowed time.
"Come on, Pete!"
...
Vincent HATED bringing outsiders into his personal affairs! Bloody Hell, what had Aiden been thinking coming out here alone?! Yet he had and Vincent was as equally frustrated as he was grateful. Once again, Aiden had gone above and beyond the call of duty as a comrade and even as a friend. There were only a couple of people he trusted to have his back in a situation like this and Aiden had not been on that list...until now. He'd find a way to repay Aiden for this.
"Fuck..." Vincent gasped as he finally finished wrapping the linen sheet around his torso as tightly as he could. Taking another linen sheet, Vincent wrapped it around his shoulders like a blanket and looked around the room with a small shiver as he waited for Aiden to return. What was taking him so long?!
It was pretty dark in here but Vincent was able to see well enough. There wasn't much in this little alcove leading towards what appeared to be Thorn's room. Blinking slowly, Vincent noticed a soft blue light coming from around the corner of the door.
'What is that?' he wondered. Before he could even try to get up, he heard the door open across the catwalk and Aiden's voice calling out to him.
"Vincent! I'm back! Are you awake?"
Finally! With a quiet sigh, Vincent reluctantly hugged the linen sheet closer around his shoulders. It felt as if the universe was telling him to not dilly dally any longer.
"No," Vincent called back with a touch of sarcasm as he heard Aiden approach. Glancing up, his gaze met Aiden's and he could see the relief clearly in the younger man's eyes. Seeing Aiden's expression disarmed him and already Vincent felt the frustration of Aiden's delay seeping out of him. Truthfully, he was just glad Aiden was safe and here with him. Instead of snapping, Vincent asked with the slightest hint of a whine, "What took you so long?"
"There were a lot of stairs!"
Aiden's answer had been so immediate and sincere that Vincent couldn't help himself! He began to laugh softly followed by a groan and held his side.
"Ow..."
"Chin up, Cap'n," Aiden said with a small grin as he knelt before Vincent and pushed something at him. "I found a canteen filled with water."
Vincent's eyes widened at the sight of the canteen that was suddenly pushed in his hands. He looked up and stared wide-eyed into Aiden's face.
"Sweet Mother of- Thank you! But...Aiden, what about yourself?!"
"I already drank some on the way up here," Aiden assured him as beside them, Pete stepped into the alcove and illuminated the room. Aiden gazed directly into Vincent's eyes with a reassuring smile and even pointed out a couple of droplets on his shirt. "See? I promise I'm fine. Now drink."
With that reassurance, Vincent quickly brought the canteen to his lips and began to drink. It took everything in his power not to chug it all down in one go!
Aiden waited patiently for Vincent to drink his fill. As he did, he took a moment to give Vincent a glance over and make sure his makeshift bandage looked good enough. From what he could see, it would do for now. He was already mentally prepared for the strong possibility that he'd need to carry Vincent to wherever they were going.
Vincent took another gulp of the cool water before lowering it and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Gazing back at Aiden again, he cleared his throat and asked, "Do you know where we are? If we're closer to the ship or the flat?"
"I think we're closer to your flat," Aiden explained. "I had to come across the South river bridge and make a left. It's a real quiet part of town, I noticed."
"Was there a small church on the corner when you crossed the bridge?"
"Yes!"
Vincent nodded and lifted the canteen to his lips and took a hefty few gulps before wiping the mouthpiece with a piece of linen.
"Drink."
"Vincent, I'm f-"
"Aiden, drink."
"Okay."
Feeling mildly amused by his reaction, Vincent released the canteen to Aiden's hand and watched as Aiden drank. Then he drank a little more. Good. Vincent could tell Aiden was thirsty.
"We're not far from my flat," Vincent explained as he reached for the linen sheet and tugged it over his shoulders again. "It's on the way to the hospital and that's much closer than the ship. If we can get me there, you can go get the doctor and bring him to the flat."
"Right!"
"Now listen closely. I have a spare key to my flat hidden behind a brick. Facing the front door, it’s two bricks to the left of the door knob, and four up."
"Door knob. Two left, four up."
"Yes. You got the keys to the jail right?"
Aiden smirked and withdrew them from his pocket with a little jangle, then slipped them back in.
"I'll lock up once we get outside."
Nodding and glad they were thinking along the same lines, Vincent slid from his perch with a groan and steadied himself. He gazed up at Aiden as the younger man stepped up beside him and slid his arm around his back again. Aiden's arm held him securely as he smiled softly at his captain.
"Let's get you home."
As Aiden spoke of 'home,' Vincent's mind went to his beloved ship: Leon's Claw and the happiness he felt in the skies with Damien and Aiden by his side. He really felt that. Aiden had become such a part of his life and he was glad Aiden was here. Then he suddenly realized that Aiden meant Vincent's home...as in Vincent's flat where he lived alone with his memories of the past.
Aiden was gazing at Vincent and watched as his expression went from that glimmer of happiness as he spoke of home to... suddenly one of sadness. It was gone as soon as it appeared and Vincent's determined expression showed instead. Aiden could have blinked and missed it! Yet he hadn't. He'd seen it.
"Right. Let's go," Vincent urged Aiden as he began to walk forward. Beside him, Aiden licked his lips and obeyed silently as Pete marched on ahead and lit their way.
...
There was a quietness that seemed to fall over the city as Vincent and Aiden continued their trek. It was if somehow the city itself knew the quiet and privacy that Vincent required to keep his wits about him. Nobody was bothering them and in fact there seemed like even less people around than usual. Thankfully, this side of town was nicer and there was less activity at night as it was. Between the two of them, it was a silent walk save for Vincent's occasional quiet directions and heavy breathing.
Vincent was sure to keep the linen sheet wrapped around him with his head down. He knew they weren't far from his flat. On a good day, he'd have made the walk in less than half an hour! Who knew how long they'd been walking?
As Vincent blinked slowly, his vision grew a little hazy. He slightly stumbled and gasped as pain flared to life everywhere. Any sign of adrenaline seemed long gone at this point. By now he was feeling every movement, every breath. It was becoming more and more excruciating.
"We're almost there. I got you," he heard Aiden's voice in his ear as his arm gently but firmly pulled him a little closer. Grunting softly, Vincent closed his eyes tightly and inhaled deeply.
After a moment, he opened his eyes again and he suddenly remembered something: Aiden had left behind his wrench!
That wrench was important to Vincent now. It had saved his life twice: first when Leon's Claw's engine broke down and tonight. If nothing else, he was going back for that wrench!
"Aiden, your wrench! You left it!"
"My wre-? Oh! Yeah, I left it in the cells. I can always get another one. You are more important than some tool."
"Do you really mean that?"
Immediately, Vincent cursed himself silently for that; especially with how small he sounded. It had just slipped out! All this pain was making him let go too much! He needed to shut up.
Aiden actually paused their progress and turned bodily slightly to look at Vincent who gazed back hesitantly; afraid of what he'd see there. However, seeing that soft smile and those kind eyes eased Vincent's anxiety and it immediately dissipated.
"It's just a wrench," Aiden told him, his voice heartfelt and sincere. "But there's only one Vincent Dubois."
Vincent heard Aiden's words, but immediately the world around him spun so hard and fast that he couldn't even process or respond. He suddenly clung to Aiden's arm so he didn't collapse and fought to keep upright. The agony was starting to grow more and more intense and it was making it hard to focus. The linen sheet fell to the ground around him exposing his beaten body to the elements.
"Oh God..."
"Hold on Vincent! Oh, I see your flat! We're almost there. Let me carry you-"
"No, no, I'm...I'm fine. Just keep walking."
Aiden knew he was NOT fine and in fact could see fresh blood dampening the loosened sheet around Vincent's abdomen. Thanks to Pete's lantern, Aiden could see the blood droplets hitting the ground below them. Fuck, they were so close!
As the front door came into view, Vincent smiled slightly to himself. He'd made it back. He'd done it. And Aiden was safe and sound, too. All he had to do was get up those stairs.
Vincent turned to look at Aiden, yet as he did, the whole world suddenly spun and quickly faded to black. His body had fainted, finally no longer able to handle the extreme amount of torture it had been put through tonight.
"Shit!" Aiden exclaimed as he scrambled to catch the collapsing Vincent! Luckily, he did and Vincent was able to fall into his arms in a sort of cradle-hold. He gently lowered Vincent to lay down upon the stone street, cradling his upper body in his arms. He carefully guided Vincent's head to lean against his shoulder and gazed into his exhausted face.
Unbothered by the blood and grime, Aiden pressed his lips to Vincent's forehead in a tender kiss and felt his fingers move gently between the strands of Vincent's hair and his natural scent filled his nostrils.
Beside him, Pete clicked at him as nearby, the sound of a peeler's whistle was blown loudly and an increasingly louder voice called out to them: "Hey! What's happened?! Oh sweet Mary! BAKER, GO GET THE CONSTABLE!!"
Oh, thank God! Help was coming! Aiden pulled back only to press his forehead to Vincent's and willed him to hang on just a little longer as his eyes closed.
"It's going to be okay," he swore. "I'm right here, Vincent. I'm not going anywhere."
***
Next Part: www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/52260182250/
To start from the beginning or to read another chapter, here's the album link:
www.flickr.com/photos/153660805@N05/albums/72157717075565127
***Please note this is a BOY LOVE (BL/yaoi/gay) series. It is a slow burn and rated PG13!***
***
Special thank you to Vin Aydin Raven-Mysterious for collaborating with me on this series and co-starring as The Captain and creating the poses! Now this pose was created about a year ago...and you can see his updated pose style and awesome photography in People in Photo: Be My Mannequin? Pose Store.
Author's Note:
Thank you very much for everyone's patience while I get these chapters out! This past year has been very, very difficult for me due to a close relative's quick decline of health and passing earlier this year. I appreciate the encouragement and empathy and thank you to everyone who has been here for me. Without all of you, Aiden would still be up in the tower trying to rescue his beloved Captain. ♥
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***NEW!!!!***
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The X-Craft was a class of midget submarine built for the Royal Navy during World War II, between 1943 and 1944.
The craft were approximately 51 feet (15.5 m) long, 5.5 feet (1.68 m) in diameter, and had a displacement of about 35 tons. Maximum speed was 6.5 knots (12 km/h) surface, and 5 knots (9 km/h) submerged, with depths of 300 feet (91.4 m) were possible. Initially crewed by a commander, pilot and ERA, the later addition of a specialist diver brought the final complement to four. Up to 4 tons of Amatol (high explosive) could be carried, bolted to the sides of the craft.
Midget submarines such as the X-Craft, and the human torpedo were designed for the same purpose, the attack of enemy shipping while in harbour to render the vessels inoperable.
Rare KTT 500 road racer, DOHC 500cc single. The KTTs had the distinction of using pneumatic rear suspensions while most competitors were still running hardtails, also the first motorcycle to use a positive-stop sequential foot-shifting gearbox, that is, one down four up. Made from 1938 -- 1950. An older Cycle World article stated that there were only four of these bikes in North America.
Four UP GEs have no trouble handling a westbound intermodal as it passes under the four track ex-C&NW signal bridge on the east side of Nelson, IL. While no replacements have been erected here quite yet, all the pieces lay waiting in the material yard in Nelson proper, so get your shots while you can!
A long time since I saw a 2CV with a boot extension unit. This one has a basket and trailer for additional carrying capacity too. Later seen four up on the M1 proving just how practical a 2CV can be!
The first memorial is this one from 1891. The plaque in front covered in snow is for the 1956 explosion. out of sight here to the left is the memorial for the 1958 "Bump". the four up right plaques have the names of all the men and boys killed not on the 3 disasters. Springhill lost over 400 in these mines.
On a school trip the class was asked what was the worst disaster, a boy pointed to a name, the only man killed that day, my Dad he said.
My Dad was killed in the 1958 bump, it was not till later in life I can see why I never fished, cant fix a car etc.
Dad went to help in the 1956 explosion as a rescue worker. We have his letter from the unemployment office stopping his benefits as he was working on these days.
Mum used to tell me to imagine living in a town where a hundred men have just died. There was no work and many surviving men hung around and just drank. Dads truck was stolen and found being drove around town by drunks. Men would break into the house looking for booze, one guy was happy with the vanilla.
Now this monument is about all thats left of these memories.
Mum was a war bride from England and a few years after the bump she took us back to England, "no boy of mine is going down a pit". She signed over the house deeds for payments that never came. Our house was for sale at the time of the disaster as they were planning on buying a farm. Life is full of what ifs eh?
Having just left Wyoming to commence the long trip across Nebraska, four UP SD40-2 (3719….) head eastbound T/COFC/auto racks @1519 with 49 cars. The character of the old fashioned Uncle Peter is in evidence with clean high dark ballast, pole lines with a short arm on top, and welded rail assuring a smooth ride at 70 when the occasion calls for it. These screaming '40s should have no problem keeping the hustle on these pigs and racks!
Low Light
MKCCN rolls through Cambridge as the sun sets for the day with the Katy leading the way. I've wanted to see this unit for some time and I received my chance on Monday. Out of the four UP heritage units I've been able to photograph, three of them came on BNSF's Hinckley Subdivision. It's a little weird, but it works I guess.
UP 1988
UP 6440
Four UP SD40-2's led by Snoot 3444 roll an eastbound through Laramie WY. during a 3985 fantrip layover in May 1984.
PADDY: “Hullo Daddy! “
SCOUT: “Boo! Hullo Daddy! I surprised you, didn’t I?” *Giggles.*
COUSIN PADDINGTON: “Hullo Daddy!”
DADDY: “Hullo you three! What…”
SCOUT: “Four, Daddy! You forgot my Little Red Riding Hood dolly!”
DADDY: “Oh! I apologise Little Red Riding Hood.”
SCOUT: “She says she forgives you, Daddy.” *Giggles.* “And so do I!”
DADDY: “So what are you four up to then?”
COUSIN PADDINGTON: “We’re watching you work, Daddy.”
SCOUT: “Whilst you work from home, Daddy.”
PADDY: “You are working, aren’t you Daddy?”
DADDY: *Pauses.* “Yes…”
PADDY: “Daddy!”
DADDY: *Looks guilty. Pauses.* “No!”
Working from home is not very easy with three very cute little bears... and a Red Riding Hood doll bustling about 'keeping an eye on me' and asking for the occasional... frequent cuddle! But isn't that what they are here for: cuddles and distraction?
My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.
He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.
Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.
Cousin Paddington is a recent visitor to our family. Travelling all the way from London, he was caught in transit thanks to the Coronavirus pandemic, so it looks like he is stopping with us for a while. The more I look into his happy, smiling face, the more attached I am becoming to him.
My spouse, Jerry, drove our party of four up scenic Pacific Coast Highway from Santa Monica to Santa Barbara, about a two hour journey.
The Natural History Museum is a delightful collection of Spanish Tiled buildings on a lovely stream-side setting, in the shadow of the Santa Barbara Mission.
I was inspired by Victoria Morrow's photos from the exhibit, "Butterflies Alive." She captured butterflies on beautiful flowers, in a fantastic garden setting. Quite different than my memories of the Los Angeles butterfly exhibit of many years ago; I recall chrysalis hanging on coat hangers in a tool shed atmosphere, fitting for LA; not much green.
Upon our approach to the pavilion, we were greeted by a nice young lady sitting at a display table with a Tupperware container of caterpillars and a small tree branch with chrysalis attached. We were all schooled in butterfly etiquette prior to entering: Don't touch the butterflies, watch where you step as they sometimes land on the ground, don't pick the flowers.
I had the new 80-D and W9's spare SX-60. I loved the vivid setting with the parrot icon on my old SX-50. Well, that's gone. Instead it has a HDR vivid art setting. The camera fires off 3 quick shots and combines them inside camera. The shutter speed is slow. The buffering is painfully even slower. Most shots had unacceptable blur. But the colors were crazy just how I like them.
Exiting the pavilion you are inspected for any hitchhiking stray flutterbys. You step into an anteroom with a mirror and a few butterfly nets on standby.
It was time for a quick break. We cobbled together what little we had brought in the way of consumables. A modern day "Stone Soup." We packed a couple of beers and bottled water but not much food.
Poor Dave ( Camp David Dave, our friend and neighbor) is tall and very active. He has the metabolism of a hummingbird. The rest of us stemmed our hunger with 1/4 of a chicken wrap and a bit of tuna salad eaten without utensils. Dave was ready to fashion some chopsticks from some twigs.
After the break W9 and I went back into the butterfly pavilion where I snapped at a little creepy kid who was about to molest a swallowtail. It wasn't wall-to wall children. There were also adult roadblocks. One clot of grownups spoke in Aussie accents about football statistics. They picked an unfortunate spot to drone on and on. You know how some people like to talk extra loud so that the nearby strangers don't miss a word? Well this group moved with me when I hit my limit and moved away.
Oh, and as W9 and I sat, another roadblock approached and took cellphone photos. I had already turned to shoot photos in a different direction when I hear a sharp intake of breath from W9. My initial thought was W9 is not afraid of bugs but she's wearing sandals so..... Roadblock had stepped on and squashed a Buckeye Butterfly. W9 witnessed a murder. So much for "Butterflies Alive" I guess.
Jerry and Dave appeared to round us up. A raptor event was underway outside. All the birds were rescues that could not be released for various reasons.
The Peregrine Falcon didn't have a "good side." She had one bum eye, a boo-boo on her beak, and a droopy wing. Not bad for a seven year old! All the birds were happy with their handlers who explained that they rotate which avian they care for so the birds don’t get particularly attached to one person. The handlers and birds were calm and encouraged us to move in closely. My shots looked fabulous in the viewfinder of the SX-60 however, later when viewed on the computer, not so much. Here is Lady Peregrine Falcon with a kite hanging from a tree in the background.
It was a 2 and 1/2 hour drive home, trudging through beach traffic, on a summer’s Sunday afternoon. Well worth the effort.
Even though I hadn't expected to even see the thing, I did expect at least a few more minutes before CN M335 left Champaign yard. I rolled up behind the head of the train, just past the Olympian Drive bridge, and stopped to verify what I was seeing. Yep, 4 Illinois Central deathstars on the head of the train - I was in the right place. Between this train and both A407/8 trains, there were so many black ICs on the old IC it might as well have been raining black today! I grabbed my camera to see what numbers all four units were, but was interrupted by a double-tap on the horn. Surely not...
Evidently I couldn't have timed my arrival any better - they had a fresh crew and they were leaving Champaign right then and there. Cue a mad dash for Ford Harris Road for my first shot! I had expected to be waiting for Amtrak before they left, so I thought I would have had another like fifteen minutes at least to prep my first shot. Nope, I got thirty seconds. All about timing, isn't it?
Charging northbound out of Leverett Junction, the northern end of Champaign's railyard, Illinois Central SD70s 1010, 1036, 1007, and 1026 have M335 well under control. They don't need all four up here, just two really, but Memphis gave them four and by god are they going to use all four! They looked and sounded damn good.
Worth pointing out the amusing weathering situation here. The two first-order units, 1010 and 1007, are noticeably more dirty than the two second orders, 1036 and 1026. Though only four years separates each pair of SD70s, the dirt and grime would have you thinking it's more like 10 or 15 years.
Tele view. Four UP SD40-2s (3637, 3137, 3662 & 3773) on lease to the Utah Railway are W/B with a loaded coal train.
Four UP motors climb the grade toward the summit at Sherman with an eastbound Z train, on October 6, 2022.
The 4K83 12:23 Garston Freightliner Terminal to Crewe Basford Hall working on a Saturday lunchtime is often used to ferry locos back to Basford Hall for the weekend.
All too often if 86s are involved they're tucked inside a Shed (or two). However, the engines were in a much more preferable order on this move as Class 86/6 pair 86637 and 86607 lead Class 66s 66550 and 66517 (both DIT) through Winsford.
Unfortunately, the color of the fiddleheads is rather muddy - at least on the Maidenhair ferns it is. Even the leaves are rather subdued, until it unfurls, and then it's an explosion of vibrancy!
I've misplaced my close-up filter which is so frustrating - I cleaned out my camera bag before the trip to Vegas this spring, and now I can't find the filter anywhere! So, this was taken with the 55mm macro lens which is manual, unfortunately.
If it looks fuzzy, just squint. That's what I do!! :)
Rather impetuously decided that this is my entry for the Flickr64 challenge, final four. Up against SophieG* who will undoubtedly blow me away with her magical view of the world.
Have a great Sunday, I'm off to finish yesterday's chores.
Four UP Loco's each with reflecting logo wings elephant style travels west into the golden hour along the UP Geneva Sub past Global III at Rochelle,IL.
The X-Craft was a class of midget submarine built for the Royal Navy during World War II, between 1943 and 1944.
The craft were approximately 51 feet (15.5 m) long, 5.5 feet (1.68 m) in diameter, and had a displacement of about 35 tons. Maximum speed was 6.5 knots (12 km/h) surface, and 5 knots (9 km/h) submerged, with depths of 300 feet (91.4 m) were possible. Initially crewed by a commander, pilot and ERA, the later addition of a specialist diver brought the final complement to four. Up to 4 tons of Amatol (high explosive) could be carried, bolted to the sides of the craft.
Midget submarines such as the X-Craft, and the human torpedo were designed for the same purpose, the attack of enemy shipping while in harbour to render the vessels inoperable.
A southbound manifest rolls past Union Station on its way out of Little Rock behind four UP motors in varying degrees of filth.
The Kawasaki Kz1000 or Z1000 is a motorcycle made in Japan by Kawasaki, released in September 1976 as a 1977 model to replace the KZ900/Z1 launched in 1972 in the Z series. It has an inline-four cylinder engine and a 5-speed transmission, in a 'one down and four up' configuration. Producing about 90 hp, it was the fastest production motorcycle of the era.
The frame on the Kz1000 is a very conventional featherbed design, but was not significantly changed in over 30 years of production.
The more cruiser-like US version was called 1000 LTD in European markets.