I was hired to document Falkirk Mine’s big event: Chief Ironsides, the 13 million pound dragline, crossed Highway 83 for the first time in years. It was so cold, my camera batteries were freezing up.
I got an amazing photo using only my cellular telephone. I don’t ever want to upgrade away from this phone; the camera’s too good!
My list of homemade 4×4 hybrid vehicles grew by one: I present to you the 4×4 Ford Galaxie!
Some unique weather conditions caused a lot of very dramatic spikes of light around town. I chose the river as the best place to photograph them.
The lights beneath the new Memorial Bridge were modified to address nearby homeowners’ concerns and were turned on, creating an interesting light artifact visible to westbound drivers.
I finally took the time to explore the Antique Mall on Main Avenue in Bismarck. I found some very interesting items, including some photos of the North Dakota state capitol building that were intriguing, to say the least.
I found the best spot in Bismarck to get a shot of the capitol interacting with the moon.
After this February trip I already figured I’d taken my coolest photo of 2010, and now that 2010 has passed I think I was probably right.
I found some American flags waving victoriously in a very unlikely location.
After a storm dumped an overwhelming amount of snow, ice, and something in between, crews scrambled to fix miles and miles of downed power lines in some very challenging conditions.
I spotted this homemade P-51 Mustang replica, sporting a Geo Metro engine, at a meeting of the local Experimental Aircraft club.
Power outages continued as the icy crust from early April’s storm almost immediately melted, turning the area into a mudfest. Power line towers and poles for miles west of Mandan were bent, twisted, and broken. Crews worked diligently to repair the lines in spite of the conditions.
Not to worry: many workers like these brave souls worked tirelessly to get things repaired and power restored. They worked at an impressive pace in challenging conditions.
Accomplished mime and all-around amazing performer Dan Kamin (dankamin.com) performed with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra. The performance highlighted the many talents of our Symphony as well as its conductor, who did quite a bit of acting as well.
I took a friend’s Canon 7D camera on a test drive for a Fallen Farms shot. I knew it was the camera I’d been waiting for, and within a couple of weeks I had one of my very own.
I added the Categories feature to the ol’ Blog. Now you can click on a category title (in blue, by the title of the post) and find similar posts going all the way back to the beginning.
North Dakota finds itself in the middle of a viral movie marketing campaign for the film Super 8. I of course hop in with both feet…
Memorial Day 2010 was highlighted by a B-52 flyover and a stirring speech from Major General C. Emerson Murry (retired). We lost Maj Gen Murry later in the year.
I found a new favorite sunset spot for my photography outings. It’s hard to get to if you don’t know the way, it’s got spectacular views in all directions, and I’ve gotten plenty of use out of it already.
The Barnstormers Tour came to town for three absolutely packed days of nostalgia and rides. My little boys and I went all three days but I didn’t purchase a ride.
I introduced you to Bill Jundt, the head of the crew who arranges the window shades of the capitol tower displays for July 4th, the new year, or the colored Christmas tree. The local media must read my blog, because they then picked up on the story for Christmas.
I took advantage of my newfound vantage point to catch the capitol and the moon perfectly aligned.
I got a response from the Super8 viral movie campaign, and am now an official Rocket Poppeteer!
I broke my rule about entering deserted farm houses just this once to get an amazing shot of this abandoned living room and picture window.
A large group of local photography enthusiasts took part in the annual Worldwide Photo Walk this year, with great results.
Art in the Park 2010 featured a very talented chalk artist who uses perspective to give his artwork a 3D look.
Cold War Mancation, Part One – Oscar Zero, the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Historic Site.
Mandan Airport hosted a fly-in as a companion event to Buggies ‘n’ Blues. The weather was perfect (for once) and there was a ton of participation!
I found a new perfectly picturesque location for my Dakota Roads signature shot. This was a brand new (like, literally a day old) Highway 1.
Cold War Mancation, Part Two – the defunct Nekoma Missile Site, part of the Stanley R. Mickelsen Complex.
Cold War Mancation, Part Three – the former Omega radar tower, now part of a Naval computer operations something-or other.
The Global War on Terrorism Memorial pays tribute to North Dakota soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the GWOT.
Cold War Mancation, Part Four – the gigantic PAR (Perimeter Acquisition Radar) array is a feature of Cavalier Air Station.
By patiently spending an evening in my favorite photo hiding/sunset spot I was able to take a variety of photos in multiple directions.
Cold War Mancation, Part Five – Minot…including an extremely rare pair of vintage fighter planes.
KVLY’s tower got demoted in 2010 to the world’s SECOND tallest man-made object. As a former employee, it’ll always be the tallest object in my heart.
Mandan Fire Department hosted plenty of emergency services agencies in an amazingly fun event for the kids with demos, hot dogs, and fire engine rides!
I found out that those ginormous brass doors on the front of the State Library building DO actually work.
Drew Wrigley became the first person to be appointed Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota in 70 years.
A large crowd gathered on November 11th to see the Veterans’ Memorial
cast a ray of sunlight on North Dakota.
The 2010 Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was particularly fun this year, and my little boys got to have their picture taken with some famous North Dakotans.
As wonderful as it was, Christmas 2010 was missing a few notable displays around Christmas and Mandan.
Christmas on Kennedy Avenue was one of the best Christmas displays in Bismarck-Mandan this year.
So…there you have it! There are plenty of other posts in between, but in looking back I thought those were the most noteworthy. Who knows what 2011 has to offer? One thing’s for sure: you’ll see it here!