When I first started going to the Palouse Region (located in the northwestern United States) I was immediately drawn to the red barns. Every time I found one, it was like hitting the jackpot! Each and every barn had its own style and story. Many of the old barns show the years as they have not been fully restored, as is the case with the barn above. I am not sure if this barn is still standing, I haven’t visited it in years as I had to do some wire removal. Usually I don’t mind telephone wires and try to include them as part of the image (see directly below) but the wires on the barn above were too distracting.

The early morning light on the barn above made me smile wide! I remember everyone trying so hard to photograph this one without the wires. We had limited access as we did not want to trespass and because it was so early we did not want to wake anyone by asking permission so we photographed it from the road. I personally felt like the wires were a nice touch and I worked hard to line them up to walk the viewer through the scene.

The above barn was photographed using a longer lens and from a good distance down the road. I loved the curved road, fence and the horses but this barn owner does not want anyone near her property (the horses get startled) so we stayed far away and only for a few moments. I am always trying to make sure that the horizon line doesn’t line up to ride the top of the barn.

The 1916 barn above is a bit of a distance and I don’t always visit it. I learned the story of it from the owner last year. She told me that the barn was built by the Cunningham family and they had built a homestead across the street from the barn, the homestead burned down in 1917 and the family packed it in and moved to California.

I have many different versions of the well photographed barn above but I always liked this one best. Each year the truck is in a different position or the fields look different and of course the clouds are different too. This barn reminds me of what I refer to as the Palouse Flag—red barn, blue skies and white puffy clouds.

The barn above has had a recent roof replacement and that is why I chose this close-up view of the barn that I photographed several years ago. It shows the open slats and dilapidated roof that I loved so much. I was so disappointed when the owners repaired it.

This red barn is one that I have wanted to photograph from a different angle for many years. There was a crew of men working on the yard and I went up and asked if I could walk down the driveway to get a better angle—they said that I was welcome to photograph the barn from the driveway and could get as close as I wanted.

I photographed the above barn from the road area. I liked the curved foot path and the two posts. The barn is a beauty. The owners have since roped off the area and they do not allow visitors anymore.

Every time I visit the Palouse I uncover another hidden gem or have time to explore the many secrets of the area. Finding and photographing red barns is a fun adventure. Just be respectful of the property owners. I have never met a more welcoming group of people in my life. I am looking forward to my August trip this year.

Happy Memorial Day and to those men and women who sacrificed on our behalf-thank you.