Sometimes, I get a quick picture that doesn't quite meet the "great shot" standard.
Like this one. Technically, it's not a great image. The light is way too harsh, the horse in the background is distracting, and the babies aren't exactly prepped for a shoot. When you break it down, it becomes a photographic disaster.
Sometimes, however, the photo escapes the delete button. My finger just can't quite bring itself to press "Del" and send the image to .jpg heaven. I had nearly committed this one to the trash can, but it spoke up at the last second, and said "Wait! Save Me!" Well, actually, Thumbelina, the beautiful subject of this image, spoke up and said it. Little Debbie, her associate, may have also had a say in the matter. As did Fancy's retreating rear end (...at least, I hope it was saying "Save Me," but with their diet, it's anyone's guess...).
When I stopped and took a second look at the shot, I picked up on some things I'd missed when evaluating for "greatness." Yes, the light is horridly harsh, but check out Thumbelina's cute expression. Yes, the babies are fuzzy, dirty, unclipped, and have more wild hairs than I do, but feel the connection, the bond, and the trust those babies must have. And yes. Fancy's big butt is a little distracting, but heck, if every photo with a big butt were deleted, there wouldn't be any images of me, either.
Is this a great photo? Nope! Will I ever win any contests with it? Not likely. Would it sell? Heck no. Despite all this, it'll stay on my computer for a while longer. When I look at it, I can see past it's shortfalls to see the horses themselves. Thumbelinas' innocent and strikingly curious expression is what saved this shot. The bond and trust between the two fillies is paramount and unmistakable. I'm reminded of the saying:
"In moments of reflection, what must a horse be thinking? I've seen something in their stare that is far away and beautiful beyond words."
Maybe in another few months, this shot will find its' way to the recycle bin, but for now, it's going to stay. At least until Thumbelina runs me over or until Debbie trashes the Gator again.
If you said Armadillo, you're right! They're very unique, interesting creatures that I absolutely love to watch. We have lots of 'em on the ranch, and it's becoming on of my favorite pass times to stalk and 'shoot' them. Don't worry, I don't use bullets, just my super-telephoto lens. Fortunately for me, they've got horrible eyesight, so even a klutz like me can sneak up pretty close. Check out that old-man gotee under his chin. All he needs is a set of wire-rimmed glasses...
And this one! Number 593. This poor thing must stare in the mirror every morning, and obsess about her poor uneven face. We all know how hard it can be to hide our horns! She must be tormented with self-doubt and uncertainty! These cows are almost human! I can feel the connection and bond growing. I think I need to commune with these creatures and become a member of their fold. They will become like family, like a... Wait a second! What the?!!! Is that calf really... NO! It can't be! Please tell me she is not .... please, no!
AAACK! GAG! NOOOOOO! EEEEEWWWWWWWWW! Cows are nasty, yucky, gross, beastly, disgusting, awful, repugnant, vulgar, nauseating, vile, foul, filthy, ... EEEEWWW! 
Step Six (we'll bypass Step Five, which usually involves falling on your rear end, slipping into the hole you just cut, or suffering major contusions to your various anatomical parts, all the while trying to maintain a certain level of poise and composure) Step Six: Adopt the traditional lumberjack stance, being careful not to do the splits on the ice ~ it's very important to try to make this step look as easy and seamless as possible. Even though your abs and obliques feel like you've just been kicked by a mule, its important to keep the panting and sweating to a minimum.
We've started popping out babies here at the ranch, and they're getting big and strong already. They've got those baby soft muzzles, frizzy little manes, and incredibly sharp hooves that can and will remove a toenail if they step on you! These two are both very sweet and good-natured. So far. But that might change as soon as the vet or the farrier appears.
Our babies are bred to be cutters. No, not the disturbed EMO kind with a razor blade ~ our horses are a different kind of cutter. Cutting horses are bred to work cattle ~ they sort (cut) one cow out of the herd, then hold it by itself. In traditional ranch work, this allowed other cowboys to work, sort, doctor, or rope that animal easier. Being the manipulative humans that we are, we have bred this behavior into the animals, so most of them really LOVE to cut.
Cutters need to be tremendously athletic, so it's good that these babies are growing up strong and healthy.
"C'mon, guys. This isn't funny anymore!"
