Capcom to Iowa - We have Grain

Modern grain bins dot the Midwest landscape. Looking like huge Apollo command and service modules (or Orion capsules in modern space exploration terms), some bin complexes contain grain transport tubes that resemble construction cranes. In Iowa, these massive structures store corn and soybeans. This bin is one of several located near Haverhill.

Jesus of Haverhill, Iowa

Located in a small Catholic cemetery in Haverhill, Iowa is this life size crucifixion display rising out of the farmland. The rural area is dominated by corn and soybean fields, farms and grain elevators. A black and white treatment of the image brings out the contrast of the cross with the Jesus icon and clouds.

VIDEO: Memorial Day 2020 - Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa

Memorial Day 2020 at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, Iowa. 90 seconds of flags flying over the veterans' headstones with ambient sounds of nature and nearby street traffic.

A View Through Maintenance Gate 8

Accessing a clear view of a runway at the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is limited. But there is just enough room to place a telephoto zoom lens through the opening to capture arriving and departing planes. 

Last weekend was the start of local Spring Break. With the widespread corvid-19 making its rounds, the idea of social distancing is in full force. In this case it means many midwesterners have a chance to get away for a week against the risk of quarantine or a delayed return.

Photographing a Fast Moving 1946 Beech D18S Aircraft

Several years ago, I photographed this 1946 Beech D18S with twin 450 hp engines at Blakesburg, Iowa's annual fly-in known as the Historic Airfield Rally to Antique Airfield. Now, through the magic of Photoshop, the image comes alive as it races to take off. See the original unedited photo below.

Here's a list of what was done to the top image to give it a more dramatic feel:
1. Zoom in and crop
2. Straighten the ground perspective
3. Increase sharpening
Now the magic..
4. Select subject
5. Invert selection
6. With inversion fixed on the background, use the blur tool for the desired effect.
7. Export as a JPG, save PSD file

I'm sure there is fine tuning that could be applied, however this version turned out well. And, by the way, as a spectator on the field close to the grass runway, I can tell you that this plane books, as well as it should, with twin 450s delivering powerful thrust. It was quite the site with other spectators remarking that it resembled the body style of Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Model 10 E Electra.

Honoring an Iowa Soldier in Tennessee

I have written posts on the final resting place of Christian Brenner, a Union soldier from Iowa. My last visit to his Stone's River Battlefield National Cemetery grave in Murfreesboro, Tennessee was on Memorial Day 2019. To my surprise, every gravestone had a US flag in place for the holiday, which was once called Decoration Day, from Civil War era origins. During the Christmas season at the cemetery only the first third of gravesite rows have cedar wreaths placed on them. Those are part of the Wreaths Across America project. Christian's grave is further back from the main road so it doesn't receive a wreath along with hundreds of others. If present, a member of the 42N staff will make sure Christian's grave has some decoration placed on it for the season.

Woolworth Symbol Still Visible Despite a Tornado Strike

Last July 2018, an EF3 tornado ripped through Marshalltown, Iowa's Main Street. Despite causing unprecedented damage along the path, there were no casualties. At the former Woolworth building on Main Street there was considerable damage to the structure but the storm didn't knock it out. In the entry way, just off the sidewalk, the Woolworth symbol composed in a tile mosaic is still quit visible.

The Aging of a Chevrolet Loadmaster

In Nichols, Iowa a few old pickups are for sale. By their looks these trucks haven't moved in years, so are they really for sale? A closeup of the hood reveals layers of paint are keeping the metal intact from advancing rust. Vehicles from this era were made sturdy.

Landscape of Iowa

Near Lone Tree, Iowa the farm land is slightly hilly in a few parts. This field has grain bins in place to hold the next harvest. Now if only the rains would stop for more than a few days.

B-17 Aluminum Overcast Lands at Cedar Rapids CID

Another vintage WWII aircraft sighting this evening. This time it is the B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" at Cedar Rapids (CID). Yes, I saw the same flying fortress in Burlington, Iowa last year, and have seen it multiple times in Cedar Rapids. This week the plane's summer schedule had a last minute opening and fortunately was able to make another journey to the City of Five Seasons. In its one day appearance all flights were completely booked except for the last one of the afternoon. Storm clouds are on the horizon for tonight.

Aluminum Overcast sits on the tarmac in CID following a day of flights around the city for paying passengers (and media.) Unfortunately, I arrived an hour after the tour closed. I also do not have media credentials but probably should get accredited. I was an Associated Press stringer in college - maybe that will count. The covers on the engines are new this year according to a local EAA event host. The covers are designed to minimize the effects of rain, wind, debris and flying critters on the aging plane when parked for the evening.

Rollin' on the Ohio River

Last October 14th I spotted a tug pushing barges on the Ohio River near Paducah, KY/Metropolis, IL. Just like those tugs on the Mississippi River these are hard working maritime vessels pushing loads of coal, salt, grain, scrap iron or other cargo to customers along the way. This particular boat is the Tom Torretti of the Water Front Services Company based in Cairo, Illinois. The 67- by 28-foot fleet boat entered service in 2018.

Onward into Illinois Young Abraham Lincoln

Ever wonder what the Lincoln family wagon train looked like? Here is a depiction of that family's journey as they crossed from Vincennes, Indiana into Illinois. This 1938 dedicated monument is on the west bank of the Wabash River while the huge George Rogers Clark memorial is on the Vincennes side.  The DAR sponsored tribute to Lincoln shows the family on the move in 1830 guided by the spirit in the sky representing Abe's departed mother.

Only in Iowa - Seed Corn in Town

Many backyards in Iowa have vegetable gardens that include sweet corn. This display, however, takes the iconic plant to a new level. Where else but in a corn state like Iowa does the homeowner not only plant corn as a decorative crop in the front yard but finishes it off with a seed corn sign, like those found along countless rural roads?

Color in the Neighborhood

Mid-autumn and leaf color has peaked. In fact over the weekend when 1.5 inches of rain fell, most of the fall color is now brown, turning brown and on the ground. At the 42N latitude its been a short color season this fall. However, just a week ago this maple tree displayed its brilliant yellows just five houses away. Those leaves are now done, racked to the curb, and ready for pickup by the city's services. See you next fall.