Sunday Stills ~ the letter w

I've decided to give Sunday Stills a try, with hopes that my efforts will help me to get acclimated with my new camera. Not sure if the challenge was to find things shaped like the letter W, or things that start with the letter W? There doesn't seem to be a lot of rules on Sunday Stills, which is a good thing. If there are guidelines, please send them my way - or point me to them. Either way, with a little imagination I think I've covered both. Hope you enjoy my first photo entries, as much as I enjoyed taking them!

Sunday Stills - the Letter W:

Wine Glass

Whirls of Smoke

Winged Wonders
(L-R) Red Headed Woodpecker, Chickadee about to land, Downy Woodpecker
(The birds wouldn't let me get any closer, I should have titled this one "wishing for a telephoto lens")

Water Formations in Winter Pond

Winter Wonderland

 Visit the Sunday Stills Blog to see other Letter W photos!

a while, smiles, and a new camera

Driving past the farm on my way to work I saw Harmony lying down by the hay bunk again, with Cierra standing next to her. As I glanced over my shoulder, Harmony was getting up. I can't imagine she is lonely with Cierra around to pester her, then again she grew up and spent her former years in a larger herd of around 15. Is it that? missing the boys? or does she just want to be the one going? It's all a guess, based on observation. I've been thinking about her a lot lately, and her uncharacteristic behavior. I was happy to hear, that Harmony was back to her old self this morning and eager to be fed. It only took a short while.

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Brad stopped at Iron Horse today, and dropped off Nemo's hoof supplement. He told me the boys are back to work. I asked if Koda looked happy. Brad's response "when I walked in Shauna and Koda were walking out of the arena, I couldn't tell who's smile was bigger". Brad asked how the boys did, and she said "they rode just like when they left" said (and taken) as a compliment. Patty is at a training seminar, we knew Shauna would be the one starting them back up again - and that's okay with us. She is a longtime Assistant Trainer, and they work very closely together. We completely trust her, she really knows her horses. It's a bummer I wasn't able to see those smiles.

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Today was back to reality. I really enjoyed my time off over the holidays. Among other things I was able to get back into blogging, spend time with the family and horses, and even picked out my new camera! Finally. I've been looking at them for about a year, and wishing for a new one forever. It was worth the wait. I won't be able to get distant shots, yet. I need to save up pennies for a telephoto lens, they are sooo expensive - it's gonna be a while. I can't wait to get out in the pasture and try to capture beautiful equine moments, until then - here is my first photo attempt, which has nothing to do with horses. We have a very spoiled water-obsessed cat, who also loves sleeping on anything soft, the king of the house - Sydney. Funny how the only other picture of him on this blog is also taken on his bed, er I mean our bed.

such a sad girl

It was time for morning chores, we took the trailer down with us to clean out the little presents that horses feel the need to leave the minute they get into a trailer. As soon as we pulled in the driveway, I knew it was a mistake to bring the trailer down. Harmony lit up, she thought the boys were coming back.  She promptly went to the closest corner to wait for them, and...it was just us humans. We didn't think it was a big deal until we fed the girls breakfast, and Harmony wouldn't come down from the corner to eat her grain. 

It's okay Harmony, they'll be back.

I took a handful of grain up to her, and she half heartily ate a few bites. We called her, hugged her, and tried to coax her to come eat what she normally eagerly awaits, and then she did the saddest thing - she lied down.

Harmony is so sad

Cierra had no problem with the boys being gone, she ate her grain and some of Harmony's too - until I took it away. We were so surprised to see Harmony acting this way. Last year when the boys left to the trainers, we put the resident pony in with her to keep her company and she was fine.  This time she even had Cierra, and when she gets turned out, the resident pony too. I began to wonder if something was wrong with her, but she is just one sad lonely girl.

Brad haltered Harmony, and got her up to walk her around. She sniffed around the trailer, and they went for a short walk. Cierra didn't like Harmony being out of sight at all, she is not a talker, but she was today.  Our comfortable little herd has been changed. Harmony was much better after Brad took her for a walk, she slowly started to eat her grain and got lots more hugs. It was Cierra's turn to get some halter attention, but under the circumstances it wouldn't be wise to take her out of the pasture - so they headed to the arena for a short leading session.

Brad & Cierra

I know the girls will adjust to having the boys gone, and then have to adjust to having them back, but who knew we would get this reaction out of Harmony - not us.

ready or not, here we come

It's here, the day we've been waiting for! Brad hooked up the trailer, and we headed down to the farm. Everyone was in the shed staying warm from the frigid high winds. They all gave us an instant look of anticipation. No time to waste, lets get the boys loaded - it's cold outside!

Uh oh, the trailer - who is that here for?
(L-R) Koda, Nemo, Harmony

Cierra was in my back pocket, silly girl wanted to put Koda's halter on. Sorry little one, not today. I wasn't sure how Koda & Nemo would load, it's been a while. What took us two trips last year, was done in five minutes - they loaded right up.

(L-R) Cierra and Harmony want to come too.

 I wish I could bring the girls along, just look at their faces!

Cierra "if I look really cute, will you let me come along"?

Cierra "are you sure there isn't room in there for me"?

Ready or not Iron Horse, here we come! With the cold wind blowing, we only cracked the trailer windows open slightly and stopped to check the boys 1/4 of the way up. Temperature inside was good, we kept on rolling. I wondered what area of the barn Trainer Patty would put the boys in this time? We arrived to find the same center aisle stalls they had previously stayed in, with open doors and a welcoming lunch! They settled right in like it was home, but wait - Koda had a beautiful bay next door named "Amy". Watching them meet was too funny, both were hamming it up. Koda's ears stayed perked the whole time we were there, soaking up the familiar active atmosphere. Nemo had a Gypsy Vanner on his other side (our boys are next to each other) and enjoyed getting to meet him as well, but I think he wished he was next to Amy! I didn't feel bad leaving them this time, they are so content.

What an exciting day. Happy New Year everyone!!