Alvin Museum Society Fall Membership Meeting 

AMS had the Fall meeting Sunday. Tom Green of Sons of the Republic of Texas and North American Vexillogical Association presented a program on "Historic Flags of Texas". Tom has collected or made over 60 historic flags. 

Here is a slideshow of the Alvin High School Class of 1961 50th Class Reunion.

Black & White shots at Twisted Cycles

Took a few grab shots while at the motorcycle shop. These were shot in B&W in-camera.

GREEN enough?

GREEN enough?, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

We will have our 50th high school reunion at Hidden Palms in Santa Fe, Texas, this October, so I went to check the place out. Looks like a great venue, with palms, ponds, gazebos, and meeting rooms. I guess the ponds keep the plants well watered in this drought.

Classic Chevy Truck

Classic Chevy Truck, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

If you spend anytime reading truck history you will soon learn that a common design theme which is repeated over and over again is that of "massiveness." This word was used to describe the front appearance of the new 1941 Chevrolet Trucks. Especially on light-duty trucks designers continually worked to get just the right look of massiveness and ruggedness in the truck's grille, front bumper and front fenders. I'm not so sure that the ruggedness and massiveness have stood the test of time for the 1941-1946 Chevrolet pickups. John Gunnell coined the term "Wurlitzer" for these trucks, which is a wonderfully descriptive term. I think the point is clear: these are attractive trucks but maybe not all that massive. We must admit that it is hard to miss all that bright chrome, however I tip my hat to the Chevrolet designers for their work, which has stood the test of time.

The 1941 3/4-ton Chevrolet pickup was built on a 125 1/4-inch wheelbase chassis. Series AL 3/4-ton trucks were equipped with 15-inch wheels and tires.
Posted for the Monday Photo Challenge- the letter C.

Magnolia Bloom

Magnolia Bloom, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

The magnolias are still blooming in Alvin, Texas!

Red Leaves

Red Leaves, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

I saw the lightplay on these red leaves from across the yard while working on a car. Just had to shoot it!

Railroad Wye Switch

Railroad Wye Switch, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Modern Wye switch on the Burlington line south of Alvin, Texas near Liverpool. The electric switching mechanism is much more complex than one would think. We don't see these things in everyday passing or crossing railroad tracks.

Foggy Canal With Frames

Foggy Canal With Frames, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Our area is criss-crossed by rice canals to irrigate the important crops in the Alvin area. Looking down the canal with the rising sun off to the left, this foggy canal drew my shooting eye to it today. Here I have made multiple reflecting frames just for fun, using Picnik.

Winter Leaves

Winter Leaves, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

A poor little sprout that might have survived the winter, backlit by morning sun.
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Crawfish Chimney

Crawfish Chimney, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Crawfish burrow underground and "stack" mudballs to form a "chimney" over the burrow. this stack of mud casts a long shadow in the afternoon sun.

Soft Focus

Soft Focus, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Retreaded for the Monday Photo Challenge and Retread Group. Played with curves, layers, and frame in Picnik.
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Spooky Eyes

Spooky Eyes, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

The Stars and Stripes keep watch over the spooky eyes of the skull. Perfect for the eve of an historic mid-term election!

Ring Toss

Ring Toss, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Just some rusty rings found tossed away, shot in B&W in camera for the Monday Photo Challenge- things that are round, or go round.
I worked on the shot in Picnik to get a grainy feel, like old B&W film.
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Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp

Breast Cancer Awareness Stamp, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

October each year is designated as National breast Cancer Awareness Month to promote breast cancer awareness, share information regarding the disease and provide greater access to screening services.

Twin Morning Glories

Twin Morning Glories, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

These twins vie for the emerging sunlight this morning after a night of rain. The dew is still on them, but they are ready for a sunny day.

Coming on By!

Coming on By!, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

I "Ghosterized" this hotrod in Picnik, fooling with curves. In the old days, while out hotrodding, often a "ghost car" would creep up on you and suddenly appear, passing on the left at such a high rate that you couldn't even tell your buddies what kind of car it was!
Retreaded for The Monday Photo Challenge and Thursday Retread Group.
The original- www.flickr.com/photos/nhankamer/4962250228/in/set-7215762...

Zeiss Ikon

Zeiss Ikon, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Zeiss Ikon
Fine lines and wrinkles is our challenge this week, so I got this old Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta down off the shelf where my small collection of classic cameras sits.
The fine lines of these old classics always attract me, and you can see the wrinkle of the bellows. Never mind that I didn't straighten out the backdrop!

Restored Home

Restored Home, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

Nice restoration of a turn of the century home in Alvin, Texas. I cropped out the window for The Monday Photo Challenge group windows and doors challenge on Flickr.

Canna Lily

Canna Lily, originally uploaded by Noel C. Hankamer.

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