Canna Lily

Canna Lily, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

I saw this nice lily at the Houston Zoo Thursday.
www.houstonzoo.org/
View On Black

Tower Lines

Tower Lines, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

A tower has been under construction on Donaldson Rd just off Hwy 35 between Alvin and Pearland for some years, and I have never seen anyone there to ask about it.

Vintage Baggage Cart

Vintage Baggage Cart, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

This vintage baggage cart is on display at Alvin's Historic Santa Fe Depot.

Perfect Handle Counterfeits

Perfect Handle Counterfeits, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

These are some H D Smith tools that a friend has rebuilt for me. The hammer is a one of a kind. An H D Smith Perfect Handle open end wrench mated by forge welding to a ball pein hammer head. The pipe wrench is a PEXTO mated the same way to a long H D Smith Perfect Handle screwdriver. The two screwdrivers are original except he has put new wood on them for me.
Discussion of these can be seen at www.papawswrench.com/vboard/showthread.php?p=22669&po... on my Tool Talk Forum.

Spooky Bridge

Spooky Bridge, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

It isn't Halloween, but I rendered the original like this for the Monday Photo Challenge and Thursday Retread Group.
The path curves gracefully at the end of the Mustang Bayou bridge on the Tom Blakeny Hike and Bike trail in Alvin, Texas. I've shot this bridge several times, especially in early morning fog.
See more here- www.flickr.com/groups/1091826@N21/pool/

Uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer on 20 May 10, 10.08PM CDT.

Reflection

Reflection, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

"Now to consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk. Such rules and laws are deduced from the accomplished fact; they are the products of reflection."
Edward Weston

It's not a UFO!

It's not a UFO!, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

I saw a neat photo on Flickr with some colorful streaks of light, and wondered how it was done. Some investigation revealed it was simply light reflections from a common CD. I took this shot by the light from a compact fluorescent table lamp, the cropped it some. Looks like a UFO!

UP 844

UP 844, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

UP844 approaching the crossing at Liverpool, Texas, April 17, 2010. The train was behind schedule and went by very quickly!

"The road must be built, and you are the man to do it. Take hold of it yourself. By building the Union Pacific, you will be the remembered man of your generation."
— President Abraham Lincoln to Oakes Ames, 1865

Fountain in early Morning Light

Fountain, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Fountain at Joe's Bar-B-Q in Alvin, Texas in early morning light. Posted for Monday Photo Challenge Group. This week's challenge: "shoot something having to do with H2O...whether it's a drop, your favorite watering hole, an umbrella or a bucket"
I shot this fountain in January when it was frozen. Now that Spring is here, I have shot this view, and will revisit it a few more times.

Wisteria Vine and Blooms

Wisteria Vine and Blooms, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Been watching this old Wisteria vine lately, because it is a sure sign that Spring is here when the Wisteria blooms.
Taken for the "Look UP" challenge in the Monday Photo Challenge group on Flickr.

See more here.

Van Tassel's 54 Mercury Custom

Van Tassel's 54 Mercury Custom, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

A beautiful custom 1954 Mercury seen at Brad's Muffler in Alvin, Texas.

File Knife

File Knife, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

This knife was made by my friend Brian Jordan of Phoenix, Arizona. It was made from a metal file and the scales are denim micarta. It will be given away to one of my Tool talk Forum members in a drawing Thursday, Feb. 18th.

Belly Dancer

Belly Dancer, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

A friend and I went to Dan Electro's Guitar Bar for a benefit for the local Pacifica Radio station. The bands were blues and blues rockers and we were entertained by belly dancers between sets.

Fountain in Winter

Fountain in Winter-closup, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

We don't get much real winter weather in Alvin, Texas, but the last few days have been very cold. Joe's Banquet Center -http://joesbarbequecompany.com/catalog/banquet.php left their fountain on and it froze nicely!

Flying sign

Flying sign, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2490/4196456656_2812df41fa.jpg

How long since you've seen one of these? They used to be a common sight in the old days, and seem to be making a comeback.

An Uncertain Future?

An Uncertain Future?, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

The next book I will read. Have a vacation next week and part of the time will be spent relaxing and reading. It is uncertain what our future holds, but I bet Sarah Palin is plowing her path to another run at office, most likely President. Despite all the negatives thrown around by the Left, I don't see much that would disqualify her for the job. Has more political experience than Obama.

Shelby's Autumn Leaves

Shelby's Autumn Leaves, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

A co-worker brought me some fall leaves from her vacation trip. She knew I would take some pictures of them. Sepia treatment for that "old" look.

Horse Cart in Winter

Horse Cart in Winter, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

I retreaded one of my old not-so-great photos with a little manipulation and a frosty windowpane illusion. It makes a nice wintery scene.
Seen also here---> http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3691290480_e84ef830dc.jpg

Photographer

Photographer, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Your intrepid Photographer in a reflection on the chrome grill of a fire truck.

Fire that Shutter!

Fire that Shutter!, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

A B&W portrait of my constant companion, my Canon XTi. Mirrored in the grill of a fire truck Thanksgiving Day