"Winter Wheat" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
2:1 Aspect Ratio (Panorama) - Color
There are few sights more lovely than a beautiful rolling field of wheat. Especially at the moment this was taken as the heads are still vertical just before the turn. The beards are facing skyward creating the most beautiful carpet for the perfect photograph.
Washington is is the third largest wheat producing state in the country and known for extremely high quality. This wheat will be consumed in hundreds of countries all over the world. This particular type of wheat is used mainly for bakery products other than bread. For example it would be used for pastries, cakes, cereals, flat breads and crackers. It has slightly lower protein and low gluten.
"Horse Rake" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
3:2 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
One of the earlier mechanical inventions was that of the horse rake. Before its introduction the hay had to be gathered up by the hand rake — a tedious and laborious process — but the introduction of this implement, whereby one horse and one man can do work before requiring six or eight men, marked a great advance. The horse rake is a framework, 8 feet wide, on two wheels carrying hinged steel teeth placed 3 in. apart, so that their points slide along the ground below the hay. In work it gathers up the loose hay, and when full a tipping mechanism permits the emptying of the load.
The tipping is done by pulling a handle which sets a leverage device in motion, whereby the teeth are lifted up and the load of hay dropped below and left behind. The loads are tipped end to end as the rake passes and repasses at the work, and thus the hay is left loose in long parallel rows on the field. Each row is termed a “windrow,” because the passage of the wind through the hay greatly aiding the drying of the hay.
"Steptoe Butte" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
2.5:1 Aspect Ratio (Wide Panorama) - Color
Steptoe Butte is a quartzite island jutting out of the silty loess of the Palouse Hills. The 3,612 foot butte is preserved as Steptoe Butte State Park. The view from the top is spectacular with up to 100 miles visibility!
The rock that forms the butte is over 400 million years old, in contrast with the 15 million year old Columbia River Basalts that underlie the surrounding farmland.
This image is presented in an ultra wide 2.5:1 panorama in stunning detail. I'm getting more and more requests for wider panorama prints. Our prints are intentionally designer friendly with a variety of shapes, soft colors and interesting subjects to compliment any space. Wide walls sometimes present a problem that a beautiful panorama can help to solve! You'll see more panoramas from me in the future.
"Barn and Garbonzos" - Pullman, Washington - 2019
2:1 Aspect Ratio (Panorama) - Color
This location is just a short distance from the Snake River. Here, the fertile soil absorbs moisture throughout the winter, storing it deep underground. Then during the growing season, the crop absorbs that moisture directly into the roots without the necessity of irrigation.
You're looking at a field of Garbonzo beans. The plants are almost fully sprouted and ready to grow quickly which will cover the hills in a a very solid green color.
The aging barn, like many in the Palouse, remains from an earlier time. There seems to be a symbiotic relationship between it and the land it has served for so many years.
"Weber House" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
2.5:1 Aspect Ratio (Wide Panorama) - Black and White
I am awed by the spirit of America's pioneers that invested their entire lives in building our country. This is just one example.
The Homestead Acts were several laws in the United States by which an applicant could acquire land, typically called a homestead. The Homestead Acts were an expression of the Free Soil policy of Northerners who wanted individual farmers to own and operate their own farms, as opposed to Southern slave-owners who wanted to buy up large tracts of land and use slave labor, thereby shutting out free farmers.
The first of the acts, the Homestead Act of 1862, opened up millions of acres. Women and immigrants who had applied for citizenship were eligible. The 1866 Act explicitly included black Americans and encouraged them to participate.
The Weber family was one such example homesteading in the Palouse. Eventually this proud home was built for the family on their own land. The Weber family still owns and cares for the land today. Karla and Charlie kindly allowed us to photograph what remains of their original homestead home. Can you just imagine?
"Garfield Elevator" - Garfield, WA - 2019
4:5 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
Storage and handling of grain is a critical service to both the farmers and transporters who take the grain to market, especially during harvest time when grain is coming in from the field. The head house on top holds the machinery that 'elevates' the grain so that it can flow freely to individual bins below.
"Planting" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
2.5:1 Aspect Ratio (Wide Panorama) - Color
Another Wide Panorama! The modern planter is capable of precisely placing seeds and plant food through a layer of residue which is left from the last crop protecting the topsoil from erosion. The machine is automatically driven so that each pass perfectly matches the last preventing wasteful overlap.
"Old Age" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
3:2 Aspect Ratio - Black and White
If only this abandoned elevator could tell its stories. I know one. The road sits to the left. A few years ago, a semi-truck driver went to sleep driving at night and ran off the road crashing right into the side, pushing the entire structure to the right. Unfortunately, it probably won't be long until it goes completely over, but at least for now it reminds us about the passage of time and the accumulation of battle scars. We all have them!
"Tilling" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
2.5:1 Aspect Ratio (Wide Panorama) - Color
Another Wide Panorama! Beautiful. This land is being prepared for the planter being careful to preserve the subsoil moisture and as much residue as possible on top to protect the soil from erosion until the new crop emerges. The purpose of this step is to remove any remaining weeds and to optimize the seedbed. Notice the tractor has tracks instead of wheels which reduce the pressure on the soil so it isn't compacted. And, of course, automatic steering system for perfect pass to pass spacing to prevent wasteful overlap!
"Palouse Dusk" - Eastern Washington - 2019
2.5:1 Aspect Ratio (Wide Panorama) - Color
I had mentioned elsewhere that the view from Steptoe Butte can be up to 100 miles in clear conditions. This is one of those views. As evening settles in, the view westward across the Palouse into the mountains of central Washington are truly spectacular.
"Red Barn" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
3:2 Aspect Ratio - Color
This is one of the best preserved of the traditional hay and livestock barns I saw. The design gives livestock down below considerable protection from the elements summer and winter. There is a working mezzanine right above where feed and supplies are stored. Then the colossal 'hay mow' in the top two thirds of the structure. Notice the large door at the peak where large bundles of hay are hoisted into the barn. And the venting cupola on top to vent off heat from freshly stored hay as it completes its curing process.
"Wheel Fence" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
2:1 Aspect Ratio (Panorama) - Color
The ultimate in recycling! The machinery fleet of the late 1800's and early 1900's is still producing! I loved the beautiful geometry set against the graceful Palouse landscape.
"Oasis" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
3:2 Aspect Ratio - Color
The Loess hills of the Palouse soak up water like a sponge in the winter. Crops root deep to utilize that moisture without the need for irrigation. One of the many brilliant aspects of Agriculture in the Palouse. That said, there are low spots where excess water is channeled making an oasis of sorts at the lowest points. These trees exist side by side sharing the water from one of those drainage areas.
"Six Grain Bins" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
2.5:1 Aspect Ratio (Wide Panorama) - Color
On farm storage of grain, as opposed to centralized elevators are common as it speeds harvest and helps accommodate the huge volumes of grain coming from the rich fields.
"Wind" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
2:1 Aspect Ratio (Panorama) - Color
The Palouse Hills were formed as wind blown soil of a particular texture and classification called Loess. It's primarily silt, a sediment type in the 20 to 50 micron size. Loess also has approximately 20% clay particles. The combination of silt and clay give it amazing nutrient holding capacity.
By looking at this image, one an clearly see the wind currents which, over thousands of years built up these hills.
"Steptoe" - Steptoe, WA - 2019
2:1 Aspect Ratio (Panoram) - Color
This is it! This is the actual town of Steptoe. The small towns of the region are crucial to the farmers, just as the farmers are important to the towns.
"Cordelia Lutheran Church" - Genesee, ID - 2019
2:1 Aspect Ratio (Panorama) - Black and White
Cordelia Lutheran Church was dedicated by Pastor Peter Carlson on December 15, 1883 and is the oldest Lutheran building in the state of Idaho. The church was built on property given by Andrew Olson to serve the Swedish Lutheran families in the area. In 1919, the building ceased to be used for regular church services. The building and surrounding 31 acres is currently owned and administered by a non-profit group named Friends of Cordelia. The building is used for weddings, picnics, socials, concerts and Easter Sunrise service by area residents.
"Fallon" - Whitman County, WA - 2019
3:2 Aspect Ratio - Color
Fallon has his own barn. He's the only one remaining since the time when there would have been many horses boarding here. Today he passes time by welcoming visitors sociably at the door.
"Palouse Sunset" - Steptoe, Washington - 2019
3:2 Aspect Ratio - Color
This was taken as new crops are emerging and wheat harvest nears. As you can see the colors of the evening are spectacular.