Just a week ago my darling boy Lakota was diagnosed with Cushing's disease. There is no cure for it. So, the best we can hope to do is extend his quality of life for as long as we can. Who knows, if we're lucky, that could be a good long while in dog time.
As regular readers are aware, Koty is pretty much my family. We are as close as any two creatures can be being together twenty for seven as we are. I have decided to document our experience with the disease in a new blog. It seems a lot of dogs are getting this disease and maybe others will be interested in how we deal with it. Also, to do so makes me feel like I'm somehow being more proactive. Maybe some of my observations will be helpful to others.
In any event the name of the blog is Coping With Cushing's: Lakota's Story . Click on the link to go to the address.
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
17 November 2011
04 July 2010
Happy Fourth of July From Dancing Deer
We've been at the ranch all week working on several projects long over due. It's been colder than a well digger's behind this past week but gads it is beautiful. Along with the cool has come lovely rains and the grass is greener and more lush than I have ever seen it. The wildlife against this backdrop is beyond beautiful. Yesterday I had so many bucks passing through it was just amazing. The bucks are still in velvet and they are a ways away from full racks but there are going to be some beauties.
One of the things the deer come for is the clover, deer love it. Clover grows everywhere around here and of course I have salted the place as well. When clover blooms it makes a very pretty flower.
Then there was the robin that took up residence on top of my outside sun screens. Lucky for me it's been too cool to need them because I would certainly have been out of luck! It won't be long now as the babies are now thriving and growing like weeds. And, just in time too as I think the warm weather may be just around the corner.
The little female grouse below was just posing on this rock for me. Grouse are really funny birds. I often joke that you don't need a gun to hunt them. You could just as easily get one tossing a stone and save your ammunition. Of course, I wouldn't do either unless I was starving.
Speaking of wildlife this year a little cinnamon black bear has taken up residence in the area and comes to visit a least once a week. I have named her Cindi after my oldest and dearest friend. I don't really know if it's a female or not but "she" is quite small. I reckon she is either one or two. Anyway she came to call yesterday and got up in a plum tree and was looking awfully cute. I don't know why she was up there except just for the fun of it because there is no fruit this time of year.
One of my most favorite wild flowers is the wood lily. Normally, these beauties bloom in June but I guess that the cooler than normal weather has kept them back as they are just starting to bloom now. In this photo you can see the raindrops on the petals.
This last, I'm not sure if it's a wildflower or a weed. It's growing in my meadow and whatever it is it is very pretty.
So, that's what it was like this week at Dancing Deer.
Koty and I wish you all a great Fourth of July!
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
One of the things the deer come for is the clover, deer love it. Clover grows everywhere around here and of course I have salted the place as well. When clover blooms it makes a very pretty flower.
Then there was the robin that took up residence on top of my outside sun screens. Lucky for me it's been too cool to need them because I would certainly have been out of luck! It won't be long now as the babies are now thriving and growing like weeds. And, just in time too as I think the warm weather may be just around the corner.
The little female grouse below was just posing on this rock for me. Grouse are really funny birds. I often joke that you don't need a gun to hunt them. You could just as easily get one tossing a stone and save your ammunition. Of course, I wouldn't do either unless I was starving.
Speaking of wildlife this year a little cinnamon black bear has taken up residence in the area and comes to visit a least once a week. I have named her Cindi after my oldest and dearest friend. I don't really know if it's a female or not but "she" is quite small. I reckon she is either one or two. Anyway she came to call yesterday and got up in a plum tree and was looking awfully cute. I don't know why she was up there except just for the fun of it because there is no fruit this time of year.
One of my most favorite wild flowers is the wood lily. Normally, these beauties bloom in June but I guess that the cooler than normal weather has kept them back as they are just starting to bloom now. In this photo you can see the raindrops on the petals.
This last, I'm not sure if it's a wildflower or a weed. It's growing in my meadow and whatever it is it is very pretty.
So, that's what it was like this week at Dancing Deer.
Koty and I wish you all a great Fourth of July!
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
31 May 2010
Mule Deer, Whitetail, Hawk, Eagle & Tanager Images
The mule deer are still sticking around. It's still snowing in the high country. They are starting to look a little natty as they shed their winter coats. Soon they will be a beautiful tan color.
The whitetail are also here and soon should be starting to drop their little babies. The photo below is of a what is going to be a very nice whitetail buck. His antlers are now only little velvet nubbins but from the size of those nubbins he's going to be a beauty. What a curse. The more beautiful they are the more determined people are to kill them. Please spare me the rhetoric about the necessity of management. I understand the need. I also understand few go out looking for deer without antlers, no bragging rights you see.
When this buck saw me he took off with his flag flying. I just love whitetail tails when they run. The deer have been incredibly frisky, flying around my meadow with reckless abandon weaving in and out between the apple trees. I watch for at least twenty minutes almost everyday. They are so happy and high spirited. Such incredible joi de vivre. That they share their joy with me is so very special.
Down along the Tobacco we saw this red-tailed hawk take off. Big dude this one was.
Last year I noticed some eagles hanging around the river down by Pidgeon Bridge. I guess they decided it had home potential because they have built a nest high in an old cottonwood along the river. In the photo you can just make out the nappy little head of a baby bald eagle. It's in front of the eagles chest on the right.
Also, spotted a Tanager. I often mistake this bird for an Oriole they have similar coloring.
They are quite pretty birds.
Well, that's just a little of what Nature had in store for me the past couple of days, a never ending kaleidoscope of indescribable beauty.
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
Mule DeerThe whitetail are also here and soon should be starting to drop their little babies. The photo below is of a what is going to be a very nice whitetail buck. His antlers are now only little velvet nubbins but from the size of those nubbins he's going to be a beauty. What a curse. The more beautiful they are the more determined people are to kill them. Please spare me the rhetoric about the necessity of management. I understand the need. I also understand few go out looking for deer without antlers, no bragging rights you see.
Whitetail DeerWhen this buck saw me he took off with his flag flying. I just love whitetail tails when they run. The deer have been incredibly frisky, flying around my meadow with reckless abandon weaving in and out between the apple trees. I watch for at least twenty minutes almost everyday. They are so happy and high spirited. Such incredible joi de vivre. That they share their joy with me is so very special.
Whitetail DeerDown along the Tobacco we saw this red-tailed hawk take off. Big dude this one was.
Red-Tailed HawkLast year I noticed some eagles hanging around the river down by Pidgeon Bridge. I guess they decided it had home potential because they have built a nest high in an old cottonwood along the river. In the photo you can just make out the nappy little head of a baby bald eagle. It's in front of the eagles chest on the right.
Bald EagleAlso, spotted a Tanager. I often mistake this bird for an Oriole they have similar coloring.
Western TanagerThey are quite pretty birds.
Western TanagerWell, that's just a little of what Nature had in store for me the past couple of days, a never ending kaleidoscope of indescribable beauty.
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
10 May 2010
Wood Ranch aka The Apple Orchard 05-09-10
Koty and I took a hike over at the Wood Ranch. Folks around here refer to it as The Apple Orchard. The ranch was an old homestead that was traded to the state some years back. It is now winter range for elk and mountain sheep. It also has, IMO, the best view you'll find of the Tobacco Valley. You will note some little ears at the bottom.
They call it the Apple Orchard because the original apple trees are still standing. They are probably a hundred years old and are not in too good shape but the trees are there, they do produced apples in the fall and the bears come for them every year.
The photo below was taken a couple of years ago. The fence is no longer standing.
Everything that remains of the original settlers is falling away. The old cabin's roof has completely fallen in and soon all that will remain are the rock walls. I found this design in the collapsed roof that I thought was rather intriguing. It looks like some kind of face. There is also an old rusty nail and it's shadow.
The picture below is a photo of a large chunk of the old weathered wood that contains the image above. I rather find this old wood fascinating. The face is almost like a spirit in the wood.
Still not a lot of wildflowers about yet. Been too cold for things to really get underway. I realize dandelions are weeds. And, heavenly only knows I have directed a few unkind words their way for invading my lawn but I still think they are pretty little flowers.
And, of course, there is always Koty doing what he does best, hanging out looking good!
It was a lovely hike. Unfortunately, later in the afternoon I had to put down a sweet little white tail buck that someone ran over breaking his back. It makes me so mad. There was no need for it to happen except that the human cared for nothing but speeding mindlessly on a dirt road that you should never travel fast enough not to be able to avoid a confused creature. I'm not very happy with we humans today.
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
The Tobaccco ValleyThey call it the Apple Orchard because the original apple trees are still standing. They are probably a hundred years old and are not in too good shape but the trees are there, they do produced apples in the fall and the bears come for them every year.
The photo below was taken a couple of years ago. The fence is no longer standing.
The Apple OrchardEverything that remains of the original settlers is falling away. The old cabin's roof has completely fallen in and soon all that will remain are the rock walls. I found this design in the collapsed roof that I thought was rather intriguing. It looks like some kind of face. There is also an old rusty nail and it's shadow.
The picture below is a photo of a large chunk of the old weathered wood that contains the image above. I rather find this old wood fascinating. The face is almost like a spirit in the wood.
Still not a lot of wildflowers about yet. Been too cold for things to really get underway. I realize dandelions are weeds. And, heavenly only knows I have directed a few unkind words their way for invading my lawn but I still think they are pretty little flowers.
DandelionsAnd, of course, there is always Koty doing what he does best, hanging out looking good!
It was a lovely hike. Unfortunately, later in the afternoon I had to put down a sweet little white tail buck that someone ran over breaking his back. It makes me so mad. There was no need for it to happen except that the human cared for nothing but speeding mindlessly on a dirt road that you should never travel fast enough not to be able to avoid a confused creature. I'm not very happy with we humans today.
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
04 May 2010
Surveyor Lake Reflections
One of my favorite places to hunt for new and interesting images is Surveyor Lake in Kikomun Provincial Park, British Columbia. There are several small lakes at this park with Surveyor being the largest. From the west end, looking across the lake, the Kootenay Rockies provide an awesome backdrop.
Generally when I go to this park there are few if any humans around but there is an abundance of waterfowl and painted turtles.
The turtle below is nearly invisible as he sun's himself in a maze of driftwood and reflections. These turtles are timid little beasts and scurry back in the water at the slightest noise.
The birds on this lake are pretty skittish too and generally fly off before one can capture an image. The two geese below continued to paddle back and forth despite my presence. I suspect their nest was somewhere very close by.
The thing I seem to have the best luck capturing at this little oasis are reflections. I don't know why that is but I always seem to get lucky. The image below is 100% Surveyor Lake reflection. I think the image has a unique quality about it. See if you don't agree.
Kikomun Creek Provincial Park by Kinsey Barnard
This next image is nearly all reflection except for the branch which I think adds a little extra interest to the photograph. The rippling of the water adds seems to create a surreal effect.
Last but not least is my favorite for this shoot. This photograph is one of those that you need to step back or pull your nose away from the computer screen to get the full effect. Up close it doesn't look like much but step away and I think you'll see a whole different image.
The dead branches seem to create the illusion that the tree is floating on clouds an intriguing effect me thinks. Adding interest are the painted turtles that sun bathe on the trunk. One turtle has created ripple rings. I think this is a very cool image. I'd be very interested to know what you think?
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
Surveyor LakeGenerally when I go to this park there are few if any humans around but there is an abundance of waterfowl and painted turtles.
The turtle below is nearly invisible as he sun's himself in a maze of driftwood and reflections. These turtles are timid little beasts and scurry back in the water at the slightest noise.
Painted TurtleThe birds on this lake are pretty skittish too and generally fly off before one can capture an image. The two geese below continued to paddle back and forth despite my presence. I suspect their nest was somewhere very close by.
Canada GeeseThe thing I seem to have the best luck capturing at this little oasis are reflections. I don't know why that is but I always seem to get lucky. The image below is 100% Surveyor Lake reflection. I think the image has a unique quality about it. See if you don't agree.
Kikomun Creek Provincial Park by Kinsey Barnard
This next image is nearly all reflection except for the branch which I think adds a little extra interest to the photograph. The rippling of the water adds seems to create a surreal effect.
Last but not least is my favorite for this shoot. This photograph is one of those that you need to step back or pull your nose away from the computer screen to get the full effect. Up close it doesn't look like much but step away and I think you'll see a whole different image.
The dead branches seem to create the illusion that the tree is floating on clouds an intriguing effect me thinks. Adding interest are the painted turtles that sun bathe on the trunk. One turtle has created ripple rings. I think this is a very cool image. I'd be very interested to know what you think?
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
29 April 2010
Spring Has Come Unsprung!
For the past week we have been having periodic rain showers. It was the "Spring showers bring May flowers" kind of thing. But, this morning it was just plain cold and snowing. It's typical rocky mountain weather and typical spring weather but it still takes me by surprise. Even the whitetail looked a little startled by the whole thing.
I always feel sorry for the deer because this cold and rainy weather will most likely continue on into May and that is when they drop their fawns. It seems like a cruel trick to serve these tiny newborns up into this cold wet world straight from the warm nest they have been gestating in. I often wonder how they survive, sometimes they don't.
But, the weather is mighty fickle around these parts. And maybe it will be warm and sunny when the wee ones come. I sure hope so.
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
If you enjoy this blog please feel free to pass it along.
I always feel sorry for the deer because this cold and rainy weather will most likely continue on into May and that is when they drop their fawns. It seems like a cruel trick to serve these tiny newborns up into this cold wet world straight from the warm nest they have been gestating in. I often wonder how they survive, sometimes they don't.
But, the weather is mighty fickle around these parts. And maybe it will be warm and sunny when the wee ones come. I sure hope so.
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
If you enjoy this blog please feel free to pass it along.
23 April 2010
Mountain Lion Encounter-Grave Creek Montana
Once a week I take a hike with a dear friend of mine. Since I spend so much time not in the company of humans it is a very important day for me lest I lose all my social skills. This day we decided to drive up Grave Creek Road which takes one into the Ten Lakes Scenic Area. We were curious to see how far we could get before running into the snow line.
We parked the car about ten miles in and walked as far as Clarence Creek before we hit snow. Clearly it will still be awhile before we can get to the lakes. We turned around and marched back down the mountain. When we got back to the car I said "Let's walk down a little further.", which we did. Shortly after passing the car Koty started pulling on his harness and acting like a crazy man. He'd been a whiny brat all day so I didn't really think that much of it.
We walked maybe three quarters of a mile before heading back up the mountain. Normally, when I'm in the woods, I am alone and very attuned to my surroundings. I often spot wildlife before Koty. But, when I'm with my friend I end up chattering like a magpie and paying absolutely no attention to what's going on around me.
As we were walking back to the car I was expounding on who the heck knows what, I have a theory about most everything. Suddenly my friend says "What's that?" I look up the road, maybe a seventy yards away, and I see a figure I can't quite make out standing not twenty feet behind the car. At first I thought it was a wolf. But then the coat was so dark I thought it might be a bear cub. I quickly snapped off a couple of shots. Even looking through my 300mm lens I still couldn't quite make out what it was. The animal just stood there looking at us until I started to move toward it. Then it scampered back down the bank toward the creek. It wasn't until we were back in the car out of the glare that we could clearly see what it really was. Below is what we saw looking right at us.
No wonder Koty was having such a fit. He could smell this cat and knew it was quite near. Normally, I would have been on red alert based on Koty's beahvior alone but as I said this was my attention MIA day.
The rest of the day was anti-climactic but I still have a couple of nice photos I'll share. When we got back to the valley floor we went over to the campground. The below photo was taken from the bridge.
Over at the campground we puttered around in the rocks and boulders along the creek. I just love this stuff. The designs are to die for.
Intergalactic by Kinsey Barnard-----Loaded to Gallery
Here's another on I call "Moonstruck" because it looks to me like craters in the moon.
Moonstruck by Kinsey Barnard-------Loaded to Gallery
Well, this certainly wasn't a day I will soon forget. These are the days that I live for. These are the days when I know I am truly alive. These are the days that I bow down and give thanks for the inestimable privilege to live in this magical place!
©Kinsey Barnard Photograpy
If you enjoy this blog please feel free to share.
Grave Creek 4-22-10We parked the car about ten miles in and walked as far as Clarence Creek before we hit snow. Clearly it will still be awhile before we can get to the lakes. We turned around and marched back down the mountain. When we got back to the car I said "Let's walk down a little further.", which we did. Shortly after passing the car Koty started pulling on his harness and acting like a crazy man. He'd been a whiny brat all day so I didn't really think that much of it.
We walked maybe three quarters of a mile before heading back up the mountain. Normally, when I'm in the woods, I am alone and very attuned to my surroundings. I often spot wildlife before Koty. But, when I'm with my friend I end up chattering like a magpie and paying absolutely no attention to what's going on around me.
As we were walking back to the car I was expounding on who the heck knows what, I have a theory about most everything. Suddenly my friend says "What's that?" I look up the road, maybe a seventy yards away, and I see a figure I can't quite make out standing not twenty feet behind the car. At first I thought it was a wolf. But then the coat was so dark I thought it might be a bear cub. I quickly snapped off a couple of shots. Even looking through my 300mm lens I still couldn't quite make out what it was. The animal just stood there looking at us until I started to move toward it. Then it scampered back down the bank toward the creek. It wasn't until we were back in the car out of the glare that we could clearly see what it really was. Below is what we saw looking right at us.
Mountain Lion In Full winter Coat 04-22-10No wonder Koty was having such a fit. He could smell this cat and knew it was quite near. Normally, I would have been on red alert based on Koty's beahvior alone but as I said this was my attention MIA day.
The rest of the day was anti-climactic but I still have a couple of nice photos I'll share. When we got back to the valley floor we went over to the campground. The below photo was taken from the bridge.
Over at the campground we puttered around in the rocks and boulders along the creek. I just love this stuff. The designs are to die for.
Intergalactic by Kinsey Barnard-----Loaded to Gallery
Here's another on I call "Moonstruck" because it looks to me like craters in the moon.
Moonstruck by Kinsey Barnard-------Loaded to Gallery
Well, this certainly wasn't a day I will soon forget. These are the days that I live for. These are the days when I know I am truly alive. These are the days that I bow down and give thanks for the inestimable privilege to live in this magical place!
©Kinsey Barnard Photograpy
If you enjoy this blog please feel free to share.
19 April 2010
Fir Crying Out Loud!
Today was a work in the woods day. I chose to tackle a huge fir tree. I think it was more like it tackled me. The thing must have been fifty feet long and had branches the size of small trees.
The uneven ground didn't do my sprained ankle any good that's a for sure. Hard to believe it's been over two weeks since I took the spill. I was hoping to be back to normal by now. It doesn't appear meant to be. The picture below is me getting frustrated and taking a break. Of course, my person is absent because I have to take the picture. Probably just as well.
I got the beast of a tree limbed up and chopped up until there was about fifteen, sixteen feet left. Then I gave up! Man not even one tree to my credit today. Crikey!
I'm going to have to come back and finish this bad boy off next work day. What a disappointment not to even get on tree finished.
Course then there's my helper who mostly naps in the shade whilst I toil away. I can't even get the turkey to take pictures for me!
But, in all my stumbling around I did stumble onto some very cool natural designs. Below is a photo of an insect or worm that worked on this old fir leaving behind an incredible artwork in it's wake. What you see are actually the tubes that the worms work around in.
This next photo the tubes have been knocked off leaving intriguing tunnel designs. This one looks to me like some science fiction creature with many arms and legs. Human artists would have a hard time making this stuff up!
The last beauty that I discovered was some kind of fungus growing on an old moss covered stump. Looks like a big old clam shell or maybe some forest troll poking it's head out of it's mossy home with a smile on it's face?
It's hard to believe I have lived, worked and explored this land for eight years and still I discover things I've never seen before.
Awesomely, beautiful day today. Spring has sprung and the grass is turning green. It's great working in the woods even if I don't get much work done!
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
If you enjoy this blog please feel free to share.
The uneven ground didn't do my sprained ankle any good that's a for sure. Hard to believe it's been over two weeks since I took the spill. I was hoping to be back to normal by now. It doesn't appear meant to be. The picture below is me getting frustrated and taking a break. Of course, my person is absent because I have to take the picture. Probably just as well.
I got the beast of a tree limbed up and chopped up until there was about fifteen, sixteen feet left. Then I gave up! Man not even one tree to my credit today. Crikey!
I'm going to have to come back and finish this bad boy off next work day. What a disappointment not to even get on tree finished.
Course then there's my helper who mostly naps in the shade whilst I toil away. I can't even get the turkey to take pictures for me!
But, in all my stumbling around I did stumble onto some very cool natural designs. Below is a photo of an insect or worm that worked on this old fir leaving behind an incredible artwork in it's wake. What you see are actually the tubes that the worms work around in.
This next photo the tubes have been knocked off leaving intriguing tunnel designs. This one looks to me like some science fiction creature with many arms and legs. Human artists would have a hard time making this stuff up!
The last beauty that I discovered was some kind of fungus growing on an old moss covered stump. Looks like a big old clam shell or maybe some forest troll poking it's head out of it's mossy home with a smile on it's face?
It's hard to believe I have lived, worked and explored this land for eight years and still I discover things I've never seen before.
Awesomely, beautiful day today. Spring has sprung and the grass is turning green. It's great working in the woods even if I don't get much work done!
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
If you enjoy this blog please feel free to share.
16 April 2010
Pinkham Creek - Montana
In the Kootenai National Forest there are many creeks. I try to photograph as many as I can for each has it's own distinct beauty. Pinkham Creek is a local favorite for camping and fishing but at this time of year it is still deserted. As you can see there is some snow sticking around.
Koty, my Siberian Husky nearly gave me a heat attack on this junket. Koty is always on a 16 foot retractable leash attached to me by a belt. If he weren't on a leash he'd be in the next county before I could call his name. Such is the nature of huskies. Click here to see photos of "The Beast".
Anyway, whilst I was studying the scene below Koty went over the bank to get a drink in the creek. I didn't think anything of it until I looked down. Without my realizing, he had leaped off what turned out to be a nearly six foot ledge and there was no way he wanted to try and jump back up. I took a nasty spill over Easter and sprained my ankle quite badly so there was no way I wanted to jump down. I was barely gimping around as it was. A momentary bit of a panic ensued.
Thanks be to the gods I had recently bought him a harness to use instead of a collar. After much cajoling I was able to get him to take a leap at the ledge where he got a tiny grip on the lip of the ledge and I was able to haul him up by the harness. That wasn't easy either, he weighs in at 65 pounds. This kind of excitement I can do without! :)
As always I was looking for some special images that would portray the true beauty of the creek. I think I, as well as most people, are drawn to the effects of water flowing in slow motion.
What I like, in particular, about this image is the clarity above the fall showing the rocks under the water. Of course, everyone knows I am a bit daft but I could get lost in this photo for quite time. Really, it's amazing that I'm not lost most of the time! Hmm, perhaps I am and don't know it!
The above photo is kind of a still life in motion. Of course that is a contradiction in terms but I think if you study on it you'll see what I mean.
Another point I would like to make is that I am frequently hearing people moaning about cloudy and/or rainy days keeping them from making good pictures. I say poppycock. Cloudy, rainy weather is awesome for getting deep and saturated color. Put on your raincoat and boots and get out there! It was showering the whole time on this shoot.
Be sure to check out The Liberated Photographer
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
Pinkham Creek-MontanaKoty, my Siberian Husky nearly gave me a heat attack on this junket. Koty is always on a 16 foot retractable leash attached to me by a belt. If he weren't on a leash he'd be in the next county before I could call his name. Such is the nature of huskies. Click here to see photos of "The Beast".
Anyway, whilst I was studying the scene below Koty went over the bank to get a drink in the creek. I didn't think anything of it until I looked down. Without my realizing, he had leaped off what turned out to be a nearly six foot ledge and there was no way he wanted to try and jump back up. I took a nasty spill over Easter and sprained my ankle quite badly so there was no way I wanted to jump down. I was barely gimping around as it was. A momentary bit of a panic ensued.
Thanks be to the gods I had recently bought him a harness to use instead of a collar. After much cajoling I was able to get him to take a leap at the ledge where he got a tiny grip on the lip of the ledge and I was able to haul him up by the harness. That wasn't easy either, he weighs in at 65 pounds. This kind of excitement I can do without! :)
Pinkham Creek-MontanaAs always I was looking for some special images that would portray the true beauty of the creek. I think I, as well as most people, are drawn to the effects of water flowing in slow motion.
What I like, in particular, about this image is the clarity above the fall showing the rocks under the water. Of course, everyone knows I am a bit daft but I could get lost in this photo for quite time. Really, it's amazing that I'm not lost most of the time! Hmm, perhaps I am and don't know it!
The above photo is kind of a still life in motion. Of course that is a contradiction in terms but I think if you study on it you'll see what I mean.
Another point I would like to make is that I am frequently hearing people moaning about cloudy and/or rainy days keeping them from making good pictures. I say poppycock. Cloudy, rainy weather is awesome for getting deep and saturated color. Put on your raincoat and boots and get out there! It was showering the whole time on this shoot.
Be sure to check out The Liberated Photographer
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
14 April 2010
The Beauty of Fire.
As regular readers are aware, my second job is forest worker. I spend as much time as I can working on my forty acres of forest cleaning up after Mother Nature and she's been a devil this past year. Between the freak winds and the insect invasion I've got my hands full. I try to burn as I go along because I am very fearful of fire in the forest. I keep my piles small and easily manageable by one person.
Images of fire are the focus of this post. Look closely at the marvelous texture and design. It's really beautiful.
I had this downed Larch right outside my kitchen window and it was driving me nuts so yesterday I decided to get it taken care of.
The old dear had died from I really don't know what. The woodpeckers had certainly been after her carcass so maybe it was bugs. Whatever it was she had been weakened and had fallen in a wind. So, I got the old chainsaw out and limbed and cut her up for firewood. Larch is great firewood. As soon as I had enough slash I started my fire and hand fed it as I went along.
Once I've put all of the debris on the fire I have nothing to do but tend the fire until it's mostly burned out. It's not a boring time because it offers me the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of this place I call home. It's like a meditation.
As I stood leaning on my shovel I became mesmerized by the glowing coals and began to see all kinds of beautiful designs in the hot embers. I ran to the house for my camera in hopes I could capture some of what I was seeing. Fire is one of Nature's many dichotomies. It is at once beautiful and dangerous.
Dantes Inferno by Kinsey Barnard
This last image I took some artistic license with. I'm addicted to color so every now and again I have to do some enhancement. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. In this case I think it does. This image is offered for sale at Imagekind. If you click on the photo it will take you right there.
Now, isn't fire fascinating and beautiful?
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
If you like my blog please feel free to share it.
Images of fire are the focus of this post. Look closely at the marvelous texture and design. It's really beautiful.
I had this downed Larch right outside my kitchen window and it was driving me nuts so yesterday I decided to get it taken care of.
The old dear had died from I really don't know what. The woodpeckers had certainly been after her carcass so maybe it was bugs. Whatever it was she had been weakened and had fallen in a wind. So, I got the old chainsaw out and limbed and cut her up for firewood. Larch is great firewood. As soon as I had enough slash I started my fire and hand fed it as I went along.
Once I've put all of the debris on the fire I have nothing to do but tend the fire until it's mostly burned out. It's not a boring time because it offers me the opportunity to marvel at the beauty of this place I call home. It's like a meditation.
As I stood leaning on my shovel I became mesmerized by the glowing coals and began to see all kinds of beautiful designs in the hot embers. I ran to the house for my camera in hopes I could capture some of what I was seeing. Fire is one of Nature's many dichotomies. It is at once beautiful and dangerous.
Dantes Inferno by Kinsey Barnard
This last image I took some artistic license with. I'm addicted to color so every now and again I have to do some enhancement. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. In this case I think it does. This image is offered for sale at Imagekind. If you click on the photo it will take you right there.
Now, isn't fire fascinating and beautiful?
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
If you like my blog please feel free to share it.
13 April 2010
Osprey of Montana
Yesterday I saw my first osprey sitting on a nest, the spring cycle about to begin. In honor of the event I thought I'd post some photos taken in the past.
Osprey are found just about everywhere and northwest Montana is no exception. The osprey is actually found on all continents except Antarctica.
Osprey generally make their home near bodies of water and are fine fishermen. Unlike the bald eagle, which they can be mistaken for, they dine almost exclusively on fish. Those lovely eagles can often be seen dining on roadkill where they are not looking so regal.
The wingspan on these beauties can be as much as six feet and when they soar they are a site to see.
The Ospreys most endearing characteristic is that they mate for life.
In the fall, during the salmon run, osprey are pretty easy to find. The Tobacco River is just chock full of Kocanee Salmon and the osprey spend a lot of time cruising up and down it. It's very easy pickings for them. Kind of like shooting fish in a barrel.
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These are really wonderful birds!
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
Osprey are found just about everywhere and northwest Montana is no exception. The osprey is actually found on all continents except Antarctica.
Osprey generally make their home near bodies of water and are fine fishermen. Unlike the bald eagle, which they can be mistaken for, they dine almost exclusively on fish. Those lovely eagles can often be seen dining on roadkill where they are not looking so regal.
The wingspan on these beauties can be as much as six feet and when they soar they are a site to see.
The Ospreys most endearing characteristic is that they mate for life.
In the fall, during the salmon run, osprey are pretty easy to find. The Tobacco River is just chock full of Kocanee Salmon and the osprey spend a lot of time cruising up and down it. It's very easy pickings for them. Kind of like shooting fish in a barrel.
.
.
.
.
.
.
These are really wonderful birds!
©Kinsey Barnard Photography
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