Photos: Armament of the USS Iowa

These launchers aboard the USS Iowa fired the RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile. Each missile was just over 1,500lbs and had a range of between 64-85 nautical miles. A 360lb booster would propel the missile away from the ship, approximately 5 miles, then drop away.

Armored box launchers for the BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile aboard the USS Iowa glowing at night from ambient city lights. Each launcher carried 4 missiles and each Iowa class ship was outfitted with 8 canisters, which enabled her with the ability to fire off up to 32 missiles. 

Photo: "First Light"

Moonlight hits this old mine during blue hour. 

Established in 1909, this Eastern Sierra Mine was built in the mountains at just over 8,000 ft. The property contained a mill, mine offices, employee bunk house and general store. The ore mined here was transfered to a nearby town via a tram system. It was the last mine to close in the district, remaining in operation until 1938. 

Photo: "A Haven For Catwalks"

(Night. Full moon. 60 seconds. Lit by moonlight.) 

The Homestead Steel Works in Pennsylvania closed in 1986 and the surrounding land surrounding is now a National Historic Landmark. The blast furnaces (above) were constructed in 1907 and are all that remain of this massive structure. 

Golden Gate 75th Anniversary

I have always been very proud to call San Francisco home, but on Sunday night, being a San Franciscan felt even better. 

Standing up on the bluff in Marin, overlooking the bridge with friends, a hundred other photographers and on-lookers was quite an experience. The wind was blowing, the wine was flowing and good conversation was being had, while we waited for nearly 5 hours for the firework/light show. 

Blur hour hit, the bridge lights started to come on, but the towers stayed dark. The traffic stopped and in one swift moment, the bridge went dark and my heart started beating faster. It was the most incredible rush though my veins as the blanket of sparklers fell from the bottom of the bridge towards the water and the feeling of euphoria continued for nearly 20 minutes. 

Happy Birthday Golden Gate Bridge!

Photo: "Mooring Lines"

USS Iowa (BB-61) at dawn, docked in Richmond, California. 

Photo: "119th Step"

The blast furnaces at the U.S. Steel, also known as Homestead Steel Works, in Pennsylvania are all that remain of the former plant. Though the site remained in operation until 1986, the furnaces have been inactive since 1978. 

Photo: "Tidal Hues"

Beached Point Reyes boat, California. 

Night. Full moon. 3 minutes. Lit by moonlight.  

Photo: "F-8"

Flight deck of the U.S.S. Hornet CV-12 in Alameda, California. 

The F-8 Crusader was introduced into the Navy in 1957. It was a supersonic, carrier-based fighter complete with four 20mm cannons and four 5" Zuni rockets. The aircraft was retired in 1999. 

Photo: "Valley View"

Valley View, Yosemite National Park. 

Night. 8 minutes. Lit by moonlight.

Photo: "South Tower"

Golden Gate Bridge during blue hour. 

Photo: "Shipwrecked"

Boat. Point Reyes, California. 

Night. 5 minutes. Lit by moonlight.  

Photo: "Spies"

San Francisco Bay Bridge during blue hour. 

Photo: "Coal Stencils"

Blue Hour at a coal plant in London, West Virginia. 

Photo: "Sprung"

Big M Automotive. Williams, California. 

Night. Full moon. 2.5 minutes. Lit by moonlight and incandescent flashlight.  

Photo: "Winding Road"

The Rancho Seco Nuclear Generating plant is a decommissioned nuclear power plant near Sacramento, California. The plant was only in operation for fourteen years (1975-1989) before it closed due to public vote.