Today’s post is a guest post from none other than my brother, David, the same individual who is prominently featured in a previous post, The O Bros do Guadalupe Peak.
I am David Osterhout, brother of John Osterhout who owns this phlog. John is an excellent photographer and has been the finalist in three photo contests in the last twelve months. However, he has a penchant for taking pictures of pipes. “Pipes” in this instance is not a metaphor or simile for anything else but what it is, pipes. Gas pipes, water pipes, conduit, PVC, drainage, sewer, copper or steel, you name it and he has taken a picture of it. John has a computer file with nothing but pictures of pipes in it. I do believe the name of the file is “Pipes”. (Go figure!)
I recently spent some time with my brother on a trip to Alpine, Texas where we attended an outdoor play, went to a Pecos League baseball game, hiked up Hancock Hill, and hunted the elusive and mysterious Marfa lights. During the in-betweens, he took a bazillion pictures. Some of the pictures were of pipes. I’ve seen some of these pictures before but this was the first time I actually got to see him take the pictures. I’ve got to admit seeing a grown man kneeling before a gas meter in the back of the county courthouse to get the perfect shot was a little off putting but that’s what photographers do.
As a lark, while I was on Maui last summer (2019) I took some pictures of pipes and sent them to my brother. He took the pictures and did some digital photographic magic and the colors popped. A great improvement. I took the pictures on an old iPhone 6. Below are the photos with a comment from each of us. There is very little I can say about the photos besides, “Here’s a picture of some pipes!”
Blue and Red Pipes (New)
DO: These are the first pipes I passed on my walk. I have no idea what flows through them but they were new-looking pipes.
JO: These are ulana pōkole ʻulaʻula a me ka uliuli, red and blue lowland pipes. These are fully mature pipes in their prime. This pipe variety typically inhabits lush lowland regions where they hide in the vegetation, then ambush and consume smaller pipes. Their bright coloring is no handicap since most of their prey are color blind.
Yellow Fire Hydrant
DO: This hydrant was made by the Rich Valve Company headquartered in Corona, (unfortunate name) California. These hydrants are a little shorter and fatter than the ones with which I’m familiar.
JO: This is actually a luaʻi vulome, a volcanic gnome. They are nocturnal and come down the volcanoes at night to forage. If caught outside in the daylight they assume a familiar shape until nightfall. This one has assumed the shape of a yellow fire hydrant. Come back after sunset and see it run off.
Red Contraption
DO: I love this contraption. The black and white triangle sign on top says, ‘If Bell Rings, Call Fire Department.’
JO: This is an elaborate and high-powered espresso maker in the basement of the Pukalani branch of the Bank of Hawaii. This custom installation has a tendency to over pressure, hence the warning bell and the admonition to call the fire department.
Six Green Legs
DO: This is my favorite pipe picture. It’s the only one that looks like it could come to life.
JO: This is an ike pipe pi, and invisible pipe bug. This large, vegetarian bug is capable of becoming fully invisible, however it is so large, that it takes over a minute to become completely transparent. Here, David has caught it with its legs still visible.
X Rated
DO: I have no idea what these pipes do. The orange part has giant wheel controls but the little brown, rusted pipes sticking out the right side have tiny butterfly controls. Who knows?
JO: Blue and Red Lowland Pipes again. They’re mating. This is the second time in ten minutes, so they are looking a little pale.
Bonus Frame: Old Pipes
DO: These pipes are almost identical to the pipes in Picture 1 except they are weather worn and much older. Much like me.
JO: Old Blue and Red Lowland Pipes. The old ones hide from the young ones to keep from being cannibalized. Lowland pipes are equal opportunity eaters.
These photos were taken in Maui by David Osterhout with an ageing iPhone 6. They were processed with Darktable by John Osterhout. Darktable is free darkroom software for Windoze, Mac, and Linux.
My favorite is “Six Green Legs”. “Red Contraption” is second. Good job on the pipe hunting!
Well, (no not a well) It’s Pipes!
Much fun was had by all!