The Barn Series - Day 8 - Shaker Village

After taking a few days off from The Barn Series, here we are still in the great state of Kentucky at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. This historic village originated in 1807 and closed in 1922. It is just southeast of Lexington in central Kentucky. Shakers were celibate, believed in equality of race and sex, and freedom from prejudice.

They called themselves the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing, but because of their ecstatic dancing the world called them the Shakers. The Shakers were celibate, never married or bore children, yet they were the most enduring religious experiment in American history. You can read more about the Shakers by clicking on this link Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill.

Today Shaker Village is a registered National Historic Landmark and is a very popular tourist attraction. When you visit the village, you will find several large houses, barns and sheds, with animals grazing and organic crops growing in the fields. There are hiking trails and a lake in the village as well. The Shakers built over 250 structures.

These images were taken with a very old Fuji DSLR that was not very high end, but I wanted to share the Shaker Village images because it is such a special place. The Shakers that settled this village originated from one of the many Shaker villages in New York and New England in the early 1800's.

I really would love to visit during the Summer months and take in more of the property at Shaker Village. I can't say where we will be tomorrow, but I hope to come back with another posting. Stay tuned. ENJOY!

The Barn Series - Day 3 - Bluegrass Scenic Byway

Day 3 and I decided it was high time to switch gears. I know modern day horse barns will not satisfy the vintage barn lovers that follow here. Believe it or not, we are still in the Bluegrass Region in central Kentucky with this post where thoroughbreds and horse farms reign supreme.

Kentucky's heritage is famed for many things. The most famous of those are horses, bourbon and tobacco. Half way between Midway and Lexington sits this barn close enough to the road to get a fairly decent photograph. It's Fall and lucky me the tobacco and been put up and the windows were open to allow the air to help cure it. Every trip I made to this region, I would drive down this particular road where this barn sits, specifically to check in to see if anything was going on with it. Some barns just do that to you. They draw you in. This one did that to me.

On this visit I was happy to find the tobacco hanging in the barn and stopped to take several photos. It's nice to know this old barn still had some use. Tobacco is less and less of a money crop on farms throughout Kentucky today as smoking becomes less and less popular. But there's something about seeing tobacco hanging in an old barn that makes me happy. It takes me back to my youth when smoking was the trend.

All around this beautiful old barn stands horse barns and fields where thoroughbreds graze. I'm never quite sure why to this day tobacco is still put up here. I have photographed many, many barns over the years in my travels. Yet, I never really elaborated on the why and where of it with most of the images. I just felt compelled to do so now. Until tomorrow. ENJOY!

The Barn Series - Day 2 - Stonewall Farm

I am thrilled you made the decision to come along with me on this trip back in time, as I reminisce about the many barns I have had the pleasure of capturing photographs of over the past decade. If I had to rate some of the barns I have seen along the Bluegrass Scenic Byway, the famed road that runs between Midway and Lexington, in central Kentucky, this barn would be in the top five on that list. Yesterday, we visited Manchester Farms, one of the most iconic horse farms in Lexington, second to Calumet Farms. Today's barn heralds from this same gorgeous region of Kentucky, and I can say, has been home to many a stallion and mare as this thoroughbred franchise is famous for.

This is famed Stonewall Farm, situated smack dab in the center of the 'Horse Capital of the World.' It is truly the perfect setting with its beautiful lake and fountain and, of course, always present historic limestone wall that runs the length of the farm along the byway. Every time I see the limestone wall that separates the road from the pastures, an emotion like known other wells up in me. That wall says it all. You are in the 'Horse Capital of the World.' Stonewall has bred many champions over the years, but I believe what they are as famous for is the beautiful fields and barns that make up the property. I often wonder what this barn would look like a hundred years from now as a new photographer stops to capture its beauty. Every barn began its story brand spanking new before it became weathered and worn. I try to keep this in mind every time I stop to photograph a barn.

Our first two posts on this journey back in time have found us at two stunning horse farms in the famed Bluegrass Region. No matter where we venture to, I know you will enjoy the ride. I miss photographing the Bluegrass Region, but I know some day I will be back in Kentucky and will call it home again. Once it is in your blood you cannot get it out. While I love the great state of Tennessee and it's rugged beauty, Kentucky is in my bones. I am so glad you came along today on this journey. I hope to see you again tomorrow. ENJOY!

Linking to The Barn Collective

In the Bluegrass State: Kentucky Woman Series

The Kentucky Bluegrass area is like no other place to visit in the States. As you travel the back roads, along the designated Kentucky Scenic Byways, you pass famed horse farm after horse farm, and you soon come to realize just how beautiful this area really is. Horse barns are painted in reds and greens with most all of them beautifully adorned in various styles of cupolas.

On this particular drive on a beautiful Summer's afternoon, I happened upon this gorgeous scene along the byway. Vintage, stacked limestone fencing, a large pond with tall Cattails and a sweeping Weeping Willow tree decorated this property with this beautiful horse barn featuring multiple cuplolas. Stunning is all I could think of as I stood photographing this landscape.

As I meandered along the byway, I passed this beautiful scene of hay bales scattered all throughout this farm field just waiting to be scooped up and hoisted onto a long trailer for safekeeping elsewhere.

Driving around the Midway area all along the byway, I took in the beautiful Bluegrass horse farms. I stopped in my tracks, however, when I happened upon this black stallion grazing aimlessly in this clover covered field. He was such a gorgeous subject to photograph. Did you know it's not easy photographing horses because they constantly swish their tails back and forth.

Just for good measure, and knowing full well I had several images of foals laying around in the fields or sticking close to Mom, I wanted to add this image. This foal was sticking very close to its Mom and never ventured far from her as I stood capturing images. This obviously was taken on another trek to the area in early Spring when the foes are plentiful to photograph.

Farther along the byway, I passed this large black barn with a metal roof sitting off in the distance. Tobacco plants were growing high in the field and hail bails were resting off to the side of the farm road as I stopped to photograph this image. It was mid to late Summer so the tobacco fields were nearing ready to put up the crops. Did you know putting up tobacco is a hard, hard job and quite tedious to say the least? I remember when my family visited my great uncle's farm in Marion County, Kentucky, and watching as they completed the time intensive and quite labor intensive putting up of the tobacco.

On a side road, very near to Keeneland Race Track just outside of Lexington, I happened upon a field of dairy Goats grazing in the warm Summer sunshine. A cute brown and white one kept an eye on me as I stopped to capture images. Aren't they adorable?

As a Kentucky born woman, now living in Tennessee, I am reminded of my visits to Midway and Lexington as I browse my archives. The famed, Bluegrass horse farms with the gorgeous thoroughbreds and stallions, dot the landscape. The adorable foals as they run about the fields or lay nearby always staying in close proximity to their Mothers. The quaint cupolas that adorn the horse barns. The black wooden fences and the old stacked, limestone fences that surround the parameters of the many famed horse farms. And finally, the crisp green Kentucky Bluegrass that tops off all this gorgeousness with every twist and turn in the road. I must get back here soon. I hope you enjoyed my trek around the region as much as I did sharing it with you. ENJOY!

Barns of Kentucky

It is the perfect day to share some of the many beautiful barns I have photographed throughout the Bluegrass State of Kentucky. Kentucky has my heart, as it is my home state. I have wandered many a back road and scenic byway in Kentucky stopping along the side of the road or at times even pulled into the edge of a driveway to snap photos of a barn on my journeys. I hope you enjoy this look back as much as I enjoyed creating it. Off we go!

Historic Manchester Farms, Summer, Bluegrass Scenic Byway, Lexington, Kentucky

Barn, Horse Farm, Late Fall, Bluegrass Scenic Byway, Midway, Kentucky

Barn, Horse Farm, Fall, Bluegrass Scenic Byway, Midway, Kentucky

Vintage Barn Adorned with Rock City Logo, Maker's Mark Distillery, Summer, Loretto, Kentucky

 Barn for Curing Bourbon, Summer, Maker's Mark Distillery, Loretto, Kentucky

Tobacco Barn, Fall, Bluegrass Scenic Byway, Midway, Kentucky

Vintage Barn turned Antiques Shop, Fall, Historic Glendale, Kentucky

White Barn Adorned with Quilt Logo, Fall, Bluegrass Scenic Byway, Midway, Kentucky

Red Barn, Visitor Center, Yew Dell Gardens, Crestwood, Kentucky

Barn, Amish Farm, Summer, Scottsville, Kentucky

Vintage Barn Adorned with Rock City Logo, Summer, Bardstown, Kentucky

There you have it. Some of the barns I have photographed over the years while traveling the back roads and the scenic byways of the great state of Kentucky. I have to say I am very partial to the Bluegrass Region for obvious reasons. I especially love it in Fall, but Summer is nice too.

I hope you enjoyed taking a look back over the years at the beautiful barns throughout Kentucky. My favorite photo is the first one of Manchester Farms in Lexington taken some 15 years ago. At that time I used a Pentax K1000 manual camera with Fuji Velvia slide film. It was difficult learning 'to shoot the light' using that seemingly antiquated camera. Interestingly enough, that is the camera they still use in photography classes throughout colleges everywhere. I can see why. Many a roll of slide film was used to create that beautiful photo. I hope you will share with me your favorite image(s) on this journey of old historic and vintage barns. ENJOY!

Linking to Barn Collective

Duck, Duck, Goose

A few more of the images I captured in Lexington, Kentucky back in December near Maine Chance Farm. These I believe are Greylag Geese.

Domestic Geese are so interesting to me because of their coloring which is muted in many variations and they seem larger than the average Goose and especially Canadian Geese which seem a tad slender.

As I looked back over the past few posts, I realized I keep posting bird images. I have yet to get out in Tennessee and take photos, but I am getting closer to the possibility. I am gradually finding my way around this quite large laid out city which they call Music City USA. It's beautiful in so many ways and has fabulous estates and farms everywhere you look. Hopefully, I can get out soon and take a few images to share. Wherever you are or whatever the weather, I hope you are having a great week. ENJOY!

Greylag Geese & Great News

At the Lexington Research Park on Saturday, I discovered a rather large gaggle of Greylag Geese. At least I think that is what they are after some research. The research park is a large building that houses research facilities for the University of Kentucky and there is a small lake housed right behind the building. I saw my first Belted Kingfisher fly way way off in the distance to a tree just as walked up to the edge of the lake. There were other birds that flew off as I approached. And then I spotted these geese, who in turned spotted me, and they hightailed it for the lake which was alright with me. If you are not familiar, these are domestic geese and could be hybrids.

Now on to some news...drum roll please. I have a new website being created which will be live in the next few weeks!!!! Envision visiting my website to view my photos in a gallery, buy prints, read about my workshops and more. And best of all I will still have my blog that you can follow through an RSS feed! You didn't think I would leave you guys behind did you. Never. Your encouragement inspires me every day. And wait until you hear about the workshops I am putting together. I have some great ideas that I am working on for a photography workshop in the Bluegrass 'Horse Farm' Region and around the bourbon distilleries. I pray you will follow me to my website when I make this move. I promise you will be the first to hear when it goes live. In the meantime I could use your thoughts pro or con about this adventure I am embarking on. So please leave me a note. ENJOY!

Great Blue Heron #2

As promised earlier on in a post, here's another view of the Great Blue Heron from the Lexington Reservoir.

He is a looker, don't you agree. Hope you had a great weekend. ENJOY!

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday

Great Blue Heron, Lexington Reservoir

It was drastically overcast today, but I still wanted to scout a new location near Maine Chance Farm close to Lexington where apparently a good deal of waterfowl are often visible. However, the roads to the lake were gated which means I need to know someone who knows someone to get into this area. I will investigate and report back. I did photograph a Belted Kingfisher, a 'life list' bird for me at a small lake at Kentucky Research Park just down the road. Sadly, the photo wasn't decent enough to post. I did manage to capture some Geese in the same lake that I will post soon. I need to confirm their identification first.

One more location in mind, I drove over to Lexington Reservoir to check out the waterfowl. With no birds in close proximity for a decent image, I decided to head home. Before I turned around, I happened to catch the form of a Great Blue Heron through some brush. Perched on the edge of a boat on a small dock, he was intently scanning the lake for a catch. I parked the car and walked over to take a few photographs. I managed to get quite a few poses as the Heron kept moving from one position to the next. It's amazing how one move can change how a Heron looks. They are such gorgeous birds that I absolutely love photographing. I promise to post a few more images of him this week. Look at the detail of his feathers, not to mention of his legs. Is he not beautiful. Thank you for posing Mr. Heron. ENJOY!

PHOTOGRAPHER'S NOTE: Check back later this week as I hope to have some fantastic news to share with you.

Fall, Bluegrass Scenic Byway

In Kentucky, you will find.
Carpets of bluegrass that cover the landscape.
Horse farms and thoroughbreds. Stables and barns.
Limestone and wooden fences. Stallions and brood mares.
You can come along and take a ride with me.











You thought I was kidding. Oh, and before you go, let me introduce you to a beautiful chestnut filly you see hanging her head over the fence line. Her name is 'Love Me Good' and she was sired at the most famous horse farm known the world over, Three Chimneys Farm, in Lexington, Kentucky. Nowadays she resides at Sheltowee Farm in Midway. Her ancestry includes a Kentucky Derby winner, Northern Dancer. And she loved hamming it up for my camera. ENJOY!

Great Blue Heron, Reservoir, Lexington

As is customary, I made my annual winter pilgrimage to the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky today. After I left the horse farms I drove over to the Reservoir in Lexington. I read on ebird.org that there were waterfowl on the lake. As luck would have it there were several Great Blue Herons fishing for a meal on the lake. And I got to add Ruddy Duck and Bufflehead Duck to my Bird Life List. I just didn't get great images of these Ducks which shouldn't be a big surprise as they are usually out in the water too far away to get a good shot. The Ruddy Duck, which I didn't realize was a diving duck, would dive into the water, disappear for 30-45 seconds and then resurface. I had no idea they stayed under water that long, but yes, they do.

It's not often I can get a really close up image of a Heron as they are very finicky birds, but this Heron stayed put and was close enough to the road that cuts through the lake for me to get a good shot. I made a mental note to visit the Reservoir in Spring to check out what birds stop by on their northern migration. On a different note, Kentucky has a winter storm watch tomorrow. Snow and wintry mix is predicted. Then the temps take a deep nose dive and Monday and Tuesday it is forecasted to be -7. OMG! That will set a thirty year record if it happens. ENJOY!

Red Maple, Pisgah Pike, Kentucky!

A few red maple leaves still blew in the wind last Saturday as I was driving along the scenic byway near Lexington, Kentucky. I shot this image as I stood amongst the gravestones at the church in Pisgah. ENJOY!

Boer Goats!

Not my usual post, but I couldn't help but photograph a few of the Boer Goats I happened across on my trek last weekend around the horse farms of Lexington. Never dreamed I'd find goats as opposed to horses. Apparently Boer Goats descend from Africa and are bred for meat production as opposed to milk production. I personally think they are absolutely adorable. With the sun shining right on them it was hard to get an image without their dark areas going black so I did put this image in Picnic to improve on their faces. I really wanted you to see their faces too as they're so darn cute. Have a wonderful weekend all. ENJOY!

Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Versailles, Kentucky!

Setting out on an a leisurely drive Saturday afternoon to visit the horse farms around Lexington, I felt sure there would be fewer photo ops, as Fall's blustery days may have downed most of the leaves from the trees. Being a veteran photographer of this scenic area, I know seasons make no difference here, as beauty lies everywhere. Yet today, I felt I might want to push the creative envelope just a little.

In years past I've taken various images of the Pisgah Presbyterian Church, which is located literally minutes right outside Lexington, in Versailles. This beautiful, historic church, with its time worn gravestones scattered in the yard, was built back in 1784. Being the day after Veteran's Day, I thought a stop would be in order to photograph a few gravestones for a post commemorating my Dad.

It bears mentioning that walking amongst the gravestones and looking up at this historic church leaves you with such a surreal feeling. You find yourself conjuring up images of who these people might have been back in their day, what they looked like, and especially how they may have lived some 200 years ago.



While standing amongst the gravestones, I looked back at the church and noticed the sun was filtering through from one side of the church to the other, illuminating the stained glass windows. Hoping this would make for a nice composition, I chose to photograph two settings, both of which included the stained glass windows and the old limestone walls. Being an outdoor photographer at heart, I try very very hard to incorporate nature into all of my images, hence the tree branches gracing the top of the photo. But what I really feel seals the deal is the vine growing up the side of the limestone wall. Isn't it just beautiful. I hope you'll agree. I hope you like the effect I gave to the photograph too. ENJOY!

POSTSCRIPT: I noticed I have a new follower to my blog, Laura of Pretty Pix. Laura, I hope you enjoy the adventures I go on and the images I bring back to share with you and all of my gracious followers. WELCOME!

In Memory!

I love you Dad. I miss you. You've been gone for many, many, many years, but your face will always be in my mind and your goodness in my heart. ENJOY!

Postscript: My Dad fought in the war. He was a tank mechanic out of Fort Knox. He suffered from PTS Disorder as many vets do today. In the end, PTS cost him his life. In the end, the war got him. But not before leaving behind five wonderful children. Thank you Dad.

Calumet Farms, Lexington, KY

Yes, I'm still digging in the recently scanned images archive. Here's what I came up with. Some day I'm going to have to ask if I can get a pass to photograph more than just the gate to the famed Calumet Farms in Lexington, Kentucky. Until then, this image will have to do. It's in the 70's here today with rain on the way. Hope you have a great weekend in store. Carol

The Emerald Byway!

I've spent a fair amount of time photographing this particular spot along the Bluegrass Scenic Byway as have many other photographers. However, this is one of my favorite captures. It is so green and lush that it reminds me of an emerald. It's just a beautiful place to be in summer. Are you ready for the weekend? ENJOY!

Toto! We're Not in Kansas Anymore!

After a January snow storm I took these photos of the what I like to call "the castle" in Lexington. The Castle Post as its called today, was originally deemed The Kentucky Castle. It was built on 55 acres in Versailles in 1968 by wealthy developer, Rex Martin, for his wife, Caroline. Apparently Caroline had an affinity to European castles and convinced her husband to build her one. Tom Post bought the castle recently and renovated it after a major fire in 2003 nearly destroyed the interior. The cause of the fire was determined to be arson. Not sure if they ever found out who set the fire. Mr. Post rents out the castle's Great Hall as well as guest quarters throughout the year for a hefty fee, if you're interested. Several years ago while Queen Elizabeth visited Kentucky to attend the Derby, she stayed in Lexington and toured the castle. You can see the inside of the castle at www.thecastlepost.com. And least you're wondering, although probably not, those are real turrets. Amazing but strange.

Just a quick note to let you know I'm having quite a few of my slides scanned and will be bringing you various images taken over the past ten years in various locales. It was actually fun going through all of my old slides to see some of those places I've traveled. Most of them are in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. More on this soon. ENJOY!

Horsing Around!

As I drove along the Bluegrass Scenic Byway, I occasionally would stop and take a few photos of various horse barns. This one was particularly beautiful.
There were lots of horses out grazing on this sunny, cold Sunday. I saw countless squirrels and hawks and plenty of deer. It's much easier to spot the hawks with no leaves on the trees. This larger chestnut horse was really hamming it up for my camera.

This chestnut colt kept playfully nudging at the older chestnut horse. I'm thinking mom and son.

It's going to snow here tonight and that storm will be headed east so if you're east of the Midwest, beware. ENJOY!

My Bluegrass Backyard!

Today was the perfect day for a Sunday drive. It has been almost a year since I visited the beautiful horse farms in the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky. The sun was out, however, the high didn't get out of the 20's all day. I began my trip taking the last Frankfort exit. Then I drive south toward Woodford County about a mile and then I turned east onto 1681. It's the back way in to the horse farms of Midway, Kentucky. This route allows you to see a great deal more of the horse farms.

White tailed deer were everywhere along the backroads. Some were laying next to the fences of the horse farms. Many were grazing between the wooden fences and the old limestone fences. I'll share more photos of my trip as the week goes by. We have snow on the horizon this week for Kentucky. ENJOY!