2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Numerous photo contributions courtesy of Robert Stephenson of CenterPoint Energy Thanks, Rob! Contributions to this photo gallery are welcomed and appreciated. Contributions can be sent electronically in care of: fju.poles@centerpointenergy.com

3. WHAT THE HECK…!?! The following photos represent some of those “double-take” moments where one can only ask oneself: “What the Heck?!...”

4. And it has to be my first day on the job…

5. YIKES!...Texas Woodpeckers???

6. Now this is what I call “thinking out of the box”.

7. Aw, c’mon. Who’s gonna notice…?

8. Just the right elevation and exposure…

9. 10 out of 10 for bravery, but minus several million for common sense….

10. What would they do without utility poles? Photo courtesy of Neal MacLain

11. High-tech spy camera, or some alien device…? But which electric provider is it using?

12. Hmmm, this must be that one foot of pole space they’re always referring to…

13. Guess they had no choice but to install on the street side of the pole….

14. Guys and anchors? Who needs guys…..?

15. See, I told you it was low….!

16. We promise, it’s only temporary….

17. And this one, too…..

18. Wonder if they have a building permit? Photo courtesy of Neal MacLain

19. And who do you belong to, little guy….?

20. Found some accommodations, huh…?

21. Do you own or rent…..?

22. The neighbors down the block…

23. Interestingly enough, this colorful little guy is a Monk Parakeet, a transplanted colonial species of bird that builds these huge nests in some of the strangest places…. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monk_Parakeet

24. Wait a minute….Are those jumper cables???

25. Yep! Wonder what they’re using to jump start their car…?

26. A real close-up…..and much too close for comfort! (Please don’t try this at home!)

27. A new pole-climbing security measure…???

28. I don’t remember these in any of the CenterPoint specs….

29. Bargain basement in-line pole…

30. I remember this knot….A mid-span bowline.

31. Much cheaper than a road bore, or a pole replacement… but not exactly up to code.

32. Ahh, what a tangled mess we weave…

33. Holy smoke, and I thought we had crowded poles…

34. The Mystery Pole! (Don’t Ask.) Photo courtesy of Russell Whitworth, Guildford, U.K.

35. The “stone monument of mid-span poles”…

36. A pole-climbing snake….You’re hired!

37. You sure don’t look like a “local”…..

38. Actually, this guy is a non-poisonous Texas Rat Snake, found not only in Texas, but Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, and can reach lengths of over six feet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaphe_obsoleta_lindheimeri

39. Wonder if this kind of situation was covered in lineman training?

40. Speaking of lineman training…

41. Doggone those pesky utility poles…..!!! Photo courtesy of Neal MacLain

42. Pole or tree…?...you be the judge. (Somebody’s been neglecting their tree trimming.) Photos courtesy of Neal MacLain

43. Wonder how many of our Right-of-Way Agents have come across this particular situation...? (Good horse…..stay!) Photo courtesy of Neal McLain

44. Never really thought of utility poles as works of art, but….. (a “Mario” mosaic in Seattle)

45. Ain’t never gonna see this in Texas, I hope… (Man standing near utility pole in North Dakota) Photo courtesy of Historic National Weather Service Collection

46. Huh….?

47. Now that’s an unusual pole attachment…

48. Nice shot, but whoever took this was lying down on the job…

49. A world’s high-jump record….

50. Now...how do you get down?