My Photography Journal

Barns....

2010-04-27T15:03:00.011-04:00

I'm a couple days late in posting my barns...just wasnt able to get on the computer...Some of mine are done in sepia with a gritty texture, or black or white matte, or drop shadow I added since I'm putting them on my photography journal so they arent in their "naked" form... These first several pictures are of the old barn on part of our farm we call "Poodles"...Yeah funny name I know...named after the gentleman who lived here for years that we bought the property from. His name is actually Clarence but somewhere over the years he picked up the nickname of "Poodle"...and somewhere over the years its forgotten just how he came across it. He and his wife lived here until she passed away last year, and he moved shortly after into a nursing home. Norm bought the property several years ago with rights for them to live here until they passed away. His wife actually was born and raised on that part of the property.

Lets take a peek inside...

Some hungry cows knowing the grass IS greener on the other side of the fence! How do they know? Because we rotate the pastures and they were getting let into one of them last Tuesday when I took this picture! Cant you just feel the joy?!

This next barn has seen better days 'eh? I dont know how old it is, but they did used to use it back when Norms grandpa farmed. The inside picture shows the stall doors....Sad to see any barn as a skeleton...The last two were taken Saturday as a severe storm warning had just expired and the bright sun had JUST began to go behind the clouds....this is our neighbors barns in the distance as we were coming home from a dinner run after checking out the farm, seeing just how much water was draining and making sure the cattle were A-ok! We did have a double rainbow right before the sun went down..but I'll save those pics for another post! Sorry I'm late!
Visit my farm blog!! The link is on the sidebar too.

Catching up from an 8 month hiatis...

2010-04-08T13:42:00.009-04:00

Hands - Sunday stills
I may have been gone from blogging for 8 months BUT my camera has never been far away! Here are some pics taken over the last few months:

Texture

2009-07-12T02:27:00.006-04:00

I took all these for this week on the same day as we were riding horses

I dont know if this next one really counts as texture, but it was pretty cool so i added it anyway, you can see me and my daughter, and the fence in the reflection of her eye.

If you would like to see some great photos others have posted for this weekly challenge click HERE to go directly to the comment section of the post and click on their name or the link they provide. Of you can go HERE to read each challenge!

Challenge - Wildflowers

2009-07-04T19:19:00.008-04:00

My favorite Picture I took this week!!! I tried something new, the sky was just too beautiful to not use it as a backdrop! As usual I went crazy, I take so many because it is a challenge and I like to see how many good pictures I can take.... So here they go, not too many this time...but a few, so if you get bored looking at flowers I wont be offended! :-)

I dont know what this next one is but its definitely strange and beautiful all the same, thinking I may put some of these in my flower beds next year!

Now this next one is my favorite flower, its my favorite color, periwinkle, and I just love the fields covered in blue in mornings.

Another favorite, Norms least favorite, a farmers enemy...the dreaded thistle! In various stages of blooming...

hmmm a flower? Kinda I guess

This little flower is white but I liked the black and white better than the original

Thats it, I had more, but I didn't want to totally overload you on wildflowers!

BLUSHING! A post about me on another bloggers blog!

2009-06-29T23:52:00.003-04:00

I was soooooo pleased today when I read another photographers blog and I was blogged about! How cool is that!? Thanks so much Paul!!!!! I'm so honored that you like my pictures! Yours are so awesome and I am always afraid that I cannot compare to others photographs...I try to be "different" and go out on a limb sometimes....sometimes it works, and some times it doesnt. but I've learned thats part of it, and I think the challenge of that is what I like so much.

So thanks Paul BIG TIME for your appreciation and for blogging about me! I really am honored!

You can read his blog HERE and see his wonderful photos as well! He is a part of the SUNDAY STILLS CHALLENGE I do each week, there are so many talented photographers that are participating, so if you like to take pictures come join us here..at least take a look at some lovely pictures!
if you would like to see more photographs I have taken you can view my other blog here!

Many thanks again Paul!

Things With Wings..Sunday Stills Challenge

2009-06-27T20:17:00.005-04:00

I went crazy with this one...sorry!

Grain Silos and Water Tower Challenge

2009-06-14T21:27:00.004-04:00

This weeks challenge is Water Towers and Grain Silos....water towers...wish I had my camera available while I was driving to Lexington Ky earlier this week, the water tower there just into town has a beautiful scene of racing horses painted around...awesome, but I cant take pics when I'm driving in bad traffic! Oh well......so here is what I have from around here. Back in the Fall we had some AWESOME RED and ORANGE sunsets...totally awesome, the kind that catch your breath. None of the pictures are altered in any way (except for the one I changed to black and white)..YES it was that bright and that red! I hope to see many more like that! the very last photo was taken this past week....

Challenged - The color Yellow

2009-05-24T18:25:00.003-04:00

Black and White

2009-05-10T11:33:00.004-04:00

This weeks challenge is my second favorite to do (my first favorite is macro!) I LOVE the way you can turn such an ordinary picture into black and white - making that photo a really awesome photograph! Can wait to see what everyone has posted! Happy Mothers Day!
-Rachel

Greenery

2009-05-03T14:51:00.005-04:00

A snippet of this weeks challenge:
"by now there should be some greenery in just about everywhere, so lets shoot some flowers and plants for the folks without flowers…:-)"

Stills Challenge - RED

2009-04-11T20:45:00.005-04:00

This sunset was taken last summer and it was totally awesome..bright deep red! I wish I had gotten more but after 4 pics it was gone!
This is Bella One of the flowers growing by the lake we share with a neighbor.
Buck and Bella.And this fine gentleman is a dandy!

I have to apologize for this weeks challenge, I went into the archives. Kids spring break, and much going on kept me from the camera! Sorry but hope you enjoy what I've got!

Sunday Stills - Animals of Husbandry...OH GOODY!

2009-04-05T18:32:00.008-04:00

***Guys - really my internet (for a lack of a better word) Sucks. I have dial up and I get a lousy connection and comments are the hardest for me to leave. So if you dont hear from me I'm so sorry...I have loved everyones pics this week...I have to say this is probably my favorite challenge so far..seeing all the farm animals, sheep, goats, chickens, horses and cows, etc...always bring a smile to my face. I think everyone did a great job and had some fun and wonderful pictures! I'm supposed to be getting DSL in the next few weeks (they started last week laying the cable..hopefully comment and downloading problems solved)

Okay on to this weeks post!****

I must apologize.....I've got TONS of pictures for this challenge from this week and the past..I only posted some from the past for fun, some just too cute not too! Enjoy! This is one of my bottle fed calves Giant and my wanna be cow dog - Levi playing.

No animals were harmed in the making of this post! The calf actually loves Levi and they play all the time! Next is one of my favorite cows...Amy...
Below is my very first bottle fed calf - Oliver (he was an orphaned twin RIP)Amy again...she isn't camera shy at all!
In fact...Amy is a camera hog!

This is Molly our Percheron Mare who HATES to have her hooves trimmed...we have to use a twitch on her in order to get them done...no this doesn't harm the animals at all, it actually releases endorphins that calm them.

The above are a few of 2008 calves.
My two first bottle fed calves Anni and Oliver....just getting inoculated and ummm..Oliver got stripped of his manhood...he is now a steere. Here is his before pic..one of my all time favorite!

Next are Buck and Bella two of our gaited horses and they are IN LOVE!
Buck is a ham...Next....my two current bottle fed calves, Torro and Giant...and Pepper...yes..she thinks she is a cow...no kidding..
Momma and baby...one of the new spring babies!
My two boys "horsing around".

The Love Birds..Buck and Bella...kissy kissy smoochy smoochy!

Jack learning ground manners and the beginning of lounging

Some of the ladies we are blessed to live with! I hope you enjoyed them! I enjoyed taking them!!!!! now to read every ones..lets hope comments work for me tonight! I'm also using this post for a new meme ..camera critters!! New group and I'm excited about this one too since I love taking pics of my critters!

Sunday Stills Challenge - Landscapes - A Cows Viewpoint

2009-03-28T18:41:00.003-04:00

A cows-eye farm view

This weeks challenge was Landscapes.

Its been a soggy week so today was really the first decent day and the only chance I had to take any photos. Hope this meets the standard!

Sunday Stills Challenge LINES

2009-03-22T19:43:00.008-04:00

Riddle Me, Riddle Me Ree...What Do My Wandering Eyes See......LINES!

Well...this is what I got this week! Now off to see everyone elses! Cant wait!

~*~*~*~Rachel~*~*~*~

Sunday Challenge ~~Water~~

2009-03-15T14:17:00.012-04:00

Some new and some old!

2009-03-15T09:33:00.001-04:00

I havent posted this weeks challenge picture (water) yet.....last post was an old picture...will post tonight. Cant wait to see what everyone has done this week!

Sunday Still Challenge - WATER

2009-03-14T21:03:00.005-04:00

I'm really excited about this challenge for this week -WATER!!!

One of my favorites!

I'll have to work hard tomorrow at getting some shots since I didn't check this until tonight and its due tomorrow! I'll also post some past pictures that I've done. I don't know why those water pictures excite me...maybe the beauty of the water on an object, the flowing water is relaxing. Whatever it may be, I love it! Cant wait to see every ones pictures!

If you would like to join in or view every ones pictures, go HERE TO OUR SUNDAY STILLS CHALLENGE and view the comments which will give you the links to every ones blogs....totally worth checking out, we have a lot of great photographers who do the challenge each week!

Its free, fun, and encouraging and a great learning experience. So if you love photography, or want to get into taking some great pictures...come join US! We are not professionals, no picture is a bad picture, its just fun, for learning, and to view great creative photos!!!!

Something New to try out

2009-01-26T17:37:00.001-05:00

Hello my photographing buddies! I found this new site...called Plurk...its actually really cool. If your on twitter its very similar however MUCH MUCH better! Try this out..great for promoting a store, product, or just chatting! Come take a look anyway...would love to talk to you online!
http://plurk.com/wilmothfarms/invite

Sunday Stills Challenge POTLUCK

2009-01-25T09:41:00.009-05:00

This week was one of those weeks where there was just nothing that struck my eye!

I wasnt happy with what I did take for this challenge, so I just posted some pictures I took around the farm, and played with them a little.

~*~Rachel~*~

Sunday Stills Challenge COLOR

2009-01-18T15:23:00.005-05:00

Keep scrolling down my best pictures as last...google blogger wont let me move them for some reason and arraigned them the way I'd like! grrrrr

This weeks challenge is color...and for me this was a challenge. There is NO color this time of year except gray and brown and black...LOL BUT luckily since a cold front was moving in this week I got some spectacular sunrises!!!!!! Wow I couldn't believe my luck on these...the right time and right place, because they faded so quickly in a matter of 1 or 2 minutes.

The other are the feathers of the Mallard that my son got when hunting this week...and a little bit of green poking through the mud...and I had to search for that one!

I dont really think the tractor picture is all that great at all...but its got color! LOL

Hope you enjoyed now to see what everyone posted! YEA!

I'm still working on getting everyones links to their blogs..but I've not felt well so hopefully I'll get that finished this week.

~*~Rachel~*~

**pictures are not altered in any way!**

Blog Award!

2009-01-13T22:52:00.003-05:00

KIM has bestowed upon my blog an award!

Its the Fabulous Blog Award!

You must name 5 of your addictions:

Here are some of my favorite addictions:

1. My camera

2. Cookie Dough

3. American Idol

4. Smoking *not really a favorite, actually hate it

5. ALL wildlife

I'm supposed to give this award to 5 Fabulous Blogs.....hmm thats a hard one.

There are so many blogs that I think deserve this award!

So If your reading this post...then the award goes to YOU!

ALL OF YOU are fabulous...Kim its yours again!

Now you must choose 5 people, give 5 addictions on your blogs, and post this award proudly- you deserve it!

-Rachel

Sundays Still's Challenge

2009-01-11T17:29:00.002-05:00

This weeks stills challenge was awesome!

There were so many great macro shots by EVERYONE! And I'm not the only new one on the block!

This weeks challenge is COLOR!!!

And during these nasty winter months color is what we ALL need!

You can click the title to this post to be directed to the Sunday Stills Challenge main page or you can click HERE to view the MACRO challenge photos!

Guys just keep in mind that with my dial up I loose connection a lot and I cant hardly leave comments on anyones blogs.....but just know I'm looking at EVERYONES and loving them as I go! I'll add a following to your blogs here it may make it easier for me to view and leave comments.

I'm supposed to be getting dial up finally out here in our neck of country woods by the end of next month...so hopefully all my problems will be resolved and you'll get to hear from me a lot more!

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!!!!!!

Great Photos! Cant wait till next week- COLOR!!!

-Rachel

Sunday EDM Challenge - Polk Tears

2009-01-05T10:04:00.005-05:00

This weeks EDM challenge is close up/MACROS pictures.....Yippie my favorite pictures to do!

So here goes my first challenge:

POLK TEARS:

Something New! Sunday Stills Challenge EDM

2009-01-05T09:56:00.006-05:00

I've found a EDM through Acorn Farm's blog that hosts photography Still Challenge! WOO HOO I've been wanting to do this for a LONG time.

You can click HERE to read what its all about....and HERE to view the Homepage. So check back each week and see what's going on and hopefully you will see my pictures improve with these learning challenges!!!!

Rachel

My New shop...a shamless plug

2008-12-19T23:37:00.006-05:00

Yes...a shameless plug for myself! LOL

Seriously though, I have joined Artfire, and so far I'm lovin it!

I hope that if you do a craft, any craft like photography, quilting, beading, knitting, paper making, etc...whatever you do handmade- that you might consider selling your product.

If nothing else, being dependent on yourself for something is so much more rewarding than being dependant on a large scale super market giant. (I wont mention who *aaahhhemmm w@lM@rt)

If you dont sell, then buy handmade...you'll be giving back to your community in a big way and the benefits will trickle down to everyone.....spark a flame! Build a fire! And keep it fed......thats the way you give back! Its that kind of "pay it forward" thing they talk about!

:-D

God's Kentucky Canvas

2008-12-12T08:46:00.008-05:00

Thursday Evening Night View from our Kentucky farm.

The beauty that lies around us, is the one thing that I think most people take for granted. God has given us so many gifts each day that in this busy world, most dont take the time to stop...look...and listen to. I know for many years, I never paid much attention to the beauty of the light and colors of the morning and evening as the sun rises and sets.

But as I've gotten older, and have taken the time to slow down. Its one of the joys that I find each day, I eagerly await to see what God has in store for us that day. I hope that you take the time to watch the sky.

Thistle

2008-11-23T14:25:00.008-05:00

Beautiful....& Troublesome! They are a pasture's worse enemy. Yet as with all things wild I find them beautiful

Summer Days - remembered

2008-11-16T01:16:00.004-05:00

It's November....38 degrees outside tonight - and dropping- and its been raining all day.....the wind has been blowing all day as well, and after a hot bowel of Bean Soup and some sweet corn bread, I'm already missing summer!

So thought I'd take a look back over this past summer tonight....

Nolin River/Lake, Kentucky

2008-11-15T11:03:00.004-05:00

These are pictures of our vacation spot on Nolin River/Lake above is Levi in his life jacket overseeing the kids playing in the water waiting to jump in and save them, this is the day I found out my dog is very smart.

These are the carp at the main dock where there is a souviner shop, bathroom, etc. They hand-feed right from your fingers...the kids had a blast!

Many many of them!

Below is "the Rock" where the kids jump off into the water!

You can see how big it is compared to the below picture.

Many deer and wildlife of all sizes!

This is the cove where we dock the boats, we got our pontoon boat this summer, too late to put in the water, but next year, we'll have our own to putt around on!

Doug, Michaela, and Leah

Nolin Lake, Kentucky

2008-11-15T10:38:00.002-05:00

Black and White veiws of Nolin Lake....

A Walk In The Woods - Bernheim Forest

2008-11-13T09:16:00.007-05:00

Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is one of my favorite places to visit in Kentucky, and I've been going since I was a little kid. I make at least 2 trips a year with the kids and we always have a blast!

The hiking trails are just beautiful and full of native plants and animals. They have several lakes full of HUGE carp, bluegill, and bass. Several smaller ponds with Koi, and turtles everywhere. I must not leave out the geese and duck that stay year round.

They also have a few of the raptors that have been injured mostly by humans, who now find a safe home in the forest. The deer pictured has been there for at least 20 years! He was shot in the eye by a hunter, and some kind person brought him to Bernheim Forest and he lives very happily there in his own enclosure. There are from time to time other deer that reside with him that are being rehabilitated and then released. But this fine fella cannot be released and is well protected in his home.

Bernheim Forest was established by a German Immigrant, Isaac W. Bernheim in 1929. He was just a poor peddler when he settled in Kentucky, and he became successful in the Whiskey Disstilery business, and he gave the Forest to the people of Kentucky to show his gratitude.

Here is the link within the site that tells what Bernheim has to offer: http://www.bernheim.org/whats_at_BF.htm Go check it out!

Here is the official Bernheim Forest Link: http://www.bernheim.org/

Country Side

2008-11-11T21:48:00.007-05:00

Guess who...Yours Truly taking picture of self taking picture...just for the heck of it, can you see how BIG and OLD my camera is....but it takes some awesome pictures....sure would love a new one though that had a zoom lens...patience is a virtue my momma always said.

Trip through the countryside, taken out of the truck window on the way to the stockyards, actually a pretty drive!

Above and below picture are two Amish homes

Below is a very old building, it has two store fronts, one on the road side and the other facing the train tracks, maybe a hotel, or general store? Not sure

Another Amish Home, We have a large Amish community in our area

On the way....pretty tree lined road

This is, believe it or not, a house, made from a grain bin....very cool I think!

Yes, its completely round!

I love barns can you tell?

One of the few trees with the pretty fall colors we are used to seeing! Most trees are just brown and almost bare like the ones in the background of this photo. But every now and then, close to water sources or areas that got some more rain than we did, the beauty of fall is still there!

Views, Part II

2008-11-10T20:48:00.000-05:00

Just some more farm pictures...taken between 2007 and 2008

By yours truly.

-Rae

Kentucky Barns

2008-11-08T11:50:00.001-05:00

Kentucky Harvest Gold

2008-11-05T19:15:00.008-05:00

Soy Beans - A major Kentucky Crop

Taken at 12:15 pm Wed Nov 5th 2008

Red-Yellow-Gold

2008-11-04T16:41:00.005-05:00

There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse. ~Robert Smith

2008-11-03T19:03:00.005-05:00

I'm always in awe of the beauty, majestic force, and poetry of the horse. The smell of feed, sweat, and leather always moves me. The sound of my horses hooves running to greet me, always makes my heart skip a beat. The gentle nuzzle from my friend, always soothes me, and no matter what I'm faced with in my life, I know my gentle giants will always listen and always, side with me!

Shades of Blue

2008-10-31T19:34:00.001-04:00

Sampson "Sam"

2008-10-30T00:37:00.001-04:00

Just too Funny for Words

2008-10-29T07:17:00.004-04:00

I see a theme here with our farm animals, dont you? Ummm I think these two are just a bit bratty!

I'm Bugged Out!

2008-10-28T18:23:00.005-04:00

A few creatures found on the farm!

Dinosaur Discovery!

2008-10-26T19:28:00.012-04:00

This is the smallest of the 10 huge snapping turtles that we captured in the spring. During the spring, there is an area that floods, that we call the "bottom". It runs from one end of the farm to the other, and past to empty into Nolin River. All types of fish, turtles, and birds, (one of my favorites is the Sandhill Cranes),are here on the farm to feed on the flowing "stream" that occurs.

So the kids and I have TONS of fun as the water finally receeds catching catfish with our hands, and nets and re-locating them into the other ponds that are here year round. We have 20 bodies of water here, and we are slowly trying to place some catfish in the ponds that we fish. We also go "turtle hunting". One of Doug's absolute favorite things to do in life! Its pretty fun to find these giants and catch them.

9 of the 10 were fried up by our neighbor Donnie. They say that there is 7 different flavor types of meat in a snapping turtle....I only tried one piece that tasted like pork chops...but I couldnt get over the thought of eating what we caught and after watching them get cleaned...ummmm....wasnt that in to eating it. Leah wouldnt even try a small piece. Snapping turtles live to be hundreds of years old, and one that we let go had probably seen the civil war era.

Doug, Neal, and I have a blast driving the 4-wheeler through the water or along side where it's too deep to drive searching for the large shells! Silly I guess, this "Turtle Hunting" that we do, but I guess its not silly if Douglas gets so much enjoyment out of it, and if its something we can do together and bond. I love doing anything outside with Doug, even going turtle hunting. I hope this spring we go to find some more, Dinosaur Discoveries!

Our Patch Of Heaven On Earth - Part I

2008-10-26T10:21:00.005-04:00

* Our Garden and view of Tobacco Barn, Shop Building, tractor shed, stock barn, and Norms mom's house*

* One of the views on the "Poodle" farm*

*Across from the house where the 1st year heifer-calves are kept*

* The "Jennings farm" - different parts of our farm are called by the last names of whom they were originally bought, helps us know what's what and where's where*

* Our Home *

This is where we live and work. Our office has the BEST view, and its also our playground! I've dreamed my whole life of a home like this, and the contentment and happiness I feel today. It's been a long time coming and I'm appreciating every day. Not a lot of people can experience the beauties we are privileged to be a part of each and every day. This land has been in Norms family for 5 generations, so it hold special meaning for Norm. Land has been sold and bought back over the years, and we are always in a quest to retain all of the property that has been inhabited by his family over the many years. On each piece of ground there is something that takes you back in time and gives you a glimpse of the old days. whether it be one of the 2 old cabins, the old horse-drawn wagon roads, or the old barns. The old Trees and all these things tell a story, and oh how I would love to know what they have seen. When the wind blows and whispers in your ear, it takes you back in time - even for just a moment. I have tried to capture ALL of the farm in a series of pictures.....

No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle. ~Winston Churchill

2008-10-25T21:19:00.000-04:00

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears. ~Arabian Proverb

The essential joy of being with horses is that it brings us in contact with the rare elements of grace, beauty, spirit, and fire. ~Sharon Ralls Lemon

To ride a horse is to ride the sky. ~Author Unknown

All I pay my psychiatrist is the cost of feed and hay, and he'll listen to me any day. ~Author Unknown

There is just as much horse sense as ever, but the horses have most of it. ~Author Unknown

Again the early-morning sun was generous with its warmth. All the sounds dear to a horseman were around me - the snort of the horses as they cleared their throats, the gentle swish of their tails, the tinkle of irons as we flung the saddles over their backs - little sounds of no importance, but they stay in the unconscious library of memory. ~Wynford Vaughan-Thomas

My Sweet Molly - Percheron Mare 12 years old, 3rd generation.

Shades of Pink

2008-10-25T10:23:00.001-04:00

Farm Wildflowers

2008-10-24T10:35:00.001-04:00

Oliver

2008-10-24T10:16:00.001-04:00

The many faces of Oliver, my first bottle fed calf.