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

Summers' Past Series - Maryland's Eastern Shore

Looking back in my archives over the past decade at various outings taken in the Eastern United States,

I thought it only appropriate to take you along on a new series called Summers' Past Series. 

Let's travel to the quaint coastal towns of St. Michael's and Chincoteague along the Eastern Shore,

to the most captivating island of Nantucket, off of the coast of Cape Cod in Massachusetts,

to the seaside villages of Bar Harbor and Stonington in Down East Maine, and finally,

to several lakeside villages near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in beautiful Michigan.

Looking back at the beautiful Sunset across Kent Narrows, Kent Island, Eastern Shore, Maryland

Plein Air Artist and a Seascape, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michael's, Eastern Shore, Maryland

Assateague Ponies grazing in the Salt Marshes, Assateague Island National Seashore, Eastern Shore, Maryland

Looking back at the Assateague Ponies in the Salt Marshes from a distance, Assateague Island National Seashore, Eastern Shore, Maryland

I hope you enjoyed this journey back to the Eastern Shore of Maryland taken over a two day period. As I traveled from the Chesapeake Bay to the east side of Maryland's Eastern Shore, I stopped at Kent Island, St. Michael's, where you can find the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and finally to the beautiful Assateague National Seashore with its stunning salt marsh views featuring the beautiful Assateague Ponies. I might add that it was nice to have Lightroom to bring these images out of the shadows which isn't something I had at hand when I originally posted these images. Hence, the last image is new to you as I was able to work on it to bring it out of the shadows of darkness. It is beautiful. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend everyone. ENJOY!

A Horse Affair

A drive was in order today what with the beautiful blue skies and tons of sunshine making for a perfect Spring day. I didn't want to take a long drive so I chose to visit the Bluegrass area of Kentucky. I captured a few images of the new foals lazing about on the beautiful bluegrass carpet, while other foals kept close to Mom as she moved from one grassy patch to the next. Beautiful tulips were blooming at the entrances to the horse farms while Dogwoods dotted the landscape.

Next weekend is the fastest two minutes in sports, the Run for the Roses, at Churchill Downs, while Friday is reserved for the Fillies to Run for the Lilies in the Kentucky Oaks. It is a lot of fanfare for such a brief few days of frivality. Louisville will burst at the seams with visitors, tourists, racing fans, and least we forget, celebrities galore. There are charity events and Derby parties and Derby Balls as well.

The ladies will have chosen their Derby outfit to wear on the big day, and of course, their accompanying Derby Hat is fitfully adorned with gorgeous flowers in matching colors. Postage stamp sized handbags are tucked safely in suitcases ready to bring out for their excursion to the track. The gentlemen while decked out in finery as well are amptly contemplating a nice smooth glass of Kentucky Bourbon or an always popular Mint Julep. The jockeys are preparing their silks for race day and the handicappers are readying their racing forms. The Downs, as we call it here in Louisville, is set to play host to countless thousands and thousands and thousands of visitors with Mint Juleps, Kentucky Country Ham and Derby Pie on the menu, just to name a few. All betting windows are open and stand ready with folks who shall gladly help you take leave of your hard earned money. And, the only question left at race time . . . is the track fast. And then they're off.

It really is a week of fanfare in Louisville with the Great Steamboat Race, the Pegasus Parade, the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. I am inclined to believe that after many, many years of playing host to this event throughout my lifetime, the thought of it all tends to lose itself on me now. But there are those who can't wait and I remember a time when I totally understood the anticipation. ENJOY!

Saltwater Marshes, Chincoteague Island, Virginia

In an effort to not bore you to death with my wading bird images, I decided something a little different might be in order. I mentioned in a previous post that I had fallen in love with the beautiful saltwater marshes of the Eastern Shore and especially enjoyed photographing them around Chincoteague Island. So I wanted to share a few more images of the marshes with you.

I eyed this weather worn driftwood laying randomly in the marsh early one afternoon, and after passing it several times, I decided to stop and take a photograph later in the day when the light was better.

I also noticed these dock poles randomly sticking up out of the marshes. Perhaps the dock they were attached to was blown away by a storm. Nonetheless, I couldn't help but snap a few images.

The Wild Ponies were everywhere I turned on Chincoteague Island and off in the distance on the wildlife refuge. However, I enjoyed photographing them most in the marshes with the beautiful green grasses swaying back and forth in the wind. The week is wrapping up too quickly. I had hoped to make plans to get out of town for a night this weekend, but rain seems to be moving in. Perhaps. ENJOY!

Beautiful Assateague Island National Seashore

Traveling to the Eastern Shore of Maryland last week, I pulled onto Assateague Island National Seashore, with a goal in mind to photograph the Wild Ponies. Needless to say, I was excited about the prospects of seeing them grazing on this barrier island. Wondering if they would even be close enough to photograph, yet reading exerts and seeing images online, I could only hope. Before I could even make my way past the entrance gate, there stood a Wild Pony grazing on the grasses. That just added to my enthusiasm. The motor route on Assateague takes you past miles of marshland and dense brush until you reach the farthest most point, South Ocean Beach. This area is perfect for visitors eager to spend the day sunbathing, beach combing or, need I say it, surfing. Unfortunately, further south the rangers had quarantined off the area due to nesting birds. Not to worry. All around the parking areas next to the beach stood the Wild Ponies grazing. Their long manes blowing with the ocean breezes was just an amazing sight.

After spending a few minutes at South Ocean Beach, I drove back out the same route I had taken in and about half a mile on the left I turned west onto the road leading to Old Ferry Landing. Basically this area has a parking lot, a short boardwalk and a small clapboard boathouse. But there, far off in the distance, out among the saltwater marshes, stood this small band of Wild Ponies. Knowing the horses were too far away for a decent image, I parked my car and pulled off my shoes. On went the muck boots and off I went trekking out into the marsh about 300 yards. Just enough to close the distance between me and those elusive horses. Mostly I trekked across mud and, well, more mud just to snap this next image. Later that evening I downloaded my images from the day. I opened them and stopped when I saw this one in particular. Boy was I happy I had gone to all that trouble. The beautiful azure greens of the saltwater marshes coupled with the tans and browns and cream colored coats of those Ponies just captivates you.

Before I left Old Ferry Landing, I walked out on the boardwalk for a short distance just in time to see I had scared up a Little Blue Heron that had been perched low next to the edge of the marsh out of my sight line. This is a Life List bird. Never before seen by me, but after seeing his blue bill I knew this wasn't your customary Great Blue Heron. I read later that the Little Blue Heron juveniles are born solid white and dramatically turn blue as they age into adults.

Leaving Assateague Island late that day after the best light of the day had finally faded away I drove south making my way to Chincoteague Island, Virginia. Yet, I know, without a shadow of a doubt, Assateague will stay with me forever. How could it not with its azure green saltwater marshes blowing in the ocean breezes. ENJOY!

Wild Ponies, Chincoteague Island, VA

Spending the week on Chincoteague Island along the Eastern Shore of Virginia has been a real treat. On the eastern side of the island, sits Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge which I have discovered, undoubtedly, is one of the most important refuges for birds along the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia. The wildlife refuge is actually on Assateague National Seashore which begins in Maryland and runs south down into Virginia. Yesterday while getting a lay of the land, I discovered a small band of Wild Ponies on the northwest side of the island that were far easier to reach via car. They are also much closer in proximity which I loved.

Horsing Around!

Tomorrow the Fillies are making a day of it at the Oaks at Churchill Downs. Then Saturday it's the boys' turn. Ahhhh, Derby. ENJOY!

Bluegrass Region

One of the main things you may notice about today's image is that the bluegrass is NOT blue or even green for that matter. Winter is holding on for dear life. But it's still a lovely image I captured a few weeks ago on a quick jaunt to the horse farm region of Kentucky.

Speaking of Winter, I know I have no right to complain as many of you have been experiencing major snowstorms in your area, but seriously, I ordered Spring at least six weeks ago and it has yet to really show up. Somebody please turn off the cold and turn on the warmer days with those light breezes, blue skies and lots of sunshine, as opposed to the brisk cold windy days we've had of late. Today the wind literally cut right through me. BRRRRR. After a very busy start to the work week, I'm ready for the weekend. ENJOY!

Chestnut Beauty in the Bluegrass

Allow me to introduce you, Mary's Prospect, these are my friends. Friends, this is Mary's Prospect. Isn't he beautiful. And to think he allowed me to capture several images while grazing the pasture at one of the Bluegrass area's beautiful horse farms.

Sunday I drove to Bernheim, but prior to that I drove to the Bluegrass area, which I like to say is my backyard. It only takes about forty five minutes and I'm there. There amongst the pastures with its beautiful Bluegrass. There amongst the fence lines be it black or white or historic limestone. There amongst the black stallions, the chestnut horses and the brood mares. There amongst the horse barns and the cuppolas that seemed to reach to the skies. There amongst all of that fabulous history that reminds me every time I go of just how absolutely fantastic it is. I hope the start of your week is going well. ENJOY!

Cade's Cove

Just one of those lovely images I shot of the horses out to pasture in Cade's Cove on my last trek to the Smokies. I truly have enjoyed these images of the horses and ponies out to pasture. The smoke coming off of the mountains isn't bad either. A storm had come through and had cooled things off a bit. Speaking of cooling things off a bit, stay cool. It's record breaking out there today. ENJOY!

Out to Pasture In the Smoke

Out to pasture in a field far from the stables at Cade's Cove, these ponies seemed perfectly happy grazing in the mist. It was late afternoon and while the mist afforded less photo ops, it made for an interesting experience driving the loop road. Hope your weekend is well on it's way. ENJOY!

Horsin' Around!

A little bit of horsin' around in the fields several weeks ago on an early spring trip I took along the Byway.


And then, there's this . . . That's right, a cow! Sitting in a field at one of the horse farms along the Byway, is a purple and white statue of a cow.

Several years ago Louisville held an auction and contest called Gallapalooza. Over 100 full size horse statutes cast in various positions were auctioned to the highest bidders. In turn, each individual commissioned an artist to paint the horses in various colors and patterns. Some adorned them with flowers or hats. You name it, there were all colors and patterns and motifs. Then the city held a contest to pick the winner. Why am I mentioning this you ask? Well I think I remember a few years prior to the Galapalooza in Louisville, I believe Chicago held a similar auction and contest using cows or something. Perhaps that is whence this cow statue in the Bluegrass Region came from. Perhaps I'll take a few photos of those horses and share them with you. There really are some cool horse statues I think you should see.

In the meantime, I'm heading out this weekend to none other than the Smokies. I'll be snapping photos while I'm gone. I hope the weather is good, for me and for you. Everyone have a great weekend. ENJOY!

The Byway!

I took this image some time back in very early spring when the tulips were just beginning to bloom here in Kentucky. I love the composition. It's one of my favorites. Hope your week is going well. ENJOY!

Out to Pasture!

I'm not one to miss a photo op especially when it involves horses. As I headed out today to run some errands, I noticed a very busy pasture along the highway and stopped to take a few photos. Hope your weekend is going great. It snowed here tonight. I'm hoping when I awake in the morning the snow will be melted. ENJOY!

Beauty and the Beast!

At first glance I wasn't crazy about this image because of the composition but then it grew on me so here you go. Hope everyone is having a good week. Enjoy!

Grazing, Calumet Farms

About a month ago I trekked to the Bluegrass Region as you will recall from past posts to photograph the horse farms. It had just snowed several inches and I wanted to take a few picks. Here's two photos I took of the thoroughbreds grazing. In the one photo you'll notice a white barn trimmed in red in the background. That barn is one of many, many barns of Calumet Farms. Calumet Farms is probably "the" the most famous farm in the Bluegrass. It's situated right next to Manchester Farms and the Keeneland Racetrack. I never tire of watching the horses grazing in the fields. They're so beautiful. Forgive me for the not so great photos. Enjoy!

Wishing for a Blue Sky Kind of Day

Just wishing for a little bit of sunshine today.