The story behind the photo...
The above photograph which I titled "After the Rain" was taken in 1980 with my 8x10 camera on a day that had some dramatic skies and weather.

I saw the barn and the windmill as a big black cloud was just passing by during a thundershower. As the sky cleared, an opening in the clouds let some sunshine through, illuminating the scene like a spotlight. I had to carry my heavy camera and tripod about a half a kilometer down the railway tracks to set it up and create the right perspective and composition. As it was still drizzling, I held an umbrella over the camera as well so it wouldn't get wet as I waited for the right moment to click the shutter.

Now for the sad part...

This scene will never be able to be seen again.

I visited the spot about 3 years ago and the windmill had fallen over. I visited the place again in the spring of 2006 and everything is gone!!!! Not even a trace of the house, barn or windmill...just a bare field with the fence in front.

Some moments are to be captured once and only once, never to be seen again.