The colors of spring

The weather is warm, the trees are green, and riverboats are covered with the colors of primer as someone has the job of applying a new coat of paint. Case in point: the M/V Bea Black as it passed Huntington WV yesterday.

How comfortable is this paint job, out there without shade, with the sun reflecting off the water, and you standing in front of a big metal surface? It can't be that enjoyable, although to some of us it is greatly preferable to spending a lot of time outdoors in the winter wind.

M/V R.L. Carter Jr. at sunrise

A few minutes before the sun clawed its way over the West Virginia hills this a.m., the M/V R.L. Carter Jr. was preparing to round the bend at about Mile 301 on the Ohio River, right below the location of the former Lock and Dam 27. I had left the house without all my camera gear, so I made do with the lens that I had. It seems to have been adequate.

I couldn't decide which of the two pictures I like better, so here are both.

Per the normal practice in these parts, as I was taking pictures some moron had to honk his horn to distract me. I suppose there's some entertainment value in helping a person lose a picture he really wants to get, but I don't know what it is. The only reason I can think of is stupidity, and I do not use that word lightly.