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Black and white photo of a wooden suspension bridge with net railings crossing a pond covered in lily pads.

The Van de Graaff Swing Bridge; 3231 Robert Cardinal Airport Rd, Northport, Ala; July 25, 2026 at 8:43:27 AM.

Tuscaloosa native son Robert J. Van de Graaff (1901–1967) is probably better known for his invention, the eponymous Van de Graaff generator, but did you know there’s a park bearing his name near the Tuscaloosa Airport? And did you know that there is a swing bridge (aka, suspension footbridge) there over a lily pond?

Now you do.

#4 in the series, “Rediscovering Black-and-White.” For more on the series, please see its inaugural post.

Let’s take a closer look…

On the day I biked over to the Park, the right side of the bridge was dipping perilously close to the pond. I decided not to tempt fate and attempt crossing it.

Camera Make: LEICA CAMERA AG
Camera Model: LEICA Q3 MONO
Date Time Original: July 25, 2026 at 8:43:27 AM
Exposure Time: 1/6 second
FNumber: 4.0
Photographic Sensitivity (ISO): 100
Focal Length: 28mm
35mm Full-Frame Equivalent Focal Length: approximately 28mm
Lens Make: LEICA CAMERA AG
Lens Model: SUMMILUX 1:1.7/28 ASPH.
Original Image Dimensions: 9536 x 6344 pixels.
GPS: 33°13’24.279” N 87°35’52.4934” W

The Van de Graaff Swing Bridge

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