November 14, 2013

Watch your step...




"Watch Your Step"
Buckingham, Pennsylvania


Leonardo da Vinci said that art is never finished, only abandoned.  



"Buckingham Valley Railway Station"
Buckingham, Pennsylvania


But I kinda disagree with Leo.  I think that sometimes the very act of abandonment can be the catalyst that results in a great piece of art, with Nature as the artist.




Abandonment and neglect sometimes causes time to stop and creates surreal surroundings.  It inspires the imagination when the noise is replaced by quiet.  Yet it is that very silence that tells a story.







Mysterious.  It makes me want to know more.  That's probably the storyteller in me.  Examining and listening to the surroundings...for a story.



"Shattered"
Buckingham, Pennsylvania


It could be telling me that I really shouldn't be here.  The thought did cross my mind.  I didn't see any "No Trespassing" signs.   But then again, that wasn't what I was looking for.  I have been accused of missing the obvious.




It occurred to me that abandoned Septa and Long Island Railway cars might be a perfect home for the homeless.  It occurred to me that the next time my imagination takes me in this direction, I should bring a "Wing Man".  At the very least...a can of pepper spray.





I didn't stay long.  Common sense sometimes trumps fascination.  Even Nature's art can be intimidating when you are alone.  I stayed just long enough to look,  and to listen to the walls talk.  Thankfully, they spoke quickly.







"Ghost Town"
Buckingham, Pennsylvania




"Nature's Canvas"
Buckingham, Pennsylvania







"Fork in the Road"
Buckingham, Pennsylvania


Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to art.  But when it is also the result of abandonment, sometimes you have to watch your step.  Both literally and figuratively.



Day #14.  November 14th - I am grateful to have a family that cares when I do "not so smart" things.




Here's where I'm linking up today ..."The Party's On"

Please join me on Sundays for Song-ography.
This week's song title is Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World".

31 comments:

  1. Kathy, I really love this sort of art / photography. I found myself just staring and wondering and then going back and staring more and then wondering more. Leo was pretty spot on, huh? My fave of these: That cool old door exterior, "Natures Canvas". That was beautiful. I bet ya there are many that would say, 'I'm drunk". But I don't care. I loved that one the most.

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  2. This is an amazing series.

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  3. Oh Kathy these are an incredible series of photos and I'm absolutely mesmerized by the "shattered" photo...it reminds this nature girl of a spider web...such a story in all of these. But, because I really like you AND they don't allow cameras in jail, dead or live tracks are considered private property and trespassing that can come with a fine of up to $10,000. I only found this out recently by mistake and I say that because of course it had to be before I got some awesome shots like these and now I'm bummed.

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    1. That's why I took photos fast...I need that money to pay for two weddings :)

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    2. so if the tracks cross a street & you stop in that crossing to take photos - is that a "live" track & can you still be fined if your in the crossing (kind of-sort of)?

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  4. Wonderful images ! Natures canvas is my favorite shot! So much beauty in this abandoned places and what a pity that it is left to rot.Food that you managed to take so many pictures!

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  5. Love these - and that whole thought of nature's canvas. I rode these trains in the (cough cough) seventies. Used to leave the main line and head into Phili a couple of times a week in highschool - and every day to work in the summers. I loved those train rides...and the independence! These speak to me of home in a really beautiful way.

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  6. Oh my I HAVE to find this place on our next visit. What a great location for me to explore. I LOVE you shots and the quote from da Vinci is so perfect

    Mollyxxx

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  7. sometimes ya just gotta do it…………………...

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  8. You are so right about abandonment creating its own art. I never would have thought to express that. These have a sort of wabi sabi feel to them...perfectly imperfect. I love the train in black and white showing the interior. That is gorgeous. Would be fun to do portraits in there minus risking jail time.

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  9. Totally should have had a wing man with you! Kind of scary to be out there all alone, my dear!!

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  10. What a find....but you are so right about the "dangerous" chances we seekers of great spots take. It is probably a smart move to take that "wing" man along, but sometimes there is no "wing" man available. Stay safe!! These are great images but my absolute fav is the interior of the train looking down the aisle. Such stories these trains could tell.

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  11. A wonderful story that you've told here! There is something captivating about abandoned train cars yet sad at the same time. Like you, I always find the 'mystery' and wonder what, when, where, etc.

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  12. These are amazing shots that tell stories--and allow us to make up stories to fit with them. I like your thoughts on the beauty that can surround abandonment. Please be careful in your photography travels, though--take a Wing Man next time! :-)

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  13. Just loving this series. That Shattered shot is killer. You are so brave and you DO need a wingman!! Brilliant shots.

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  14. My Kathy, what a great time you must have had roaming around in that train. Love the interior shot and can just imagine the stories those seats would tell if they could talk. I bet it would be awesome at night.

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  15. You sound like me--going where you might not be invited to get some pictures! Lovely series with many tales for them to tell.

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  16. What a great place for photos! So poignant and fascinating. My favorite is of the inside, with all the empty, dust-covered seats. The ones in black and white really capture the mood well, too.

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  17. i love, love, love TRAINS!! they are perfect in y book. awesome post!

    yes, there is a thing called "Bear Spray" ... i bet you could find some in Walmart or maybe Dicks Sporting Goods Store or Bass Pro ... you make me laugh. it is a bigger version of pepper spray ... but to get rid of those mean & messing with you kind of bears. if you are hiking or camping out. ( :

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  18. WoW...i love it all but i really LOVED the tracks, offering the many choices of which way to go!!

    travel, trains, train whistles give me goose bumps. what a great eye you have!!

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  19. These pics are gorgeous! The shattered glass and inside the train are my faves! Perfect for a museum piece!

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  20. absolutely gorgeous shots! love trains!
    thanks for this post...i totally enjoyed it:)

    happy weekend

    visiting via little things thursday~

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  21. love these so much. it's really hard to pick a favourite!! :))

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  22. AWESOME photos!! I love the one of the broken glass, spectacular!

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  23. Wow, what a great find to stumble upon... if those seats could tell stories!

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  24. Interesting find - and uh, yea, I would have (a) wing man especially after seeing the "ghost" sign. Love the broken glass.

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  25. Oh my gosh what a spectacular post. I loved this series of photos. Very haunting and moving and definitely told a story.

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  26. I sure enjoyed my visit here. I love the Sunday Theme. Cheers from Canada

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