Sunday, October 30, 2011

Fawn, A Light Tan Color

On occasion, a naturally-occuring monochrome presents itself!

According to Webster's Third New International Dictionary, fawn is "a variable color averaging a light grayish brown that is yellower, darker, and slightly stronger than Deauville sand." I would refine that definition to read, "specifically, the identical shade seen in the dry grass of Longmire Meadow on an overcast October day."

Earlier in the year, I spotted a rather pregnant doe at this same site, only a few feet from the low wooden fence which gently counsels walkers to stay on the path. Today, she was in the same location with her two offspring, now almost as big as their mother and in fine health. All three were a little shy but by no means afraid, and seemed curious about the camera, walking toward me at first and then turning away when I moved.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Koutney's Tractors

Tractor 1 by DeForestRanger
Tractor 1, a photo by DeForestRanger on Flickr.

Tractor 2 by DeForestRanger
Tractor 2, a photo by DeForestRanger on Flickr.

Tractor 3 by DeForestRanger
Tractor 3, a photo by DeForestRanger on Flickr.

Mineral WA is a timber town like most of the towns hereabouts. There are few families who aren't somehow involved in the logging industry, and others go back a long way in it. The Koutneys are one of the older families in the area, and these tractors belong to them.

Not far from the center of town, Mineral Mini-Storage sits at the top of a small rise. The road is cut approximately ten feet below the parking area, and the tractors overlook the road. I've often driven by, only to say, "Dang, I should have stopped," and today, I finally did just that.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Crow Tree October

Crow Tree October by DeForestRanger
Crow Tree October, a photo by DeForestRanger on Flickr.

Standing apart in the pasture, a solitary maple is a favored gathering place for the local crows. From it, they can keep an eye on Clyde's place and mine as well as another neighbor's yard where handouts are frequently dispensed. In the winter months when the leaves have fallen, it's not uncommon to see several dozen sharp black silhouettes perched among the limbs, and it only takes one "Caw-caw-caw!" from me to lift them into the air and toward the crow board in anticipation of breakfast.

This image was created from a color photo which was tonemapped and rendered into infrared.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Roll Up Yer Swag, Boys

Roll Up Yer Swag, Boys by DeForestRanger
Roll Up Yer Swag, Boys, a photo by DeForestRanger on Flickr.

It was with some sadness that I faced the closure of Daily Shoot this week. I had been participating in the group for almost two years and although in the latter days, the assignments began to repeat rather too frequently, causing me to grumble, I did enjoy the discipline of a prompt to be fulfilled each day. My energies turn now to a second 365-day project to follow 365 Caws and this Monochrome endeavour, but Daily Shoot will be missed. The above self-portrait was my official parting shot.

In the words of the Australian classic, "Click Go The Shears,"

"The shearin' is all over, lads,
We've all got our checks.
Roll up yer swag, boys!
We're off on the track
And the first pub that we come to,
It's there we'll have a spree
And everyone who comes along,
It's 'Come drink with me!'"

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Pastured Out

Pastured Out by DeForestRanger
Pastured Out, a photo by DeForestRanger on Flickr.

My neighbor Clyde's yard is a goldmine when it comes to looking for photo subjects, nearly as intriguing as the train yards at Mineral. I can remember when this poor old thing was still operational. Okay, it didn't go far when it went anywhere, but at least it ran. I do know that he's had several offers made for it, but I think he's sentimentally attached. After all, he rode in it when he was just a boy.