KEK! Very nice work Ben. Love your work! (if you're lurking)
That's About 5:15pm ish…. Iowa time (maybe Kansas) Late Sept to early October, looks like he's facing south - sun is setting at his Right side.
Most definitely a survey marker see example
It's just an example of how a survey maker that lands in the middle of the road. The Survey "Pin" manufacturer could simply be made by Ontario Survey.