One of the more interesting things I look for on roadtrips as I pass through small communities on back roads is yard art. Funky art and decorations in people’s yards, on their fences, on their houses. People have ingenuity. Some people have junk. But, as the saying goes, “One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure.”
Unique Yard Art in Parker, Idaho
For me, Yard Art is anything unique and unusual. It could be chain saw art – wood carvings made with chain saws. It could be art made from scrap metal. It could be, like the photo above, a hodge podge of signs, junk or other things. Following are some selections of yard art I have taken over the years. Don’t judge…some of these people love their “collections.” I just love my collection of photos of theirs… Enjoy the virtual ride.
Scrap Metal Art in Oil Springs, OntarioHubcap Barn – Central KentuckyA Chain Saw Art Santa at Santa’s Candy Castle in Santa Claus, IndianaBuried parts of airplanes at the Flying Tiger Museum in Toco, TXYet another junk collector along US Route 2 at the Blueberry Antique Store in Blueberry, WIScrap metal bison in someone’s front yard in Rudyard, Montana“Not the Hotel California” in Lima, MontanaHodge Podge Water Garden at home in Orlando, KentuckyScrap Metal Dinosaur – work done by Wally Keller – near Mt. Horeb, WisconsinBethel Saloon in Port Orchard, WAScrap Metal Horse at Woodford Reserve near Versailles, KentuckyThe Shack Playground, The Shack Burger Resort, Cypress, TXScrap Metal Guy Mailbox at Frontier Steakhouse – Dunkirk, MontanaFront of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, ILCar Advertising in Commerce, OklahomaGiant scrap metal chopper and rider at Full Throttle Saloon in Sturgis, SDP’MAWS Bait Shack in Pierre Part, LA (Notice it is SWAMP spelled backwards)Scrap Metal Alligator – Harrietsville, OntarioBlue Banana Espesso Bar in Lostine, OregonGotta add some wood carvings – these from Nebraska City, NEScrap Metal and wire Man and Dog at entrance to Gates of the Mountains in Montana, south of HelenaWhimsical Sculpture at Winter Wheat in Sparta, OntarioA “Flower Bed” in What Cheer, IowaWooden sculpture in a yard across from Daffin’s in Sharon, PARoad Sign Art in Meadville, PAA menagerie of oddball and offbeat things all over the roof, side of the house and the yard – Hamtramck Disneyland in Hamtramck, MIMetal Bird – Idaho Falls, Idaho“Javelin Man” by Larry Vennard in Centralia, MissouriFlower Man House – Houston, TexasScene from Cliff Bruce Windmill Hill in Woodstock, OntarioGreedy Attorney – Jurustic Park – Marshfield, WisconsinHand made dinos at Wells Dinosaur Haven in Uncasville, CTNice carved eagle in Redcliff, ColoradoHillbilly Hot Dogs long view – Lesage, WVHillbilly Hot Dogs near Lesage, WVGiant Armadillo – Texas Pipe Company – Houston, TexasA Scrap Metal Sculpture in Bemidji, MNArt Car at Third Street Stuff – Lexington, KentuckySpider Volkswagen in someone’s backyard – Wolf Creek, OregonA hodge podge of scrap metal art at Porter’s Sculpture Park in Montrose, SDChainsaw Forest near Medford, WISmall Metal Sculpture in Gladstone, NDBuck Samuelson sculptures on a hillside in Glasgow, MontanaChainsaw Carved Bear Mailbox, Ontario, CanadaSumoflam and Justin Howland at Grizz Works in Maple, WI. Giant Grizzly is amazing! He makes yard artA view of Boudreau’s Antiques and Collectibles on US Hwy 2 east of Ashland, WIBig Indian – Blackwater, MissouriWood carved things in front of Fat Smitty’s in Discovery Bay, WAThe Mattress Ranch “pasture” in Port Orchard, WALooks like Humpty Dumpty is alive and well in Eureka Springs, ArkansasGasoline Pump Art Sculpture in Story, IN
OK. I know…. Xtreme is not really a dictionary word, but many advertisers use it and there are company names and even a band name. So, it is fair game.
This post is about xtreme (extreme) skies – unique cloud formations, colorful skies, sunrises, sunsets, sunbeams, moon shots, rainbows and more. A traveler on the highways of America always sees the skies. It can’t be helped. For me, I actually pay attention to them for the skies present their own fascinating form of art.
Shining sky above US 79/190 in central TexasA lovely view of the Big Sky in Montana as seen from US Route 2 west of Bainville, MT
For this post, I will provide an assortment of photos I have taken on my road trips (and a couple of local ones too – let’s face it, I used a road to get there right?). The skies offer up their own amazing beauty.
I am fascinated by clouds and weather. I find the amazing colors of the early morning and the post sunset evening to be beautiful. I am awestruck by the variety that the skies offer…ofttimes changing by the minute.
Morning sky on US 89 south of Fairfield, MontanaLarge clouds over central MissouriUnique Clouds at 6:30 AM heading east on I-74 in central Indianaa Cloud cap forms on Mt. Rainier in WashingtonSunbeams peak through the clouds outside of Nebraska City, NebraskaLooks like a cloud monster ready to fly down and eat someone…Unique Cloud formation in Wyoming points the way for me to goMorning clouds over the mountains near Orem, UtahEaster Morning Sunrise 2017 in Shenandoah National ParkPennsylvania sunrise as seen from Boyce Mayview Park near Upper St. Clair, PASunrise over the Atlantic Ocean as seen from Old Orchard Beach, MESunrise shot from Leitchfield, KYSunrise in Northern Montana, near Great FallsTrinity Temple Assembly of God in Arkadelphia, AR with a rainbowSun Dog – Parhelion over Jacobson Lake in Lexington, KYEaster Morning Sunrise over Shenandoah National ParkAnother Shenandoah Sunrise photoSunrise over the Montour Trail in PennsylvaniaBeam of Sun at sunset in Cecilia, KYFull moon over Lexington, KYScary cloud over the highway at sunset in northern GeorgiaNew Year’s Day 2017 sunrise in Ocean City, MDSun and trees somewhere in NebraskaSunrise over Lexington, VirginiaSunset in Lake Minocqua, WIContrails across the sky in KentuckySunset in Baytown, TexasSunset over the hills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in North CarolinaStriated Clouds over KentuckyA lovely rainbow over Jacobson Lake in Lexington, KYThe 2017 Easter Morning moon shot with a 600mm lens from Shenandoah National ParkA rare Red Rainbow as seen from Lexington, KY on a morning in April 2017Lovely parhelion (sun dog) over Jacobson Lake in December 2016Sunrise near Tyler, TexasThe roof of a barn is silhouetted in the sunset east of Glasgow, MT on US Route 2Sunset in Port Angeles, WAEnjoyed a lovely sunset in Dublin, OH in early SeptemberSunset along Nebraska Hwy 2 in the SandhillsFoggy Sunset in Northern IowaHeading into the Sunset as I crossed into Wyoming on I-90Sunset in Hoboken, NJWatercolor skies over Manhattan, KSSunset in Yampa, COSunrise Duck Lake, MT near Glacier National ParkSunrise stuck in Dallas, TX trafficKentucky Sunset… the clouds and reflection formed a unique shape….Fog shrouded sunriseSandhill Cranes against a purple sunset sky in Cecilia, KY
There are not many better things on a back road trip than running into unexpected wildlife. There is an abundance of birds and animals to be discovered on the road. For me, my camera is always at the ready for the chance meeting of some interesting animal or bird.
Sandhill Cranes fly over high plains near Dell, MT
One such incident happened on a gravel road near Dell, Montana. I was on the lookout for bison as I drive along Ted Turner’s massive bison ranch. While stopped to look I heard a strange bird call that I had never heard and shortly thereafter a pair of large birds came zipping by. I got some shots, but wasn’t sure what I had until I got to the hotel later that night and discovered they were a pair of Sandhill Cranes, my first ever sighting of these glorious birds.
Sandhill Cranes near Cecilia, KYA pair of Sandhill Cranes at sunset near Cecilia, KY
Just a few years later in my own state of Kentucky I was able to track down a migration of 1000s of these magnificent birds. I actually came close to walking among their huge flock and they were flying all around me. Words can’t explain the awe I had.
These birds migrate north back to their homes in Michigan and Wisconsin and fly through Kentucky in late January. They stop in the bounteous cornfields to eat the leftovers that remained after harvest.
1000s of sandhill cranes converse on a field near Cecilia, KYSandhill Cranes take flightSandhill Cranes fly over Cecilia, KY
Chance encounters are always a thrill. On a morning drive in Grand Teton National Park on a snowy morning in March 2013, I caught a fox leaping in the snow out of the corner of my eye. The lovely animal stopped and stared at me as I sought to nab a shot.
Fox on Snow in Grand Teton National ParkMigrating Snow Geese by the hundreds in Arkansas in February 2017
On another trip earlier this year, we were driving on a backroad in Arkansas when we saw a “field of white” ahead of us. Turned out to be a massive flock of migrating snow geese.
There could have been 1000s of them here, much the same as the Sandhill Cranes I noted above. But it was such an unplanned surprise.
Once again, camera was always at the ready, so I was able to get a few shots while still sitting in the van (though we had to go about a mile down the road to turn around and accommodate the photo shoot.
Snow Geese everywhereA flock of Snow Geese darkens the sky1000s of snow geese in a small field in central Arkansas
Just like the snow geese, I happened upon a large flock of white pelicans at Andes Lake in South Dakota. I could see them from a distance and thought they were ducks.
Pelicans in Lake Andes, SDPelicans taking flight at Andes LakeAntelope in open range along the side of Wyoming 120
Of course, its not always about birds. There are plenty of opportunities in the high plains to come across America’s fastest animal, the pronghorn antelope.
On trips through Montana and Wyoming I always saw these lovely sleek animals. Sometimes I got them right on the side of the road.
I did have one lucky trip in 2013 when I was driving through Colorado and saw a mother and her two calves go jaunting through the tall grass. I was able to get a nice shot with my telephoto lens.
Antelope Doe and Calves as seen from CO Hwy 13 north of Craig, COAntelope just stared back at me…didn’t runA small family of pronghorn Antelope scamper across a field near Pulis Lane in Wilsall, Montana.Antelope on the Run in WyomingA big bison poses for me in Yellowstone
The National Parks are always a great place to get some nice wildlife shots. I have been to Yellowstone three times in the past 5 years and have seen a nice variety of wildlife, but mainly its the bison that roam free that are a thrill. I was amazed at how huge some of these guys get. One that walked by my car was at least 7 feet tall.
Bison and calves relax by a lake in YellowstoneBison roam freely along the Grand Loop roadBison relax along Lava Creek in Yellowstone while pronghorned antelope look on from the backgroundBuffalo in southern Montana on Ted Turner’s sprawling ranch near Dell, MTAnother Bison in Yellowstone ParkA solitary elk bull relaxes in the meadow at Yellowstone
Elk are another great large mammal to look for. I have seen them in Yellowstone and Grand Teton, as well as some of the mountain drives I made.
These are lovely animals. And, like the bison, are huge.
Elk Bull in Sugar City, IdahoAn Elk Bull near Elkton, OregonOne antlered elk bull on a breeding farm near Archer, IDAn elk was seen roaming the area around Mammoth Hot Springs in YellowstoneDeer at sunrise in Shenandoah National Park
The great culprit of car accidents and frequent recipient of roadkill awards are deer. These can be seen along highways everywhere both day and night.
I recently made a trip to Shenandoah National Park and got some very nice shots of deer. I have many more from other places, but these are my best.
Deer jumping away in Shenandoah National ParkDeer looking onDeer on the road from Paradise in Mt. Rainier National ParkDeer grazing in the snow in Lewistown, MontanaBald Eagle shot taken in mid April 2017 near Cave Run Lake, KY
Sometimes I make trips to find the wildlife myself. Such was the case recently on a visit to the fish hatchery near Cave Run Lake in Eastern Kentucky. I was in search of some of the bald eagles that hang around there. Found one!
There have been more sightings recently of these lovely and regal birds. I have seen one or two almost every week at Jacobson Park locally and also have been able to see a nest with three adults and two offspring near Taylorsville Lake west of Lexington.
Love these eagles.
Eagle at Jacobson Lake in LexingtonEagle at Taylorsville Lake, KYGreat Blue Heron
My most favorite wildlife subject is the Great Blue Heron. These huge birds hang around lakes and rivers in Kentucky and many other places. I literally have 1000s of photos of them. Here are a few recent ones from Lexington.
I have photos of these birds in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Ohio and other places as well.
Blue herons in Taylorsville LakeBlue Heron in Flight over Jacobson Lake in KentuckyBreakfast time
I could post dozens and dozens of other photos, but I will only add a few other wildlife shots to this post from my travels.
Cormorants in flight over KentuckyTurkey vulture gathering on a road in central KentuckyPrairie Dog – Cactus Flats, SDPrairie Dog — standing watch in Cactus FlatsA prairie dog scampers near the Camp Disappointment MonumentMama Doggie – Cactus Flats, SDPelicans in formation over the Gulf of Mexico in Galveston, TXA pelican starts its dive for a meal into the gulfPelicans fly in formation over the beach in GalvestonChristmas morning sunrise in Ocean City , MD and greeted by a dolphin in the foreground.A closeup shot of a seagull taken on Bremerton Ferry while crossing the Puget Sound in WashingtonSeagull in flight with the Gulf of Mexico behind itA couple of seagulls “converse” as they enjoy the view over Lake Superior in WisconsinA pair of seagulls glide by in GalvestonCaught some nice seagull shots in Egg Harbor, WIAn osprey in flightMountain Goat in the Badlands of South DakotaA Great Egret relaxes in the swamp near Uncertain, TexasA red squirrel with a mouthful in Nebraska City, NECattle Egret seen in Angleton, TexasI found a gator in Brazos Bend State Park in TexasAnother Gator in Brazos Bend State Park
One of the more interesting things I look for on roadtrips as I pass through small communities on back roads is yard art. Funky art and decorations in people’s yards, on their fences, on their houses. People have ingenuity. Some people have junk. But, as the saying goes, “One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure.”
