Posted by: livelovethinkexist | July 10, 2009
Photos – The Seattle Years – 1977-1979 (Set Eighteen – Eastern WA, ID and MT)
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During the later part of my work at Electricraft Stereo, I did a lot of driving between Seattle, WA; Pocatello, ID; and Bozeman and Billings, MT; and often took pictures along the way – this is a nice picture of Sunnybrook Farm and a friendly horse.
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There is a raw and primitive beauty that is often found in the west; a combination of rural isolation, self-reliance and the fact that it often looks like time has stood still – like someone parked these vehicles one day years ago, and they have never been touched since.
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There is also often times a lack of capital investment in areas of the west; requiring a quiet self-reliance and a homegrown “bootstrap” mentality in order to get by.
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I want to think that these next photos were of wild Mustangs – steadfast in their self-reliance and resilience, and symbols of the untamed west; but most likely they weren’t.
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Regardless, these horses have to stick together to make it through the winter until the spring thaw arrives.
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Alone in their rural isolation, these horses need the support of the herd to survive the long, harsh winter; and cooperate to stand up together against the elements.
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Surviving against the odds in a harsh environment isn’t easy; with nothing to block the wind or to provide shelter, these horses can only rely on themselves for support.
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The wide open spaces in the west amazed me; as it is quite common to to feel all alone with no civilization in sight…yet the “no hunting, shooting or trespassing” sign remains posted.
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This Pronghorn Antelope enjoys miles of open range land to roam; where they can easily reach speeds over 70 mph, which makes them the fastest land animal in the western hemisphere.
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A small band of Pronghorns roam free across the open range; and despite their speed, they can still be challenged by certain types of fencing.
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The Pronghorn Antelope is a true symbol of the “Wild West;” and along with the Mustang, represents the true independent pioneer spirit of the west.
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This windmill stands “sentry duty” against the wind; and it is interesting that modern windmills are returning to the western landscape as the new symbols of western energy independence.
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Yet another time tested symbol of the true frontier spirit; the windmill has allowed rural farms and ranches mechanical access to well water across America, ever since Daniel Halladay invented his “self-regulating farm wind pump” in 1854.
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There is real beauty in the isolation of this barn in the rural west; reminding us of our independent spirit, while at the same time necessitating that the local community assist in taking care of its own – because there was no other assistance available to be relied on.
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A single Pronghorn Antelope surveys the open range; this time in a black and white print, which I sometimes used for a different effect.
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I liked to experiment with B&W film, as with this Pronghorn family; the effect provides a sort of timeless quality.
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There is an “antique” feel to black and white photography, that doesn’t allow the viewer to automatically date the print; and instead, leaves them guessing as to when it was taken.
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These black and white pictures are timeless, in respect to the images that they capture; you can imagine someone a hundred years ago viewing the same scene.
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The wild and untamed nature of the Pronghorn Antelope strikes a chord in all of us; because in the depth of our spirit, each individual yearns for the freedom of the open range – and the opportunity to determine the direction of our own life, and that of our family and our future.
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This photo of Miner’s Bar represents many small establishments across America; and could have been taken anywhere in the northwest, based on the Olympia and Coors signs in the window.
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Tony’s liquor store could also be from “Anytown” USA…but the Rainier beer advertisement places it up in the northwest.
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Improvised “cave dwellings” from years ago, proves that necessity really is the mother of invention; as someone long ago needed the shelter that this rock outcropping could provide.
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Flooding remains one of the most serious issues facing communities around the country today; as spring rain and melting snow often combine to raise river levels enough to jump their banks.
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Nature refuses to be tamed, and man often tries to overlook that small detail; the answer is not to try to “contain” the water – but instead not build on floodplains and provide an alternative place for the water to flow when necessary.
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