Western Railroad Discussion > This may or may not be true...

As often happens in the course of a regular railfan chase/pursuit of photography a non-RR scene will present itself that just demands to be recorded with a camera. And it won’t necessarily be convenient. But one still has to screech the rig to a halt and jump out for a quickie. Hopefully the rear-view mirror was checked first…

I was down on the old Rock Island GSR last spring, all set up with a possible train on the way. Unfortunately the Kansas weather gods blew in some interesting clouds, effectively ending my normal photo aspiration. Then I got a sudden idea for possible ‘Signal Sunday’ shots. Problem was, the shot I had in mind was about 2 rail miles to the west. Which meant about a 4 mile jog along square-corner, back country gravel roads.

So there I was west of Maple Hill, KS, tear-assing west along rural Warren Rd when I was literally halted by my photographic instincts. After 40 years of composing RR photography I constantly find myself looking at the everyday world with composition in mind. And when the scene below came before me, and I was powerless to pass it up. I won’t get into its composition, but I will focus your attention on the cow at the far top left of the “herd”. This cow seems to be looking directly at my rig, a fact I noticed after I resumed my tear-assing pace. In a half-second flash of humorous fantasy as I passed by, the look on the cow’s face seemed to say: “I hate this life, take me with you”. And if I was to give a humorous answer, it would be: “No, you’re too big for the front seat!”

I eventually found my spot at the Vera Rd crossing. I never did get that train. But I did get some shots: ( https://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,4808243,4808243#msg-4808243 ).

1. Looking west along Warren Rd, about ¾ mile west of Maple Hill, KS.
EXIF: 7:18 PM on May 17, 2019.

What a mooooving experience… ;^)
Lance Garrels
santafe199



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/06/19 18:02 by santafe199.

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Very NICE composition of the cows, sky and green pasture.

Larry

Doesn't your rig have a cowcatcher?

Nahhh Vince, I was born in the dizmal ages...

;^)

Holy cow!

The cows finally came home...

santafe199 Wrote:

> This cow seems to be looking
> directly at my rig, a fact I noticed after I
> resumed my tear-assing pace. In a half-second
> flash of humorous fantasy as I passed by, the look
> on the cow’s face seemed to say: “I hate this
> life, take me with you”.

"Well I'm drivin' fit to tear-ass near Maple Hill in Kans-ass
Such a fine sight to see.

It's a cow my Lord, yes a Her-e-ford.
Turning 'round to take a look at me.

'Come on baby, don't say maybe.
I gotta know if your sweet love is gonna save me.

We may moo and we may whinny, but we will never be here again-y
So open up, I'm climbing in-y, to take it easy!'"

-The Eagles (or was it the Cowbirds?)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/08/19 02:29 by Evan_Werkema.

Evan_Werkema Wrote:  > ... or was it the Cowbirds?

It might have been the Cowsills... But either way, I love it!

Welcome to the ranks of off-the-wall DJs, Mr "DJ EWerk" (not to be confused with Ewok... ;^)

DJ Sir L