Watching the watchers

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While working in the Joint Operations Center a while back I couldn’t help but notice the large wooden Samurai standing in the far corner next to the monitors. Once we wrapped up I was given permission to take a couple of quick cell phone pics so I could do some background checking later. This particular statue is very important.

The Samurai portrayed here is Kusunoki Masashige, a warrior who was a legend and an inspiration to Kamikaze pilots during World War II. This particular statue originally stood in a Tokyo military school and was claimed by a North Dakota unit, the 164h Infantry Regiment, as a war souvenir. Given to the State Historical Society, it spent nearly forty years in their care and adorned the Liberty Memorial building on the capitol grounds. In 1986 it returned to the National Guard and now sits in a very high-tech setting at the JOC, one suitable for such a revered warrior.

One more tool for emergency awareness in Bismarck

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If you’re like me or many of my friends, you cancelled your landline long ago (years, in my case) in favor of cellular. There are some drawbacks to going cellular-only, though, mostly in emergency situations. This should be of keen interest to all “cellular-only” residents of Bismarck.

A coworker emailed me the link to Bismarck’s “Wireless Notification” form yesterday. This allows use of the “reverse-911” system, used to notify residents of a certain geographic area, to reach people who don’t have a land line. It can also be useful if you’d like to receive notifications while away from home.

This could be extremely useful in cases such as the standoff in a south Bismarck trailer park earlier this month. With spring flooding around the corner, this can also be a critical tool in getting timely information out to people in an affected area.

You can check out the form by clicking here. It’s one tool in the arsenal, not a failsafe, but it’s certainly a good way to help stay informed for those times when you need reliable information in a timely manner.

Something REALLY BIG happened this time last year

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One thing I love about this business is being able to go where few are able. That was the case last January as I was on site for the move of the Falkirk Mine’s dragline “Chief Ironsides” from the west side of Highway 83 to the east side.

Weather delayed things a bit, but we finally got going just before sunset. That made for some challenges with shooting video. Stills are one thing in low light, but HD video is another. The main shot I was set up for was a time lapse of the roadway crossing, and the light was changing on me very quickly.

It was quite dark by the time the thirteen million pound behemoth, controlled by a woman named Melody, crossed the road. There was a thick dirt road constructed across Highway 83 just for this purpose, since the dragline needs a level deck for moving. It also protected the highway from the immense weight of the machine.

I froze myself silly, but I got the shots. I had one HD camera doing the 1080p time lapse while I ran around getting other angles and video footage with a second HD camera. Of course I kept my trusty still camera bag with me at all times. It was something I’d looked forward to seeing for a long, long time…but I was also quite glad to be out of that wind and cold!

My money’s on the Bulldogs to win

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Something caught my eye at tonight’s basketball jamboree, held at the Bismarck Civic Center. Did you catch it?

Bowman County and Flasher were paired, making it a dogfight. I have to admit I was confused as to which Bulldogs were which on the scoreboard! I think Bowman County came away with the W, but the only thing of which I’m certain is that the Bulldogs won.

This billboard is truly 3D

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My friend Amy clued me in to this billboard Friday so I had to take a look. It’s pretty eye catching and at a killer location. At first you’d feel really sorry for the poor individual who got stuck up there to put up a sign in this bitter cold!

Of course, closer inspection reveals that this worker is either milking the clock, frozen solid, or something else entirely. That something else? A mannikin. Clever! It certainly draws the eye, anyway.

Looking back at the first photo, I think this is a good eye catcher for rolling out a new image. I just hope that when it’s revealed, it doesn’t contain another doggone leaf!

Once more unto the bridge

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One thing about that whole “diamond dust” phenomenon is that it looks best with really bright light. Where are the brightest lights in town? Typically along the Interstate and at car dealerships and gas stations. While there are a few “hot spots” around Bismarck for this, it seems like the most reliable cluster of light spikes is always on the other side of the river. That makes River Road a prime location for putting the lights in the background.

Between Memorial Highway, I-94, the Tesoro refinery, and Heskett Station, Mandan has a large grouping of very bright lights perfect for an ice crystal light display. The most notable prominent feature available for a foreground object is, of course, the Northern Pacific railroad bridge. Since the 1800s it’s been a landmark, and it happens to be in the perfect place to make it a staple in local photography. Remember the phrase, “Location is everything”?

There’s truly only one perfect vantage point for this phenomenon, and I’ve only nailed it once: on the river. The curve of the river bank makes it look like I’m way out there, but I’m not. I’m actually standing near some weeds poking out of the snow behind me! The greatest risk was getting my boots wet should the ice give way under my feet. Even so, it took me several minutes to cautiously poke my way out just far enough, even though it was only several feet from the shore. This is the area where everybody goes to sunbathe and play in the shallow water in the summer.

The complication: that was when the water level was low. This year, however, the Missouri River has been extremely high for WEEKS. That means there is no safe place to even venture along the shore of the river in search of a shot. Don’t try it. If you don’t believe me, go to the boat landing by the Lewis & Clark Lego statues. You’ll see that the water level is extremely high, and not to be trifled with. Always be aware of your conditions when going out on a photography expedition.

Keep an eye out: diamond dust needs these cold temperatures to form. It’s a form of condensation which, unlike fog, condenses straight to solid ice form in the air. Fog is liquid. I’d guess it’s most likely to form when a pocket of warm air comes through and meets the cold, turning its moisture into those ice crystals we know and love. Once again, this phenomenon only allows a fleeting window of opportunity, so be vigilant! It’s a fun thing to pursue…even in the cold.

“Diamond dust” drive continued

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I have a bit of experience chasing this particular weather phenomenon around with my cameras, but I didn’t know its name until Kevin Lawrence mentioned it recently: diamond dust. What a fitting name for these floating ice crystals!

When I left the house Wednesday night on other business I noticed that the air was thick with this diamond dust, even at ground level. Already its effect on bright lights around town was manifest. I couldn’t wait until I was able to break away and head out with the camera (which yes, was already on my person). I was not disappointed.

There are a few dilemmas when chasing these ice crystals for purposes of photography. One is that they typically exist only for a fleeting moment, as just the right conditions are required for their appearance. The second is trying to get a good angle and a good foreground object, and doing so before the phenomenon passes. That makes River Road a good safe bet, since there’s a LOT of bright light on the Mandan side of the river.

I was out in the cold, freezing myself silly for quite some time. The spikes of light provided by this “diamond dust” are best witnessed (and photographed) with clear skies. Wednesday night’s skies were partly hazy, but they still worked okay. Then the haze began to overtake the diamond dust, and it was time to go home and warm up.

I’ve got a few more photos of this phenomenon to post in the next couple of days. Yesterday I succumbed to the same stomach flu bug that had attacked the rest of my family and several of my friends, and I’m just now on the mend.

In the mean time, I can refer you to some previous examples of this “diamond dust” phenomenon. They were taken with clear skies, which helps the light spikes stand out even more. Wednesday’s hazy conditions illuminated the sky, but a clear sky gives a dark background from which those light spikes really stand out. You can find those other photos by clicking here and here. The second link includes a much larger version of the photo in which you can see much more going on than just the ice crystals!

Whole lotta ice crystals goin’ on

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Ideal weather conditions for a very breathtaking phenomenon came drifting through Bismarck-Mandan last night. I froze my butt off for a couple of hours getting all kinds of amazing shots of these giant spikes of light around town.

This particular shot shows the Heskett Station on the right and the Tesoro Refinery on the left. The moon posed graciously in between them. But this wasn’t the only place my camera and I braved the cold. I’ll post more shots in the next couple of days as time allows. It was worth the shivering!

One week later, a look back: 2010 in pictures

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I thought this view of the capitol from behind was appropriate for a look back post. A lot happened in Bismarck-Mandan and North Dakota as a whole this year. Many times my cameras were there. Here’s a little sample of some of the things that caught my eye and shutter in 2010. The bold blue text is a link to the original post with more information and sometimes additional photos. Enjoy!


I was hired to document Falkirk Mine’s big event: Chief Ironsides, the 13 million pound dragline, crossed Highway 83 for the first time in years. It was so cold, my camera batteries were freezing up.


I got an amazing photo using only my cellular telephone. I don’t ever want to upgrade away from this phone; the camera’s too good!


My list of homemade 4×4 hybrid vehicles grew by one: I present to you the 4×4 Ford Galaxie!


Some unique weather conditions caused a lot of very dramatic spikes of light around town. I chose the river as the best place to photograph them.


The lights beneath the new Memorial Bridge were modified to address nearby homeowners’ concerns and were turned on, creating an interesting light artifact visible to westbound drivers.

I finally took the time to explore the Antique Mall on Main Avenue in Bismarck. I found some very interesting items, including some photos of the North Dakota state capitol building that were intriguing, to say the least.


I found the best spot in Bismarck to get a shot of the capitol interacting with the moon.


After this February trip I already figured I’d taken my coolest photo of 2010, and now that 2010 has passed I think I was probably right.


I found some American flags waving victoriously in a very unlikely location.


After a storm dumped an overwhelming amount of snow, ice, and something in between, crews scrambled to fix miles and miles of downed power lines in some very challenging conditions.


I spotted this homemade P-51 Mustang replica, sporting a Geo Metro engine, at a meeting of the local Experimental Aircraft club.


Power outages continued as the icy crust from early April’s storm almost immediately melted, turning the area into a mudfest. Power line towers and poles for miles west of Mandan were bent, twisted, and broken. Crews worked diligently to repair the lines in spite of the conditions.


Not to worry: many workers like these brave souls worked tirelessly to get things repaired and power restored. They worked at an impressive pace in challenging conditions.


Accomplished mime and all-around amazing performer Dan Kamin (dankamin.com) performed with the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra. The performance highlighted the many talents of our Symphony as well as its conductor, who did quite a bit of acting as well.


I took a friend’s Canon 7D camera on a test drive for a Fallen Farms shot. I knew it was the camera I’d been waiting for, and within a couple of weeks I had one of my very own.


I added the Categories feature to the ol’ Blog. Now you can click on a category title (in blue, by the title of the post) and find similar posts going all the way back to the beginning.


North Dakota finds itself in the middle of a viral movie marketing campaign for the film Super 8. I of course hop in with both feet…


Memorial Day 2010 was highlighted by a B-52 flyover and a stirring speech from Major General C. Emerson Murry (retired). We lost Maj Gen Murry later in the year.


I found a new favorite sunset spot for my photography outings. It’s hard to get to if you don’t know the way, it’s got spectacular views in all directions, and I’ve gotten plenty of use out of it already.


The Barnstormers Tour came to town for three absolutely packed days of nostalgia and rides. My little boys and I went all three days but I didn’t purchase a ride.


I introduced you to Bill Jundt, the head of the crew who arranges the window shades of the capitol tower displays for July 4th, the new year, or the colored Christmas tree. The local media must read my blog, because they then picked up on the story for Christmas.


I took advantage of my newfound vantage point to catch the capitol and the moon perfectly aligned.


I got a response from the Super8 viral movie campaign, and am now an official Rocket Poppeteer!


I broke my rule about entering deserted farm houses just this once to get an amazing shot of this abandoned living room and picture window.


A large group of local photography enthusiasts took part in the annual Worldwide Photo Walk this year, with great results.


Art in the Park 2010 featured a very talented chalk artist who uses perspective to give his artwork a 3D look.


Cold War Mancation, Part One – Oscar Zero, the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Historic Site.


Mandan Airport hosted a fly-in as a companion event to Buggies ‘n’ Blues. The weather was perfect (for once) and there was a ton of participation!


I found a new perfectly picturesque location for my Dakota Roads signature shot. This was a brand new (like, literally a day old) Highway 1.


Cold War Mancation, Part Two – the defunct Nekoma Missile Site, part of the Stanley R. Mickelsen Complex.


Cold War Mancation, Part Three – the former Omega radar tower, now part of a Naval computer operations something-or other.


The Global War on Terrorism Memorial pays tribute to North Dakota soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the GWOT.


Cold War Mancation, Part Four – the gigantic PAR (Perimeter Acquisition Radar) array is a feature of Cavalier Air Station.


By patiently spending an evening in my favorite photo hiding/sunset spot I was able to take a variety of photos in multiple directions.


Cold War Mancation, Part Five – Minot…including an extremely rare pair of vintage fighter planes.


KVLY’s tower got demoted in 2010 to the world’s SECOND tallest man-made object. As a former employee, it’ll always be the tallest object in my heart.


Mandan Fire Department hosted plenty of emergency services agencies in an amazingly fun event for the kids with demos, hot dogs, and fire engine rides!


I found out that those ginormous brass doors on the front of the State Library building DO actually work.


Drew Wrigley became the first person to be appointed Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota in 70 years.


A large crowd gathered on November 11th to see the Veterans’ Memorial
cast a ray of sunlight on North Dakota.


The 2010 Capitol Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was particularly fun this year, and my little boys got to have their picture taken with some famous North Dakotans.


As wonderful as it was, Christmas 2010 was missing a few notable displays around Christmas and Mandan.


Christmas on Kennedy Avenue was one of the best Christmas displays in Bismarck-Mandan this year.

So…there you have it! There are plenty of other posts in between, but in looking back I thought those were the most noteworthy. Who knows what 2011 has to offer? One thing’s for sure: you’ll see it here!