tim mcmurdo

haley and the horses

Posted on April 21, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

I think you might remember little Haley from some of my previous posts. She is a remarkable little girl. An area that I have noticed Haley having an exceptional gift is with the horses on the farm. Not just the horses, anything equine, such as the mules and the donkeys seem to all love her.

The horses seem to universally ignore me and most other people. I could wave fresh clover and juggle apples while completely naked and they wouldn’t even glance in my direction. Haley on the other hand simply has to walk over to the fence and call their names. Soon, she has them all going all crazy for her affection.

I’ve noticed the “Haley Effect” on many occasions and have often wondered about her way with the horses. She doesn’t feed them treats . She does talk to them and she does pet them gently. Is it her gentleness or something else that they like about her?

The Haley Effect only seems to apply to the equine breeds. Sarah, the resident barn cat, only tolerates Haley as much as she tolerates the rest of us. Pet her a little and scratch her ears a little more and she is about done with you.

Once picked up, Sarah quickly frees herself and goes looking for someplace else to take her nap. The other farm animals just ignore Haley as they do the rest of us. The one exception might be Zack, the goat. Zack thinks he is a draft horse and that might be the reason he likes Haley. If she’s good enough for the rest of the horses, Zack figures she’s good enough for a goat-horse like him as well.

Who knows? However, as long as I see those horses become so affectionate in her presence, I will always find the reaction remarkable. Especially since they are never phased by somebody as wonderfully kind, good looking, intelligent, and friendly as me. Dumb assed horses. I don’t want to be your friends anyways. Me and the rest of.. I mean, me and the hogs are going to hang out in the sun for a while.

speaking with John Dunn

reading by the window light

woodland flowers

Posted on April 20, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

During last week's check on the bluebells in the gorge, I did manage to find some flwoers in bloom. I have no idea what they are and if you do, please let me know. I hate to be ignorant about these kinds of things.

Today is very chilly, although the sun has come out. Later this afternoon, after the sun has had some time to warm up the day, I will see what my camera and I can get into. you never know what scene awaits me.

falling for spring

Forsythia

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

You probably don't kow it (how could you, you don't live near me), but the forsythia is looking spectacular this week. I love all of that wonderful yellowness. That's all. Just thought you should know.

Have a wonderful Wednesday.

falling for spring

Posted on April 16, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Sunday morning, I took a hike through Clifton gorge to see if the bluebells were in bloom. Turns out that they are a week or two away from being at their peak. You can bet that I will be back to see them and the trillium next weekend to monitor their progress.

It turns out that the time wasn't wasted. As I skirted the river, I noticed that many of the falls that only appear in the Spring were running.

So I did what any of you photographers would have done if you wre there. I set up the tripod and went for the silky look of the falling water. My only wish would have been to have had my remote shutter release with me or to have remembered to use the timer instead. Just a little bit of shake in a couple of these that could have been eliminated entirely.

Have a great tuesday folks.

evening pano

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

This pano was taken one evening last week while on my way home from work. I stopped to get gas just a few miles from home. While I was filling the tank, I noticed that the light in the fields across the street was really nice. the day had been rainy, leaving mist in the distance. The soggy fields were black with moisture.

As much as the scene was about light, it was also about layers. The damp dark fields lead to the trees in the middle distance and finally to the two layers of distant trees on the far side of the farmland.

It seems, that over the years, I have developed this habit of seeing my surroundings with a photographer's eye, even while performing mundane tasks such as pumping gas.

it’s a trunk thing

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

I was on the way to shoot some butterflies when I spotted this trunk on a bonsai tree at the Franklin Park Conservatory located in Columbus, Ohio. I really like the intertwined look and the texture. You never know what you will see.

Have a great Friday tomorrow.

Tim

is it the artwork?

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Perhaps the great attraction centers on the artwork displayed inside of the gallery? Did I mention that the storefront was actually a gallery? It is a gallery.

However, I suspect that the true source of this weekend's excitment might have something to do with the zills in this young belly dancer's hands.

what’s in the window?

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Perhaps it was this pretty flower. Although, that's a silk flower and really should not garner any kind of rapt attention. What else is there to look at in the window?

Well, there is this giant smile. Seems like it's not a really committed smile. As though the person making the smile isn't really sure if they are pleased or not.

There seems to be quite a few people inside the store. I wonder if they have something to do with the crowd that was gathering outside of the storefront? Maybe we will find out what was going on in tomorrow's post. You never know.

curiosity

Posted on April 8, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

What could possibly be so interesting? What could draw and hold their attention?

Stay tuned.

cold lake sunrise

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Tim McMurdo

Cold Lake Sunrise

Taken on a recent dawn walk at the lake. The morning was particularly cold. However, that meant that I had most of the place to myself. This time of the year, the days are becoming warmer, but the nights are still cold.

In this image, I like the sparse clouds reflected in the lake surface and the wonderful gradient of color in the morning sky. From deep orange to light blue. I am always in awe of the colors of dawn.