The shot that almost wasn’t
Across the street from us is a seventy three hectare piece of farming land. They have run cattle and sheep, as well as grown maize for animal feed. Around November last year (our spring) they allowed the grass to grow and then brought in the tractors to cut it. Every November there is a stunning pocket of weather that is bookmarked by rain and wind. As a result you will often find folks making silage. When I saw the bales of silage scattered across the large fields, I was struck by the sight. It was so appealing to me. I made a note to come back and get a picture; but I left it too late.
Within a couple days the bales had been all cleared out and I had missed my chance to capture the moment. I vowed, that should they do it again – I would not miss it. To my delight, January rolled round and they chose to do a second pass. And best believe I was straight out there with my camera. Here are a few raw shots I snapped on that wonderful day.
The thing about the farm next door is, I have imagined owning it since we moved in. I want to run dry stock on it and make sure it stays farmland. I love my paddock view and would love nothing more than to be able to keep it that way. Imagine now, how I caught my breath, a few months after this picture was taken, when a for sale sign went up. Followed shortly after by the exhaling of most hope from the realization there is no way I could obtain the land at this time. Funny things loans, you have to service them. My heart sank when the signs came down in the fall. I thought someone had bought it and my chance was truly gone. Turns out it hadn’t sold, they chose to take it off the market for the winter. I expect it will be back on again come summer and I’m hoping somehow when and if it does I will magically have what I need to acquire it. The dream lives on for now.
This is the first of a series where I tell stories about the images I take. If you love this image and wish to bring it into your home you can purchase it from our farm shop.
