I like my job......

A number of months ago, I made a visit to a local farm to arrange a picture. They have a beautiful on thrashing machine located in their field with a great southern exposure. My plan is to have a thunderhead over the machine. Now to achieve this concept, the shot will need to me taken in June or July, very late in the day, perhaps an hour or so before sunset. Outside of this window of opportunity, the light will not be right and the result will be over exposure of the clouds and under exposure of the machine.

About a week ago, the conditions seemed right, but I did not have a car. So I waited until my love came home, then literally ran to her car and then drove to the field.

When I took on this project, and spoke to the farmer, he told me that the machine was located in the pasture. We talked a little bit about cows, but really I did not concern myself too much.

When I arrived on the scene, the light was wrong so I had to wait. As I did so, the cows gradually came closer and closer, finally they gathered themselves around the machine. I will post that picture at a later date. It is called “The Gathering”.

I guess cows by nature are very curious creatures, and as I was still and quiet, I appeared not to be any threat.

Now I am not a farm boy. I have little if any experience with large farm animals. And let me tell you..... these guys are BIG.

After waiting for about an hour, i decided that the light would not change and I left. The cows just watched me go. When i got to the highway, i met the farmer and talked with him briefly. Then as I entered the road, the light changed. It was perfect, so i quickly turned the car around and headed for the pasture one again.

By this time, the cows had dispersed over the field, but as soon as they was me, they began to collect. It was simply an amazing thing to watch. It was kind of a home coming event. All the relatives gathering to welcome the long lost cousin. By the time I got ready for the shot in this beautiful evening sun..... there were so many cows around the machine that I could not take it. I still did of course, but it was apparent to me, that I would have to return on another day.

In the process, a few of the cows were brave enough to try to push at me. They were not hurtful in any way..... but man.... these guys are BIG.... oh I guess I said that. So I decided to take some pictures on my new adopted family.

This time as I returned to the gate, the entire herd escorted me. It was an amazing experience to be moving within a herd, part of it yet separate. Totally surrounded on every side by moving animals. As we got close to the fence, the lead animals parted and allowed me to exit. One lone cow escorted me right to the opening, then looked longingly as I loaded my equipment into the car.

COWS IS CURIOUS.....

For the present, allow me to present to you my new mom....