Snowy Stairway to Grant Wood

Just two weeks ago the overnight snow lightly dusted the three stairs to Iowa's most famous painter, Grant Wood's grave. Today, the first day of Spring has seen most traces of snow melt away.Time to paint en plein.

Fast Moving Mallard Ducks

Three mallards fly away from an approaching winter fisherman. This is a small portion of an image that has a few more flying quackers. After processing, the trio take on an illustration-like quality, but its really a photo taken while panning and hoping anything would be in focus.

Lest We Forget Our Boys of 1861-1865

Many older local cemeteries in northern states are populated with this statue or a variation. Civil War era veterans are often buried close to their local version of this monument. Several of these statues were placed in cemeteries and dedicated in the 1920s or earlier. 

This particular soldier monument rests on a granite base and decorated with four GAR markers and tiny US flags at its corners.

Electric Elk Watches Over Clinton, Iowa

Look up from the street level and discover a world of elevated art.

In this case, a bust of an elk (or deer) has been overlooking a downtown street in Clinton, Iowa for sometime. Its pretty ornate, detailed and grand in scale. But upon closer inspection there is something more.

At the tips of the antlers are remnants of light bulbs. Can you image what this guy looked like all lite up? I bet there are local postcards that would show the electrified stag back in the day. Keep looking up.

Blowing in the Wind

Near Clinton, Iowa is this industrial plant on the southwest side of town. I don't know if it is a power plant or manufacturing facility. At this time of year, grey clouds, stiff winds and leafless trees reinforce winter's grip on the Midwest. Spring comes on March 20. We shall see.

New Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC) Locomotive at Penford

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway (CRANDIC) has introduced a new locomotive recently to its fleet. The RELCO built locomotive serves the Linn, Johnson and Benton Counties area for heavy industry customers. This afternoon the 201 locomotive, one of eight new engines, was working at the Penford plant in downtown Cedar Rapids, moving filled cars situated on the new, post 2008 flood bridge.

A Player and Her Coach

March is an exciting time for college basketball. In order to participate in post season tournaments players need to do their part and win games. The University of Northern Iowa Panthers have done a great job this season so far with two games left, both are home on March 6 and March 8.

UNI's Tanya Warren closely watches her team's performance against Missouri State on Valentine's Day 2014.

Ref Watch

Referees don't usually get a share of limelight. If a game is called correctly, refs may be acknowledged. If there is a controversial call then fingers point to the game officials. This ref and her crew called a balanced game recently at a University of Northern Iowa basketball game. While looking mad she actually may be tired as it was near the end of the game when this photo was taken.