Some mixed signals
This was different: it is a lot more common to see satellite dishes standing alongside abandoned farmhouses than it is to see a solar collector. It gave me sort of an odd feeling: what, I wondered, were they collecting solar power for? And what a contrast between the rundown house and that shiny new collector. So, even though the home ownership dream appears to have not worked out, kudos on the attempt at using sustainable energy.
Also, check out that wagon-wheel deal in the fence. It’s sort of fantastic, isn’t it?
near Knobbs Springs, Texas
photographed 2.28.2014
Posted on March 17, 2014, in abandoned buildings, architecture, Photography and tagged 365 photo project, abandoned buildings, architecture, black and white photography, knobbs springs texas, melinda green harvey, monochrome, one day one image, photo a day, photography, texas. Bookmark the permalink. 10 Comments.
One Day | One Image 
A study in contrasts.
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Thanks – there are a lot of things going on, aren’t there?
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To power the electric fence maybe?
You’re posting relatively earlier. Either you’re up earlier or daylight savings changes has something to do with it.
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Daylight savings time started last week, so that accounts for the earlier (for you!) posts.
That fence in front isn’t electric, but there might have been an electric fence off to the left, where there was a pasture.
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What a comfortable photo for me. Attempts at improvements while the larger ‘picture’ fades. Even the chimney seems younger than the house. Like ranching, just not enough cash and energy to quite get the job done.
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John – I am glad you think this is “comfortable.” That’s not a word that’s used often to describe my photos. I agree that the chimney looks younger than the house, and I think those ladder-like supports on the porch are newer as well.
Thanks for the comment about “not enough cash and energy to quite get the job done” – an insight that I missed.
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Anyone who places a solar panel for a house must be environmentally conscious. If that’s the case it makes sense to continue to use these old houses. I don’t think even a small panel like this is cheap, so someone mut care about it. It could be that the electricity is shut off in the house and the panel powers something in there. Like an alarm system!
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It was sort of mysterious – there wasn’t anything else that made it look as though this place were occupied, and this is an expensive item to just leave there. Maybe it was an alarm for nosy photographers? (If so, I am glad I didn’t stay long….)
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I think Ken is right – probably you were captured on video that was relayed directly to the owner’s smart phone, and he probably lives in Saudi Arabia and likes to keep a close eye on the Texas ranch.
As to that wheel gate – very nice. One problem though, it’s round. Not even vaguely rectilinear.
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Between the power poles and pipes and relayed-to-Saudia-Arabia video, my wanderings seem to be remarkably well-followed. It’s just sort of a shame that I don’t go anywhere glamorous; my “trackers” would probably like a change in scenery!
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