Rural Fences

Living in a rural village means that there are many good fences around, but also some that have seen better days.

Woodside fence

Timber fence replaced by wire with a strand of barbed wire on top.

The riding school horses need something less substantial.

Posts with a single canvas strand between.

If it's perspective that you seek a driveway deceives your eyes.

Fields for sheep carrying next year's lambs

They cannot escape through timber or wire.

Penned in

This has been a Good Fences post.

Animal Planet - Thematic Photography

Excluding the human variety I find that I have included animals in my thematic photography posts 55 times in the last two years with dogs making up about half of these.

Nevertheless I propose to start with dogs again this week - dogs you may recognise, although not these shots.

Gem

Gem, a street-wise black Lab mutt, recently crossed the Rainbow Bridge to join this Golden Retriever who had left her two years earlier.

Cody

They left behind the pup that Cody saved who is now the oldest of a gang of three (Lily, another Golden Retriever and Gabby, a Yellow Labrador)

Scout (when he was younger)

They were  excited in 2011 when a strange beast invaded their domain.

Young steer - 2011

They were more used to barking at the more common invaders of their property.

Deer wondering what the noise was all about

Cody was a keen fisherman but he never managed to catch one of these.

American Green Frog (Rana Clamitans) - 2009

Although there were lots of squirrels in the woods, this bold fellow preferred the Paint Creek Trail at Rochester.

It's much more colourful than his cousin they exported to Britain.

Grey Squirrel - 2014

Although I am not a lover of cats there is one in our village that 'talks' to me; I'm expected to reply and not go by without stroking her.

Tortoiseshell Cat - 2014

I could continue as I have 'shot' as many more species again.

You may see choices made by others if you follow the links at Carmi's Animal Planet -  Thematic-photographic-319.

Birds from Europe, Middle East and South Africa - Sunday Stamps

For birds this week I decided to start with some game birds from Europe.

Switzerland - Alectoris graeca - Rock Partridge

The Ring-necked Pheasant occurs in many countries, including - 

Yugoslavia - Phasianus colchicus

I just wonder whether a bird of prey used for sport would take one of those.

UAE - Falcon (issued 07/04/2013)

Finally two birds from South Africa.

South Africa - Bokmakierie and Bateleur

The Bokmakierie (Maiaconotus zeylonus) is a large yellow bushshrike. As you may be able to tell from its beak the Bateleur (Tetrathorpius ecaudatus) is an eagle.

For other birds selected this week please visit Viridian's Sunday-stamps-198.

Columns and Rows - Thematic Photography

I was surprised by just how many of my photos could be interpreted as meeting the 'Columns and Rows' theme Carmi has set us this week.

For quiet contemplation where better to start than in the ruins of an abbey.

Fountains Abbey, Yorkshire - 2008

"Eureka! I've got it."

Archimedes Screws on the Tees Barrage - 2012

The four screws lift columns of water up the white water rafting course adjacent to the River Tees at Stockton.

There are other ways to get a lift.

"Up, Up and Away in my Beautiful Balloon" - Michigan 2012

In Cornwall's city it's peaceful to admire the- 

High Altar and Reredos, in Truro Cathedral -2011

Where you sit in rows and contemplate the columns of - 

The Nave, Truro Cathedral - 2011

If I have recycled some pictures from recent years this week a calendar for the future arrived.

Recycling Calendar

A magnet holds it to the side of the filing cabinet in my office.

Behind me a bookcase is made up of rows of books, the columns are the books themselves.

"Your face, my thane, is a book where men may read strange matters."  - Macbeth

For more strange matters link up with Carmi and others at Thematic-Photographic-318.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

This is my first attempt to join this meme hosted by Ashley Sisk on which we are challenged to take five new photos each week to a theme set by her.

So here goes - the lights say I may proceed.

 1 - Double

A school run under way.

2 - Friday

The War Memorial and Yarm's Town Hall are the place for - 

3 - Memories

Litter picking kept me occupied one day this week with a Charity sack to fill.

4 - Busy Day

I may catch a bus in Yarm if I have the time.

5 - Where I Stand

To see how other participants fared with the five part challenge be sure to follow the links at Ashley's Scavenger-Hunt-Sunday-226.

Furniture - Sunday Stamps

Furniture has proved to be a most difficult theme for me. There is furniture on the stamps I've chosen but it's not the focus of attention.

Norway - King Olav II (c. 995 - 1030)

He was the first effective king of all Norway and the country's patron saint. 

I know nothing about my second stamp, but it does contain a chair.

Spain

My third stamp has two chairs and a cloth covered table on a 75th anniversary commemorative.

Great Britain - 1970

As I've 'cheated' I look forward to following the links at Viridian's Sunday-Stamps-197. to see some real furniture.

The Power of Three - Sepia Saturday

I was one of three brothers, my wife one of three sisters but I am unable to find a photo showing us together in our family groups. That's why this week's silhouette post left me in a quandary.

Those who visit my blog will not be in the least surprised if I used the dog as a theme.

But with three children of our own it would be remiss of me if I left them out. However over the years there have been few occasions when they have been photographed together.

Andrew, Rachel and Adrian - 1970s

That was taken at one of the many abbey ruins in Yorkshire, if only I could remember which one.

Shortly afterwards a visit to Sandsend near Whitby has them leaving the sea with you know who in charge.

When they were older still (1980s) we find the three of them at home in Yarm.

Of course they scattered far and wide after leaving school and university. When they reunited in Tresco in 2008, they told us that it had been 10 years since they had been together last.

Cromwell's Castle, Tresco, Isles of Scilly

We were all there, thanks to them, to celebrate our golden wedding.

Island Hotel, Tresco, August 2008

By this time the boys had children of their own.

Kai, Alby & Alana (Andrew's children)

In a less formal setting they appear to be having fun with their father and grandmother giving a helping hand.

Paddling pool at Gatcombe, early 2000s

Adrian's youngest son, Angus, is now sixteen but was smaller here in another group of three.

Alby (baby), Angus - right, his older brother Dylan - middle

My daughter has no children but has had dogs aplenty, including this gang of four.

I included these because three of them match our prompt with their noses in the air. Cody on the right, and Gem in the front have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Gem went to join Cody while we were in Michigan 4 weeks ago.

The current three residing there are -

Lily, Scout and Gabby

Scout is only too pleased to show you he can raise his nose.

With or without a cup

Lily can crane her neck really high - unfortunately I don't have a picture of her in action.

The three of them have the power to make you throw tennis balls for hours for them to fetch. If only I had the power to keep up with them and to make them sit and wait patiently like these dogs from Kirklevington.

Jasper, Alfie & Duke

And that's not me with the stick.

To see what others have posted this week, check out the links at Sepia-Saturday-255.