In the background are some materials laying on the ground which suggests that some pole line or track maintenance was taking place. Also note that these poles are "stubbed". That is, a heavy piece of creosoted railroad tie or section of a new pole was placed in the ground next to the old pole and strapped/bolted to it. This was a savings method used by many telephone and telegraph companies whereby pole base rot was evident while the rest (upper) section of the pole was in good shape, therefore saving replacement of the entire pole.