tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77171530947539008232024-03-05T01:23:44.112-08:00Pony Girl PicturesPony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-44309621485893101892009-07-05T00:22:00.000-07:002009-07-05T00:24:17.050-07:00Wild Flowers<div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;"><div style="text-align: left;">This weekend's <a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" href="http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/">Sunday Stills</a> challenge is wildflowers. I am always taking pictures of flowers....especially those that grow in the wild! And Ed said that weeds count! Here are a few of my recent favorites.<br /></div><br />{a sad daisy}<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3686841624/" title="A Sad Daisy by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3570/3686841624_21f0a1a63c_o.jpg" alt="A Sad Daisy" width="700" height="464" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{sunny-side up}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3686041803/" title="Sunny Daisy by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2648/3686041803_02af569b35_o.jpg" alt="Sunny Daisy" width="700" height="464" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{foxy lady}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3686838310/" title="A Foxy Weed by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2493/3686838310_0c7fb3383a_o.jpg" alt="A Foxy Weed" width="681" height="1024" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{and the clover stood alone}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3686851318/" title="A Lone Clover by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3686851318_42a7008242_o.jpg" alt="A Lone Clover" width="700" height="464" /></a>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-46956037256941533112009-07-02T01:25:00.000-07:002009-07-02T01:34:37.793-07:00Hiding. Incognito. Critterouflage.<div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Why is it that every time I point my Nikon at an animal, it decides to hide from me?<br /><br />Embrace the Nikon, my critter friends! </span></div><div align="center"><br /><a title="Bailey by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3680461925/"><img height="464" alt="Bailey" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/3680461925_40e93e6067_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a title="Appy in the Grass by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3681283376/"><img height="464" alt="Appy in the Grass" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3681283376_5b14a9d802_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">my Appy in the grass</span><br /><br /><a title="Appy in the Grass 2 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3681287198/"><img height="464" alt="Appy in the Grass 2" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/3681287198_782366b36f_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">The cat is in the bag<br /></span><br /><a title="Cats In the Bag by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3680476061/"><img height="464" alt="Cats In the Bag" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3551/3680476061_3c9797e93f_o.jpg" width="700" /></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">rats, you found me!</span> </div><div align="center"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">uh, could you put that thing down and move this binder out of my way?</span></div><div align="center"><br /><a title="Gotcha! by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3681293952/"><img height="514" alt="Gotcha!" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3681293952_30ccff742f_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><em>finally</em>, a critter that is not camera shy.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Courier New;"></span></div><div align="center"><br /><a title="A Slow Escape by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3681303064/"><img height="465" alt="A Slow Escape" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/3681303064_c5d18fe8ea_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I may just spend the rest of my life photographing slugs.</span> </div>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-89053226798704817252009-06-29T01:22:00.000-07:002009-07-02T01:34:10.521-07:00Cat Tale<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{incoming}<br /><br /></span></div><a title="Incoming by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3670890110/"><img height="465" alt="Incoming" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3670890110_8d43a407d4_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{lovin'}</span><br /><br /></div><a title="Love Me by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3670091025/"><img height="465" alt="Love Me" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3539/3670091025_77f2bfb208_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{chillin'}<br /><br /></span></div><a title="Chillin' by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3670097557/"><img height="465" alt="Chillin'" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3405/3670097557_1448216d0c_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></div><a title="Domino by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3670076459/"><img height="465" alt="Domino" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3670076459_9ed7e65911_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a title="What? by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3670104479/"><img height="465" alt="What?" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/3670104479_3705c9195a_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a title="Domino by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3670139081/"><img height="1024" alt="Domino" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2479/3670139081_a7fb25fb7e_o.jpg" width="681" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{scratch}<br /><br /></span></div><a title="Scratch by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3670167721/"><img height="465" alt="Scratch" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3329/3670167721_7561ce5636_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{the end}</span><br /></div><br /><a title="Tail End by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3670919416/"><img height="465" alt="Tail End" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/3670919416_348774c6e9_o.jpg" width="700" /></a>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-112738689498354432009-06-26T00:05:00.000-07:002009-07-02T01:34:54.914-07:00Over The Meadow and Through The Woods<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:courier new;" ><br />The Players:</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">My mom:</span> Dusty Devoe riding her Quarter Horse/Morgan gelding, Dusty.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Tony</span>: stable manager, riding his Morgan gelding, Profile.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">The Ride</span>: The stable yard, the meadow, and the woods.</span><br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:courier new;" >Day One</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">the warm-up</span><br /><br /><br /><a title="Gettin' Ready by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3661876506/"><img height="465" alt="Gettin' Ready" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3661876506_b640f8572e_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a title="Whatcha Lookin' At? by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3659418104/"><img height="465" alt="Whatcha Lookin' At?" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3659418104_c9c6ba4d26_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a title="Warming Up by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3659426052/"><img height="465" alt="Warming Up" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3659426052_f0fabedb0e_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">the gate keeper</span><br /></div><br /><a title="Gate Keeper by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3658495897/"><img height="464" alt="Gate Keeper" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/3658495897_b9400865c5_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">far away</span><br /></div><br /><a title="Specks in the Field by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3659348064/"><img height="465" alt="Specks in the Field" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3659348064_9c66092f1b_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /></div><span style="font-family:courier new;">close up</span><br /><br /><a title="Almost to the Gate by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3658595545/"><img height="465" alt="Almost to the Gate" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3302/3658595545_42c1b1f7c1_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">the boys at the end of the ride</span><br /></div><br /><a title="Double Trouble by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3659375226/"><img height="465" alt="Double Trouble" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3659375226_a5cff237b6_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center;font-family:courier new;" ><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-family:courier new;" >Day Two</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">out on the trail</span><br /></div><br /><a title="Down the Road by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3658538251/"><img height="464" alt="Down the Road" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3658538251_7b126b12e1_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Head's Up<br /><br /><a title="Head's Up by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3662020700/"><img height="514" alt="Head's Up" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3662020700_9ba29c9836_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br />a ride by</span><br /><br /><br /></div><a title="Dusty in the Meadow by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3659330838/"><img height="464" alt="Dusty in the Meadow" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3659330838_35e02d0f7c_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a title="Morgan in a Meadow by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3658528323/"><img height="464" alt="Morgan in a Meadow" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3658528323_e59ebb0d8e_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">heading back home</span><br /></div><br /><a title="In The Meadow by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3658515989/"><img height="464" alt="In The Meadow" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3385/3658515989_02dfb3f782_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">The end of the trail</span><br /><br /></div><a title="Dusty and Devoe by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3658291475/"><img height="1024" alt="Dusty and Devoe" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3658291475_37372eb3de_o.jpg" width="679" /></a><br /><br /><div style="FONT-FAMILY: courier new; TEXT-ALIGN: center">Thanks for letting me document these great rides!</div>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-82448588902345129402009-06-22T18:54:00.000-07:002009-07-02T01:36:15.880-07:00Country Tidbits<span style="font-family:courier new;">As I download and view my photos on the computer, I'm beginning to think I need to be a photographer for one of those magazines like <a style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)" href="http://www.countryliving.com/">Country Living</a> or <a style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0)" href="http://www.bhg.com/">Better Homes and Gardens</a>. Not that I have the technical skills to do that as a career. More so in the way I like to photograph details and small blips of things, where a "little picture" conveys a "big picture." I like it when a photo conveys a feeling, a memory, or sets a tone, without giving it all away. I think less is more.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;">To illustrate what I mean, here are a few scenes I noticed from the last few days from around my parents' place.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{cowgirl campfire roses}</span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><a title="Campfire Roses by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3649169211/"><img height="827" alt="Campfire Roses" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3649169211_dfdc31b3f1_o.jpg" width="681" /></a><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{a rust-ic little garden quail}<br /><br /><a title="Rust-ic Quail by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3649178655/"><img height="1024" alt="Rust-ic Quail" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3649178655_2a8475a538_o.jpg" width="681" /></a><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{a boot garden</span>} </div><br /><br /><a title="Flowers and Boots by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3649924300/"><img height="465" alt="Flowers and Boots" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/3649924300_3f74110249_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a title="Muck Boots and Flowers by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3649945140/"><img height="465" alt="Muck Boots and Flowers" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3649945140_6cfd746ca9_o.jpg" width="700" /></a><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{a beach house not forgotten}</span><br /></div><br /><a title="Ocean Memories by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3649129961/"><img height="1024" alt="Ocean Memories" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3649129961_80951b3abc_o.jpg" width="681" /></a>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-58038495324784967022009-06-20T13:56:00.000-07:002009-06-25T19:58:44.745-07:00Bits and Pieces<span style="font-family:courier new;">Just a collection from my life this past month....</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3644283119/" title="Tongue Boy by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3644283119_41547d38df_o.jpg" alt="Tongue Boy" width="700" height="465" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3644276435/" title="Horseshoes by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3644276435_21270b50da_o.jpg" alt="Horseshoes" width="700" height="465" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3645099250/" title="Brandy by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/3645099250_96b0e027e8_o.jpg" alt="Brandy" width="700" height="465" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3644267357/" title="Stirrup by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3372/3644267357_059746bac8_o.jpg" alt="Stirrup" width="681" height="1024" /></a>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-68778582511150681752009-06-05T20:59:00.000-07:002009-06-25T19:59:14.950-07:00Help Me Find the Light<span style="font-family:courier new;">Last week someone said this to me: </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >"Photography is really about capturing light."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">It was so insightful and thought-provoking. And I really think it is true.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">There is a certain kind of "light" that I love to take pictures in. Late afternoon or early evening, right before sunset. Last Saturday, I wandered around the farm during this time and looked for things that had intriguing light. For me, that usually meant the light behind the object. Not always an easy shot.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Here are a few of the things I found.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">This red leaf was on the shady ground, but was glowing with the sun lighting it up from behind.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3599004771/" title="Red Leaf by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3599004771_af045debe7_o.jpg" alt="Red Leaf" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">This white wild blossom was moving in the breeze, making it difficult to focus on. I finally got a view of it with the sun behind it, but didn't see the unique sea-star middle until I downloaded it. I also love the rainbow bokeh around those tiny hairs on the stem and buds!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3599013127/" title="White Petal by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3320/3599013127_19b4c17dcd_o.jpg" alt="White Petal" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">This alder leaf was hanging in the green shady trees, the sun filtering behind it. </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3599027331/" title="Alder Leaf by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3599027331_635b7e169e_o.jpg" alt="Alder Leaf" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">The sun on the reeds in the pond.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3599066071/" title="Pond Reeds by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3599066071_252acb4cc6_o.jpg" alt="Pond Reeds" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />Walk around sometime and see what unique bits of light you can capture!<br /></span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-32515541098052338112009-06-01T22:02:00.000-07:002009-06-01T22:09:18.154-07:00Guest Rider<span style="font-family:courier new;">Guest Rider hint: whose jeans are almost always too short for her long legs?</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3588065346/" title="Guest Rider by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3588065346_154112b9bb_o.jpg" alt="Guest Rider" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Yep, it's Paint Girl! I had my sister ride My Boy two weekends ago, so that I could play with my camera settings and practice my picture taking, but with my own horse as my subject. Here are a few of the resulting pictures.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3588277064/" title="Guest Rider on the Rail by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2452/3588277064_a095581741_o.jpg" alt="Guest Rider on the Rail" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3588202758/" title="Guest Rider3 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3357/3588202758_68b56a703c_o.jpg" alt="Guest Rider3" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3588303906/" title="Guest Rider 5 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3588303906_55c66e8c52_o.jpg" alt="Guest Rider 5" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3587324345/" title="Guest Rider Rump by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3638/3587324345_5ab43e636e_o.jpg" alt="Guest Rider Rump" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">As you can see, I like filming pieces of my horse. I rarely shot his whole self!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Thanks Paint Girl, hope you enjoyed your ride!</span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-21160576037974176552009-05-30T22:51:00.000-07:002009-05-30T22:51:53.459-07:00Sunday Stills- Powerlines and Landscapes<span style="font-family:courier new;">Powerlines and landscapes were the challenge for <a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);" href="http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/">Sunday Stills</a>.....well, I have never looked at powerlines the way I have this past week! However, I didn't snap many pictures because I was usually driving when I saw them! Except for this sunset shot from my deck. Unfortunately, (or fortunately, for Sunday Stills!) the lines that run along my road are right in the way of getting a clear shot.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3580865394/" title="Sunset by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3580865394_b928596156_o.jpg" alt="Sunset" width="700" height="465" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtQbfFuNdduVl_grVtYrrDEw5s_U2tNyU6O7GLtuktsOFAWnARhzVKp078f7JiE177IeL38rp5gGXq8nH8POUTiaQi2iEKHgtQvq5yDb_P_tEW3zfwxDcKH_9ZEstWdxkigw5kKuhi9gc/s1600-h/M+and+R+Meadow3-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtQbfFuNdduVl_grVtYrrDEw5s_U2tNyU6O7GLtuktsOFAWnARhzVKp078f7JiE177IeL38rp5gGXq8nH8POUTiaQi2iEKHgtQvq5yDb_P_tEW3zfwxDcKH_9ZEstWdxkigw5kKuhi9gc/s400/M+and+R+Meadow3-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341857966796187410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">Here are some power line shots from the archives. These are from one of our trail rides last year. They were taken on my Sony point and shoot, and my sister took the ones of me, obviously. We haven't been trail riding this week so I wasn't able to get any current power line shots from where we ride.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSfXLTpYkl7oMLoJK25V5s0_EuWcUDZEWGCtCcg8LGz6AtZq7zUOvG_mk7uaJstJPO4a3cttw2CnWuuE_nVc7Os3htOx-U9n40XibFvAl1_hwZmvL7GKrJ4CaI1IHwcDZfgT3QR0O92AN/s1600-h/power+lines2+ed.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSfXLTpYkl7oMLoJK25V5s0_EuWcUDZEWGCtCcg8LGz6AtZq7zUOvG_mk7uaJstJPO4a3cttw2CnWuuE_nVc7Os3htOx-U9n40XibFvAl1_hwZmvL7GKrJ4CaI1IHwcDZfgT3QR0O92AN/s400/power+lines2+ed.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341857187397058034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRtE7YBLxx7crwE-IWw5hnv5YNSfY5BSMxpmWPgjRJL4jQdBda3TMaJ-XHcfa0Y9rBCCTC_EFmlpO721gOHJw2t-tJo6D1l9aYaxEWOYlmRNviKCCRA93k0X8qFrqXaAKTth5a_dV8qTb/s1600-h/powerline+trail+ride.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 410px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimRtE7YBLxx7crwE-IWw5hnv5YNSfY5BSMxpmWPgjRJL4jQdBda3TMaJ-XHcfa0Y9rBCCTC_EFmlpO721gOHJw2t-tJo6D1l9aYaxEWOYlmRNviKCCRA93k0X8qFrqXaAKTth5a_dV8qTb/s400/powerline+trail+ride.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341856653759977634" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: courier new;">Stop on over at </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family: courier new;" href="http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/">Sunday Stills</a><span style="font-family: courier new;"> and see what everyone else did!</span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-35756290348082228442009-05-29T17:39:00.000-07:002009-05-29T17:39:22.620-07:00Alien Praying Mantis<span style="font-family: courier new;">My thoughts exactly when </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family: courier new;" href="http://loveleightreasures.blogspot.com/">Sares</a><span style="font-family: courier new;"> said she thought the pictures looked like a very stylish praying mantis. However, </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family: courier new;" href="http://adventuresofthepaintedcreekfarm.blogspot.com/">Paint Girl</a><span style="font-family: courier new;"> was right. Remember these glorious </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family: courier new;" href="http://ponygirlpictures.blogspot.com/2009/05/bee-paparazzi.html">pink Rhodie blooms</a><span style="font-family: courier new;"> I photographed for Pink Saturday? The following weekend, they were beginning to be just a memory.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3577461902/" title="Fallen Blooms1 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3395/3577461902_845eb2b08f_o.jpg" alt="Fallen Blooms1" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">I thought the resulting "dead heads" were pretty neat. Like long-legged botanical spiders.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3576668889/" title="Fallen Blooms3 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2422/3576668889_e4c204dd12_o.jpg" alt="Fallen Blooms3" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">This is the new growth on the Rhodie.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3577466540/" title="Fallen Blooms2 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3621/3577466540_ed99cccd91_o.jpg" alt="Fallen Blooms2" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">This is the mess of pink blooms.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3576673045/" title="Fallen Blooms4 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3576673045_51fe0c8585_o.jpg" alt="Fallen Blooms4" width="472" height="710" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family: courier new;">I have a thing for </span><a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204); font-family: courier new;" href="http://ponygirlpictures.blogspot.com/2009/05/beautiful-mess.html">beautiful messes</a><span style="font-family: courier new;">, don't I?</span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-33982034308731658322009-05-27T22:33:00.000-07:002009-05-27T22:36:19.117-07:00What is It?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3572643036/" title="Whatsit by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/3572643036_b273b459f2_o.jpg" alt="Whatsit" width="727" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;">{any guesses??}</div>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-35737699548902021202009-05-26T06:28:00.000-07:002009-05-29T06:59:00.834-07:00An Eyeful<span style="font-family:courier new;">I told Paint Girl the other day that I love taking pictures of her horse Fritzy's eyes. I wasn't sure why that was.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3565863186/" title="Fritzy Eye2 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3603/3565863186_da74a2cc72_o.jpg" alt="Fritzy Eye2" width="707" height="515" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I think I figured it out. It's her long forelock. It is wispy and hangs over her eyes like fringed bangs, and I love how it looks in photos. (The hair in the above photo is actually her mane blowing in the breeze.)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3565013889/" title="Fritzy Eye1 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3565013889_7a85804ac1_o.jpg" alt="Fritzy Eye1" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">It is interesting how the ends of Fritzy's black forelock are reddish-brown, bleached from the sun.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3565903452/" title="Fritzy Eye3 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3660/3565903452_01a8c81a8a_o.jpg" alt="Fritzy Eye3" width="710" height="463" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Would you recognize your own horse by just a cropped picture of it's eye?</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3566006056/" title="MB's Eye by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3347/3566006056_eff83d9de5_o.jpg" alt="MB's Eye" width="710" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I think I would recognize My Boy's eye in a heartbeat. Not hard to miss the 6 frizzy forelock hairs he has.</span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-59883381771837235572009-05-24T00:01:00.000-07:002009-05-24T00:01:12.401-07:00Mellow Yellow<span style="font-family:courier new;">Thanks to Ed over at <a style="color: rgb(255, 255, 102);" href="http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/">Sunday Stills Challenge</a> for hosting this fun photography challenge every weekend!</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{a sleeping dandelion}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3558756838/" title="Yellow6 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3558756838_a7494bd33a_o.jpg" alt="Yellow6" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{the butter yellow fringe on my elk hide chinks}</span><br /><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3557930101/" title="Yellow5 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3582/3557930101_9c0fa6a432_o.jpg" alt="Yellow5" width="710" height="509" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{yellow rope tied to a plastic bag of cans, for desensitizing the horses. can you find the spider?}</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3557926469/" title="Yellow3 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3557926469_35906182ed_o.jpg" alt="Yellow3" width="472" height="710" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;">{invasive scotch broom}<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3558735168/" title="Yellow2 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3635/3558735168_6442b9922d_o.jpg" alt="Yellow2" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: courier new;">{yellow rhododendrons}<br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3557920653/" title="Yellow by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3559/3557920653_0c6281b49a_o.jpg" alt="Yellow" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{trying to <span style="font-style: italic;">bee</span> the paparazzi. again. can you find the bee's head on the right? coming in for a landing....}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3557955163/" title="Yellow8 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3557955163_11c57cc30c_o.jpg" alt="Yellow8" width="680" height="442" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{the end}</span><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3558776970/" title="Yellow9 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3390/3558776970_87c614e649_o.jpg" alt="Yellow9" width="710" height="472" /></a>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-27753670282097303852009-05-23T00:01:00.000-07:002009-05-23T22:32:48.420-07:00Bee Paparazzi<span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">Last weekend I was walking up from the horse pasture and noticed bees buzzing all around the rhododendrons. I stopped to take pictures.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3555057183/" title="bees2 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3297/3555057183_49be05456b_o.jpg" alt="bees2" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br />Now I know where the term "busy bees" comes from! Those bees were workin' those blooms! I could barely snap a shot before they'd zoom out of a bloom and into another.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3555050729/" title="bees4 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3627/3555050729_9bb40e73c5_o.jpg" alt="bees4" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br />Like a Hollywood movie star stalker, I even tried just posing the camera on an empty bloom in hope that a bee would do a fly by and land, but I swear they were camera shy and stayed away.<br /><br />I managed to catch these two bees working side by side.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3555061365/" title="bees3 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3386/3555061365_af6de9141e_o.jpg" alt="bees3" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br />The bees did not turn out very good. I was hoping I could get a better zoom on them. A macro lens might have helped.<br /><br />The petals on these rhodies ended up being the star of the show. I like this one the best, because the petals look so blurry, delicate, and dreamy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3555068911/" title="bees1 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3659/3555068911_80507bc8c8_o.jpg" alt="bees1" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br />These petals are my favorite shade of pink. It is just fabulous! If I were to ever paint a room's walls pink, I would want them this color.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wnlSQaa9Y3bPzKjcYA07NLyq3nyMpTB0V9zDiLNOtjoaIdQERpkb2riJ-yTTnsK9DykTrq3RFfSSPf40n-dlOuzB7nQDQUveW0enpNALkMv_7Nv1zZijVYEd1lorOrA4JyQLoPC4QrIg/s1600-h/Pink+Saturday.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 347px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0wnlSQaa9Y3bPzKjcYA07NLyq3nyMpTB0V9zDiLNOtjoaIdQERpkb2riJ-yTTnsK9DykTrq3RFfSSPf40n-dlOuzB7nQDQUveW0enpNALkMv_7Nv1zZijVYEd1lorOrA4JyQLoPC4QrIg/s400/Pink+Saturday.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338852528373162434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:courier new;">A huge thank you to Beverly over at <a style="color: rgb(255, 153, 255);" href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/">How Sweet the Sound</a> for hosting Pink Saturday every weekend. It is always fun to see what all those creative bloggers choose to post about!<br /></span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-35232262668546154462009-05-21T00:00:00.000-07:002009-05-21T00:00:00.579-07:00Help Me Find the Light<span style="font-family:courier new;">I took this picture of Brandy last weekend, in a shady spot under the cedar trees. This picture is SOOC (straight out of camera.)</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3549759555/" title="Brandy by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3549759555_556a0549ab_o.jpg" alt="Brandy" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I was able to edit it and lighten up the mare. Here is the resulting image.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3550576080/" title="Brandy2 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3550576080_4a28d179b2_o.jpg" alt="Brandy2" width="710" height="472" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Definitely an improvement. However, there has got to be a way to get a lighter shot or better exposure in a shady location, without using a flash or editing the photo afterward. Yes? No? What would you do? Remember, I'm a rookie. I could use your help!<br /><br />Thanks!<br /></span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-6452033772257388062009-05-19T18:01:00.000-07:002009-05-19T18:08:52.316-07:00Subtle Details<span style="font-family:courier new;">This isn't one of those games where you look at two photos and find three things that are different. But it kind of is. Look closely at the following two photos. </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">I took one after the other, at about 170mm and </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">I did not crop either of them.<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{picture one}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3546752837/" title="Walter Trees2 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3546752837_8fb3250227_o.jpg" alt="Walter Trees2" width="700" height="465" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{picture two}</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3547553264/" title="Walter Trees by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3547553264_6dfab4c8f1_o.jpg" alt="Walter Trees" width="700" height="465" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">There are slight differences in expression on the goat's face, and the layout of the trees. I could not decide which photo I liked better! I love the slightly tilted head of the goat in picture one. But I liked seeing less of the cedar tree and more of the green background in picture two. This was shot late afternoon, when the sun was lowering behind trees, so it was very shady where I took this from.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Which one do you like? Do you take more than one shot of an animal or scene, and notice the subtle differences?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">Remember, this is Walter, <a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);" href="http://ponygirlpictures.blogspot.com/2009/05/my-favorite-goat.html">my favorite goat</a>. He is hanging out in his "jungle gym" of old stumps and trees. Walter is old, and probably has arthritis. His front leg looks a bit crooked and it is. He's a bit of a gimp.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">A pretty photogenic gimp, nonetheless.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" >Next time, I'll have a few more from this particular series and want to talk about light.</span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-19223842425422398442009-05-18T07:05:00.000-07:002009-05-18T07:13:23.537-07:00Monday Morning Muzzle & DSLR Musings<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3541684624/" title="Muzzle Boy by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3541684624_bd5af3860b_o.jpg" alt="Muzzle Boy" width="700" height="465" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">I never, ever tire of seeing this muzzle.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:courier new;"><a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);" href="http://jansplaceusa.blogspot.com/">Jan</a> inquired about my camera. I recently purchased a Nikon D40 from <a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);" href="http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/SLR1160.htm">Ritzcamera.com.</a> It was a package deal. I got the camera, two lenses, two DVD's, and a gadget bag (<span style="font-style: italic;">I've linked you to the ad, although the package has changed and no longer includes the bag and DVDs, I think there is a printer offer now. They change them frequently</span>.) I personally was satisfied with my purchase from this site, but do your research. There are good and bad reviews for most online camera retailers, I've noticed.<br /><br />It was funny because when I found the camera on Ritz (after Costco had <a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);" href="http://ponygirlridesagain.blogspot.com/2009/04/oil-shiny-coats-and-end-of-friendship.html">backordered it</a>), I noticed they were in the same "family" as Kit's Camera, which I've seen retail stores for. It turns out that Kits and Ritz's online camera sites are not affiliated with their retail stores at all.<br /><br />When I looked at the D40 camera package, I noticed another one that seemed <span style="font-style: italic;">exactly</span> the same, except for a little more money. I read all of the fine print and could not figure out what in the world was different. Of course, I ordered the less expensive one. Guess what? I discovered later, after I received the camera, that the more expensive one had a 55mm-200mm lens that had VR- <span style="font-style: italic;">Vibration Reduction</span>. It was a small detail I hadn't noticed. In retrospect, I probably would've paid more for VR, but too late now!<br /><br />Why Nikon? It wasn't a hard choice. I was influenced by bloggers and their cameras and photos, people around me who have Nikons,reviews, and cost. The Nikon was a little less expensive than a comprehable Canon. I also went to camera shops and played with the Nikon D40. Just holding the camera, it felt like a good "fit" for me.<br /><br />At this point, I have read my manual and watched the DVD's, which were very basic. I probably only know a 1/3 of what I need to know to fully operate this camera.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3541100673/" title="Muzzle2 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/3541100673_aebbddf766_o.jpg" alt="Muzzle2" width="700" height="465" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Somebody needs his whiskers clipped!</span><br /><br />Let me tell you that I can hardly stand to use my point-and-shoot anymore, although it's a necessity for some activities, especially riding as t</span><span style="font-family:courier new;">he Nikon is a little too big for my saddle bag</span><span style="font-family:courier new;">! To me, the quality of the DSLR from my point-and-shoot is night and day. However, I am still shooting mostly on AUTO, or the various modes (sports, macro, portrait, etc.) I am still pretty much using it as a point-and-shoot. And I am not afraid to admit that. I just haven't had time (and probably won't, until the school year is over) to really explore more about the camera's capabilities. But I also feel when you pay that much for a camera, it should meet you halfway, and it does. The other half is "in your head," as a photographer told me. It's the artist's creative eye. You can have the best camera on the market, but if you don't have the eye for photography, it won't matter.<br /><br />So that is the beginning. If you are feeling intimidated by a DSLR- <span style="font-style: italic;">don't be!</span> Before I bit the bullet and got the DSLR I was going to move up to a <a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);" href="http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-Camera/26171/COOLPIX-P90.html">Nikon Coolpix P90</a>, which is in the class of point-and-shoots they call "ultra-zooms" (<a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);" href="http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=17630">Canon</a> makes a great one too, that feels like a DSLR in your hands and is probably a bit nicer than the P90 from the reviews I read.) But the price of the P90 was still $400. I knew that I would "outgrow" that camera within a year and want a DSLR anyway. So for around $150 more, I got a DSLR, which I can grow with. I will probably never need another camera, since I plan to stay an amateur, my photography is just a creative outlet for me. Now, I will admit that I'm already eyeing other lenses, particularly <a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);" href="http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Camera-Lenses/2183/AF-S-DX-NIKKOR-35mm-f%252F1.8G.html">this one</a>.<br /><br />I'm not one to give particular technical shooting advice because I don't have the skills to do so, but I can share my experiences and hopefully that will help you in some way, at least if you are just starting out or thinking about getting a DSLR! </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">I'll write more camera thoughts in the future.</span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /></span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-75492809620269845482009-05-16T00:13:00.000-07:002009-05-23T22:36:41.012-07:00Sunday Stills- Eyes<span style="font-family:courier new;">This is my first time participating in the <a style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);" href="http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/2009/05/10/sunday-stills-the-next-challenge-eyes/">Sunday Stills Challenge</a>. The challenge for this weekend was "eyes."<br /><br />I reworked a few shots of eyes that I took of Morgan the farm cat a few weeks ago.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3535255718/" title="MorganF by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2483/3535255718_3e7d8356c7_o.jpg" alt="/" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3535277012/" title="Morgan3F by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3359/3535277012_5166003726_o.jpg" alt="Morgan3F" width="725" height="638" /></a><br /><br />It is hard to capture eyes without getting a reflection. I just love the colors of Morgan's eyes. Had I not taken these pictures, I don't think I would have ever noticed that how multicolored her eyes are. It also never ceases to amaze me how tiny a cat's pupil can get....just a sliver of black!<br /><br />It's a good thing this challenge was on eyes and not ears, since I cropped Morgan's out on both pictures. Sorry, Morgan. I'm informing everyone right now that you have the cutest little ears!<br /><br />Please head over to the Sunday Stills blog to check out other contributors!</span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-38584344237830739752009-05-16T00:12:00.000-07:002009-05-17T09:08:01.300-07:00A Beautiful Mess<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">It's Pink Saturday! This weekend, I decided to post over here at the picture blog.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{beautiful}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3535598114/" title="beautiful2F by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3535598114_b79a44d63d_o.jpg" alt="beautiful2F" width="715" height="471" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />{beautiful}</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3534780693/" title="BeautifulF by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2449/3534780693_8faf2a7ae7_o.jpg" alt="BeautifulF" width="715" height="527" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{mess}<br /></span></div><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3535595766/" title="Beautiful3F by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2150/3535595766_bb9ab0905c_o.jpg" alt="Beautiful3F" width="715" height="457" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{but still beautiful}</span><br /></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br />A big thanks to Beverly over at her <a style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);" href="http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/">How Sweet the Sound</a> blog for hosting this pinkness every weekend! Head on over to get some ideas from the other participants, maybe you'll even want to try your own pinky post!<br /><br /></span>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-40373550427664235272009-05-14T18:24:00.000-07:002009-05-17T09:06:40.750-07:00Under, Behind, and Between<span style="font-family:courier new;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{under}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3527433468/" title="Rumps3F by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333/3527433468_29231d93db_o.jpg" alt="Rumps3F" width="750" height="498" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{behind: photographing the photographer}</span></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3531788633/" title="Fritzy Photograher by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2207/3531788633_8d4d1eb7b1_o.jpg" alt="Fritzy Photograher" width="750" height="498" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{between: spotted squish}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3527418744/" title="Rumps1 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3298/3527418744_2c00f64bab_o.jpg" alt="Rumps1" width="751" height="500" /></a>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-78819984337574620932009-05-12T22:21:00.000-07:002009-05-17T09:07:04.253-07:00My Favorite Goat<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{walter}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3526493153/" title="Walter by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3526493153_4f07e3f4e2_o.jpg" alt="Walter" width="700" height="432" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{gray ears. gray muzzle. amber-colored eyes}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3526489259/" title="Walter2 by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3309/3526489259_149dd23d80_o.jpg" alt="Walter2" width="700" height="432" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{no horns!}</span><br /></div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3527315802/" title="Walter3F by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3527315802_796a6a8656_o.jpg" alt="Walter3F" width="700" height="432" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{that's why he's my favorite}</span><br /><br /><br /></div>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-57186285439022793302009-05-11T23:00:00.000-07:002009-05-12T22:18:13.262-07:00Soft and Fluffy<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">On a simple walk around the farm I saw many soft and fluffy things.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">{dandelion seeds}</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3524080194/" title="FlowersF by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3636/3524080194_83a3b8bc60_o.jpg" alt="FlowersF" width="752" height="500" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{goat hair on the fence}</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3523274929_3e9265513f_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 759px; height: 503px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3523274929_3e9265513f_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{bridle path clippings}<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3523274673_f004c370b2_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 769px; height: 452px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3417/3523274673_f004c370b2_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><span style="font-family:courier new;">{feather attached to a salmon berry leaf and twirling in the breeze, a one-of-a-kind-find}<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3523275403_602f256cf1_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 772px; height: 512px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3523275403_602f256cf1_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{dog hair wrapped around a blackberry vine}</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3523275209_af80cec83d_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 768px; height: 511px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3394/3523275209_af80cec83d_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{my favorite ears}</span><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/3524081574_761a9d6372_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 764px; height: 506px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3332/3524081574_761a9d6372_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3523275209/" title="thornF by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"></a></span></div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7717153094753900823.post-1037695827148161082009-05-10T18:10:00.000-07:002009-05-11T23:50:55.170-07:00The White Wonder Pony<div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:courier new;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:courier new;">Let's start off the week with some pictures of Brandy from this weekend.</span></span><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{goin' all out}</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3520559109/" title="BrandyRun2F by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/3520559109_82709436a0_o.jpg" alt="BrandyRun2F" width="843" height="505" /></a><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3520558751/" title="BrandyRunFF by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img style="width: 841px; height: 451px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3571/3520558751_6e5543dc3c_o.jpg" alt="BrandyRunFF" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">{yee-haw}</span><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3520559421/" title="BrandyRun3F by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3596/3520559421_1937a20679_o.jpg" alt="BrandyRun3F" width="682" height="518" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{paint girl hugs}</span></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3523176243/" title="BrandyF by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/3523176243_5b90a12105_o.jpg" alt="BrandyF" width="787" height="602" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:courier new;">{snowflake eyelashes}</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3521369148/" title="Brandy EyeF by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3323/3521369148_8cced14e96_o.jpg" alt="Brandy EyeF" width="674" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcTB2lnSWjNymOwzLCli9LAEf-PBGiMh6LbIvJr_3kvowT0q5iZfiSqa1FzL9cRTJcFTtO2BVOmK-NbgUakUrjZ7uRjyWwbut5P4WZWpuAO_PfM_YIBuWMMEYHlp4Pdb4c1J3vzn27PwU/s1600-h/Brandy+EyeF.JPG"><br /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3520558751/" title="BrandyRunFF by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><br /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26827905@N03/3523176243/" title="BrandyF by PonyGirlRides, on Flickr"><br /></a>Pony Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02464088874054923635noreply@blogger.com11