"For this next challenge (March 11th) I want you to take two pictures…..one of “the big picture” and the second of just a part of it. If you're into Macro photography you might want to take a photo of a whole flower and then one of the centre for example. Maybe a tree and a birds nest in the tree itself…….you get the picture ;-)."
I was leaning up against Hank's tree fort (the Grahaminator 2000) while he was eating dinner. The sun was setting and bright, so I held up my Jersey gloved hand to shield my eyes as I watched the sheep. I'd been scratching Graham's knobby head and accumulated this piece of fuzz along with a small stick, known as "vegetable matter" or VM when you aretalking about complaining about fleeces.
With the flock of sheep in the background and this tiny curl of wool in my hand, I realized this messy tangle of fiber was truly a small part of my larger whole...VM and all.
It's been a rough few days. One of the old sheep is not doing well. While more than likely just an old age issue I'm powerless to do anything about, I can't help but worry if I've missed something, done something wrong, haven't done everything I could. It's hard being responsible for another's life.
Yet at the end of the day, standing out in the barn lot, listening to Hank crunch through his dinner, scratching someone's back (or boney head ;-), smelling their warm wool ready to be shorn, watching everyone settle in for the night, it's all part of the whole, especially the small parts.
I think I actually like this shot better - not quite as well focused, a bit over exposed or suffering from sun glare, but warm, colorful. It's there. I can smell my sheepy gloves. I can feel the breeze blowing the accidental yarn.
And this faulty picture tells me all sorts of tiny stories. Miss Ewenice is peeking out from inside the barn, watching me. Emily is looking back over her shoulder to see what someone is doing behind her, her daughter Casper Belly by her side, as always. Woolliam is telling Baby Belly something - I'm not going to speculate what - and old Joshua is there with his friends. His family. My family. My whole family. That I'm so grateful to be a small part of...VM, fuzzy focus, overexposed and all.
For more Sunday Stills...
I was leaning up against Hank's tree fort (the Grahaminator 2000) while he was eating dinner. The sun was setting and bright, so I held up my Jersey gloved hand to shield my eyes as I watched the sheep. I'd been scratching Graham's knobby head and accumulated this piece of fuzz along with a small stick, known as "vegetable matter" or VM when you are
With the flock of sheep in the background and this tiny curl of wool in my hand, I realized this messy tangle of fiber was truly a small part of my larger whole...VM and all.
It's been a rough few days. One of the old sheep is not doing well. While more than likely just an old age issue I'm powerless to do anything about, I can't help but worry if I've missed something, done something wrong, haven't done everything I could. It's hard being responsible for another's life.
Yet at the end of the day, standing out in the barn lot, listening to Hank crunch through his dinner, scratching someone's back (or boney head ;-), smelling their warm wool ready to be shorn, watching everyone settle in for the night, it's all part of the whole, especially the small parts.
I think I actually like this shot better - not quite as well focused, a bit over exposed or suffering from sun glare, but warm, colorful. It's there. I can smell my sheepy gloves. I can feel the breeze blowing the accidental yarn.
And this faulty picture tells me all sorts of tiny stories. Miss Ewenice is peeking out from inside the barn, watching me. Emily is looking back over her shoulder to see what someone is doing behind her, her daughter Casper Belly by her side, as always. Woolliam is telling Baby Belly something - I'm not going to speculate what - and old Joshua is there with his friends. His family. My family. My whole family. That I'm so grateful to be a small part of...VM, fuzzy focus, overexposed and all.
For more Sunday Stills...
20 comments:
I hate when our furry friends get old. Like you said, I feel so helpless.
I too like the last shot for its content. Cute!
Great job! Very beautiful photos and lovely sheep.
Excellent! Its a pain in the butt shooting into the sun..:-))
I would love to be able to hang out with my sheepy pals at the barn more often. Like you I enjoy just sitting in the midst of them and watching. They accept us like part of their group don't they :-)
This is a very emotional post for me.
I love it, that they are all part of your family. You treat them with such love and dignity. Very cool shots.
I love the first shot. Give all those sheepies a scratch under the chin from me.
The hardest part about having animals - and especially for those of us who give forever homes - is that eventually they get old. For me, this part brings such heartbreak but I would never, ever change my promise to give them the best life possible. I know you feel the same. My heart hurts for you -
A very poignant photo capture and blog of the many members of your farm family.
And why am I not surprised that Graham’s wooly hairs would be entangled in a sharp pointy stick?
Nicely done, beautful technique. :)
Great job....I like the backlighting in the shots with the glove.
The thin-like thread looks like a spider web! Your post and photos combined are excellent!
You win..the best post I have read today! Great photos too! I am sorry one of your oldsters is failing..I am sure you have done everything possible..but that doesn't make it easier:(
The Mia sized blog took longer to load than this one..just sayin:)
"...I can feel the breeze blowing the accidental yarn...."
Your photos are exquisite (I like the first glove one). Your words make them priceless!
This too is my favorite post for SS this week. Not just for the photos, which are wonderful, but for the emotion.
I love the sentiment of this post. It really sums up shepheding - we are them and they are us and we're all in it together. So sorry to hear one of the flock is reaching the end. It's sad, but how good that he's got his friends around him, come whatever. Just like your ancient Adventure Chicken. You give them such good lives.
PS. Love the accidentally spun yarn on your glove.
So sorry one is ailing. Best of luck.
spotted sheep, I don't think I have seen this is sheep country New Zealand.
I sure hate to have our friends get sick and old. Age is such as hard thing on all even the one who is aging.
Sigh!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Post a Comment