Chris J Ewan Photography

Chris J Ewan Photography COLORS, SHAPES AND TEXTURES OF OUR NATURAL WORLD

Found Big Boy again today—this time rolling east of Nevada,Iowa—and it still feels a bit unreal every time you hear it b...
06/01/2026

Found Big Boy again today—this time rolling east of Nevada,Iowa—and it still feels a bit unreal every time you hear it before you see it.

What struck me just as much as the locomotive itself was the crowd. People lined the route from all over the country, cameras, drones, lawn chairs, kids on shoulders, strangers swapping stories like old friends. It’s not often you see something that pulls that many people together for a shared moment of pure awe.

This isn’t my strongest photo, but that doesn’t matter. Some images are about perfection, and some are about being there when it happens. Today was definitely the second kind.

There’s something special about watching Union Pacific Big Boy No. 4014 thunder past and realizing you’re part of a traveling community, even if just for a few minutes on a roadside in Iowa.

Today I went train chasing and caught up with Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 in Beaver, Iowa. The train itself was imp...
05/31/2026

Today I went train chasing and caught up with Union Pacific’s Big Boy No. 4014 in Beaver, Iowa. The train itself was impressive, but so was the crowd. After it rolled through, Highway 30 looked like a parade of railfans, photographers, and curious onlookers all trying to keep up with the world’s largest operating steam locomotive.

Big Boy 4014 was built in 1941 to haul heavy freight over the Wasatch Mountains between Utah and Wyoming. It weighs more than 1.2 million pounds with its tender, stretches about 133 feet long, and is one of only eight Big Boys still in existence. Of those eight, 4014 is the only one operating today after an extensive restoration completed in 2019.

Did anyone else make it out to see Big Boy today?

For such a tiny bird, the House Wren has no problem making itself heard. This little singer was perched only a few feet ...
05/29/2026

For such a tiny bird, the House Wren has no problem making itself heard. This little singer was perched only a few feet away, pouring everything it had into the morning air. The House Wren may be small, but its song carries with surprising power and energy.

The Shape of Stillness. I spent part of today revisiting images from Death Valley, including this one from Eureka Dunes...
05/28/2026

The Shape of Stillness. I spent part of today revisiting images from Death Valley, including this one from Eureka Dunes. What drew me in was the contrast between motion and stillness — the wind-carved ripples leading toward the quiet dune in the distance, all held together by the changing light and shadow.

Hidden among the leaves, this Jack-in-the-pulpit almost escaped my notice. That’s part of what I love about photographin...
05/26/2026

Hidden among the leaves, this Jack-in-the-pulpit almost escaped my notice. That’s part of what I love about photographing — sometimes the best subjects don’t reveal themselves right away. You have to slow down, look carefully, and let nature show you its secrets. What do you think… would you have spotted it?

I’ve always found iris flowers difficult to photograph. Every spring I try again, and usually walk away frustrated. Wit...
05/22/2026

I’ve always found iris flowers difficult to photograph. Every spring I try again, and usually walk away frustrated. With our irises nearing the end of their bloom, I decided to give it another shot today and focus on the details. Do you think it worked?

Same columbine - which background do you like best?
05/21/2026

Same columbine - which background do you like best?

Columbines never stick around very long, so spotting these along the trail today felt like finding a little seasonal tre...
05/19/2026

Columbines never stick around very long, so spotting these along the trail today felt like finding a little seasonal treasure. Spring moves fast…which makes moments like this worth slowing down for.

Spotted this deer across the Skunk River on my afternoon walk today. Moments like this are why I always bring my camera.
05/19/2026

Spotted this deer across the Skunk River on my afternoon walk today. Moments like this are why I always bring my camera.

Our pond has several toads visiting right now. They are loud. Very loud.So…to everyone in the neighborhood — sorry about...
05/17/2026

Our pond has several toads visiting right now. They are loud. Very loud.
So…to everyone in the neighborhood — sorry about the constant concerts. 😄

I’m hoping they can all find each other soon so the noise settles down. But I have to admit…when you get this close and see that giant throat puffed out, they become pretty fascinating subjects.

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Ames, IA
50010

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