I LOVE OLD BARNS

When I first started this blog, I posted this infrared image of our own old barn.



I loved the infrared effect, and I've been looking for other old barns to photograph. I drive by this barn every day, and I finally made time to photograph it. I love the way it's almost hidden in the foliage, and I think it would look stunning in the fall, in color. (Note to self: return regularly to this location with camera)



There's a certain dignity to these old buildings that can't be matched by newer ones.

RATS REDUX

Well, we tried photographing the rats indoors this time. Much better. The strobe was fast enough to freeze those twitchy noses, and we had them on a 12" diameter stool so they couldn't wander very far. I learned a lot about rats; for instance:

They play well together:


They have their own furniture:


Their own toys:



Even their own clothes:


And finally, what would life be without football???!?!?!?!


And in case you're wondering, I still haven't touched one.......

R.I.P.

It's on a sad note that we have to say goodbye to our friend Nickel. He was a good companion to his owner for many years, but he has now crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and is patiently waiting for his human to join him. Goodbye for now, little one...

A FIRST FOR ME

As you all know, I photograph other things besides people.














I photograph dogs -













The occasional cat -























And once in a while a horse -



















But this weekend I was talked into photographing something I've never done before, something I've never had the vaguest desire to photograph. I realize that there are people out there who make a fairly good living getting rid of these creatures, but there is also a rather large contingent of people who find them adorable as pets. They come in all colors, and I'm told they're very friendly. I have yet to touch one, but I think if I spent more time around them, that might happen! Anyway, how could anyone resist this face:

This is Summit, one of the rats from the Maine Rat Rescue organization. As with all pets, there are people who don't realize what they're getting into, what kind of care these creatures need, and who become disenchanted very quickly. What to do? They're domesticated animals, so they can't really be turned loose in the wild (although I'm certain this has happened more often than we'd like to think), and ads for rats for sale don't exactly have the phone ringing off the hook. Some rats are given to shelters, and some find a temporary home with the Maine Rat Rescue organization .

It's worth taking a look at their website, and maybe you'll find a pet like Emmett, who just likes to smell the flowers:

UPTA CAMP

I got a chance to play yesterday. I took the day off and went up to a friend's camp. (Why is it that we always go "up" to camp? Don't some people in the northern part of the state ever go "down" to camp?). We all just sat around doing nothing, watching the kids swim, going off for a short ride in a kayak - and eating, of course. Ahhh........it was wonderful; the transition period between the black flies and mosquitoes. Gotta love Maine!