Birds Landing
&
The Imperceptible Breeze
Birds landing is located amongst the gusty 6,800 acres "Shiloh Wind Farm" in California inhabited by a small community of sheep/cow and grain farmers, in fact, population is only 97. The area is fascinatedly peaceful and interesting with only the whoosh & whirl of airfoils rotating vigorously with the occasional Moo & Baa enhancing the remote soundtrack.
The photography here is incredibly challenging as the wind can be immense. On a side note, Clint Eastwood filmed a scene in "Honkytonk Man" at the local tavern called Myrtles Diner. Nowadays landlords are benifiting largely from rent produced by the Wind Turbines..... These Images are taken over two days starting at 6:00 am.
The Shiloh Church, shot with faint but warm dappled light as sunrays wash through the tree branches from behind the camera.
The grassy hillsides are prone to fire as seen scorched top right corner.
These turbines stand 260ft tall and provide power to 74,000 homes. The surrounding land is used for growing hay and sheep grazing.
Overhead power lines diverge into the individual homes, note the weights on the cables that prevent whipping up and down during high winds.
An old electric railway line from the 1930s, Ironically still in use for the Western Railway Museum.
Simpler the photographic expression the greater the portal to life's complexities. The timing of this shot was similar to watching a rhythm of motion within the constraints of the tree, like breathing, inhale, exhale as the wind blew, watching, waiting, watching for the right shape, and click!
A nearby dog behind me was barking loudly and throwing me off in an edgy way, so hense the image has a little wobble in the making. I tend to stay furtive and respectful when shooting on farmers land but once bitten twice shy, recalling the time I got chased by a mad cow, so I scampered quickly after this one shot!!
From the classic movie "Honkytonk Man" staring Clint Eastwood this tavern was called Myrtles Diner. The inside is exactly as it was then, you'll have to watch the film, It's a real cracker!!
Thanks for viewing!!!
