In the Neighborhood

I live in a rural town...two blocks from my back door is "countryside."  There's a big, boggy pasture where four horses were once kept.  They were all 18 to 20 years old, and during the summer they pulled the Elgin Stampede stagecoach in a handful of parades and rodeos.  This winter, however, they were replaced by some strange looking newcomers: Scottish Highland cattle.  This is a small herd of 4 cows and 1 bull. Ian is the bull and Calypso is the "blonde" cow...they came with names because they are registered. 

The first time I photographed them was on a 26-degree day in November.  The second was last week during a snow storm that was more like a snow globe experience.  Huge flakes fell so rapidly.  My lens was fast enough to capture the flakes...if I changed the speed, my photos were streaked. 

These cattle were obviously bred for harsh winters; they are right at home in the weather we've been having this month.  The cows won't calve until late spring, and I can hardly wait!  Highland calves are small and fuzzy.  They'll be perfect subjects for my camera. 

Week #7 P52

I bought myself two dozen roses at the local grocery story ...they were there for Valentine's Day and I couldn't resist.  Then I photographed them out in the snow...first on the deck and then out in the snow of the yard.  I didn't really achieve the effect I wanted, but the roses are beautiful.  The is my choice for Week 7 of  P52 for 2019.

Leap Lane

Leap Lane is a "back way" from Wallowa to Enterprise...through the countryside.  I believe the road must be generally parallel to Hwy 82, but it's definitely rural.  I've always wanted to drive it during the winter; I decided it was rather boring because of the wide open fields of snow!  My car had to have a serious wash when we finished.

 This is the road...frozen snow and mud

 Single pine trees dotted the first part of the lane

 One of the prettiest corners...the road runs through trees

 That road again!

About 10 head of mule deer were bedded down in a teasel patch

This old pickup was shot full of holes years ago; it's the most photographed scene on Leap Lane

So much land....open space and covered in snow.

Week #6 P52

It's still winter... I love winter photos, but I'm in a rut.  This image is from Wallowa Lake, approximately 54 miles from our home; it was a day of low fog over the water.  In fact, the lake wasn't even visible, but it made a perfect background for the snowy trees bordering the "foot" of the lake. 

Week #5 P52

It's past time for a new blog post, but I'm just not achieving much photographically.  So I'll post my choice for the 5th week of P52.  This bovine trio was photographed on a recent drive "to the country," which is relatively close to our house.  These cattle are fed from the road....their "feeder" utilizes side of the road, which is very convenient.  It also keeps the hay relatively dry as opposed to being in the mud of the feedlot.  I thought these heifers were quite cooperative to stop chewing and look at me in unison. 

Week #4 P52

Our recent trip to Hillsboro made it easy to come back along a portion of the historic Columbia River highway 30.  It was raining and cold, but we stopped at three of the falls on the drive.  The second was Wahkeena Falls, which drops 242 feet in height from an elevation of 560 feet.  On another trip, I'll walk up to the bridge for a totally different perspective. 

For additional reference, I'm including a photo of the origin of the falls. 

Week #3 P52

For the third week of my personal P52 for 2019, I photographed my first still life in weeks, maybe months.  (I need a studio!)  Setting up this still life, I used an "antique" book, definitely "antique" spectacles, and a dried rose from a few summers ago.