Christmas Day up on the Farm, Country Victoria
Unlike previous visits, I only took a few outdoor photos on Christmas Day, so don’t have many country photos to share.
The large orchard trees were covered in white netting to protect the ripening fruit from birds, but I lifted the side of a net on one of the small pear trees to find one tiny pear (approx 1 1/2″ big). No doubt this particular pear tree will be covered in fruit as summer progresses.
Actually, it’s not a ‘real’ farm in the sense of many animals and crops. 10 acres is usually considered a ‘hobby’ farm and while there is a large orchard, some grape vines, a couple of horses and some chickens, to me, this is as good as it gets for the inner city dweller that I am.
If I had retired from full-time work under different circumstances, (not chronic ill health), and had the finances, I would be definitely living in the country today and taking time out to travel overseas some more.
But as regular followers would know by my photos, I try to get out slow walking and taking photos several afternoons a week (when health symptoms or inclement weather doesn’t preclude this activity).
So I consider myself very Blessed.
“The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them.” (author unknown)
Not much water in the dam, but Megs rushed madly into water reeds and was completely invisible for quite some time. Despite us calling for her many times, she didn’t come out until we started to walk up the hill towards the house, then she ran up to us, vigorously shook her wet fur and then ran around in circles and started scratching her ears, necessitating a thorough search by my SIL and niece to inspect her for water leeches.
On our walk around the fields, we seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time looking or calling for Megs (the dog). The photo above shows my niece outlined above the field of high grass looking for her as we walked back to the house.
Megs is a relatively small, wiry dog, acquired as a puppy earlier in the year, to guard the chickens against predators, but at the current time is almost invisible as she runs through the high grass sniffing around for birds and the like.
She has the most wonderful personality and is obviously well-loved and cared for, but there are large kangaroos visible at dawn or dusk in the lower fields, and one would hate for her to get kicked by a kangaroo (or even bitten by a venomous snake). I think I read somewhere on the internet that Australia has 9 out of 10 of the most venomous snakes in the world – I’ve leave you to check out if that is true.
What a fantastic farm – it looks beautiful.
At 10 acres, perhaps we’d better call it a farm-let – LOL.
(my brother has a full time job that involves interstate and overseas travel, but adores the country and the bush). My SIL loves her chickens and helps out with the horses and taking my niece here, there & everywhere (as one does with teenagers these days).
Lovely Vicki, very lovely.
Thankyou Lisa.
You would love this little farm……….except maybe NOT your hay fever. Lots of pollen around.
Such nice photos from the countryside, Victoria. Merry Christmas to you.
Thankyou Bente.
I only wish I had taken more photos outdoors – maybe next time I am up the country I can do so.
Hi Vicki, Fantastic images of the country! I am amazed the progress you’ve made just since I first met you on the “Hog”. As much as I wanted to get the more costly Canon, seeing what you’ve acomplished with your Rebel, I may indeed follow suit. There are some magazine cover in here ,as well. I still feel you should submit the best of them to appropriate magazine! You are right about the venomous snakes there. Steve Irwin (RIP) did an entire episode on them years back. Til next post… Steve
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Thank for the lovely comments Steve. Don’t forget these shots are ‘tweaked’ in the Mac’s iPhoto editing section. I think when you first met me, I was unable to do much, (if any), editing & focus sharpening due to RSI in my right wrist. I haven’t worked out how to re-size my photos on the Mac Pro yet, so probably can’t submit them to any online site.
I still have days when I can’t use my right wrist due to FM pain and can’t grip the computer mouse to edit, although it doesn’t affect me pressing the DSLR’s shutter button when outdoors. I can’t type much either on those ‘pain days’.
I DO think I’m getting better at judging the light and changing the ISO and/or shutter speed.
Generally, I don’t like bright colours and light anyway. I prefer softer or subdued light in my images (as I’m sure many followers of my blog will have noticed).
Beautiful photos…love the countryside landscapes.
Thankyou Scott,
It was nice to have a change of subject matter. I only get out to the country once (or twice) a year – have to rely on my SIL to act as chauffeur.