Nap Time

Monkeys play on Monkey Island at Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence, Kan. Miss Able the first monkey to fly in space was born at this zoo.

Santa Fe No. 1050

Santa Fe steam locomotive No. 1050 sits on display at Riverside Park in Independence, Kan.

I lived in this area as a young child and I remember coming here often to play on this locomotive. I was really thrilled when we moved back here in 2005 to find it still open for folks to climb on. Most everywhere else I've been have their locomotives behind fences.

Wildlife Encounters

Earth Day

Candle makers

First Presbyterian

The stark contrast between colors and the dark blue sky really caught my eye today. View On Black

Fence and field

A small field is seen framed by trees and a fence near Independence, Kan.

View On Black

Epiphany

Epiphany Episcopal Church in Independence, Kan.

View large on black.

Clover

A patch of clover blankets the ground.

View On Black

Fire escape

Star Mill

The Star Mill buildings sit vacant in Independence, Kan.

See the slideshow.

Downtown

The setting sun reflects off the face of buildings along Main Street in downtown Independence, Kan.

Dandelion

Hannah

Hannah poses for a portrait at the Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence, Kan.

Chickens

Chickens look for a treat.

Metal

Sunset

Electra

We bought a car today. It's a 1982 Buick Electra. And it only has about 120,000 miles on it. Compared to the rest of the cars we've owned, that's like brand new!

Telephone

Who ya gonna call?

Shovel-back bird

I spotted the extremely rare Shovel-back bird on our evening walk today. Do you dig it?

Storm light

A line of severe thunderstorms passed through our area tonight. And I had a feeling that they would pass over and the sun would pop back out creating one of my favorite photographic conditions. Where the foreground objects are lit by the setting sun, and the dark blue storm clouds form the backdrop. And sure enough, that's exactly what happened. And I had the camera ready and waiting!

Here's a couple shots.

Beloved

My Beloved poses for a portrait at Ralph Mitchell Zoo.

Sunset

The sun sets in a blaze of color in Independence, Kan.

I shot the sun rise this morning, so when this evening's sunset turned into a spectacular show of color it only seemed right to shoot it as well.

Rocking chair and dulcimer

A mountain dulcimer sits on an antique wooden rocking chair next to a window.

Sunrise

A young cow eats as the sun rises near Independence, Kan, Wednesday, April 8, 2009. Area ranchers have been burning their pastures and the smoke from the grass fires has created a hazy atmosphere.

License

An automobile license plate from Kansas 1978.

Found this in the garage after we bought our house. From the year I was born.

Chopping block

An axe is embedded in a chopping block awaiting its next job.

Noodles

A rolling pin is used to roll out dough while making home made egg noodles.

Hannah's First Birthday

Hannah's first birthday party at the Ralph Mitchell Zoo in Independence, Kansas.

Building H

A deserted commercial building in Independence, Kan.

Redbuds

A redbud tree blooms near Independence, Kan.

Yup, more redbuds. I was struck by the contrast between the color of the buds and the sky this time.

Redbuds

A redbud tree in bloom is illuminated by the setting sun in Independence, Kan.

I photographed them under snow and ice a couple days ago, seemed only right to get some shots of them when the sun came out this evening.

Blooms

Blooms in my front yard.

Auto

An auto shop in downtown Independence, Kansas.

See more from this set here.

Face