They were out trimming branches from growing into the power lines again and this time I actually got to see them doing it.
I chatted with the operator for a minute. I told him how it looked like it wouldn’t be any fun on a steep hillside. He said there have been times that he’s had to use his winch on the back to lower himself down a steep hill just reach the branches and then pull himself back up.
That’s how ya trim branches way up high!
I woke up one morning and thought I heard something out by the road. So I grabbed my camera and went out to look.
This is what I saw.
I wanted to get some photos of them actually trimming trees but they went off into the woods in the thick poison ivy and there was no way I was going to walk into that in shorts and sandals!!!
Maybe another time I can get the rest of the story photos.
Every morning I hear the wah wah waah of the loggers and then after a while I hear the log truck shifting through the gears as he climbs the hill with his load of logs.
Every morning I say I have got to go down there to see what they’re doing, it sounds like so much fun. I’ve been saying that for close to two months now.
I have a few other things on the to-do list but never mind about laundry and bathroom cleaning, that will always be there these guys will one day soon be helping someone else manage their timber and if I don’t go now I may be left wondering what might’ve been.
I had to get a look at this log loader, de-limber, cutter all in one thing. I don’t know what it’s properly called. I’m sorry, I do not know forestry equipment terminology so anyone who does please correct me!
He uses that grapple thing like an extension of his hand.
Just grabs a few trees, like a handful
and stuff them in and out of the de-limber. It has rolly things with teeth that take the branches right off.
See how sharp, sharp as in nice and clean they look now?
To chop the tops he sets them on the de-limber thing to the exact length. Watch those arm things
they clamp down to hold the trees for cutting off the tops.
A closer look, on the right is the chainsaw like saw blade just waiting to be told to cut.
Then sawdust flies everywhere and he cuts the tops off. All in a mater of minutes.
Then up the hill comes the skidder carrying more logs.
He circles by at just the right angle
to drop off the logs into the pile.
He circles around, he’s not done up here yet
he has to clean up the chopped tops.
He carries them off to where ever the tops go.
At this point the truck is loaded and ready to go.
I talked to the log loader operator for a minute, he said Grampa used to drive the truck and dad used to load the logs.
Now he loads the logs and Dad drives the truck.
I really enjoy meeting people like that.
I love seeing families having fun working together.
I’m glad I didn’t do those dishes!
F/5.6 1/1000 sec. ISO 200 50mm with polarizing filter.
You’d think I’d never seen a palm tree before the way I stopped to take pictures of each one I saw on this trip. I took pictures of them at the toll booth.
F/4 1/500 sec. ISO 200 50mm with polarizing filter
I was even thrilled they were in front of the hotel.
F/4.5 1/800 sec. ISO 200 50mm with polarizing filter ~ thanks Paul for insisting I use it.
F/4 1/640 sec. ISO 200 50mm
That evening I could tell it was going to be the perfect sunset.
F/4 1/200 sec. ISO 200 50mm
Behind the rink there it was.
F/4 1/200 sec. ISO 200 50mm
A little farther up the street it was even better.
F/4 1/125 sec. ISO 200 50mm
At the edge of the parking lot behind the camper with the clothesline tied to a tree and the people enjoying a few beverages was the reflection looking just like I’d imagined,
F/4 1/125 sec. ISO 200 50mm
only better.
Here’s a good list of Free Lightroom Presets. I tend to start with a preset and then modify it to my liking from there.
Flowering Dogwoods
Remind me of a little song I once heard before I knew what a dogwood flowers looked like
I think it goes something like this
Legend of The Dogwood Tree
When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven
And for Christ's cross its timbers were chosen.
Being distressed at the use of this wood,
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
"Not ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for such a tree, and so
Slender and twisted it shall always be
With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.
The petals shall have bloodstains marked in brown
And in the blossom's center a thorny crown
All who see it will think of Me,
Nailed to a cross from the dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished this tree shall be
A reflection to all of my agony.
