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July 3rd, 2008

15_the_circle: (california poppy)
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 11:49 pm

[OT from cottage renovations]

one might head out along the tracks looking for trains, or to pursue the fieldwork necessary to work out the ghostly data packets that accompany them, streaming invisibly (and sometimes incomprehensibly) through the ether. 

both are excellent excuses for getting out and often provide chance opportunities to appreciate other aspects of the railroad's setting. 

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)



Mikom control point,
West Sacramento, California

there is, for instance, a truly excellent blackberry patch along the right of way near the spot where the (former) Sacramento Northern crosses the (former) Southern Pacific.  alas, there's no picture: there was abundant evidence but it was all eaten, and a delicious treat it was on a hot afternoon. 

there was also a stand of these thistles, demonstrating the proximity of its species to the artichoke. 


Cirsium


Sierra control point,
Roseville, California

though sometimes the bounty is edible, on many occasions strong defensive measures have been set in place to discourage the attentions of species with which beneficial arrangements have yet to be established, presenting an interesting contrast to bloom and spike. 

protected
protected

"there's nothing worth your trouble here, just move along."

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15_the_circle: (cottage sign)
Thursday, July 3rd, 2008 11:53 pm

[OT from cottage renovations]

the term light trespass refers to illumination that spills over from one property to another. 

(click through these thumbnails for higher resolution images)




to deal with one such source a baffle hangs on the side of the porch.  repurposed from a salvaged transom panel it doesn't completely block out the light but does diffuse it in order to reduce glare.  along the baffle a vine has grown, its leaves casting these shadows through the dimpled glass. 

shadow on baffle

the resulting effect is pleasingly abstract. 


beneath the baffle incoming light outlines the summering plants onto the floorboards. 

shadow on porch

the reduction in glare has made it possible to appreciate these texture effects of light and shadow.