Scene From the Train: February 2025

Parshall, Colorado, Zephyr from Chicago, Illinois to Sacramento, California.

The train windows are often quite dirty, which I see as a feature and a benefit for creating a unique diffused lighting. In this case the snow of this winter blizzard added more details to the scene indicating a depth of field. I am not just an observer, but a passenger seated within the warmth of my car.

Fraser-Winter Park, Colorado, Zephyr from Chicago, Illinois to Sacramento, California.

Unexpected blizzard at our fresh air break. I braved a short walk to the station in the windy, snowy pleasure of winter's kisses.

Black Hawk, Colorado, Buffalo, Zephyr from Chicago, Illinois to Sacramento, California

Although the image is blurred from movement and snow, I include it here to recognize the American Buffalo.

Arvada, Colorado, California Zephyr from Chicago, Illinois to Sacramento, California

The landscape's monochromatic waves of texture created by prairies, rocks, snow, and clouds. Plus, the sun and a fairy light add magic to this mystical scene.

Denver, Colorado, Union Station, Zephyr from Chicago, Illinois to Sacramento, California

I discovered this staircase off a secondary hallway outside of the main hall. The symmetry of the framed images and the steps is emphasized by the diagonal lines of the hand rails. Reflection from the windows onto the walls, and the glass through which I am photographing, gives a sense of ghostliness.

Van Buren Street, Chicago, Illinois, time between trains transferring from Floridian to California Zephyr

Between trains I had the opportunity to walk around Chicago. This scene caught my eye because of the contrasting lines of black against and beneath the white snow. The vanishing point of buildings is a visual continuation of the rail lines that appear to climb into the air. Flat lighting captures the gray light of winter.

Chicago, Illinois, Union Station, Floridian from Washington, DC to Chicago, Illinois

Walking along the underground platform towards Chicago Union Station I was taken with the ice that had accumulated on our brave train. The freezing pattern gives an indication of how we were moving through the cold wet of our journey along the rails. She is a brave beauty.

Chicago, Illinois - South Loop, Floridian from Washington, DC to Chicago, Illinois

Snow between the train cars captured the chill. Our car was warm and my roommette cozy as always.

Elkhart, Indiana, Floridian from Washington, DC to Chicago, Illinois

Mid-winter I took the Floridian from Washington, DC to Illinois as I journeyed back towards California. This image of a lone passenger pulling their bags from the train to the station parking lot captured the feeling of quiet solitude in the evening's dusk.

Croton-on-Hudson, New York, Lakeshore Limited from Moynihan Train Hall, NY to Chicago, IL

divine light calls forth

illuminating distanced

clouds dance above calm waters