Sheep etc.

[sirch]

I've not looked in on this thread in a while, really good to see it going from strength to strength.

In the John and Eliza Forder books from the 1990s

I think I know that John Forder, I knew he did some landscape books but not those on sheep, assuming it's the same chap.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I think I know that John Forder, I knew he did some landscape books but not those on sheep, assuming it's the same chap.

I have two books of theirs on hill farming which are in colour, and one each in black and white on the Dales and Cumbria. Also a small booklet of Dales pictures. I believe they had a gallery in Dent. There was some reference on the internet to it which had disappeared last time I did a search. It would be interesting to know what has happend to their archive.

 

[sirch]

I believe they had a gallery in Dent.

That's the one. I'm sure John has the archive or at least some of it, he an Eliza divorced before I first met him about 10 years ago and I don't know the history.

 

[Ed Sutton]

That's the one. I'm sure John has the archive or at least some of it, he an Eliza divorced before I first met him about 10 years ago and I don't know the history.

It's an archive which deserves preservation and a wider audience. Celebrity shepherdess Amanda Owen says the Hill Shepherd book inspired her to take up shepherding. The time might be right for a retrospective.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I gave the Great Eccleston Show a miss last weekend. I couldn't get myself motivated, in part because last year was a bit of a let down. There were sheep but not many breeds which interested me. There was no way I was going on the Sunday for the rare breeds wit the cricket World Cup Final on. Glad I didn't miss that! I also told myself that I'd go to the last two days of the Royal Lancashire Show by way of compensation - sheep and a sheep dog trial both days. Today was the second day and it rained on and off until the dog trial was over and I was leaving. Typical. I'm still going through the silly number of pics I took and will post a selection after tomorrow's visit. But here are a couple.

This one includes a picture of mine (the one on the far right) used on a banner. I thought she meant it to be used on a website banner when she asked to buy it. My mistake.

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Apparently these Valais Blacknose sheep are clipped twice a year and a fleece is worth £25. Considerably more than most fleeces. The sheep also sell for more money as pets than they do for meat. They probably appeal to the sort of people who keep alpacas. Alpaca keepers, now they could make for a good project!

The second picture illustrates my quote of the day from one of the farmers helping with the running of the sheep section. I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget it. "I wish I could get my sheep to walk on a halter like that. I'm lucky to see 'em once a year!"

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These are Ryelands, which are increasing in numbers at the shows. I was told that crossed with the Valais the meat has very little fat. So, cute and tasty!

This is the second year back for the Royal Lancs (after collapsing in a sorry state) and it's expanded. Poultry numbers were up 100 on last year, and there are 700 sheep being shown over the two days in a better laid out set up. There are the usual stalls trying to part you from your cash but also lots of livestock, and country sports displays and competitions. The sheep dog trial used to be a big feature of the Show in the past so it's good to see that back.

One last picture for now.

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[Ed Sutton]

It's going to take a while to whittle two days of pics down. I looked round non-sheep related bits of the show today for a change so have a variety to thin out. The sun shone on and off today so that helped at the sheep dog trial. I still struggle to frame action shots well, but maybe cropping isn't something I should fret about. After all, even a big crop like this one is still more than a match for a lot of my old film shots.

Taking sheep dog action close ups are like photographing wildlife. You really need a longer lens than 300mm, and a faster frame rate than 6fps. I've been down that road in the past and don't want to go down it again. Although I might be tempted if there was (sufficient) money to be made doing it!

Hopefully some 'proper' sheep related pictures from the weekend will follow in due course.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Here are a few sheep dog photos. The setting was a bit different to the usual. The field the trials were held on has a 'fairway' running across it, and the fencing in the background of photo 2 was to protect the green and bunkers. This no doubt belonging to the owner of the big house.

There was a problem for the handlers as the ground fell away towards the river, near which the sheep were released, so they had trouble seeing if their dog had picked up the sheep at the lift. I'm not sure I came away with anything different, it felt more like an exercise in getting sharp shots of running dogs most of the time. Which is sort of fun at the time, but not what I take photos for.

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Sunday was dry, so I sat on the grass for a lower viewpoint. It had plusses and minuses. The biggest drawback was it being harder to move position.

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Some sheep showing pictures later.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Again this year there was a shearing demonstration, four times a day. I didn't spend much time at it last year but this year, because it was raining on Saturday, I did. A very good demo too, informative and entertaining. And small children got to jump up and down on the fleeces in the wool sack.

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While electric shears were the main demo hand clipping was also done on one sheep - albeit with modern shears.

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Although overall entries in the sheep section were up there were some empty classes and on Sunday a few didn't turn up, so there was more to see the first day and not much the second. Which is why I wandered around the rest of the show more than usual. I'm getting to the stage where I'm repeating myself with the sheep preparations and judging. All that's changing is the location. With that in mind I tried to drag myself away from the breeds I concentrate on.

This Badger Faced is having it's horns carefully glossed.

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The Gritstone class was very small (as below), so I went for a look at the Blue Texels and missed being in the midst of the chaos when two Grits decided to make a break for it and demolish the barriers forming the show ring. That would have been something different!

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It became a case of looking for details and abstracts.

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Another breed growing in popularity is the Dutch Spotted sheep. Not just as a 'fancy' sheep, but as a terminal sire to produce lamb for the table.

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Despite trying to photograph some different breeds which didn't really grab me I got drawn back to the Lonks. I don't know why. They're not pretty and friendly like the Valais Blacknose (which kids loved stroking), they don't have smiley faces like Herdwicks. They're unpretentious, no-nonsense sheep.

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More shows and trials coming up next month but I feel like I'm running out of steam.

 

[Ed Sutton]

My enthusiasm had returned yesterday and, until the heat got too much for me, I felt like I was getting somewhere again with my photos. In a reversal of my usual experience, however, I felt like I'd failed when I came to look them over when I got home from the Garstang Show. These days I find myself deliberating over making a record of something and making a 'good picture'. In an ideal world my pictures would be both. More usually they are just the former, but I think that's why I keep photographing the same things. To try to get the pictures which serve both functions. Yesterday it seemed to be mostly snapshots.

Not a wasted day as I increased my sheep knowledge by talking to some of the breeders. I know some people don't research the subjects of their photography, but I like to know a bit about what it is I'm photographing. The Farmers Guardian has become regular reading for me over the last eighteen months, and my pile of sheep related books keeps growing. I've ordered a copy of a history of Jacob sheep after talking with it's author yesterday! Jacob breeders always spend a lot of time preparing their sheep.

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I liked the overspray on the grass in this one.

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Blue Texels are becoming a prominent breed at shows and in the commercial sector.

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Catching sheep up after they've been 'let go' for the judge to see how they move is always entertaining for show visitors who aren't used to seeing it. It can make for fun pictures. Which is why I keep taking them. A low angle often works well and a flip out screen makes low angle shots so much easier. I don't usually get hung up on gear performance but live view on my camera is rubbish and it's starting to frustrate me! I think I'll start taking my compact camera along just for low angle shots as it does a much better job in liveview than my DSLR.

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I just couldn't get the bloomin' camera to focus on the sheep balloon. :banghead:

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That's about the lot, apart from more versions of sheep wrestling, unloading, horn holding, and all the other usual subjects. I did get record shots of tail and udder examination, Okay as illustrations but rubbish as pictures. I blame the heat for melting my brain. I couldn't stand it by half twelve and gave up. The English National sheep dog trials start on Friday. No doubt I'll trot along for a look on one of the days as it's only half an hour away.

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[Ed Sutton]

The English National Trials actually started yesterday afternoon with the brace runs. It was a glorious day and I would have gone along if I hadn't been stuck at home waiting for the UPS van - which turned up at five fifteen... Rain set in around half past midnight last night. I know this because I'd just got back to the car from fishing when it started and managed to avoid a soaking. It eased off mid morning today, and if the forecast was accurate I would get a couple of hours at the trials before the thunderstorms arrived. As it was I got a bit longer and managed to get away before they turned up. There was one heavy shower. Some spectators sat it out under their brollies, the rest headed for shelter!

I took very few pictures of the trial action, which was what everyone else with a camera seemed to be photographing. So I concentrated on other stuff. Just a couple for now more to follow.

 

[Harlequin565]

"For Me" this project is more and more standing on its own two feet without the words.

Thoroughly enjoyable to view. And free too!

 

[Ed Sutton]

"For Me" this project is more and more standing on its own two feet without the words.

Thoroughly enjoyable to view. And free too!

Thanks very much.

I like using words as much as I like making pictures. I still think some of these pictures need explaining for those not au fait with the world of sheep and sheep dogs. I'm still learning lots about them!

 

[Harlequin565]

I still think some of these pictures need explaining

And it's your project so you're well within your rights!

However I saw the image of the painted horns and for me - that conjured up stronger feelings than "carefully painted" which conveys a different "feeling".
The dog "interaction with sheep" images need nothing (in my opinion of course!) and your humour pictures are fab. Sheep brolly is very Parr-esque - just needs saturation pushing to 11, and what I'm calling "2 bums" really made me chuckle. You careful framing, composition and choice of subject show that you're not some voyeur and that tells its own story. I may not comment on all these posts, but I do enjoy them.

 

[RedRobin]

Thanks very much.

I like using words as much as I like making pictures. I still think some of these pictures need explaining for those not au fait with the world of sheep and sheep dogs. I'm still learning lots about them!

.... I had forgotten to follow (Watch) this thread. I really enjoy most of your photos and I think the words really complement the pictures, and also educate.

I have just been offered an Official Photographer's pass to my local show and will have free reign to shoot what and when I want. So I might describe myself as the Unofficial Official Photographer! Your work is inspiring.

 

[Ed Sutton]

And it's your project so you're well within your rights!

However I saw the image of the painted horns and for me - that conjured up stronger feelings than "carefully painted" which conveys a different "feeling".
The dog "interaction with sheep" images need nothing (in my opinion of course!) and your humour pictures are fab. Sheep brolly is very Parr-esque - just needs saturation pushing to 11, and what I'm calling "2 bums" really made me chuckle. You careful framing, composition and choice of subject show that you're not some voyeur and that tells its own story. I may not comment on all these posts, but I do enjoy them.

.... I had forgotten to follow (Watch) this thread. I really enjoy most of your photos and I think the words really complement the pictures, and also educate.

Thanks, both. Comments like these help keep me going.

I have just been offered an Official Photographer's pass to my local show and will have free reign to shoot what and when I want. So I might describe myself as the Unofficial Official Photographer! Your work is inspiring.

Excellent. I look forward to seeing some photos.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Being a three day national trial run by the International Sheep Dog Society this was a much more organised event than the local trials, with food and craft stalls and some other attractions. I expect Saturday and Sunday to be better attended - weather permitting - although there were plenty of people there. Many had brought their own chairs.

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It was hot when I arrived.

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Not sure if this one works or not. The arrow's pointing the wrong way....

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Plenty of sheep dog and ISDS related stuff for sale.

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Using these whistles is an art in itself. I know, I've tried!

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I took a few action shots, and some of the sheep dressing demonstration, but they don't add much to showing what the trial is like compared to others or show anything fresh.

As they start running at 7.30 in the morning and carry on until gone six in the evening I'll probably go back for a few hours tomorrow or Sunday to see if I can get some shots I missed.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I had nothing much to do yesterday, so...

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I spent a couple of wet and windy hours at the National and came away with only a handful of pictures. The ground was getting a bit muddy and the car parking field had to be changed.

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Yet another picture from behind of people watching sheep and sheep dogs.

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A doggy snap.

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I was thinking of going to Trawden Show this morning then going on to end the day at the trial but the show was cancelled. Instead I had an early lunch and went to trudge around in mud at the trial again. I stopped on until the bitter end and the presentations. At first glance I think I got one or two worth posting. But that will have to wait.

 

[Ed Sutton]

The four National trials are always run to the same rules, while local trials vary, and are used to select the four nations' teams to go forward to the International next month. The fifteen top runs, five from each day, make up the team with the top dog from each day competing in a run off to decided the National champion and team captain.

Five sheep are used, two being marked with red collars. The collars are collected in the exhaust pen.

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It's a long day with fifty runs starting at 7.00 am, the run off started around 6.00 pm and it was an hour and a half later that the presentations were over. Again the weather disappointed as far as drawing in a larger crowd of non-sheep dog obsessives. A real shame because it was well run laid out with plenty to interest people.

Those remaining for the grand finale were all sheep dog folk and as the first runner approached the post they settled in to watch.

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Second up was ready and waiting. Looking the other way and psyching himself up.

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I was interested, and sort of amused, to see a couple set up a video camera to record the first run. They recorded the second run too. Then packed up. At first I couldn't think why. Then it dawned on me. The third runner wasn't a sponsored handler....

After what, even to my untrained eyes, looked to be a close call between the first and third handlers it was time for the announcements, prize giving and team photo. All those who'd made the team gathered round with their dogs.

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The winner was, rather predictably, Ricky Hutchinson who also won the brace championship on Thursday. It's no wonder he's sponsored, he wins most trials!

I hope the weather improves before the Bank Holiday or more shows are going to be cancelled and I'll be stuck for places to go with my camera!

There are other pictures I could have posted, a lot being the old variations on familiar themes. They can be seen on my website if anyone's interested. Thanks for looking.

https://photo.dlst.co.uk/albums/english-national-2019-day-1/
https://photo.dlst.co.uk/albums/english-national-2019-day-3/

 

[sphexx]

><
After what, even to my untrained eyes, looked to be a close call between the first and third The winner was, rather predictably, Ricky Hutchinson who also won the brace championship on Thursday. It's no wonder he's sponsored, he wins most trials!

Or no wonder he wins most trials, he’s sponsored! I guess sponsoring means money to allow more time to train and buy better dogs so a virtuous circle. Not saying he wasn’t good/best to start with of course.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Or no wonder he wins most trials, he’s sponsored! I guess sponsoring means money to allow more time to train and buy better dogs so a virtuous circle. Not saying he wasn’t good/best to start with of course.

Funny you should say that. I overheard someone saying that he's a professional trialer these days. I've no idea if that's true or not.

There's always bitchiness and conjecture too. Someone else said to me before the result was announced that he'd probably win because of who he is. The winning margin was one point. So maybe!

 

[sirch]

Love the sequence of the photographers followed by their subjects, real story telling.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Love the sequence of the photographers followed by their subjects, real story telling.

Sequencing is something that can be tricky to do on here. I always try to order the pictures in albums on my site to make a visual flow - which means they are often not in strict chronological order. Making pictures with an eye to them making a group is something I don't see a lot of, but I like doing it.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Choices today - sheep dog trial at a venue I haven't been to or Gargrave Show. Didn't fancy the show much after last year, nice little show though it is. So it was a late start for the trial. I got there to find there was also a sheep show being judged. And that it was overrun with photographers. So I took photos of people taking photos of sheep. I wasn't all that that interested in the Cumbrian sheep anyway.

Only the last one is anywhere near a picture.

I did take other photos, some of which I might post later. However, today has decided me to carry on to the end of the show season then knock it on the head and find something less popular to photograph. A friend of mine used to show mice when he was young...

 

[Ed Sutton]

A quick sheepscape. The sky could have been better.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I'm not keen on competitive photograph taking and with lots of people with cameras I try to both keep out of the background of their pictures and out of their way. Which kinda limits the options. Luckily I wasn't bothered about getting the usual sort of judging/showing pics as the breeds being shown aren't on my 'hit list'. I went for details and 'observations'. I'll get the ultimate 'waterproofs round the thighs' shot one of these days. I had it framed today, but the bugger started pulling his waterproofs up!

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The setting for the show is very picturesque, but getting a shot which showed it well with the church and the sheep pens in the frame was impossible as the pens were obscured by livestock trailers.

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I tried something different from up the hill by the sheep dog trial.

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The sheep were a few lowland breeds, a fair few Mules and Bluefaced Leicesters, but mostly Rough Fells like these.

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Judging detail.

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I'm always drawn by signs and notices. Yes, I did give a donation.

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Trial pics next.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Slim pickings at the trial, but I didn't spend too much time there and my motivation level was low. The pen was close, which was good. Or it would have been if the sheep got that far. It was tough for most I watched. Peter was doing OK until one Swaledale made a break for it down the hill and towards the sheep show with his dog in hot pursuit. The dog returned. I didn't see the sheep again...

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There was a strong and cool wind blowing which was keeping the handlers in their vehicles until it was almost time for them to run their dogs which meant there wasn't much going on around the field. It was a case of looking for things out of the ordinary. Not that there was much of that. Or trying to find different ways of looking at things.

I'm a bit of a sucker for framing subjects with random junk...

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And for reflections.

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Not to mention unplanned shots when people walk in front of me. It often slightly annoys me when people stop and wait for me to take a photograph when I'm actually hoping they will walk in front of me and 'make' a picture. Most times it doesn't work, but every now and then the shapes seem to make visual sense to me. Again there's a framing going on. A pity the dog working the sheep isn't in the shot.

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It's hard not to photograph dogs being affectionate.

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Sheep in the exhaust pen.

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There's a show within striking distance tomorrow and plenty of events going on next week, over the Bank Holiday weekend and after it but I've not settled on which I'll attend yet. I might give one or two a miss and get some real work done.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Well, I gave Sunday's show a miss but today's weather forecast was too good to stay home working - and there just happened to be another sheep show and sheep dog trial on.

A grand little show it was too. No frills (I said I wouldn't make a photo of the toilet facilities public...), no entrance fee but donations to a charity welcomed, all catering provided by the ladies of the committee, and sheep and sheep dogs. Rather surprisingly I was the only one there taking photos who wasn't connected with the show. Maybe it being a weekday had something to do with that

The trial field was a 'dog' for photography with a drop between where you could watch from and the penning area which meant the sheep and dogs disappeared from view at critical moments. There were lots of sheep to look at though, with judging going on well into the afternoon. However, I'm not sure if I got many pictures, although I think I did.

What really struck me today was that these events are cultural. It's not nostalgic to think like this, sheep shows are a living thing. The surnames on the memorial trophies are the same as those organising the show and winning the trophies. What's more is that it's intergenerational.

Just one other photo for now. One I'm not sure about but something surreal about it strikes me.

 

[Ed Sutton]

It's taken me longer than usual to sift and sort yesterday's pictures. I think because they are mediocre with no stand-outs and too many near misses from ineptitude. Some, however, add a little to the overall project.

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I was able to get an elevated viewpoint to show the setting and layout of the show.

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Other than that it was the usual variations on themes. There was plenty of room in the judging areas to get round without being in the way which should have helped me. I guess I'm just rubbish. Although there were Lonks being shown I forced myself to spend some time with the Herdwicks. This one wasn't too impressed.

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The sheep obsession gets indoctrinated early. Not to mention the habit of always having baler twine to hand.

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[Ed Sutton]

The law of diminishing returns continues to apply. I am also not at my best when it's hot. And today it was hot at Chipping Show. Nothing much to say either except there was a sheep dog demonstration which was a bit different to the usual duck herding entertainment. A local shepherd explained, with live visual aids - two dogs and some Herdwicks, how sheep dogs are trained to work following their natural instincts and how the basic commands apply. I didn't get tuned in at the sheep show and the fresh ideas I tried didn't come off.

On my way home I took a not very sharp distant view of the showground.

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Biosecurity is stressed these days. Although I'm not sure there's much foot dipping actually goes on.

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I made a slight improvement in my search for the ultimate picture of testicle inspection.

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The judge for the overall champion sheep and the young handlers was one of the auctioneers from Skipton who was very thorough and gave explanations to the crowd for his choices.
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There's definitely a trend for explaining what's going on and why to the non-farming audience at these shows.
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The prize money comes in a plain brown envelope.
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[Ed Sutton]

I don't know if it was the weather or I'm losing motivation but I could have been at a sheep dog trial on Sunday (I stayed home and listened to the cricket - which proved the right move!), yesterday was the Hope Show in Derbyshire which I skipped because I couldn't face two hot days at shows as today was the Kilnsey Show in Wharfedale which I've wanted to visit as everyone says it's a 'stunning' location with lots of sheep.

There's not doubt about Kilnsey Crag making an imposing backdrop to the show. The sheep pens are positioned right in line with the crag and well set out for showing and spectating. Not so good for photography unless you could get in the judging area between the pens. There was also a sheep dog trial taking place, right by the sheep section. If it hadn't been so hot I'd have stayed longer and spent some time with that as it was camera friendly but I was knackered by one. Once again I couldn't get my brain into gear.

Before I set off I took my wide angle lens out of my bag because I haven't used it for ages, and also because I'd been looking at wide angle livestock show pictures on-line and took a dislike to them. They look artificial to me. It's not the way we see the owrld. Even 24mm can llok unnatural. However, when I tired to get the crag and the sheep lines all in the same frame I wished I'd left it in the bag! Even a vertical shot didn't get the full effect.

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Plan B. Find a different angle.

Because there was a larger than usual entry in the sheep classes two breeds were penned away from the main lines beneath the crag. I'm sure that it being a Yorkshire show had nothing to do with one of those breeds being the Lancastrian Lonk... But their pen placement did get me that different angle.

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I really am going to have to wean myself off the Lonks! I did try, but came away with nothing much other than some general views. I did get some details around the sheep area, although they weren't up to much.

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The only bit of shade.

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Unless I can get my eye back in or make a shift of some kind this project will either start going round in circles or fizzle out. Only two, maybe three, more agricultural shows for me this summer. I suppose could start 'stamp collecting' - going to shows I haven't visited just to get pictures of them. A sort of tick list approach. But that's not what I want to do.

 

[sphexx]

Now stamp collecting, there’s an idea. Are there stamp collectors show/competitions possibly in the wintertime to complement your sheep shows!

 

[Ed Sutton]

Are there stamp collectors show/competitions possibly in the wintertime to complement your sheep shows!

Google says yes.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I happened to drive by the showground I was at last Saturday today. It made me feel a little sad. The sign at the gate advertising the date was melancholic.

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All the hustle and bustle, marquees, fencing and barriers were gone. I had a wander round and there was hardly a sign there had been any sheep pens there at all. With it being much cooler and overcast it felt like summer, and show season, was slipping away fast.

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It was only by chance I'd taken this road on a very inderect drive home from a rare and minority breed auction where I had taken very few pictures despite seeing one breed of sheep I'd not seen before. The Llanwenog. The only picture I got of one was a bit off-the-wall, even for me.

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It was only a half-hearted visit, photographically. A last minute decision to go and take some photographs with the camera I'd had returned from a service advisory earlier in the week. I was only making sure I had it set up the way I used to and that it was working OK. The only two lenses I had with me were a 35mm and a 100mm as an experiment to make me try and see things differently instead of relying on a zoom.

Wherever you see people dealing with sheep you'll see them adopt the legs apart, arms outstretched posture.

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This is something which is either genetic, or learned at an early age!

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The rest of my half reasonable pictures were nothing more than 'fillers'.

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Two more shows are inked in on my calendar with two more distant ones pencilled in then the agricultural show season will be over for the year. The end of September will be when I decide if this project is concluded or not.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Bentham Show takes place inside the auction mart pens, which are cattle pens, fairly dark and inaccessible. However there has been some work done recently and the larger sheep classes were judged outside in rings made from sheep hurdles. The day kicked off with the junior handlers.

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After three rounds of that came the Blue Faced Leicesters. Some sheep fans make disparaging comments about the looks of BFLs but don't think they look anything like camels! I'm still closing in on hands.

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There were also plenty of Mules (BFL tups crossed with Swaledale ewes). Lively sheep.

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The third large entry was in the Rough Fell class.

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Because of the restrictive nature of the mart pens, and because I've photographed inside before, I gave that a miss while the judging was going on. Mainly because the light and access was better outside, but also because the arrangement was new.

Inside the mart there are lots of opportunities when the sun shines to capture atmospheric shots as there are skylight panels in the roof and slats in the side walls through which light shines on the myriad rails and gates. I took a couple but they're not sheep related really. In places the light did fall on sheep. I could imagine that on sale days with the right conditions there could be some striking pictures to be made.

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There was a group of four photographers wandering around the show, often standing together taking what must have been pretty much the same shots. Maybe I'm anti-social but I can't 'do' photography like that. It's the same with fishing. I can enjoy a day out with a mate, but I catch a lot more when I fish alone because I think about what I'm doing more.

There were Herdwicks. I even spent some time trying to get photographs of them but nothing worked out quite the way I hoped. They are a popular breed with the non-sheep public though.

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Thanks for looking.

 

[Ed Sutton]

A little over 12 months ago I posted some pictures of the remains of Troutbeck auction mart. Today a link to the tale of it's last sale popped up on Twitter. If anyone's interested in that and the changing face of livestock selling here it is - https://lakesauctioneer.blog/2019/09/08/troutbeck-mart-the-end-of-an-era/

Today should have been a visit to a small sheep dog trial. Well it sort of was, except I left too late and couldn't find anywhere handy to park. I guess I could have walked down the hill from where I did find a spot, but it was a long, steep way back up and my knees aren't what they were. It looked like a nice trial too.

There was a mother and daughter Swaledale chillin' on the fell which were happy to pose for me.

And I got a new desktop background for my PC.

 

[Ed Sutton]

I very nearly stayed home today as I wasn't sure I could face another day taking photos of sheep in the rain, but like an idiot I went to the Westmorland Show anyway. It was grim.

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I spent a lot of time wiping the lenses of my cameras and my specs. Much of the time I couldn't see clearly what I was looking at through the viewfinder. Not having set off early the judging was already under way when I got there.

There is always a good representation of sheep breeds at this show and I made a determined effort to photograph ones I don't usually concentrate on. I still got a few too many of Lonks though...

Wensleydale.
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Grey Faced Dartmoor (I think).
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I spent some time at the Swaledales as they were accessible from outside the pens.
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The search for something different continued.

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Plus scene setters and character studies.

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There's an extended set here.

If it hadn't been so horrible I would have gone round more of the show for a change, but it was that wet and windy my friend who does the fly casting demonstration was staying in the marquee tying flies! The weather got the better of me adn by half twelve I'd had enough. I managed to get off the car park field without a tow from a tractor - but not without a helpful push. Here's hoping the field in use for Saturday's show isn't too damp.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Possibly my last agricultural show of the season today unless I drag myself over to Pateley Bridge a week on Monday. Lots of sheep (although there were some no-shows) and a sheep dog trial all in a lovely setting and warm sunshine. I've got a load more junk to wade through and edit than usual for some reason. Must have got a bit trigger happy!

Here's a few sheep dog pics for now.

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[Ed Sutton]

After last year's hot dry summer the weather broke for the Hodder Valley Show which took place in constant rain. This summer there have hardly been two days running the weather has been the same. I've been drenched and baked at shows this year. It was a chilly start in the valley but it soon warmed up. The low sun giving a distinctly autumnal look to some of my pictures.

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Most of my time was spent around the hill sheep. The pictures here are all of Lonks and Swaledales, which were the two largest classes, although I did take a few of other breeds.

Both the fleece and skin are checked over as part of the judging process.

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If I stick at it I'm sure I'll get a good testicle checking picture eventually. This tup wasn't too keen on the process.

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I often wonder how much difference a last minute foot wash makes to a judge's decision.

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Still trying to get a stick picture that's a bit different.

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It's not my habit to set up pictures, but when I was handed a rosette and prize envelope to look after I thought I'd try something different.

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This one wasn't set up. Sort of symbolic of the drawing to a close of show season?

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It might also mark a drawing to a close of this thread, and the project as a whole as it's liable to start repeating itself even more than it has already. I suppose that's partly because there has been no plan to it, even though not having a plan is what keeps me interested.

I've been in a constant struggle with what sort of pictures to take, and post. There's the straightforward recording of events approach (without going for the obvious, 'journalisitc' shots) and there's an obtuse way of looking at things. All the while I'm trying to make pictures which have some kind of visual structure to them and maybe play around with the widely accepted ideas of what makes a 'good' picture. This is something I battle with all the time, but for a project like this I'm not sure if sticking to one approach or the other might be better.

Thanks for looking and for the comments which have been helpful and encouraging. There might be one or two more posts over the next few weeks with the autumn sheep sales coming up. Or there might not.

 

[Ed Sutton]

Well... I had a free afternoon, the sun was shining and I had nothing else to do so I thought I'd head for the hills and have a walk. After that I went for a drive around in search of inspiration but got held up.

With hindsight it's easy to see where I went wrong. Other shots I took were ruined by shooting into the sun for one thing. My excuse is that I wasn't expecting to see a flock of sheep in the road. At least I did get out of the car and make a bit of an effort!

 

[Ed Sutton]

Final agricultural show of the year for me today at Pateley Bridge and possibly my last venture over the border for shows. The weather turned out better than anticipated, although a low bright sun makes for contrasty photos and black and white sheep and sheep dogs become difficult to expose for. It was more of the usual really, but with a couple of additions.

Black-faced sheep seem to get smeared with baby oil, for white-faced sheep it's baby powder!

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A break in style for me to photograph a smiling face.

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More hands.

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Concentration - judging and being judged.

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I get the impression that colouring fleeces for showing is becoming more common for certain breeds.

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There was lots to see around the showground, but even though I'm feeling a bit burned out on the sheep I didn't find anything else that held my interest other than the sheep dog trial which I must be getting interested in aside from the photography as I now know 'come by' from 'away' instinctively!