Land Surveyors United
This is more than a benchmark — it’s a time capsule in sandstone, a physical…
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 21:00:06 +0000
This is more than a benchmark — it’s a time capsule in sandstone, a physical whisper from surveyors who walked this terrain with theodolites, chains, and levelling staffs. In an age before satellites, these carvings defined the vertical framework of an entire nation. This is a benchmark, very likely a vertical control mark cut by a 19th-century surveying authority — most likely the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain. The broad arrow symbol (⬆︎) is known as the “crow’s foot” or broad arrowhead, traditionally used to mark government property and survey control points. The date "1865" situates this in a period of massive national surveying effort in the UK — the era of trig pillars, levelling circuits, and height datum establishment across the country. Tom Haydon with a fascinating marker.
Should we preserve and protect these relics? How would we document them at scale?
This black-and-white photo captures a group of young women actively engaged in…
Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:00:23 +0000
This black-and-white photo captures a group of young women actively engaged in a hands-on surveying exercise and the scene represents a growing movement toward inclusion and visibility of women in STEM and geospatial sciences. It’s a strong visual of emerging talent in the field. The collaboration is evident—one person on the instrument, another writing observations, others observing, and one documenting the moment—showcasing the multi-tasking nature of fieldwork. Judging by the materials and setting, this is likely a practical field exercise or student-led project—proof that future professionals are gaining hands-on skills early.
What do you think fieldwork teaches that classroom lessons can’t? How might the classroom integrate those lessons?
Sometimes surveying isn't black and white - the colors have a tendency to pop…
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:00:05 +0000
Sometimes surveying isn't black and white - the colors have a tendency to pop all around us. A reminder that surveying isn’t always about pristine landscapes — it’s often about finding order in forgotten places. A surveyor stands focused behind a total station in what appears to be an urban courtyard surrounded by trees, graffiti-covered walls, and aging infrastructure. This scene likely depicts urban infill surveying or boundary recovery in a previously developed or abandoned property. The total station in use, paired with the tight site, underscores the need for precision in confined, visually obstructed urban spaces.
Do you ever feel like you have been transported in time when you are doing the job?
#surveyors #surveyequipment #SurveyorLife #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyknowledge #futurist #surveyphotos #surveypractice
This image stands as a poetic reminder that surveyors are often the first to…
Tue, 08 Apr 2025 14:00:10 +0000
This image stands as a poetic reminder that surveyors are often the first to touch the future—literally. Before wind turbines turn and power homes, it’s the surveyor who marks the land, analyzes terrain, and ensures safe, efficient placement. This photo beautifully bridges the traditional science of surveying with the modern push toward sustainability. Wind turbine installations require rigorous geospatial planning—foundation mapping, elevation data, and long-term monitoring—all powered by skilled surveyors. Surveyors are instrumental in the renewable energy revolution, and this image speaks directly to that vital role.
Have you ever surveyed for renewable energy projects like wind or solar farms? Tell us what that was like.
#surveyors #SurveyorLife #surveyknowledge #LandSurveyorsUnited #futurist #surveyequipment #surveyphotos #environmentalsurveys
If you’ve never seen one of your tools take a nap, are you even surveying?…
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 22:00:17 +0000
If you’ve never seen one of your tools take a nap, are you even surveying? Whether it was wind, a wobbly setup, or someone brushing past in a rush—this is a rite of passage in the field. No matter how high-tech your gear is, it’s still at the mercy of physics. The Leica rover in this shot is a workhorse of GNSS surveying, offering sub-centimeter accuracy. But like all precision instruments, it’s vulnerable to falls, scuffs, and unexpected naps in the middle of a job. It’s a lighthearted moment, but also a reminder of how adaptable and durable field crews have to be. We pick it up, recalibrate, and keep going.
What’s the most unexpected reason a piece of your gear ever hit the ground?
#surveyphotos #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyequipment #surveyors #surveyingeducation #surveyorproblems #surveyingcrews #surveyknowledge #SurveyorLife
Some workouts are just different. It isn't ‘stuck,’ - it's strategically…
Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:00:18 +0000
Some workouts are just different. It isn't ‘stuck,’ - it's strategically wedged. This is more than just a mishap—it’s a reminder that real-world terrain rarely plays nice. Whether it’s misjudged compaction, miscommunication, or just plain bad luck, survey crews have to think fast, laugh often, and get the job done. This is a textbook example of soft shoulder failure, where ground support near excavated areas gives way under heavy equipment. The crew’s body language suggests a mix of disbelief, problem-solving, and a “we’ve been here before” attitude—classic traits in field surveying and construction. The smiling crew member brings levity, showing the resilience of surveyors who handle unexpected problems with humor and teamwork.
What lessons do you teach new crew members to avoid scenes like this?
Surveyors don’t just measure space—they frame history. Here we have a cleverly…
Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:00:21 +0000
Surveyors don’t just measure space—they frame history. Here we have a cleverly constructed rectangular frame made from folding measuring tapes, directly in front of an ancient brick building with Romanesque and Renaissance architectural elements. The “frame” mimics the function of a viewfinder, placing a literal and metaphorical focus on the facade behind it. The architecture suggests a historic or protected building, possibly a church or civic structure in Europe, where preservation and restoration work often starts with detailed surveying.
Do you think the art of surveying is also a form of storytelling? Why or why not?
#futurist #surveyors #surveyknowledge #landsurveying #landsurveyorsunited #SurveyorLife #surveyequipment #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyphotos #SurveyingHistory
In this breathtaking shot, a survey marker rests on the edge of the Grand…
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:00:12 +0000
In this breathtaking shot, a survey marker rests on the edge of the Grand Canyon—quiet and unassuming against one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth. The bronze triangulation disc is a permanent reminder that even in places shaped by millions of years of erosion and uplift, precision and permanence matter. Triangulation stations like this are crucial in maintaining accurate topographic maps, especially in places like the Grand Canyon where GPS signals may be limited and where geologic stability and erosion must be continually monitored. This mark is likely maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey or National Geodetic Survey and represents decades of coordinated measurement across some of the most unforgiving terrain in North America.
How do you ensure long-term stability and accuracy for control points in shifting or eroding environments?
#surveyphotos #futurist #surveyequipment #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyingeducation #surveyors #SurveyingHistory #environmentalsurveys
This image is a powerful example of surveying under pressure — when accuracy…
Sat, 12 Apr 2025 17:00:06 +0000
This image is a powerful example of surveying under pressure — when accuracy isn’t about boundaries, it’s about survival. An armed soldier in full camouflage and tactical gear is positioned beneath a military optical surveying or targeting system mounted on a heavy-duty tripod. This is likely a Laser Target Designator (LTD) or Target Observation Device (such as a Compact Artillery Laser System or a G/VLLD – Ground/Vehicle Laser Locator Designator).
These systems are used for:
Surveying fire support positions
Designating coordinates for artillery or airstrikes
Real-time forward observation
While not traditional land surveying equipment, this tool represents the convergence of geodesy, optics, and battlefield intelligence. Military surveyors and forward observers rely on extremely precise positioning — often down to sub-meter — for fire support safety, indirect fire coordination, and enemy location.
This photo is more than vintage — it’s an artifact of surveying identity. A…
Sat, 12 Apr 2025 13:00:28 +0000
This photo is more than vintage — it’s an artifact of surveying identity. A turn-of-the-century surveyor stands poised with map or notes in hand, dressed in formal field attire: a high-button waistcoat, tailored breeches, tall field boots, and a classic bowler hat. A brass transit theodolite is mounted on a tripod beside him, angled just off center. This image likely dates from the 1880s to early 1900s, a period when surveying tools were evolving but still deeply mechanical.
Should surveying organizations maintain visual archives like this?
#surveyequipment #surveyknowledge #SurveyorLife #LandSurveyorsUnited #futurist #surveyors #surveyphotos #surveyingeducation #SurveyingHistory #historicphotos
From jungle to jobsite—surveyors start the transformation. This photo captures…
Sun, 13 Apr 2025 17:00:15 +0000
From jungle to jobsite—surveyors start the transformation. This photo captures the critical role surveyors play in preparing land for development. The cleared site is likely undergoing a topographic survey or layout for excavation and foundation placement. This is a great reminder that no shovel hits the ground without a surveyor first defining the lines, elevations, and legal boundaries.
What’s your perspective on balancing development with environmental impact?
#futurist #surveyphotos #surveyequipment #surveypractice #surveyors #LandSurveyorsUnited #constructionsurvey #surveyingeducation #SurveyorLife #environmentalsurveys
GET TO THE CHOPPER!!! Helicopters are occasionally used in remote or hazardous…
Tue, 08 Apr 2025 20:00:05 +0000
GET TO THE CHOPPER!!! Helicopters are occasionally used in remote or hazardous surveying operations to reach inaccessible areas, especially after wildfires, natural disasters, or in alpine conditions. This shot is a perfect display of contrast—old-school gear like the chained tripod meeting high-flying, high-tech access like the helicopter. It’s a visual metaphor for how land surveyors bridge the past and future while literally standing in some of the most extreme environments imaginable.
What’s the wildest way you’ve arrived at a job site?
#futurist #landsurveyors #surveypractice #surveyphotos #SurveyorLife #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyequipment #surveyknowledge
Before fancy pop-up tents or surveying sunshields, there was whatever you could…
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 11:30:17 +0000
Before fancy pop-up tents or surveying sunshields, there was whatever you could haul—including beach umbrellas. Protecting the instrument (and operator) from sun glare was a serious consideration to maintain accuracy. Surveyor Brotherhood: The umbrella holder may seem secondary, but his role is vital—he’s protecting not just a teammate but the precision of the entire operation. That’s old-school teamwork. Heat of the Moment: Fieldwork was brutal. No hydration packs. No AC. Just wool pants, determination, and a lot of squinting. This image captures how crews adapted with limited resources and a lot of improvisation.
Have you ever had to improvise sun protection in the field? What did you use?
Measuring the dimensions of distraction. In this vibrant urban alleyway scene,…
Wed, 09 Apr 2025 21:00:19 +0000
Measuring the dimensions of distraction. In this vibrant urban alleyway scene, a total station is set up amidst rows of bright yellow garbage bins, tightly wedged between graffiti-laced walls and parked cars. Despite the chaos and visual noise, the surveying gear stands calm and centered—focused, professional, and unmoved by distractions. This is the kind of site that puts a surveyor’s focus, patience, and adaptability to the test. Narrow access, sensory overload, and a blend of art, architecture, and waste—classic city conditions.
What’s the most distracting environment you’ve had to survey in?
#surveyphotos #futurist #surveyequipment #landsurveyorsunited #surveyknowledge #LandSurveyorsUnited #landsurveying #surveyors #SurveyorLife #surveyorproblems
Can AI and blockchain really replace the surveyor? Discover why the future of…
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 21:00:15 +0000
Can AI and blockchain really replace the surveyor? Discover why the future of land ownership still depends on boots on the ground—and the professionals who protect what's real.
Read: https://landsurveyorsunited.com/articles/ghost-deeds-and-digital-lies-the-threat-of-ai-generated-land
#LandSurveyorsUnited #surveypractice #futurist #surveyingeducation #landsurveyors #surveyors #surveyknowledge #futureofsurveying #surveyblog #surveyarticles
The total station perfectly aligned with the stately façade of the County…
Wed, 09 Apr 2025 23:00:04 +0000
The total station perfectly aligned with the stately façade of the County Sessions House in Liverpool. The symmetry of the building’s neoclassical architecture—with its towering columns, intricate stone carvings, and royal crest—meets the modern symmetry of high-precision surveying tech. This image captures the poetic contrast between old-world craftsmanship and modern geospatial accuracy. Surveyors work where time overlaps—documenting structures built long before satellites ever existed. Precision is paramount when working near protected structures. This setup shows how total stations help ensure restorations respect original lines, slopes, and symmetry.
How do you manage precise measurements near heritage buildings without disturbing the site?
#futurist #surveyknowledge #surveyequipment #surveyors #LandSurveyorsUnited #landsurveying #surveyphotos #landsurveyorsunited #SurveyingHistory #surveyingeducation
What’s the most ornate or unusual monument you’ve come across? This isn’t just…
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:00:47 +0000
What’s the most ornate or unusual monument you’ve come across? This isn’t just a marker—it’s a testament to a surveyor's presence, work, and official recognition. These hand-set monuments were placed with purpose and precision, often serving as boundary references for decades (or centuries). Carved Authority: The decorative detailing hints that this wasn’t a casual placement. It's likely this marker once signified an important governmental, colonial, or estate boundary. Survey monuments of this caliber were often installed to last through generations. Surveying as Historical Record: Long before GPS and CAD, land ownership and division were etched in stone—literally. Monuments like these carry jurisdictional power and historical value, silently asserting, “Here begins something.” monuments - Bryan Smith submission
The jungle doesn’t care about your traverse… but your client does. A surveyor…
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:00:13 +0000
The jungle doesn’t care about your traverse… but your client does. A surveyor stands among the enormous, entwined aerial roots of what is likely a banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) — or another member of the strangler fig family — holding a prism pole with calm determination. In cases like this, surveyors often use total stations or reflectorless technology, or wait for RTK corrections during canopy gaps. Roots like these are not just trip hazards — they also mess with staking, boundary monument recovery, and instrument leveling. Many times, crews have to improvise with custom setups, higher prism poles, or multiple set-ups to capture a single shot.
What’s the most overgrown spot you’ve ever had to survey through — and how did you handle it?
#futurist #surveyingcrews #surveyphotos #surveyors #surveypractice #surveyknowledge #surveyequipment #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyorproblems #surveylife
Tunnel surveying is one of the most demanding and high-stakes tasks in…
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 22:30:04 +0000
Tunnel surveying is one of the most demanding and high-stakes tasks in geospatial work. In this shot, the surveyor is likely verifying tunnel alignment, mapping excavation progress, or monitoring convergence to detect shifts in the tunnel lining—especially crucial in unstable ground conditions. With no GPS signal underground, they rely on total stations or laser scanners to stay accurate. Add in the low light, confined spaces, constant dust, vibration, and water seepage, and it’s clear—this isn’t just surveying, it’s endurance under pressure.
Have you ever surveyed in a tunnel or mine? What’s your go-to setup tip underground?
Land surveying: where 3 inches can cause 30 years of argument. This image…
Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:00:06 +0000
Land surveying: where 3 inches can cause 30 years of argument. This image perfectly captures the day-to-day challenge of reconciling property boundaries with real-world obstacles. The presence of two survey caps within inches of each other suggests multiple surveys have converged here—either as check marks, conflicting boundaries, or redundancy from separate crews over time. Collin Parmelee is glad that At least they left me enough space to set a 3rd one.
What’s your protocol when you discover multiple markers at the same point?
#surveyingeducation #surveyknowledge #SurveyingProfessionals #surveyors #futurist #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveylife #surveypractice #surveyorproblems
AI is reshaping the mapping world—but it’s the licensed surveyor left holding…
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:00:07 +0000
AI is reshaping the mapping world—but it’s the licensed surveyor left holding the liability. It’s time to draw the line between innovation and responsibility before the map gets redrawn without us.
Read: https://landsurveyorsunited.com/articles/the-coming-liability-crisis-who-gets-sued-when-ai-mapping-gets-it
#surveyblog #surveypractice #landsurveying #surveyors #surveyingtopics #surveyingliability #futurist #landsurveyorsunited
This surreal, solarized image captures a surveyor mid-duty on an elevated…
Mon, 14 Apr 2025 19:00:06 +0000
This surreal, solarized image captures a surveyor mid-duty on an elevated platform amidst an urban jungle of steel and frost. The fiery visual tone evokes both physical intensity and symbolic weight—it’s as if the surveyor is standing at the edge of innovation, forging the future in real time. The GNSS receiver, mounted on a rod, glows as a beacon of precision and data in a world of chaos, embodying the discipline and exactitude of the profession.
Do you think modern urban surveying gets enough recognition for the risks involved?
The total station doesn’t flinch — even knee-deep in gator country. This is…
Sat, 12 Apr 2025 19:00:03 +0000
The total station doesn’t flinch — even knee-deep in gator country. This is likely part of a wetlands delineation, hydrological boundary mapping, or infrastructure site planning involving FEMA floodplain data, environmental permitting, or DOT easement work. The robotic total station is used here likely due to GNSS signal degradation from dense canopy and tree cover — smart choice in this GNSS-unfriendly environment. The orange stake is a probable control point, offset indicator, or flood elevation marker — placed high to remain visible even as the water level fluctuates.
Ever lost a benchmark or control to rising water? How did you recover it?
You won’t see this on the final blueprint — but without it, nothing gets built…
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 18:00:05 +0000
You won’t see this on the final blueprint — but without it, nothing gets built right.
This image speaks volumes about the frontline authority of surveyors in construction. The total station is pointed, poised, and ready — but it’s the human operator who defines its purpose. This is a moment of preparation and precision, caught between plan and pour. It reflects a quiet confidence — the kind that comes from knowing exactly how to turn digital models into actionable layout marks that guide steel, concrete, and crews. This is a construction staking setup — most likely for slab layout, anchor bolt positioning, or control checks prior to concrete pour. The robotic total station and the GNSS rover combo suggest hybrid workflows — likely moving between RTK GNSS positioning and fine-grain robotic layout, depending on precision needs and satellite conditions. The site appears to be in a commercial or light industrial zone, with a concrete perimeter being prepared and vertical elements (rebar) staged for slab reinforcement.
What do you triple-check before signing off layout on a slab like this?
#LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyors #surveyknowledge #SurveyorLife #surveypractice #surveyphotos #futurist #surveyequipment #surveyingcrews #constructionsurvey
This image demonstrates the blend of old-world infrastructure (railroads) with…
Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:00:12 +0000
This image demonstrates the blend of old-world infrastructure (railroads) with modern positioning systems (Trimble GNSS and robotic total stations). Rail surveys are critical for track alignment, grade verification, deformation monitoring, and infrastructure planning. The use of a Hi-Rail truck indicates access to difficult track zones, enabling precision without disrupting rail traffic.
What’s your go-to equipment for mobile rail mapping?
#surveyknowledge #futurist #surveyors #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyequipment #landsurveyors #surveyphotos #SurveyorLife
Land Surveyors United
This shot is a quiet tribute to the rituals of readiness. There’s no glamour in…
Sat, 12 Apr 2025 15:00:15 +0000
This shot is a quiet tribute to the rituals of readiness. There’s no glamour in this image, but there’s purpose — and for land surveyors, that’s everything. These are the tactile tools that create permanence in physical space: driven into asphalt, hidden under sod, embedded in concrete — all to serve as anchors for measurements no one sees but everyone depends on. These tools are the unsung heroes of land surveying — control point establishment, boundary referencing, and line staking wouldn’t happen without them. The color-coded washers suggest planned site-specific color mapping — possibly tied to crew assignments, utility locations, or different control tiers. The use of short tape measures indicates quick calibration checks or close-in offset verification. Everything here is built around durability, visibility, and ease of deployment.
How do you color-code and what’s your logic?
#surveyors #surveyingeducation #surveyequipment #futurist #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyknowledge #surveyphotos #constructionsurvey #surveylife
In this black-and-white historical image, four rugged surveyors stand amid deep…
Wed, 09 Apr 2025 11:30:04 +0000
In this black-and-white historical image, four rugged surveyors stand amid deep snow and frozen trees in what appears to be a remote boreal landscape. Bundled in thick furs and winter gear, they work methodically with an old-style theodolite and steel chain tape—no GPS, no drones, just grit, precision, and perseverance. This image likely dates to the late 19th or early 20th century, during a time when land surveying played a critical role in national expansion, resource mapping, and frontier development.
Winter surveying required not only technical skill but survival instincts—extreme cold, limited daylight, and deep snow added to the challenge. NJ Society of Professional Land Surveyors shared this cold historic shot.
If you could bring one piece of modern tech to this scene, what would it be?
#LandSurveyorsUnited #futurist #surveyequipment #surveyors #surveyphotos #surveyknowledge #SurveyingHistory #landsurveyors #surveyingcrews #historicphotos
In this frame: one of the quiet architects of the modern world. This image is…
Sun, 13 Apr 2025 13:00:27 +0000
In this frame: one of the quiet architects of the modern world. This image is more than vintage. It’s ancestral to modern surveying. It captures a moment when fieldwork required not just understanding, but intuition — a sensitivity to terrain, light, and geometry that was as physical as it was mathematical. The act of pointing, framed by the transit scope, is a perfect metaphor: this was a profession of direction-giving, both literally and societally. These setups required meticulous leveling, visual alignment with crosshairs, and manual recording of readings on paper in field books.
Who taught you to sight a line? What kind of impact did it have on you as a surveyor?
The total station doesn’t flinch — even knee-deep in gator country. This is…
Sat, 12 Apr 2025 19:00:03 +0000
The total station doesn’t flinch — even knee-deep in gator country. This is likely part of a wetlands delineation, hydrological boundary mapping, or infrastructure site planning involving FEMA floodplain data, environmental permitting, or DOT easement work. The robotic total station is used here likely due to GNSS signal degradation from dense canopy and tree cover — smart choice in this GNSS-unfriendly environment. The orange stake is a probable control point, offset indicator, or flood elevation marker — placed high to remain visible even as the water level fluctuates.
Ever lost a benchmark or control to rising water? How did you recover it?
While others claimed the peak, he calculated it. Radhanath Sikdar (1813–1870)…
Mon, 14 Apr 2025 11:30:10 +0000
While others claimed the peak, he calculated it. Radhanath Sikdar (1813–1870) was a Bengali mathematician and surveyor employed by the Survey of India. He’s most famously credited for identifying Peak XV—which would later be named Mount Everest—as the world's highest point. Working under the British Raj and Sir George Everest, Sikdar was a trailblazer in trigonometric surveying, performing arduous computations by hand at a time when mechanical computing aids were barely in their infancy.
Do you know of other surveyors whose stories deserve more recognition?
The jungle doesn’t care about your traverse… but your client does. A surveyor…
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 18:00:13 +0000
The jungle doesn’t care about your traverse… but your client does. A surveyor stands among the enormous, entwined aerial roots of what is likely a banyan tree (Ficus benghalensis) — or another member of the strangler fig family — holding a prism pole with calm determination. In cases like this, surveyors often use total stations or reflectorless technology, or wait for RTK corrections during canopy gaps. Roots like these are not just trip hazards — they also mess with staking, boundary monument recovery, and instrument leveling. Many times, crews have to improvise with custom setups, higher prism poles, or multiple set-ups to capture a single shot.
What’s the most overgrown spot you’ve ever had to survey through — and how did you handle it?
#futurist #surveyingcrews #surveyphotos #surveyors #surveypractice #surveyknowledge #surveyequipment #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyorproblems #surveylife
In this breathtaking shot, a survey marker rests on the edge of the Grand…
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:00:12 +0000
In this breathtaking shot, a survey marker rests on the edge of the Grand Canyon—quiet and unassuming against one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth. The bronze triangulation disc is a permanent reminder that even in places shaped by millions of years of erosion and uplift, precision and permanence matter. Triangulation stations like this are crucial in maintaining accurate topographic maps, especially in places like the Grand Canyon where GPS signals may be limited and where geologic stability and erosion must be continually monitored. This mark is likely maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey or National Geodetic Survey and represents decades of coordinated measurement across some of the most unforgiving terrain in North America.
How do you ensure long-term stability and accuracy for control points in shifting or eroding environments?
#surveyphotos #futurist #surveyequipment #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyingeducation #surveyors #SurveyingHistory #environmentalsurveys
This image demonstrates the blend of old-world infrastructure (railroads) with…
Tue, 08 Apr 2025 16:00:12 +0000
This image demonstrates the blend of old-world infrastructure (railroads) with modern positioning systems (Trimble GNSS and robotic total stations). Rail surveys are critical for track alignment, grade verification, deformation monitoring, and infrastructure planning. The use of a Hi-Rail truck indicates access to difficult track zones, enabling precision without disrupting rail traffic.
What’s your go-to equipment for mobile rail mapping?
#surveyknowledge #futurist #surveyors #LandSurveyorsUnited #surveyequipment #landsurveyors #surveyphotos #SurveyorLife
Surveyor’s Nightmare? You bet. From a boundary or alignment perspective, laying…
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 16:00:08 +0000
Surveyor’s Nightmare? You bet. From a boundary or alignment perspective, laying out a wall like this isn’t just a challenge — it’s a geometric exercise in patience, requiring precise chord-to-arc calculations, control points, and often curve fitting during staking. You're looking at a crinkle crankle wall, also known as a serpentine wall — a beautifully sinuous structure made of red brick, weaving back and forth in a consistent wave pattern through a tree-lined landscape. Despite its whimsical appearance, this wall is structurally strategic: the undulating design gives it greater lateral stability, meaning it can be made only one brick thick without collapsing — unlike straight walls which need added thickness to remain upright. Thanks to Anthony Omar Morales Gonzalez for sharing.
Have you ever had to lay out a serpentine feature like this in the field? How did you tackle it?
This image features a precision auto level (or dumpy level) mounted on a bright…
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 14:00:05 +0000
This image features a precision auto level (or dumpy level) mounted on a bright orange tripod, prominently framed in the foreground of an active construction site. Behind it, two massive concrete boom pumps arc dramatically into the night sky, forming a symmetrical bridge over the level — almost as if they’re saluting the instrument itself. Night shifts like this are common in hot climates like Riyadh’s, where daytime heat can reach dangerous levels for crews and equipment alike. Surveyors and construction crews often work through the night to maintain schedules and safety. Submitted by Zain ZN - in Riyadh
Do you prefer working night shifts or day shifts? What changes in your workflow when the sun goes down?
No sidewalk, no shoulder — just a tripod, a stream, and the truth of the…
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 16:00:10 +0000
No sidewalk, no shoulder — just a tripod, a stream, and the truth of the terrain. A total station is set up along a muddy, narrow trail beside a wooden pedestrian bridge crossing a small stream. This image captures the intersection of natural systems and engineered solutions. It’s a quiet portrait of the surveyor’s unseen role in maintaining public safety — ensuring culverts flow, bridges don’t shift, and environmental boundaries are respected. The overall dampness and narrow path reinforce real-world field conditions surveyors often face in environmental and civil infrastructure projects.
Ever had a tripod sink into a mudbank mid-shot? Share your wettest setups.
#surveyknowledge #surveyors #futurist #SurveyorLife #surveypractice #surveyequipment #surveyphotos #LandSurveyorsUnited
Can AI and blockchain really replace the surveyor? Discover why the future of…
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 21:00:15 +0000
Can AI and blockchain really replace the surveyor? Discover why the future of land ownership still depends on boots on the ground—and the professionals who protect what's real.
Read: https://landsurveyorsunited.com/articles/ghost-deeds-and-digital-lies-the-threat-of-ai-generated-land
#LandSurveyorsUnited #surveypractice #futurist #surveyingeducation #landsurveyors #surveyors #surveyknowledge #futureofsurveying #surveyblog #surveyarticles
Dick Elgin sharing a great historical photo of a surveying truck in Iowa. This…
Wed, 16 Apr 2025 11:30:05 +0000
Dick Elgin sharing a great historical photo of a surveying truck in Iowa. This rugged old survey truck likely belonged to the Iowa Geodetic Survey, a regional branch that supported the National Geodetic Survey’s mission across the Midwest. Judging by its setup, it was probably outfitted as a mobile office — complete with precision instruments like theodolites or zenith telescopes, and stacks of computation tables for manually reducing field observations. There’s a good chance it even doubled as sleeping quarters for crews working in remote areas for days at a time — an early version of what today might be a surveyor’s RV. The elevated clearance and hefty spare suggest it was built to handle off-road terrain, reinforcing the idea that these trucks served as self-contained command centers long before GPS units or portable tech were in the picture. All calculations would have been done by hand, often in challenging conditions — a real testament to the grit and skill behind early geodetic work.
What modern gear would you outfit this mobile survey lab with if it rolled out today?
This image is a powerful example of surveying under pressure — when accuracy…
Sat, 12 Apr 2025 17:00:06 +0000
This image is a powerful example of surveying under pressure — when accuracy isn’t about boundaries, it’s about survival. An armed soldier in full camouflage and tactical gear is positioned beneath a military optical surveying or targeting system mounted on a heavy-duty tripod. This is likely a Laser Target Designator (LTD) or Target Observation Device (such as a Compact Artillery Laser System or a G/VLLD – Ground/Vehicle Laser Locator Designator).
These systems are used for:
Surveying fire support positions
Designating coordinates for artillery or airstrikes
Real-time forward observation
While not traditional land surveying equipment, this tool represents the convergence of geodesy, optics, and battlefield intelligence. Military surveyors and forward observers rely on extremely precise positioning — often down to sub-meter — for fire support safety, indirect fire coordination, and enemy location.
AI is reshaping the mapping world—but it’s the licensed surveyor left holding…
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 21:00:07 +0000
AI is reshaping the mapping world—but it’s the licensed surveyor left holding the liability. It’s time to draw the line between innovation and responsibility before the map gets redrawn without us.
Read: https://landsurveyorsunited.com/articles/the-coming-liability-crisis-who-gets-sued-when-ai-mapping-gets-it
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Sometimes surveying isn't black and white - the colors have a tendency to pop…
Fri, 11 Apr 2025 14:00:05 +0000
Sometimes surveying isn't black and white - the colors have a tendency to pop all around us. A reminder that surveying isn’t always about pristine landscapes — it’s often about finding order in forgotten places. A surveyor stands focused behind a total station in what appears to be an urban courtyard surrounded by trees, graffiti-covered walls, and aging infrastructure. This scene likely depicts urban infill surveying or boundary recovery in a previously developed or abandoned property. The total station in use, paired with the tight site, underscores the need for precision in confined, visually obstructed urban spaces.
Do you ever feel like you have been transported in time when you are doing the job?
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Surveying doesn’t have a talent problem—it has an access problem. Discover how…
Tue, 08 Apr 2025 21:00:11 +0000
Surveying doesn’t have a talent problem—it has an access problem. Discover how the profession can reinvent itself to attract, support, and inspire the next generation of boundary-breakers.
Read: https://landsurveyorsunited.com/articles/the-rising-cost-of-entry-barriers-for-the-next-generation-of
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Some workouts are just different. It isn't ‘stuck,’ - it's strategically…
Tue, 08 Apr 2025 23:00:18 +0000
Some workouts are just different. It isn't ‘stuck,’ - it's strategically wedged. This is more than just a mishap—it’s a reminder that real-world terrain rarely plays nice. Whether it’s misjudged compaction, miscommunication, or just plain bad luck, survey crews have to think fast, laugh often, and get the job done. This is a textbook example of soft shoulder failure, where ground support near excavated areas gives way under heavy equipment. The crew’s body language suggests a mix of disbelief, problem-solving, and a “we’ve been here before” attitude—classic traits in field surveying and construction. The smiling crew member brings levity, showing the resilience of surveyors who handle unexpected problems with humor and teamwork.
What lessons do you teach new crew members to avoid scenes like this?
If you’ve never seen one of your tools take a nap, are you even surveying?…
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 22:00:17 +0000
If you’ve never seen one of your tools take a nap, are you even surveying? Whether it was wind, a wobbly setup, or someone brushing past in a rush—this is a rite of passage in the field. No matter how high-tech your gear is, it’s still at the mercy of physics. The Leica rover in this shot is a workhorse of GNSS surveying, offering sub-centimeter accuracy. But like all precision instruments, it’s vulnerable to falls, scuffs, and unexpected naps in the middle of a job. It’s a lighthearted moment, but also a reminder of how adaptable and durable field crews have to be. We pick it up, recalibrate, and keep going.
What’s the most unexpected reason a piece of your gear ever hit the ground?
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This image is a snapshot of surveying history, showcasing the fundamental…
Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:30:04 +0000
This image is a snapshot of surveying history, showcasing the fundamental teamwork and analog tools that laid the groundwork for today’s modern geospatial infrastructure.
The precision of leveling rods and optical instruments was critical long before GPS, requiring intense focus and collaboration. This powerful image is more than nostalgia—it’s a tribute to the craft, discipline, and collaboration that defined early surveying. Despite the lack of modern tech, these professionals achieved remarkable accuracy, proving that expertise and teamwork are timeless tools of the trade.
Have you ever compared notes with an old-timer about how surveying has changed?
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Surveyors don’t just measure space—they frame history. Here we have a cleverly…
Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:00:21 +0000
Surveyors don’t just measure space—they frame history. Here we have a cleverly constructed rectangular frame made from folding measuring tapes, directly in front of an ancient brick building with Romanesque and Renaissance architectural elements. The “frame” mimics the function of a viewfinder, placing a literal and metaphorical focus on the facade behind it. The architecture suggests a historic or protected building, possibly a church or civic structure in Europe, where preservation and restoration work often starts with detailed surveying.
Do you think the art of surveying is also a form of storytelling? Why or why not?
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Tucked beneath the tip of a surveyor’s pole, this brass benchmark tells a quiet…
Wed, 16 Apr 2025 14:00:23 +0000
Tucked beneath the tip of a surveyor’s pole, this brass benchmark tells a quiet story of precision and permanence. Placed by the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey in 1954 — long before NOAA took the reins — it marks an elevation of 5,250 feet above sea level. The surroundings and altitude hint at a likely location in the high plateaus of the Southwest, perhaps Arizona or New Mexico. Judging by its condition and the pole positioned on the central cross, it’s probably still in use today. These vertical control marks were set with care, forming the backbone for everything from GPS calibration to floodplain mapping. And that warning? The $250 fine for disturbing it may seem modest now, but it reminds us how valuable these points were — and still are — to the infrastructure beneath our feet.
Ever caught someone tampering with one of these — or had to explain why they shouldn't?
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Golfers play the course. Surveyors map it. Surveying a golf course is no…
Tue, 15 Apr 2025 20:00:04 +0000
Golfers play the course. Surveyors map it. Surveying a golf course is no ordinary job—it’s a specialized niche that blends precision, planning, and a deep understanding of the landscape. From topographic mapping for course redesigns to drainage planning around water features and bunkers, every shot counts. That Leica instrument you see might be checking boundaries, collecting terrain data for a remodel, or verifying past as-builts. But the challenges are real: soft, manicured turf makes tripod leveling tricky, reflective water can mess with your signals, and with players nearby, you’ve got to work fast, stay subtle, and leave no trace.
Have you ever surveyed a golf course? What surprised you the most?
What’s the most ornate or unusual monument you’ve come across? This isn’t just…
Thu, 10 Apr 2025 14:00:47 +0000
What’s the most ornate or unusual monument you’ve come across? This isn’t just a marker—it’s a testament to a surveyor's presence, work, and official recognition. These hand-set monuments were placed with purpose and precision, often serving as boundary references for decades (or centuries). Carved Authority: The decorative detailing hints that this wasn’t a casual placement. It's likely this marker once signified an important governmental, colonial, or estate boundary. Survey monuments of this caliber were often installed to last through generations. Surveying as Historical Record: Long before GPS and CAD, land ownership and division were etched in stone—literally. Monuments like these carry jurisdictional power and historical value, silently asserting, “Here begins something.” monuments - Bryan Smith submission
Trig points (triangulation pillars) like this one were part of the Ordnance…
Sun, 13 Apr 2025 19:00:05 +0000
Trig points (triangulation pillars) like this one were part of the Ordnance Survey’s effort to map the United Kingdom with meticulous accuracy, beginning in the 1930s. These stations served as high-accuracy reference points in the national triangulation network.
Paul Hearn - TRIG POINT. Solsbury Hill, Bath. Best approach is via Kennet & Avon Canal starting from Widcmbe Locks in Bath
What role did trig points play in your early surveying training?
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