Train Day in Benson Arizona

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Everybody loves a train.

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And, we all waited today for the next train coming down the line.

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It’s train day in Benson, Arizona. October 19, 2019.

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This one’s here for passengers, arriving and departing.

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Now comes the one we’ve all been waiting for.

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The Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014, the world’s largest steam locomotive, and the world’s only operating Big Boy. Built in 1941 and retired in 1961 having logged 1,031,205 miles.  Now on a tour of the UPRR system commemorating the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

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Not just a whistle-stop, this is a work day for the train crew.

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Workers and fans.

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The train the engine pulled.

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Time to get the train down the line.

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The Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 tour runs from Cheyenne to Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and ending in Cheyenne.

Photos all copyright by Cheyenne MacMasters 2019

Bisbee B.R.A.T.S. On Parade

1_C_MacMasters_(c)2018 (600x800)The Sun shone on the Bisbee Rolling Arts Transportation Society this weekend, celebrating the joy of having fun. B.R.A.T.S. working hard for the glory of art on the streets. And now, for a few highlights that caught the sunlight…

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For a look at the finish line, please enjoy Emilie Vardaman’s post: https://emilievardaman.wordpress.com/2018/10/27/bisbee-b-r-a-t-s/

Banksy in Time

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A stencil artist came to town one year and trusted his creations to the vagaries of time. Yesterday, Banksy speeded up time as a stencil painting was bought at auction: here today in lust, gone today in shreds.

The eye of the camera is keeping time.

Chasing the Blue Moon in White Sands, New Mexico

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It’s been four years since I last rode in the Blue Moon hot air balloon. She has a new pilot now, Dan Ewer, carrying on the tradition of former pilot, Roy Walz, flying over White Sands.

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We could photograph the sky from the ground, but not photograph the ground from the sky. White Sands is a protected area.

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There’s a song for the above picture. But first we must get there.

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And, the chase is on.

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Release.

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Pretty good run for a windy day.

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We’re a well tutored crew.

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How the air gets out of a hot air balloon.

Appearing at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2016: The Blue Moon.

All photos (c) Cheyenne MacMasters 2016

Orbs attend Hot Air Ballooning at White Sands, New Mexico

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This is the scene a week ago today at 5:30 a.m. in White Sands, New Mexico. Most of us awoke to alarm clocks at 3:45 a.m. (that’s 2:45 a.m. if you’re still on Arizona time, but who’s counting?).

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Families are already gathered to have some fun sliding down the gypsum dunes. The bright light in the upper left is the full moon.

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Saluting the dawn.

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Hot Air Balloon pilots and their crews gather to hear the latest weather reports and restrictions when flying over White Sands.

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Three  biodegradable pie balls are released for the pilots’ reading of the wind.

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And, the show  begins.

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Too windy for the blue and white balloon.

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We’ll be taking off now.

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Time to get to work. My pilot has been watching the balloons on this windy day, not all were able to ascend. But he’s decided we can get ready for flight. In my next post I’ll be chasing the Blue Moon.

All photos (c) Cheyenne MacMasters 2016

Orbs Flock to Hot Air Balloon Glow

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Orbs attend Hot Air Balloon Glow in Alamogordo, New Mexico.

If you’ve learned anything about orbs since following my blog, you know they love a party.

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And, that’s what the 25th Annual White Sands Hot Air Balloon Invitational put on for the city of Alamogordo, New Mexico last Saturday night.

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Clouds of orbs blocked the view of hot air balloons rising above the park.

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See you at White Sands for the mass ascent of the hot air balloons in tomorrow’s post.

All photos (c) Cheyenne MacMasters 2016

Homeward Orbs

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What Orbs Look Like at 55mph

Driving home from Alpine, Arizona it’s finally dark enough to open the window and take some flash photos hoping for orbs.

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Yucca stalk with Orbs

Now this is fun, trying to synchronize my flash with the yucca stalks I see coming our way.

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Yuccas and the Orbs

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Orb and the Bush

Sometimes you can really perceive the depth of the orb.

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Welcoming Orbs

My neighborhood orbs, we’re almost home, slowing around the hairpin turn.

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Triangle Orb

Home at last. The agave is beginning to bloom. And good old triangle orb is on the upper left as usual.

Quiet Night Of Orbs

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Blue and Yellow Orbs

It was a quiet evening for orbs in the woods. At about 9:30 p.m. the dog and I went out to see if we could find something of interest on a moonless night.

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Distant Orbs

The orbs are there, but in silent repose.

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Orbs in Branches

But still, when you find a wonder, are we to complain that it’s not wonderful enough?

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Power line Orb

When questing orbs that remain elusive, they can often be found hovering over power lines.

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Orb Cluster

Who and what are orbs? Are they the will-o-wisps of yore? They do seem to have the sentience ascribed to them by Dr. Klaus Heinemann, a Stanford University professor of physics. All I know is that they are a mystery of pure delight.

Forest Orbs

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First Orb of the Evening

Going out into the night to see if orbs will appear, I center myself in quietness. This image  made me smile at first flash. I now see a second orb of blue in the tree branches.

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Faint Orb on Left

It was a night of solo orbs, some pairs floating above the tree tops. I chose this photo simply because I like that craggy branch on the right.

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Feels Like Christmas Orbs

Looks like the party of orbs shifted this evening from the forest to the woods bordering the road. I count about 40 in this photo.

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Bright Orb

One photo more and the party has dispersed. Could the bright orb in this image be the same that was higher in the center of the party photo?

I’ll be orb questing again tonight. I recommend that you do the same.