Horsing Around

There is a premier equine center not too far from where I live, Grand Oaks Resort, which holds various events throughout the year.  It’s a fun place to go, see some beautiful horses, do some people watching  and practice shooting big moving objects!

Check out the pretty white lashes on this big boy.

 

I really, really dislike cluttered backgrounds, and that’s one of the challenges at this place as some of the jumping is done in an arena setting with lots going on. Fortunately, there was also a cross-county event taking place where, even though I had to do a little walking, I could take photos of the riders more out in the open.

 

I decided to try a little panning.  Definitely rusty in that area.  But I did like the way it gave my photo a painterly look, straight out of camera.

 

Of course I always come home with one or two photos that I like to use for some texture work.

 

Polo – Behind The Scenes

It’s polo season again in The Villages, Florida.  It’s a good way to spend an afternoon with camera in hand.  Below are some shots I took of horses and grooms before, during and after the game. I spent a little more time with these, trying to give them a more artistic feel.

This polo pony was tied to a tree next to a horse trailer, and the way he was standing, looking at the grandstand on an adjacent field, just caught my eye.  I thought “wonder if he’s anticipating being saddled and heading out to play?”  A little Photoshop magic removed the rope.

Horsing Around at Sweetwater Wetlands Park

This past Saturday I decided a trip to one of my favorite nature haunts, Sweetwater Wetlands Park near Gainesville, was in order.  I was thinking I’d get some bird photos and maybe a few flower or landscape shots, but the big surprise was the Florida Cracker Horses that were calming grazing in and around the marsh.

 

I had no sooner left the parking lot, read the sign that said to proceed with caution around wild horses, when BAM!  there they were right in front of me!  So, preceding with caution, I started clicking away.  A few were on the gravel road that circles the wetlands, while a few more were actually in the swampy water, munching on grass.  People were wisely obeying the signs and giving them space, but they really could care less.

 

 

A Summer Beauty

A few weeks back I went out about dusk and ended up at the The Villages Polo Field.  There were a few polo ponies grazing in the adjacent field and so I positioned myself by the fence and started shooting.  They were super friendly, I must say.  Each one came up to me to say hello and then, after allowing me to give them a few pets,  they meandered back to grazing.  I decided to get a little creative with this photo, adding the yellow flowers and butterfly along with a favorite texture.

A Drink at the Pond

Grazing at Dusk

Bessie

Pestering

Clearing the Bar

Barn Aisle Silhouette