Upde Designs

Nikon D3S | Nikon 28 - 300 mm lens | ISO 200 1/1200 sec @ f8.0

The weekend finally is here.  It was a long week and I’m glad to have a couple of days of rest and relaxation.  If there is one thing I know how to do very well it is relaxation. 🙂

Yesterday evening on the way home I stopped by the Duck Pond to photograph the deteriorating condition of the water level.   I was there for about 30 minutes and then headed home.  As I approached Otter Creek Junction I started noticing dark smoke on the horizon.

Nikon D3S | Nikon 28 - 300 mm lens | ISO 200 1/1200 sec @ f8.0

So when I got to the Otter Creek Junction I decided that I would follow the smoke.  I have done this in the past and it usually turns out to be a grass fire or someone burning garbage.

Today was different.  As I got closer to the fire I could see from time to time a large fireball rising into the sky.  I couldn’t see what was burning just that it was a large and sustained fire.

There were people pulled off to the side of the pavement taking pictures with their cell phones and cameras but I wanted to get closer.  I finally arrived at the gravel road that looked like it would take me to the fire and darn there was a Iowa State Trooper blocking the road.

At the same time the Jackson County Sheriff pulled up.  I asked them if I could go take some pictures and the Sheriff escorted me to a farm still some distance from the action but close enough to get a feel for the fire.

Nikon D3S | Nikon 28 - 300 mm lens | ISO 200 1/1200 sec @ f8.0

I was close enough to feel the heat from the fire and to hear the roar of escaping gas.  I completely forgot that the D3S has video capability so I didn’t take any video of the scene.  😦

I didn’t get a chance to talk with the Sheriff so I do not know if anyone was hurt.  Apparently they were digging  (I assume doing some tiling) and one of the machines hit the gas line and ruptured it.  I hung around for about 30 minutes but realized I wasn’t going to be able to get closer or wait until the situation was resolved so I left.

Tomorrow I’ll have images of the Duck Pond.  Enjoy your Saturday.  It is going to be an excellent day for a nap.  🙂  Thanks for stopping by and be careful.