Friday, September 26, 2014

Fishing and Bonding

This has been a pretty good summer. Many days have been spent fishing with my dad, enjoying each other's company and getting a good tan in the process. After fishing we always stop by Sonic so Daddy can get a large caramel malt.

Around the middle of August I caught a 5 lb. bass, reeling him in all by myself. I may have mentioned it in another post; if so, sorry to repeat myself. The last three times we've been fishing we haven't caught anything worth bragging about. Daddy suggested the next time to get out to the fishing hole by daybreak on a cool morning. I told him to test out his theory first and if it works, then I'm in.

It's so hard not to have my big girl camera by my side, but I want to concentrate on bonding with my dad and fishing without the distraction of photography. Now I can't totally eliminate photography, being in such beautiful surroundings, so this is where my trusty iPhone takes up the slack.
This is my dad. The foggy morning was beautiful. In Lightroom I chose the Creamtone preset.


Five horses came galloping up to us at one point. The one closest in the frame was their ringleader, apparently.
Anyway, I tried to make friends with him and remain calm, but he had crazy eyes and wouldn't stop hovering and snorting.
He was all up in my face. I don't know much about horses and was afraid of getting kicked, so I hightailed it to the other side of the pond.

The pole from the bird house looks like it's holding up this horse's head. Haha


I don't know what kind of horse this is, but I love that blonde mane.


Isn't he cute?

Wishing everyone a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend!

Sharing with the wonderful Tex at

And also sweet Eileen at
Link

50 comments:

Hootin Anni said...

Looks like a Palomino horse with the blond mane.

And yes, if he is the stallion and those are his mares, you should be careful. You were wise to get far enough away from him.

Love the photo at the very beginning...the effect is just absolutely stunning.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

what cuties. i love the last guy. donkey, right? i am terrible - the hubby & i have chats about donkeys / mules, all the time. i am lean to donkey. ha. ha!! it is funny what we chat about on trips. ha. ha!! ( :

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

awwwwww

nothing cuter than a donkey

amazing there isn't one in every back yard.

Bethany Carson said...

So awesome you could go fishing with your dad! The foggy morning is absolutely beautiful, and the horses and donkey are sure good looking!

TexWisGirl said...

the horses are solid beauties, but the sweet burro takes the cuteness cake. so, still no photo of the mounted 5 lb. bass??? :)

Irma said...

Hi Gail,
It's great to work with your father to catch fish.
The pictures with the fog I find totally amazing.
The horses and donkey are beautiful.
Best regards, Irma

troutbirder said...

Fishing and bonding is good. I did a lot of that with my children. Wonderful photos and I would go for a caramel malt too...:)

rainfield61 said...

I like the feel of the first picture.

Anita Johnson said...

The photo of your dad is a treasure. I have loved horses since I was a little girl. That being said they are a bit intimidating...especially with those crazy eyes! LOL!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Those foggy images are priceless. I wouldn't have stayed around those horses for long,that's for sure. I lie a telephoto lens to get pictures of animals that large. LOL

hootnonny said...

Who needs a big girl camera when you can get such great shots with a toy!

I particularly like the last one!

Indrani said...

Great series.
I liked the misty shots more. :)

Pantherka said...


Wonderful pictures ... all of them.
I really like it.
Beautiful weekend.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You don't need a big girl camera ... These are stunning (especially the first one. Did you give a print of it to your dad? I would; it just captures such a lovely mood and a perfect place and day.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you needed a fence in this situation. Your backup equipment did a good job.

Georgianna said...

Even your iPhone photos are stunning, Gail! I'm so happy you are having these lovely times with your Dad. Definitely so special to concentrate on being with him and experiencing these adventures together. Priceless memories. Wishing you a marvelous weekend. x

Kerry said...

Some day I'll get a phone that takes great pics, but first my little flip phone has to wear out. Dang though. These are great! That furry burro!

The misty fishing photo is beautiful and evocative.

Anonymous said...

How nice to spend time with your dad. The foggy morning photos are just wonderful. The boisterous horses are really beautiful and the donkey is just plain cute.

DeniseinVA said...

The photo of your Dad is very special Gail, and so is your time with him. I used to go fishing with my Dad but honestly, we never caught anything remotely like a 5 lb. Blass, lol. Your other photos were complete smile bringers. Sweet photos of the horses and donkey. Maybe the one horse was being a bit territorial. They certainly are gorgeous animals.

Sally said...

Such beautiful photo's. Especially of your dad. Cherish every moment.

Inspired By June said...

Did I miss the picture of your mounted bass? Love,love, love the shot of your dad - really nice, Gail! Horses are beautiful and I want to take that furry donkey home with me! So cute! We've been on the road in CO this week, so I'm a little last commenting. Blessings!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful that you've been able to spend so much time with your dad. I've also been trying to tame my photography addiction lately in order to truly be present. You take wonderful iphone pics, though! Love that one of your dad! Priceless!

Andy said...

I really like that first photo of your Dad fishing. It's an excellent shot.

eileeninmd said...

Awesome photos of the lake and your dad. And the horses are so pretty. And I just love that cute donkey.. Awesome post. Happy weekend!

Just a thought, but this would be a great post to link up to my critter party.

orchid0324 said...

Wonderful picture of your father; every time reading your great time with him makes me feel heartwarming. Next month, we will hold my father's one year memorial service.
And GREAT pictures of horses and sweet donkey♡♡♡

Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Donna Hopkins said...

Like you, I often find that I must leave my big girl camera behind - especially when I need to focus my full attention on a friend or family member. Good for you for putting first things first! But, wow, you still managed to capture some awesome pictures with your iPhone! Love them all, but especially the first one with your father fishing!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Gorgeous. If you aren't familiar with horses and that one was staring you down and snorting you did the right thing.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Love the misty shots and those horses are very handsome. Love the donkey as well. Have a great weekend.

Suzan said...

What an adorable little mule - such huge hairy ears :-}} I'm with you Gail concerning the horses, but this little mule would be difficult to not wrap your arms around his neck for a huge hug!! Then take out my hairbrush and bush him down a bit!!
Beautiful pictures of your dad and the fog -- with your iphone???? My Huawei takes terrible grainy pictures!! I'm really impressed with your phone!!

Unknown said...

I love the photos of the misty morning and the critters are great as well.

nookworm said...

You are a sensitive and talented photographer! The camera you use sometimes doesn't really matter because the end results are true art! Composition and awareness are thoroughly yours. Those fat and glossy horses aren't one bit hungry are they?

eileeninmd said...

Hello Gail, Thank you for so much for linking up, enjoy your weekend!

A Colorful World said...

Fantastic phone photos! I know I have told you before, but I love that you go fishing with your Dad. Great shots of him and the lake with the "foggy" treatment. Lovely horses and burro!

Linda said...

Excellent photos! Love the mist and the horses are beautiful!

Ida said...

Wonderful selection here. Loved the shot of your dad fishing. Brought back memories of my dad when he fished.
The horses had such shiny coats and that last shot was really cute.

Ida said...

Wonderful selection here. Loved the shot of your dad fishing. Brought back memories of my dad when he fished.
The horses had such shiny coats and that last shot was really cute.

Debbie said...

your images are beautiful gail but more then that i have enjoyed all the stories about the special time you have been spending with your dad!!

Roan said...

That first shot is amazing! Love the cute little donkey at the end and all the pics in between. Wise choice to move to the far side of the pond.

Shug said...

Your wisdom in photography is amazing....always the perfect lighting for the perfect picture!! Great job my sweet friend...

EG CameraGirl said...

It's so good for you to spend time with your dad, Gail. I think you have thought a lot about your priorities and have gotten it right for you. KUDOS!

LC said...

That iPhone is trusty indeed and I love that ethereal, timeless look you created in the first photo. It is so evocative of the opportunity for that bonding that arrives via an early-morning father-daughter fishing trip.

My bonding via fishing was on West Pearl River. We had a one-room houseboat tied up just above the old Hwy 11 bridge. It was our base camp for making family memories on weekends and summers from the time i was four--about 1952 until Hurricane Camille destroyed it in 1969.

diane b said...

Fog always makes great photos, well done with the phone and LR. "The best camera is the one you have with you" The horses look fat and shiny and I would have hightailed it out of there too.

Anonymous said...

Wonderfully misty shots. Sounds like a lovely way to bond with your dad.

Helma said...

Yes, it was definitely a good summer and also in the Netherlands.
Beautifully these first pictures with the fog, and that is also very nice forward.
The horses shine it. Beautiful pictures Gail and so lovely bright and sharp.
Greetings, Helma

Starla said...

Love the pictures of the fog, so quiet and peaceful.

And I had to giggle at the horse getting in your space. Scary, I'm sure it was for you, but it made for a great "waddayawant lady?!" picture!!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

EHo needs a big workhorse camera, Gail, when you can capture these timeless memories with your iPhone. The foggy morning ones and your dad fishing were my favorites.

21 Wits said...

How adorable, your photos are just beautiful. I could just hug that adorable sweet horsey face!

Hannah said...

You are blessed to have such times with your father. I love the foggy shot of the tree and reflection. The horses would intimidate me too. They are so beautiful and strong, they gleam in the sun. What a shocker to see the adorable donkey then, but he looks so sweet and mild.

Laura said...

Beautiful photos Gail. I am especially drawn to the fog images, so soft and mysterious.

BumbleVee said...

oh, how cute is he! I love donkeys..I even support a little sanctuary in eastern Canada.... hahhaha... thousands of miles away cuz I live in the western part....