Beach Life

Party For One

This happens at least once a day. He has a 'moment'. Much snorting and wriggling occurs, and then .......






he remembers he's being watched.

Reflecting

You can take a horse to water ...

but obviously as shown, you must then take the water, and lift it up to your horse, in order for it to sniff disdainfully and decide whether or not it's really that thirsty. I just love the expression on this lady's face. Yep, we've all been there.

Perfect

The owner of this beautiful horse may disagree as she would point out that there is an old scar on the lower lid making this her 'bad' eye. But for me, this shot was perfect for clarity, reflectiveness and feeling.

I hope you agree.

Glorious

Time for a splash or two of colour. And since today is the start of the Chelsea Flower Show, I thought I'd produce my own little show from my extremely limited patch.

I love to garden, it's in my blood; generations of gardeners exist in our family and it kills me that I have neither the time (aaagh that word again) nor the space to really throw myself into it. Having a horse eats up the time, having dogs eats up, well where shall I begin? They ate the lavender, the rosemary, the bulbs, everything in a plant pot, the palm tree, two lawns....

Fortunately, the family tradition lives on in my sister's allotment. I must get over there with Peggy and see if the broad beans are ready....

Thoughtful

Still here, huh?

OK, so my knowledge of all things ornithological isn't so sharp (can you spell ornithological?) I thought these chaps would have high tailed (ha!) it out of here yesterday. Seems as though moving to the front door has merely made home deliveries easier for mum and dad.

Apologies for the picture quality, I have a confession to make. I came home from work and in pulling up on the drive could see the little fellas perfectly from where I parked. So I quietly nipped inside, grabbed Peggy and settled back into the driving seat to get a few pics, so I'm afraid the dullness is due to the car windscreen's anti-glare coating.

The picture dullness that is.

The subject dullness is all me I'm afraid. I know.... I'm becoming a twitcher.

Big Day

For the past 2-3 weeks, we have been accompanied every waking hour by the constant cheeping (some say squawking) of a nest of starlings at the front of the house. Starlings get a pretty bad rap as birds go, nobody seems to like them; their oily feathers, their messy table manners. But I have kind of grown to love them this past month, seeing the effort both mum and dad have put in to nesting, feeding and getting the brood ready for the big day.

Today is that day and at 9am, instead of getting ready for work, I was leaning across the kitchen drainer, breaking my back to get the right angle to catch this nervous little shot.

See you little starlings! Have a safe flight.

Better go clean 3 weeks worth of poop off the car bonnet I guess.

Cabin Fever

Pictures and posts haven't come easily the past few days. Well, it's been raining, that miserable, grey coloured rain, that measures about 2 inches per drop. Refreshing, much-needed, quenching yes, but not conducive to whipping out the camera and being arty farty.

Until there's a break in the clouds and, in need of fresh air, the urgency of just getting 'out there' takes hold.

I was locked in work for about 12 hours today, so I really did need to get out. Unfortunately it was too late to go anywhere other than walk the dogs, and damn it, forgot to take my camera. I stood looking out to sea and admired the greyness, the boats lined up, the emptiness (the holiday makers don't bother on days like these) and rued missing the perfect moody seaside 'shot'. Would have been fab in black & white.

So, what you see above is my best effort at rain-soaked foliage, in the back garden! Clematis Armandii for those of a horticultural bent, beautiful cream perfumed blooms in February, year round glossy leaves.

I also thought it was time to show off one of my own farmyard critters (the pigs and lambs aren't mine). This one is pretty low maintenance and if you want to know more about where she came from, pop on over to the Hares to You link to the right. Tell Victoria I sent you.

Happy as a pig in ......

...a big puddle of mud of course.

What were you thinking?

Big sigh country

Thanks to an eagle eyed friend, (thank you Smoo) I have amended the link to the Rocking Z ... whoops.

And so it's probably a good time to tell you a little bit about that wonderful place and it's definitely an excuse to dig out an old photo from a magnificent trip two years ago. Click on the link and you'll see all the facts about the Wirth family ranch in Wolf Creek, Montana. Read the testimonials, watch the video and book now!

Then, book 6 month's psychotherapy for after your return.

Ask your counsellor to explain why a little ranch in Montana has worked it's way so deep into your psyche that you find it hard to have conversations without mentioning what Patty can do with mustangs, the local folklore that Zack has tucked away in that head of his, how talented and beautiful their children are and how you never, ever wanted to leave.

Some places can do that.

It's been two years.

And I still can't watch their video without crying.

God Bless to all at the ranch.

I predict a riot

Sheep sharing

Happy Birthday Cary!

If you don't know who Cary is, pop on over to Farmgirl Fare at http://www.foodiefarmgirl.blogspot.com/

Devoted

You learn a lot from friends over the years, and sometimes they teach you more than you realise. This week, friends have counted for alot.

I just got back two rolls (yes rolls) of film from the developers. The old manual SLR camera is now consigned to the cupboard as undoubtedly new Digital thingy (for I shall name her Peggy) is providing far better quality shots and with (alot more) practise, will make me into a photographer. But within the two films is this shot that I am so proud of.

The picture says little about this friend (to the outsider), and yet it says everything about her. Look at her concentration and tenderness. Her attention on and love for this horse is endless and her friendship, to many of us, is priceless.

And so, although you're not 'connected' and I'm a week early, Happy Birthday 'Mate'!

Dog tired

I was commenting the other day to a friend how difficult capturing shots of horses was. "Yeah" she said "they move alot. Dogs are so much easier aren't they, at least they sit & stay when you ask them to".

Mmmmmm. Exhibit A:

"You haven't met my dogs have you?" I said.

Anyway, somehow, they stopped long enough for me to grab these:

And as you can see, we were more than a little pooped after our little walk to the polling station tonight. Well, they do like to do their bit for the democratic process.