horse power
farmland
This image shows what I love about Ohio. Thee farmland. We might not have grand canyons or oceans. However, our farmland does have a beauty all of its own.
dead cow hanging
i’ll bet he walks on his tip toes
I know that this is obvious to any married woman. However, I think it bares noting that inside of every grown man is a ten year old boy with a ten year old sense of humor.
morning roll
Is there anything quite like a roll inthe hay first hing inthe morning? I didn't think so.
beauty in utility
Even the most utilitarian objects can contain beauty. This irrigation system proves the point as the early morning light is caught in the water mist, turning gold.
the part with the amber waves
This morning, I woke early, packed the car full of camera gear and headed out for farm country. If that sounds like hours of driving, I need to be honest and tell you that it was only 15 minutes before I was deep in the farms.
The day was with me. The clouds were interesting, the sun was just coming up, and the grain was indeed amber. I hope you appreciate that I rise very early so that you can see sights that normal sane people don’t get up early enough to see. I’m good that way. You can thank me the next time you see me.
Tim
tip proof
Daisy has discovered the secret to being tip proof…don't stand up.
loading the hay
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.
bringing in the hay
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.
tim mcmurdo 