Photography Show!

Posted in Me, Photography on October 27, 2009 by mudranch

I’ve been meaning to put a few pieces in to our local gallery for the past few years.  I’ve just never “gotten around to it” and often find that as an excuse for things I’m not so sure of.  But recently my Great Aunt Joan was visiting and she definitely has the gift of encouragement and lit a fire under me to get some pieces in.  So, I’ve entered three photographs in to the Highland Art Center’s annual juried photography show.

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I went to drop off the pictures yesterday and of course, picked the poor lady’s brain; “What happens if my photos aren’t selected, will I get a call?  What exactly will the judge be looking for when selecting pieces to be exhibited?  Should I bother coming to the critique at 3 pm on Tuesday?”  Gulp… She highly recommended going to the critique.  While I believe it will be a very good learning experience, I am a bit nervous to hear what the judge has to say about my photos.  I know I get a lot of people saying how pretty they are and how good of a photographer I am but… now I’ve put myself in to the group of people who show and I’m having a hard time thinking of myself as good enough to show.  I think I’ve moved “those types” up on the pedestal so high that I don’t think it’s an attainable position.

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But, even if they weren’t selected, I’ll let you all know and post the photos I put in anyway.  And, I’ll just have to enjoy visiting this cute little building and hearing what the judge has to say about all of the photographs that were selected… So, I’ll be back later on to tell you all how it went.  Wish me luck!

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Fall at Mud Ranch

Posted in Life with tags , , , , , on October 16, 2009 by mudranch

Fall has found us — Crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and much needed rain!

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Woolly horse coats…

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Sparkling colors (on our Golden Delicious!)…

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Big apples (Granny Smith, excellent crop this year!)…

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Long, dark, shadows…

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Pretty light…

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And a breath of fresh air!

Bon Voyage, Herefords

Posted in Hereford Cattle on October 12, 2009 by mudranch

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Goodbye white eye lashes, fresh white faces, large steaming piles of…

Today we sold three of our cows and hopefully next Monday he’ll be back for the last remaining two.  Basicly, it comes down to — these cows eat A LOT.  They also like to be mischievious and while Hubby is gone, it’s me who has to deal with them.  They’re not small either, the man who was here today was amazed at how large our girls were.  Our biggest, Mattilda, he guessed at 1500 pounds and the average size of a bull.  She really was large.  But very very sweet.

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Here’s my cowgirl Annie at about nine months old, riding on the back of Mattilda. 

So, yes, I will miss them, but I won’t miss the hay bill and we hope to have a steer a year for the freezer.  That’s what we wanted them for anyway… and we’re growing quite fond of our Jacob Sheep anyway.  They’re mighty tasty, and that’s coming from someone who usually doesn’t like lamb.  So, I believe we’ve made the right choice and the girls are going to an awesome home.  They’ll be having black babies with white faces now.  Their new husband is a big strapping Angus.

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Orton’d Scenes

Posted in Photography, Photoshop on October 10, 2009 by mudranch

We’re all feeling a bit down in the dumps around here — Hubby has been fighting the flu for two days and though Annie is okay we’re trying out best not to over do it and keep her as quiet and as loaded up on Vitamin C and other immune boosters as possible.  I’m feeling a bit tired, so am taking it easy too.  I know the best way to contract the flu or a cold is to tire yourself out… so, I’ve been on Photoshop again.  Here’s some scenes from our trip that I’ve used the Orton effect on.

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The view from my “other mom’s” house in Idaho.  That’s her neighbor’s place across the way, and he grows a large patch of blueberries.

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This house I took from behind the glass of my passenger side window, north of John Day, Oregon.  There are some really neat places out there, if you like old buildings and pretty scenery.

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These next two were of places as we just pulled in to Lakeview, Oregon.  Hubby and I both like it there, actually in a valley just north of Lakeview.  Very pretty, and I love agricultural towns.  All the cows and hay fields…

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Shots from the Road

Posted in Family, Me, Photography on October 6, 2009 by mudranch

Hubby, Annie and I recently got back from a long road trip up to Spokane, Washington and Laclede, Idaho.  I’ve always kind of lamented that my husband (dear, sweet, man) will not pull over so I can take a picture.  His driving is simply by time and he aims to make the best time possible (which, by the time I fall in to bed, I can appreciate!)  So, I have, in the past been a bit upset when he won’t pull over for that once in a life time shot… this trip, I decide to do things differently.  I challenged myself to make the shot, through the glass of our Ford truck — I think the results, for the most part, turned out fairly well.

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The above shot was beautiful on it’s own, and surprisingly, was exposed just about perfectly in camera but for a little affect I used the Pioneer Woman’s action called Old West.

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I thought this one was fun when I took it in the truck – the main street of a small town with the American Flag flying high, but when I got this one home and put it on the computer, that’s when I noticed the yellow ribbon on the back of the semi-truck.

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Finally got a shot of the elusive (more like camoflauged) Big Horn Sheep that graze on the cliffs over looking the Columbia River.

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I’ve always loved these wind mills — ever since I was a kid.

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Our back seat driver — the one who about wore out the Baby Beethoven CD we had… Hubby and I know that thing like the back of our hands now.  We had to laugh, the parent’s wanted to listen to rock and roll while the baby wanted Beethoven.  You can tell who is smarter than her parents.

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And finally, racing the sun and train in to Spokane.  I think we won, but not by much.