The Burnt-Well Dude Ranch

My photo club took a field trip to The Burnt-Well Dude Ranch,http://burntwellguestranch.com/, on October 15th.  Thank goodness we were allowed to take our spouses.  Although Warren did not take any pictures, he visited and actually did a prenatal conference for a mom who delivered her baby that day!  She was in labor when we were there, but she didn't realize it at the time.  Anyway, I got some great photos.  The owners were good about helping us set up the scenario we desired.  We say roping, branding, horse shoeing, and some mighty fine cows.

I almost had a horrible thing happen to me.  They were roping cows as they came out of the shoot, and I had a ton from the side, but I wanted something head on.  The cowboys told me where to stand, and said they would drive the cow in my direction.  Well, the direction just happened to be right into where I was standing.  I kept thinking they were going to maneuver the cow away, but when I saw it wasn't going to happen, I got very worried.  Really worried.  Like this is the end of me worried.  I was thinking I am going to be gored right here in front of God and everybody.  If a turned the wrong way, I would be strangled by the rope.  It was not looking good for me, but I jumped out of the way just in time.  The cow in the last photo was very close to me...very close.  Too close for comfort.  I was so thankful, things turned out for the best.  Probably not for the cow, because it did get roped.

The Ranch has two bunk houses, and we decided we would have to take the grandkids during some weekend in the spring.  They will learn how to rope and ride.  They have the cutest little horses for the kids.  There won't be any of them taking photos of cows though.  We are going to stick to really safe stuff.

Don't I look like a cowgirl?

I had to get out to shoo these cows off the road so we could pass.

It really is out in the middle of nowhere.

Nice windmills though. 

One of the cowboys.

The corral through the horse's eye.  Look closely and you will see me kneeling to take this picture.

The other cowboy...he's on a white horse.

Here they both are in action. I love the dust effect.

Still working on that cow.

This is the one that almost ran into me.  Look at the dog right in all the action.

The cowboy on the white horse has a "Last Ride of Billy the Kid" trail ride in the spring.  It takes a week to complete the ride, and I think I am going to go on it.  He said the women do not have to sleep on the ground...they get put up on the ranches.  Thank goodness.  I might have to change my mind if I had to sleep on the ground.  Anyway, it sounds like a lot of fun.

Grave's Farm

Each year we take the grandkids out to Grave's Farm to pick a pumpkin and best of all...a popsicle.  It is a fun outing for all.  No falling in pumpkins and landing on her face by Erynn, and no dropped popsicle by Reid=no melt down from either of them.  Everyone is happy.

At Graves farm...see the pumpkins?

After the popsicles were in two little stomachs, the grandkids and I headed for the corn maze.  Actually, I was just following them.  I have been in a corn maze and know how easily it is to get lost, but they did not.  They proceeded with abandon.  Erynn wanted to go one way, and Reid the other.  Luckily, I was able to keep them on the same path.  I could only image the melt down if they each had gone separate ways.   They kept going deeper and deeper into the maze.  Finally, I heard Warren calling us telling us it was time to go.  We headed back as best we could, but did not do a great job.  Pretty soon Erynn said, "Mimi, are we lost?"  Warren kept saying, "You're moving further away!"  Well, we did have to make some turns that were away.  Reid said, "We just have to find the big spider and we will be out."  (There was a huge fuzzy, not real spider at the entrance).  Pretty smart, I thought.  Anyway, we got out after awhile.  I think it was tons of fun and I think they liked it as well.

Deep in the corn maze

I Heart Faces

Whoa Hoo!  I finally got my feet wet and entered a photo contest on "I Heart Faces."http://www.iheartfaces.com.  Here's my photo: It is thumbnail 283 and you can vote for me this week since they are allowing the people to choose instead of a judge.  Thanks.

A Model Shoot

One of our local photographers arranged the most wonderful practice photo shoot with other area photographers from Carlsbad, Artesia, and Roswell.  We spent the afternoon taking pictures of our volunteer models in a studio and outdoors.   Here is what I learned.

1. We have very talented photographers in our area.
2. They are willing to share their gift with others.
3. I was a little overwhelmed with studio lights, but I liked the dramatic effect it produces.
4. I really want to learn this skill. I like the dramatic effect and mood.  Yes, I know I already said that.  I just really like what they do.
5. This studio was awesome.  The owner's photos were awesome.
6. There is no such thing as too many props.
7. I am going to have to get a storage room for props.
8. Don't be afraid.  Just get out there and do it confidently. (Thanks for the advice.)

Here are a few of one particular model.

Now the outdoor shots.

Chocolate version

More later.  Thanks to all who participated this afternoon.  

At the Park

On Thursday we took our grandkids for an afternoon of fun at the park.  They remembered the last time we went to the park, we had stopped at Dairy Queen for a cup of their wonderful soft serve, so naturally, we had to do that this time.  I think it is going to be a tradition.  Our granddaughter soon noticed there was a walkway that went under a bridge and wanted to explore it.  What grandmother can turn down a request of their grandkids, so we went.  There must have been a ton of graffiti there at one time, because there were spots of colorful paint in blocks at various points along the concrete walls.  These make an awesome background for a picture.  And if you know me, you will know I had my camera.  I had to get some pictures.

Of course there are always trees at a park that beg to be in pictures as well.  We have the obligatory tree picture. 

Our outing was a success to be sure.  They had ice cream, lots of fun, and I got some great pictures. I count it a blessed day.  Thank you, Lord!

Field of Honor

Needless to say, I am behind again in my posting.  There just is not enough time in the day, week, month...to get all the things I want done.  For the tenth anniversary of 9/11, the Elks club placed over 1500 flags in Stapp Field at NMMI to remember all those who lost their lives in the incident.  I was sorry I missed the ceremony to place the flags because I heard it was awesome.  Every day I went to the field to take pictures.  As I walked through, I noticed the flags had names on them in memory of a fallen Veteran and people had dropped single roses at the bottom of some of the flags.  I think this was the most visited field ever.  Here are some of the images I captured.

More experiments

Okay, I have a couple more photos I just did.

More photo experiments

I spent the Labor Day weekend and the next couple of days organizing my photos.  Well, I do have them organized by date, but I like to put them in folders according to people and events.  The trouble with me is that I take a ton of pictures and upload them all.  I always tell myself I will go back and sort out the bad later, but my later tends to be months.  I was very behind...like from May to present.  I was ruthless and got rid of over 5000 pictures.  (I hope I don't regret it later).  My intent is to keep the good ones, edit them, post them, and move on.  They will be ready for when I want to make an album or something else.

I am experimenting; trying to get the best photo ever.  I see so many blogs with these amazing pictures.  So today, when my house is desperately calling to be cleaned and I am in need of a shower, I am side tracked editing.  Here is one picture with several different processes.  I like them all.

Pioneer Woman 70's Action

Pioneer Woman BW action

Pioneer Women fresh and colorful action