That bottom picture is of a different type of site. It’s a recent site with lots of very high precision equipment - far more sophisticated and expensive than the USHCN stuff...and it’s placed right up against an air-conditioned trailer.
Temperature sensor siting: The sensor should be mounted 5 feet +/- 1 foot above the ground. The ground over which the shelter [radiation] is located should be typical of the surrounding area. A level, open clearing is desirable so the thermometers are freely ventilated by air flow. Do not install the sensor on a steep slope or in a sheltered hollow unless it is typical of the area or unless data from that type of site are desired. When possible, the shelter should be no closer than four times the height of any obstruction (tree, fence, building, etc.). The sensor should be at least 100 feet from any paved or concrete surface...
it would be interesting to discover just when this particular unit was installed.