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.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Fawn, A Light Tan Color
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Koutney's Tractors
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
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
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
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.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
It's Okay, They Know Me Here
It's okay, they know me here in my little corner of the world. I don't like to come out much, though. You never know what's beyond the door. I don't get many visitors but if they do come, I always ask them if they have any candy before I let them in. And if they say they do, I ask them if it's chocolate because I like chocolate best. Dark chocolate is my favorite. I like the kind with ginger in. Do you have any chocolate? I'll let you in even if it doesn't have ginger in. I like cats. Do you like cats? You mustn't ever feed chocolate to cats. That's why I have to eat it all, so the cats don't get any. They can have kitty treats. I don't like to eat kitty treats. I tried one once and it didn't taste like chocolate at all. Do you like coffee? I like coffee with chocolate in. They don't let me have coffee except in the morning, but if I gave you a dollar, you could go out to McDonald's and get me a cup of it and nobody would have to know. But when you come back, bring more chocolate or I won't open the door. I like chocolate.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Chain 3, Slip Stitch To Join
The subject matter seemed to ask for a sepiatone, a needleart from bygone years which, while not in danger of being lost, is nevertheless practiced at this scale by fewer and fewer artisans. I have always loved working with the finer threads, the #20 cotton pictured here being on the "heavy" end of the scale.