The Southshore Exhibition is back for the summer and we spent the day there. It's a county fair of sorts with a midway, animals, shows, judging and all the assortment of food that's not all that good for you (but it tastes so good!) I took several hundred pictures, but narrowed it down to the oxen because they're such a fixture in Nova Scotia.
These two were taking part in an "oxen pull" where, yoked together, they display their ability to pull increasing quantities of weight. Today's oxen were small. Last year I video taped a massive pair as they pulled 15,000 pounds! Don't ask me why, but they're nearly always named "Lion" and "Bright"...seems to be something of a tradition. They're actually used a lot up here to clear land. A lucky pair will get the cushy job of posing for tourists (though our Lunenburg pair haven't been in town this year). I watched this owner pat their faces between pulls, and always, the owners seem to have a real affinity for their pair.
We filled the day and then shared dinner and the evening with Billy, David & Dill. Now, after midnight, I'm only just finding time to sit down to the computer. Thanks for your comments today, and if the rain arrives as promised, I'll have some time to play catch up tomorrow.
I have never been a big fan of county fairs but I am guessing it is because the livestock is not dressed up so nicely! ;) Get to bed soon, sweetie! I am sorry I have not emailed in a bit but I have been keeping busy too. Not as busy as you, mind you, but busy in my own way. =)
Beautiful photo, Louise!! Your commentary reminded me of a very popular Bulgarian shot story abou a poor village man and his two oxen he used to plough the fields with...In the past people had to depend on the animals a lot. Now we have machines to do the hard work, but I am glad to see that oxen still get their recognition! :-)
You know now that I would love to see that photo - Louise riding the oxen!! ;-) It must have been fun! ;-) I have no idea what flower that is - I went for a walk, saw it at the neighbours. and snapped a couple of photos. The blooms were really big, and most of them were wilted already. Still, very beautiful though! :-) You must be tired after a long day like this. I am off to bed myself. Sweet dreams, dear Louise! :-)
We may have happy cows in California, but they have pretty, well-dressed cows in Lunenburg. And those aren't their real horns, are they? That headgear is on loan from the Lunenburg Royal Order of Totonka...sort of a Nova Scotian Shriner's club. Of course, I may be totally wrong...
It is amazing how strong they are. They are built for power. Their headgear looks a little odd, but it defiitley gives them some additional color and pizzazz.
Each year we have the "strolling of the heifers" in Brattleboro, VT. It's become a huge dairy fest and is quite the sight! This photo reminds me of the parade and all the heifers strolling up Main Street!
Sounds like a really fun day! I love the oxen's outfits, really beautiful. They look a bit regal and it reminds me of sacred Indian cows. Glad to see they're keeping some aspects of traditional farming going. Sorry but I haven't been able to post, because We have internet problems. On Saturday we head North to see the sea & family, so might not get so much chance to keep up with the comments & project. Enjoy your week! : )
This is really great, I love the little decorations they are wearing and the little horn toppers. Thanks so much for your comments, I look forward to seeing some more of your work too. I'm glad you find it helpful the info I include on how i got my shots. Although now that i know what I'm doing it seems so simple, I pretty much only use two different settings, on my Canon those are the P, or auto without flash settiing, and Av for aperature priority. Most my shots are taken on the P mode, but if I want a blurred background I go to Av, and crank the aperature wide open. If I am shooting a landscape and want lots in focus, then again to Av and close the aperature up about 2/3. Give it a try its much easier than it sounds! Happy photographing!
these oxen are amazing ,very interesting caption.I like their name's.I also have been burning the midnight fuel trying to catch up on comment etc. after a visit to my youngest daughter Jane and family, who live in Cornwall, so have some nice shots of the sea .plus a picture of Amys face you asked for .
Oh I love the Oxen pulls. I used to go to one of the fairs up in Nova Scotia but now I can't remember where it was. That is how I got to love the pulls. The horse pulls are great to watch also. They are so strong and powerful. And your photo is fantastic. They look pretty if that is possible.
I first noticed the oxen's colors and the head dress. I never have seen them dressed so fine. I also appreciate the fact that the oxen are taken care of by their owners. Give Dill and extra pet for me! hehe!
Louise, that you for commenting on my photo. Here is the link to Matthew's photos. He is really so very talented...I think you will be impressed. http://365project.org/matthewmellor/365
hahA! they accessorize better than me!! nice shot, louise.
and omigosh, i never realized until now how addicted i am to this site. my brother drops by my house everyday and i've never looked forward to his visits til recently....because he has an iphone i can go online with =) i cannot wait til i get my internet back up and running. i feel so bad not to have been returning everyone's kind comments.
They are fabulous!! I love their head gear, it's awesome! Gosh, I have been so busy and so tired lately that I am falling so far behind. My son's 18th birthday is on Saturday and he just graduated. Vacation is coming up in a little over a week.
I did manage to get some butterfly shots this morning so I hope something came out. I get off work at 9 p.m. I gathered 18 more eggs today and 5 more swallowtail babies. There were two tiger swallowtail in my yard and a monarch laying eggs, after I already gathered all the eggs LOL. Sorry, babbling on your comment area.
Thanks so much, Louise! Yes, I do look for them with a magnifying glass. I have so many plants I could never find all the eggs. I spend an hour or so looking. Of course I'll have to look tomorrow since I saw her laying eggs.
My garden is so overrun by weeds right now it's not funny. Our summer has been unbearably hot or raining. Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous but I'm babysitting the grandkids, taking son for a haircut and senior picture, then to lunch for his birthday, then off to work.
After years and years of not doing much of anything except volunteering and being a mom, I'm having the time of my life being busy!
You have such a good eye for framing shots!!!! I can imagine that showing the whole oxen team would not have made as good a photograph as what you did here. and the man in the plaid shirt adds just that extra touch. It's hard to put into words, but I think you know what I mean.
http://365project.org/matthewmellor/365
Cool Oxen shot.
and omigosh, i never realized until now how addicted i am to this site. my brother drops by my house everyday and i've never looked forward to his visits til recently....because he has an iphone i can go online with =) i cannot wait til i get my internet back up and running. i feel so bad not to have been returning everyone's kind comments.
I did manage to get some butterfly shots this morning so I hope something came out. I get off work at 9 p.m. I gathered 18 more eggs today and 5 more swallowtail babies. There were two tiger swallowtail in my yard and a monarch laying eggs, after I already gathered all the eggs LOL. Sorry, babbling on your comment area.
My garden is so overrun by weeds right now it's not funny. Our summer has been unbearably hot or raining. Tomorrow is supposed to be gorgeous but I'm babysitting the grandkids, taking son for a haircut and senior picture, then to lunch for his birthday, then off to work.
After years and years of not doing much of anything except volunteering and being a mom, I'm having the time of my life being busy!
Love the photo