I was late finishing up evening chores because I decided I needed to rake up the barn lot before it started raining overnight. That's one of those jobs that is easy to do as long as you keep up with it...and it doesn't get wet and/or frozen. An ounce of prevention...
I like being at the barn at night. The lights on make everything look cozy and the sheep all mill around eating hay and picking their sleeping spot for the night. Some sheep like to sleep in the same place every night - Woolliam sleeps in the corner, Ewen sleeps by the door, Blizzard liked to sleep in the hay manger. Keebler sleeps in the back of the outer stall, as far away from everyone as he can get, because he's obviously Not A Sheep.
As I picked up the last pile of loose hay behind the barn I noticed a bright light shining up at Stella's. She and I are nosy neighbors keep an eye on each other. At first it looked like someone had pulled their car into the front yard and had their headlights pointed at her front door.
That's odd. Especially because I knew she wasn't home.
And really, really bright. Ack! Is her house on fire?
No flickering. I guess it's okay.
Hmmm...
Hmmm...
Then I saw the row of trees behind her house start being lit up by moonlight.
Wow.
If you've never taken the time, mere seconds, to watch the moon rise,...well, surely everyone has. This one was spectacular. I've watched the moon rise from behind our barn many times. While I have enough understanding to say, well, the angle of the earth in relation to the moon this particular time of year...wait, who am I kidding, I don't really understand it. I'm just glad I witnessed it.
- How often at night, when the heavens were bright,
- With the light of the twinkling stars
- Have I stood here amazed, and asked as I gazed,
- If their glory exceed that of ours.
Dr. Brewster Higley (1876)
26 comments:
oh I just love how you describe your sheep....and the moon...what can we say but that it is indeed a heavenly orb
beautiful photo
:) It was beautiful here too.
I was on the phone with my father last night and he said look at the moon. I looked out and I saw what you have pictures above. I gasped grabbed my camera and tripod ran out on the deck, but it was too late it went behind the clouds. It was beautiful to watch. It is overcast right now, but I'm hoping to be able to get some pictures of it rising over the ocean tonight!
WOW~ love it!!
I was scarred for weeks after the fire -every time the sun rose, I would have a fear rise in my throat...
now I can notice without that grip...
Doing barn chores are great for the end of the cold blues - loosens everything up, including sinuses!
What is it about the moon that makes our hearts melt.....
a wonderful photo.
Animals are just like us - love how they choose their spot - they're just too gorgeous! I could easily curl up with them - do they have midnight feasts too?!!
Shane ♥
Rarely is there more of a instinctive longing to howl than when you watch the moon rise ...well according to my dogs, and the coyotes on the hill ...for me a moon rising is just so out of this world soulfully wonderful ! Beautiful.
There is something special about being out with the beasties in the moonlight. First it was lambing season pulling me out to the pen, and now it's giving Ashe a chance to finish her dinner so she can put on weight. The moon has been so bright this week I haven't even needed my flashlight. Love the frost sparkling in the moonlight!
dang, I missed it last night, will check tonight. When granddaughter was a teenager staying here we used to sit out in lawn chairs waitiing for the moon to come up over the Sierras. Amazing out as soon as you see a glow it pops right up. Now if I am out and see it coming up I call the neighbors and tell them to go outside, somehow I think one or two of them don't get as excited or impressed with the moon as I do. LOL
That is an amazing photograph! Just beautifulo. I do love watching the moon as well. This time of year, a full moon will reflect off the snow, making it appear as bright as a cloudy day sometimes, with shadows even! You can see clear across fields, though it's night.
Yes, last night's moonrise was glorious, although my photos didn't capture it as well as yours.
My favorite (amongst all my other favorites)view of my mountains is watching the moon rise over them. I just have never been able to capture a photo as stunning as yours. So happy you shared that moment.
It's a nice feeling, with everyone safe and sound, and settling in for the night. What a beautiful photograph that is. The moon always wakes me up - could be because the full moon starts the Guineas and the rooster up...
You captured it well. So glad Stella's house did not burn down!
I enjoyed the mental picture of everyone finding their sleeping place. So glad it was only the moon:)
You tell the best stories. :)
What a spectacular evening you had. I have witnessed the moon come out, and a full one at that, but your view sounds divine.
The picture, the post and the poem.... a perfect Goodnight Moon story :-)
I watched it rise last night too. It was awsome!
I didn't see it until it was already high off the horizon. I love a moonlit night! It was very bright. I can't do justice to it with photos the way you can. Thanks for sharing. Lovely poem, lovely vision of the flock settling down for the night. Spending any time out there on your cot??
The moon was magical here too. :) Full Snow Moon. It sounds so cozy..
Home, home on the range... one of my favorite western songs. Ian Tyson has an album called And Stood There Amazed.
I love that Keebler is Not A Sheep.
It was beautiful here as it rose in the crisp, clear mountain air. I happened to be outside, watching the International Space Station passing overhead (well, almost overhead) then disappear in the moonrise. As the ISS sailed east of us and towards the moon, it disappeared into the bright light of the full moon. I was disappointed at first then realized that the moon was so bright I could only see the back shadow of the ISS.
Spectacular!
A stunning photo, Sara! The nightly- ritual barn scene must be a wonderful scene as well, from the way you describe it. You have a way with words!:-) Always looking forward to your posts (and pictures, of course!).
I agree, you do tell the best stories.
You also take incredible photographs!
A blessing on nosy ~no...
...observant neighbors.
*sigh* I hate it here.
Post a Comment