There’s not much I can say about it that you won’t see in the photographs. I’m just thankful that I was awake to capture it.
Enjoy!
Happy Trails!
Sunrise and Sunset
25 Jan posted by
Yesterday evening, as I was out doing chores I caught the saddle horses goofing off. The sun was just shining out of some clouds and it dusk was upon us. I didn’t have the big camera with me, so the cell phone photos will have to suffice. They turned out pretty good for being taken with a point and shoot camera.
And then this morning, I awoke to this:
To me a sunset is more than just a beautiful sky. It’s the end of a day. It’s a chance to reflect on what you did that day. Were you were the best person you could have been? Did you accomplish what you wanted to do? Can you rest knowing you did all you could do to be your best that day?
The sun rising, well it’s more of the same. It may be beautiful, with its pinks and purples, but if you really think about what it symbolizes- the awakening of the earth and the animals from their slumber, it’s a chance to start over. No two sunrises and sunsets are ever the same, just like our days shouldn’t be either. We should always strive to be better and more beautiful.
I will now leave you with some of my favorite lyrics from Fiddler on the Roof.
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears
Happy Trails!
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Winter Photos
24 Jan posted by
A couple weeks ago Old Man Winter decided to smile on us, and rewarded us with some much loved needed warmer temperatures and sunny skies. I couldn’t help but take advantage of them, so after chores were done that afternoon I drove down our gravel road a few miles to see what I could see. Admittedly I was on the hunt for some deer, but you know, I didn’t find any. I think I was out too early for them. Had I waited until 4:30 or 5, right as the sun is about to go down, I might have had more success. But that is neither here nor there. What is important is that I got some super cool shots! Cool might even be an understatement- as it has been cold here!
We have a lot of snow- and there’s even more now than when these photos were taken. You’ll see. Ima show you later this week!
Mother Nature and Old Man Winter have conspired to have us fixing lots of fence this spring!
If you look closely you can see two porcupines in this tree. This is where they live most of the time. If I’d have had the time and energy, I’d have hiked the 1/4 mile through 2-3 foot snow drifts to get better photos but I didn’t have the time or the energy!
This tree isn’t on our place- it’s in the creek bottom on the adjacent spread but it’s so cute all by its lonesome in the snow, don’t you think?
This scrubby little bush is on our place and I like it!
And here’s some horses, kickin’ it in the snow. This is some of our 2 and 3 year old fillies with a couple random geldings thrown in for laughs:
Be sure you come back later this week, because I promise something special is coming!
Happy Trails!
Your South Dakota Cowgirl,
Jenn
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Coming Home
21 Jan posted by
In the Fall of 2009 it seemed that doing fall shots was a day-long ordeal. I don’t remember exactly what it was that had it taking so long- and it could be that it didn’t take any longer than usual. I know that I stayed behind when the went to put the cattle back to pasture and I decided that I’d take the stock trailer to the pasture to pick up Zach so he didn’t have to ride all the way home. I captured some good shots along the way, but I have to say the photograph below is one of my ALL TIME favorites. He was riding to the trailer and the lighting was just that perfect, golden glow, what every photographer- ok, at least this photographer dreams about.
I love the light, the subject matter, and the warmth of it all. And frankly, after a week of sub-zero temperatures I could use a bit of warmth right now.
Happy Trails!
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Winter Wonderland
18 Jan posted by
This week’s contest theme at “I Heart Faces” is Winter Wonderland, and I felt like this picture captured the real action and the life of a rancher in the winter. Chopping ice is something that has to be done whether you winter your calves on the river or with a tank. Isn’t this kid cute? He’s seriously got concentration written all over his face as he chops a hole in the ice.
Too cute!
For more photos, be sure to visit I Heart Faces!
i heart faces
11 Jan posted by
Here’s my smile post for this week’s photo challenge. Jordyn was an awesome model this year as I was lucky enough to be the photographer chosen to do her senior pictures. She’s such a beautiful girl.
For more smiles- be sure to visit iheartfaces!
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Oh Porcupine!
29 Dec posted by
Sunday was absolutely one of the prettiest days we’ve had here in quite some time. I have to admit that I was thrilled to head out and take pictures of the snow and the blue skies and I even planned a ride in on the faithful Gump. The day was just perfect- the weather was beautiful, I didn’t have to wear 85 layers and the sun was shining. I thought it couldn’t possibly get any better and then…it did.
You see, there are several animals that have evaded me through the years- and I managed to capture one of them the other day. It gives me hope that if I’m simply patient enough opportunities to photograph a bald eagle, golden eagle, coyote, and deer may present themselves. I managed to catch an awesome rattlesnake this summer, and when I saw the chance to capture this little guy I nearly died.
I had finished riding Gump, and headed back to the house, with two dogs, hot on my heels. They didn’t come right to the front door, however, and ran out beside the hen house, which lead me to freak out and go running through the snow to see what was going on. Low and behold I found a furry, punk-rocker- the second largest rodent in the state! I cannot tell y’all how fast I ran to the car to grab the camera! I am lucky that I had just been out taking photos on my ride and that it was handy. I flew through snow drifts like they were non-existent (cursing them all the way!) and wishing I was in better shape.
This is such a cute critter. I want to hug it, but that would not be a good idea!
Pretty sure he was telling me to get away from him- but then I don’t know because they don’t have the best eye-sight.
See- he shook at me!
I am so excited to have actually captured one of these on “film” so to speak. Lucky doesn’t begin to describe it! I hope you enjoyed seeing the photos and if you want to learn more about these cute rodents go here.
What’s the coolest animal you’ve ever seen up close and personal?
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It’s a Motley Crew
28 Dec posted by
Blue skies, sunshine and warm temps (for you Texas folks, that means it was about 35 here- and maybe 42 in the sun), called me out into the great outdoors for some photography on Sunday. I could not have asked for a better day. In fact, I have been kind of half-way waiting to take pictures of the snow covered ground (Devon!) until the lighting was good and it wasn’t a mass of gray outside- which it has been for what seems like forever.
With nary a breeze it made for a nice walk down the hill to Granny’s house, where I knew a piece of apple pie awaited me. It’s still the Holidays for us through the 9th this year, so don’t judge me for eating pie at breakfast!
Here’s some of the shots I took on the way down.
Sparkly
Looking across the dam at the saddle horses who seem to be just kickin’ it.
The dam- you can see the dried up reeds.
And as I got closer to Granny’s house, I was greeted by our misfit crew of barking dogs, that weren’t sure exactly what someone was doing walking around outside.
From left to right: Higgins, Crystal and MJ.
Jake, Higgins, Crystal and MJ.
MJ is so cute!
Here’s what I found as I walked around down by the corrals and the hay stacks:
Windbreak fence:
More snowy sparkles:
A chisel:
Jake being a handsome dog:
Hay bales:
Windbreak fence casting a shadow:
WDX Nukem, one of the studs:
Nuke loves attention, so as soon as he sees someone he usually makes a point to come see you so you can rub on him!
I hope you enjoyed the tour around the corrals, through the snow! I certainly enjoyed the weather! And there’s more photos of my ride to come! So stay tuned!
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Winter
23 Dec posted by
Winter is certainly here.
And he’s making no bones about it.
There’s several inches of snow on the ground, more to come, and the wind. Oh the wind. It is to be expected when you live on the prairie, but it sure serves to make things colder than usual.
But y’all will be glad to know that I braved the cold the other day to take some photos of the snow and part of a dilapidated fence. I hope to get some photos of some deer in the coming days- so long as I can find some. I saw some yesterday while I was driving through the pasture to chop ice for the cows, but driving and photo taking aren’t exactly compatible activities.
Has Old Man Winter reared his bearded head where you live? Will you get to have white Christmas?
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I Heart Faces: Pets
14 Dec posted by
This is my entry this week, for the I Heart Faces Challenge.
For more Pet entries, visit, I Heart Faces!
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