Windmills

[johnbharle]

I went on a drive in the countryside near my home during the holidays. Came up with this photo. It turned out sort of nice :-) I should probably clone out the power lines, but just simply don't have time. Anyway, thought it might be a subject for a new thread. Does anyone have good windmill pics? I'd love to see them.

[Mike Buckley]

I look forward to seeing your image once you have the time to remove the power lines.

I included the motion in my windmill. The original is a color slide captured in 1992.

[JPS]

Hi John,
what are these windmill normally used for; pumping water, power? I only ask as we don't really see them in the UK.
Thanks for sharing.
John

[pnodrog]

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[pentaxpete]

here is Mountnessing Windmill -- an 1800's Post Mill, been restored to working order, near my town of Brentwood, Essex, ( England) -- Pentax 6x7, Fuji Provia 100 film.

Mountnessing-Mill by pentaxpete, on Flickr

[nimitzbenedicto]

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Thanks for showing several reasons/images why the D200 rocks!
I assume you used your new traveling companion ?
( D200 user here. )

[pnodrog]

Thanks for showing several reasons/images why the D200 rocks!
I assume you used your new traveling companion ?
( D200 user here. )

Victor thanks for the comment. The lens was the Nikon 24-120mm not my new travelling companion which I think also rocks.

[johnbharle]

Hi John. These are water windmills. I don't know when people started using this construction, but I believe it was in the latter 19th or early 20th century. They have become fashionable again lately as they evoke the romantic old west :-) Somewhere, I have an old beat up one. I intent to try and find and post that one.

[johnbharle]

I look forward to seeing your image once you have the time to remove the power lines.

I included the motion in my windmill. The original is a color slide captured in 1992.

That is very nice indeed! Nice capture!

[johnbharle]

here is Mountnessing Windmill -- an 1800's Post Mill, been restored to working order, near my town of Brentwood, Essex, ( England) -- Pentax 6x7, Fuji Provia 100 film.

Mountnessing-Mill by pentaxpete, on Flickr

Wow, what a beautiful old structure. Is it still in operation?

[johnbharle]

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I love all of these. Especially the Moulin Rouge. Nice capture!

[johnbharle]

Not my best effort, but I love this old windmill. Wonderfully decrepit. I'll have to go back some time and try to get a better shot.

[Designer]

Hi John,
what are these windmill normally used for; pumping water, power? I only ask as we don't really see them in the UK.
Thanks for sharing.
John

Not many are actually being used as they were originally intended. The early ones were a very simple crank attached to the spinner, which worked a regular reciprocating water pump. Typically, there was a water tank near the base that the rancher would fill with water periodically by activating the windmill.

In later years, those same mills were sometimes converted to generate electricity, which of course often would power a water pump.

They are usually considered antiques now, and very few of them are in working order.

[PRSearls]

Here is an 1873, Dutch smock windmill in Golden, IL USA. It's completely restored and is operational with its original millstones and wooden gearing. It ground local grain (and still does for demonstrations).

Paul S

[pnodrog]

Paul, good lighting and even being 140 years old it looks in better condition than John's one before it.

[johnbharle]

Not many are actually being used as they were originally intended. The early ones were a very simple crank attached to the spinner, which worked a regular reciprocating water pump. Typically, there was a water tank near the base that the rancher would fill with water periodically by activating the windmill.

In later years, those same mills were sometimes converted to generate electricity, which of course often would power a water pump.

They are usually considered antiques now, and very few of them are in working order.

In this neck of the woods, there are people who are actually selling new windmills. I believe the first one I posted to be of that variety. I think my old decrepit one is original equipment :-)

[johnbharle]

Paul, that is indeed a nice windmill. Beautiful restoration.

[PRSearls]

Johnbharle,

The windmill you posted is an Aermotor; the company has been building these since 1888. Before electricity came to the farm and ranch, these were used anywhere water pumping was needed. As a youngster in the 1940's, I saw one or more of these at almost every farm site in the Midwest. There are very few left in serviceable condition around here.

Over the past few years, these have been springing up instead:

Paul S

[pnodrog]

I like the way it is hiding behind the tree as if it ashamed of being so modern. Good contrast of old and new with that great low angle warm lighting.

[johnbharle]

They sure have. We went to Denmark in the fall. They were everywhere around there. Reminds me I have a photo :-)