A Day at the Track

Foxy, one of the two horses Natasha rides.

I thought I was going to a back country horse race today but it turns out that it was a lesson on doing the jumps used in back country racing. I was still looking forward to just having a day out wandering around on the trails and doing photography. It was frigid cold and I discovered that having my hair so short makes it a lot more difficult to stay warm! I think I need to go scarf shopping. I saw one in a fabulous shade of blue yesterday but resisted buying it... now I have a reason to go back and buy it... if I can remember where I saw it...

Abigail.

Ann brought her little dog Abigail along and the three of us walked as Natasha and two other riders took a lesson. We spent about two or three hours at the track and my toes were numb the whole time. It was a misty, cold, gray day where the light never changes from dawn until dusk. It's taking a while to warm up, but I'm getting close. (I'm curled up in bed with a hot water bottle on my feet and I'm still wearing my toque.)


During the quieter moments I walked around the edge of the field to capture anything that caught my eye. I find it incredibly relaxing to just let my mind wander as I do photography. Formal portrait sessions can be fun, but when I shoot nature shots or candids I just get to react to the moments and not try to create them.






I grabbed the shot below while I was holding the reins as Natasha got Foxy ready for the trip back home. Held the reins with my left hand, set the lens to wide angle, and clicked about three or four shots with my right hand. This one is my favourite.


After we returned to the place where Natasha boards her horse, Ann and I headed back to Hook. Along the way, Ann took a detour to show me the tiny village where she grew up. There are beautiful homes and an old church nestled together in the countryside. I've heard stories about this place so it was great to see it in person.

An old bench in the churchyard.