I’ve encountered dozens of these little impromptu shrines along the railroad right of way. Each is no doubt the tip of some mysterious iceberg of tragedy and loss. You can’t tell if they memorialize some loved one, human or pet, who was hit by a train, an accident or a suicide, or perhaps a love gone bad, or just somebody vaguely crying out to the world. The story might be banal or it might be heartbreaking, but there’s no way to tell. All you see is a mute, weathered bundle of mylar, tinsel, dried flowers, stuffed animals and broken toys. This particular one was beneath the Highway 85 overpass in Mountain View.

Shot with the Nikon D70s and the 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom at 70mm, ISO 400, f/9, shutter 1/80 sec. White balance, exposure, contrast and levels adjustments in Aperture.