Contemplative Photography, 2017 Version
I won’t pretend that being restricted by my bad knee hasn’t put a damper on my activities. Thank heavens then, for the class I took several years ago on Contemplative Photography (see some photos from it here and here). It did so much to help expand my eye and how much I appreciate the visual world. Since I have to save my energy for working Maggie, gardening and exercising the dogs, Jim and I went for a drive instead of a walk, and found some wonderfully rich scenes to feed my soul.
These next shots are from an old barn we drove by. There is no house on the property, just an old barn and a much newer one, full of young Holsteins. I could have spent an hour taking photos just inside the abandoned barn.
I love the juxtaposition of the old barn and the shiny new tractor in the background.
Cows are curious. Really, really curious. Have I mentioned how much I love cows?
I like the complementary colors of this image: The blue and orange are opposite colors on the color wheel, while the black and white of the cows makes everything pop.
Next week I have an important question for you. See you then!
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About the Author
Patricia B. McConnell, PhD, CAAB Emeritus is an applied animal behaviorist who has been working with, studying, and writing about dogs for over twenty-five years. She encourages your participation, believing that your voice adds greatly to its value. She enjoys reading every comment, and adds her own responses when she can.
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Great shots. I really like cows too, and think they are underestimated. I remember on my Aunt’s farm, two calves who became best buddies. They were curious about everything, hung around together all the time, and got into mischief.
Hope your knee is improving!
These are really beautiful photos!
Nice pictures it inspires me to warm up my camera again. Maybe influence my husband to buy me a new one:)
Great photos!
What is it about cows? Maybe it’s because they seem calm and contemplative.
My Fjord horse Annie, reminds me of a cow (in a good way!).
She has this very funny whinny that actually sounds like a GOAT, while my tiny old Arabian Calli has a deep whinny… such silly girls.
But back to cows……!
I love old barns, but sadly, I think they are disappearing and being replaced with new metal buildings. I can’t blame the owners as the metal ones are maintenance free. Still, the old ones are beautiful and full of character. Thanks for posting.
What are the drifts on the floor of the old barn? Is the silver color just an illusion of the lighting?
Love your photos! Love cows!
love,
lee
Quite like cows, but have to say, I prefer them to be on the other side of a fence! Not so keen on having to walk through a field with cows (and particularly if there’s a bull in the field too!)
On the other hand, hand-reared calves are lovely, I grew up in the country side and some farmers had calves, always remember their rough tongues…
Hey Patricia, I hope your knee pain has subsided. Great shots of the barn , and cows! They’re truly amazing animals.
The silver color is indeed due to the light streaming in. The floor was covered with dried corn husks. Love that many of you loved the photos, and especially the cow lovers out there!
Thanks to all for asking about my pesky knee. It’s improving, yay!, but I am conceding that there will probably be a ‘new normal’ in my life. However, in many ways I’ll be stronger than ever–learning Pilates, doing tons of exercises for my legs, core and shoulders. Wonder woman here I come. (Actually, can’t wait to see that movie!)
Hi Trisha,
thanks for posting some cow pictures last week! I had my comprehensive exam last week on Friday, on dairy cow welfare, and seeing some curious, happy cows (the scientist in me now wants to argue how we could measure their happiness, but let’s just pretend they were…) was just the right thing to remind me of why I was putting myself through the misery…
I find it sad looking at the cows. I love them too – enough not to eat them or make them produce dairy for me, and I wonder at the fate of these creatures. Back to the dog posts for me…
You could definitely see your enthusiasm within the paintings you write. The arena hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. All the time follow your heart.