Metallic skeletons on the endless pampas, the "mills" tame the wind to pump essential water for the herds, sometimes from considerable depths. - Estancia Las Toscas, Province Santa Cruz, Patagonia - 1976

These traditional windmills are essential for supplying water to livestock farms in the extremely remote and arid regions of Patagonia. As surface water is scarce, these windmills pump groundwater directly into water tanks or livestock troughs. The vast farms (estancias) are not connected to the electricity grid as they are often located far from the nearest town. Patagonia is one of the windiest regions on earth. The design of these windmills, with their many rotor blades, allows them to start turning even in a very light breeze, whilst protecting themselves from destruction during the notorious Patagonian storms thanks to an automatic flag control system. – Estancia “Las Toscas” in the province of Santa Cruz – Argentina – 1975

The sky over Patagonia looks different than anywhere else. Often it is veiled by very light clouds that let a strange light shine through. Sometimes the wind blows in violent gusts, triggering sandstorms. Then it is necessary to seek shelter immediately in order to escape the turmoil of the elements. A yellowish light enhances the sense of threat that the traveler sees. - Fishermen are on their way with their ship on Megellanstrasse, in the Chilean part of Tierra del Fuego. - 1973

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