I was watching my friend Deb setting up a sewing machine when I turned and saw this scene. This was one of those moments when you knew that everything was perfect. From the pose, to the light from the window, to the activity, the entire scene was begging to be photographed. So, I did. I took several shots, but this one is my favorite. I tried B&W , and it was ok. However, I loved the colors and the warmth in her skin tones. So, I made some basic curves adjustments and kept the color in place.
Daisy has discovered the secret to being tip proof…don't stand up.
The baby birds should be flying any time now. It's amazing how many of the big kids can fit in a nest.
We last left the hay making adventure with a full wagon, heading for home. The farmer and his crew went back for another load, returning to the barn only after they had filled all of the wagons.
One of the wagons was pulled into the barn and the youngest member of the crew climbed onto the pile of hay to set the claw.
When he was ready, Charlie set the horses in motion. They were harnessed to a rope that pulled the claw into the air, raising the hay high into the loft.
Once in the loft, Joe and Jimmy used their pitch forks to move the hay into place.
http://www.flickr.com/apps/video/stewart.swf?v=109786
What is fascinating is how fast the hay moves once the horses take up the slack. I thought you might like to see a video of the motion. Sorry about rotating the camera 90 degrees, it just fit the scene better. Enjoy.
Jimmy, Charley, and Joe started the day by hitching Belle and Jane up to one of the empty hay wagons. The hay needed to be brought in before we got another rain.
Then it was off to the fields where the hay had already been cut and was lying in wind rows.
A hay conveyor was hitched to the back of the hay wagon. The conveyor's job is to lift the hay from the ground and deliver it to the back of the hay waggon.
Joe and Jimmy then moved the hay towards the front of the wagon using their pitch forks.
Belle and Jane pulled the entire train up one row and down another until it was full.
At that point, the entire team made the turn for home, delivering the hay back to the barn. There is still another wagon to load before they can break for lunch.
I walked into the farm house and my friend's back was to me. From the tilt of her head, I wondered if she was happy, sad, thoughtful?
I'm thinking that she was happy. Just a hunch.
At the farm, there is a goat named Zach. You can see his head in the center of the image, barely above the grass. And, there in lies Zach's problem.
You see, Zack doesn't realize that he is not a Percheron like the rest of the draft horses. He thinks he is a big horse. Zach even bucks like them. And they in turn accept Zach as part of the herd. Just wait until the farmer tries to hook Zack up to the plow. Then we will really know what he is made of.
tim mcmurdo 