Mater could not be reached for comment

I spotted this rusty old vehicle hiding behind some trees southwest of town a while back, just as the sun was starting to really splash the area with color. The hour before sunset/sunrise and the hour after are absolutely magical from a photography point of view.

I know this isn’t a tow truck, but thanks to Pixar I start thinking of Tow Mater every time I see a rusty old truck anywhere. That may have something to do with having two little boys who love all things related to Cars and Cars 2!

Leanin’ a little bit more…

This familiar “fallen farm” on County Road 138 southwest of Mandan is leaning a little more every time I see it. I wonder how long it’ll be until it collapses entirely? A few of the other leaning structures I found when first getting into my photography hobby have fallen completely. It’ll be sad if the one joins them anytime soon.

Must have been some party

Poking around south of town I spotted this old machine rolled over at the top of a hill. I’m sure it caught a nasty wind and ended up on its side, but the fact that it was in a field full of cattle tickled my sense of humor a little. I mean…after all, does anyone REALLY know what cows do when we’re not watching?

Basking in the sun

Today’s edition of “old stuff poking out of the snow” brings us this retired implement, standing guard on a hill south of Hensler. It was bitter cold despite the beautiful, sunny blue sky. The snow in the ditch I crossed for this photo was deep too. This shot prompted me to investigate a purchase of some snowshoes…

Barney

The remains of this old barn reside just northwest of Mandan on Highway 25. I’d photographed this structure before, but I don’t think I have done so while it’s been covered with snow. I like the range of colors.

A number of familiar old “fallen farm” structures around town have finally succumbed to old age and fallen completely. There’s only a certain window of time in which these photogenic pieces of history may be captured, and after that they’ll simply collapse into piles of rubble and rot. I’m always intrigued by the thought that these were new at one time.

Somebody once stood back at the completion of building them and stopped to survey a job well done. Somebody was excited to finally have that barn or that new home. Somebody grew up, worked hard, or maybe even passed away in many of these crumbling old buildings. That’s why I think I’m so drawn to them; a photo of a decrepit farmhouse, barn or shed is merely a starting point from which one can look back and surmise what it could have been like back in its glory days.

Four year old photo

Well, actually I mean four year old photographer. I took one of my little boys out in the truck last Friday to show him the sunset, and we found ourselves near this “falling farm” just west of Mandan Airport.

I took a few shots but he wanted to try as well, and I’d much rather showcase his work as a proud Daddy. My camera is very heavy, so I helped him support the weight, but the framing and actual shot are all his. Naturally, Daddy did the Photoshop processing once we got home. I couldn’t be more proud…maybe little PJ will be a photographer someday!

Old and stranded

I recently braved the harsh winter nastiness for some sunset photography and paid this old equipment a visit. I don’t know what it is, but it’s photogenic. I’m no stranger to this piece, but this is probably the best photo I have of it as it’s drifted in pretty well.

Second calling

One noteworthy feature of the North Dakota landscape is an old box car converted into farmyard storage. Sadly, I think many of them are now part of the abandoned, deteriorating “fallen farms” which catch my eye so frequently. As they crumble, they take a bit of history to the dust with them. The lettering on this one was too faded to read. As the property was signed “No Trespassing” I was unable to get a closer look, settling to take my photos from the road.

Good talk, Rusty

Just think…at one time this fella probably sat in a showroom or on a lot with a shiny coat of paint, just waiting to get out in the field and dig in (pun intented). Now it’s more of an ornament, but a testament to labor done. I’m not sure about the green hub on the axle, though.

Fallen Farm Friday

Half barn, half house? The very distinctive shape (shapes?) of this house had me jamming on the breaks and whipping around for a quick photo. The part of the house on the left looks like a barn, yet the front makes it look like it collided with a house at some point. The peaks of the roof are like an architectural cherry on top.

This building sits stoically along the road to Fort Ransom, boarded up and tucked into the trees. Spotting such a Fallen Farm building was like stumbling on a hidden photographic treasure!