My Favorite Shots

I'm certainly no photographer, by any means, but I do love taking pictures. One of these days I'll invest in a more professional-type camera, but for now, I just do the best I can with my little, cheap point-and-shoot. Sometimes having a little less in the way of technology makes getting that great shot all the more thrilling!

The above sunset wasn't even edited in any way--totally straight from the camera. I just got lucky!

Of course, the dogs are always some of my favorite subjects, and I'll always remember Samson just like he was in this picture.

Sophie always provides great fodder for those comical shots, but here, she's actually borderline artful. Who knew?

She takes her babies very seriously indeed.

Charlie is always difficult to photograph because he rarely picks his head up. He has such a kind, beautiful face, that the best shot I ever got of him was when I was unable to stand much because of my back. I was laying outside letting the dogs play and he came over to keep me company (as he so often does) and I managed to snap this picture of him.

Thankfully my yoga pants are barely visible.

Then my dear Layla. This will forever be how I remember my lovely girlie girl.

To me, it shows everything about her: her intelligence, her kindness, and her inner strength.

Paula has been the subject of probably 90% of my photos. There's just something about a beautiful gray horse.

Even when she's in her winter woolies, she can provide a great shot, that reminds me of what she means to me, and how wonderful both her parents were.

The funny thing is, she's not the prettiest horse, really. She's lovely and correct, but she's not going to ever win any halter classes.

I think she photographs best when she's moving. It's almost like her character is on display during these times.

Like the first winter that I had her back, when she'd prance around the place, so healthy (finally) and free....

Her full brother is also quite photogenic. He's colored just like his daddy.

I have hundreds of photos of Eddie, and of course I cherish every one, but this one--this one makes me miss him the most.

Bambi has always been very photogenic. She's such a cute, little thing, but she also lacks the capacity to ever look awkward.

In that way we couldn't be more different.

Then there are the random photos that I take around the farm, that really have nothing to do with my critters at all.

Sometimes, even ditch weed can have an aesthetic quality.

Even the creepy can be lovely in springtime on the farm.

(This is actually where I'd prefer to own a telescopic lense.)

That's one thing about the farm--there's never a lack of subject matter.

At the very least, you can always count on a spectacular sunset.

Saturday in Paradise

Today was one of those perfect days. It was sunny out, there was only a touch of a breeze, the weather wasn't too hot or too cold. It was just right, Goldielocks.

I moved the kids around some, took down one of the fences to allow the girls access to the south pen, and mowed. I wish I could have done more, but I'm still healing. It's exhausting compensating for the pain in my lower back--I get wore out pretty quick, but I feel like I still got something accomplished, plus I got some pretty darned good pictures, if I do say so myself.

I let Patience and JJ out to graze in the yard. Samson went to go check them out.

Could he actually be doing his "job" as a livestock guardian?

Maybe not. He's too cute to have to work, and he knows it.

He likes to camp out with Charlie in the grass.

Just to give you an idea of how big Samson has gotten, Charlie weighs in right at 50 pounds.

The girls enjoyed getting out into a new area. Bambi takes the prettiest pictures--I'm so proud of my girls. Click on the picture to get a better view.

Paula was absolutely fascinated by the cows in the pasture behind us.

She kept running up and down the pen, staring at the cows, then going back to the girls. Sophie followed her. They look like traveling buddies.

Laramie and Bambi are buds, too.

They started playing around and were out of breathe when I took this picture. Poor Laramie--the fly mask doesn't quite cover all of her nose. She's a little sunburned!

The girls' pretty faces again. I think they're so cute together, burnt noses and all. Pay no attention to my fence-mending. All will be replaced by electric rope fencing (5 strand) hopefully by next spring, so I make due for now.

Samson, get to work!

The girls all take off running again.

Sophie and I have been working on her *not* chasing the horses when they play. It ticks them off! She's really smart but has a hard time controlling her instincts. She's almost got it down, though. She's really a good girl--or she tries hard to be :)

Gotta love the big booties.

Although this is a bad, bad picture of Truly's filly, I had to include this shot of Bambi taking off! She was really having fun today.

This isn't a good horse-shot, but kind of an interesting artistic-type one. If nothing else, I love the colors.

Bambi. Pretty, pretty Bambi. If the market wasn't the way it was, I'd be buying her momma back in a heartbeat. This cross really exceeded my expectations.

Final thought: I really need a name for this pretty girl right here. Her registered name is Truly a Hustler. I thought about calling her Truly since she reminds me of her momma so much, but it just doesn't seem right. I've thought about Grace, Tiffany (kind of "Truly's filly" smashed together), and Sweetie because she is such an incredibly sweet, kind filly.

So anyone have any ideas? Obviously I'm fresh out!

How Not to Take Pictures

Worked late again tonight. I'm really not complaining. I mean, I'm trying not to complain. There are so many people out there without any jobs at all, and this is still the best one I've ever had, so I'm not complaining.

I'm really not.

I told you before I was a lousey liar.

Of course my Gordon was on tonight. Wow, that sounds quite personal. Well, a girl can dream, can't she?

Anywho, I decided after watching Mr Ramsey (is that better?) handle some sausage (he really did--they all made sausages....what?!), I'd run out and take some quick pictures of those horses I haven't shown on the blog for a while.

So here is today's lesson: How Not to Take Pictures

First example...

Tip: never take a picture of a horse after feeding yummy grain. They will not pose. You can't make them pose. For them, it's all about the grain. It wouldn't hurt to trim up his feet a bit, too. Geez! Poor neglected beast.

Oh, and he's really not pregnant. I mean, I've thought about having him checked (JJ would have to be the daddy--or Bambi...), really, but nope. Just a big hay belly from noshing on as much feed as he can get his hooves on (now that he's 100% recovered from our farm plague--ugh)!

Example two....


Not only should one take pictures before feeding yummy grain, but one must also try to take pictures in focus, and it's helpful if it's not dark out.

Isn't she still cute as a button, though? Gotta love that I'm-growing-so-my-butt-is-higher-than-the-rest-of-me-stage.

Example three....

After reviewing examples one and two, please also remember not to stand at the shoulder of your horse to take a profile shot. It makes their head look twice as big as their ass, and while this may be a benefit for supermodels, it is a no-no for a horse.

Isn't that face so sweet, though. He makes my heart melt....


Same problem with this pic, but I wanted to post it anyway as he's gained a bit of weight back now, finally. He still has snot and that awful lump under his jaw, but he's eating well and starting to get a little meat on his bones. Of course compared to many he wasn't thin at all, but for him to look right, as a growing horse, he still needs lots of groceries and I'm so happy to see him start heading in the right direction (and feeling better, too)!!

For act two of tonight's play, we present, the Comedic Canines of Cass County! (we're actually about a mile into Bates County, but that would have screwed up my alliteration).

OK, guys, who farted?

Juvenile, I know, but admit it....you laughed.

The Sophster...

Samson chasing a floating ball of light (I keep several plasmic toys around in case they lose all their solid ones).

Speaking of Samson, he got out of his pen last night so I'm leaving him out all night tonight to see how it goes. If there is no blog entry tomorrow, you'll know he barked all night and I got no sleep, fell asleep behind the wheel and ended up in the hospital.

All over a dog....

Just kidding...but he really does sit under the porch and bark for no apparent reason sometimes. Maybe the plasmic ball's owner is talking to him.

Charlie is looking refreshed despite being up all night because of the storms. This dog is scared out of his mind of thunder, yet will charge at a chainsaw. And this was all before he was over a decade old and senile!

Act three of tonight's show: Blurred Dog Wrestling

I think I could have an art show.

Evening Glimpse

I took a lot of pictures tonight and have a story to go along with it that I will share tomorrow since it's getting late. I did, however, want to--no, need to--share a few special photos that turned out so nice, they just couldn't wait.

All of these photos have not had a single bit of touch-up. The lighting was just perfect and I just got lucky....

This is my favorite all-time photo of Samson (so far). Those are my boogie's eyes--so handsome! :)


These girls look so cute together I can hardly stand it....

I don't know why, but I really liked how this picture of Charlie turned out. The colors are so rich...

And Bambi. I can never capture in a photo how pretty she really is, but this comes close.