Here are a couple of shots taken inside the cow barn at Richardson’s Dairy.
"End of the Milk Line" (Holstein Dairy Cows) Nikon D300, 70mm, F/5.6, 1/60s, ISO 640, Antique Toning with Vignette
Hmmm, I never seem to just take a normal image now do I? 
"Cheesy Smile" (Holstein Dairy Cow) Nikon D300, 200mm, F/8, 1/250s, ISO 400, Antique Toning with Vignette
"Coy" (Dairy Goat Kid) Nikon D300, 200mm, F/8, 1/80s, ISO 200
The last time I went to Richardson’s Dairy, I was amazed to see the rafters of the cow barn filled with pigeons. It was really cold out that day and the pigeons were certainly smart to find refuge inside the warm barn.
At the time, I made a mental note to return on a sunnier day with the hope that the sunlight pouring in through the roof windows would make a nice image (something like this… pigeons above with beams of light shining down on the herd of Holstein cows grazing and sleeping in the stalls below).
Today I returned to the farm thinking THIS would be THE day to capture that
"Cute" (Dairy Goat Kid) Nikon D300, 200m, F/8, 1/125s, ISO 200
image. However, the light wasn’t all that great and with 60 degree temps, the pigeons weren’t even IN the barn but rather, sitting outside on the electrical wires! Sigh.
So, I hung with the cows for a bit waiting for some divine inspiration to occur, but when the stench reached an intolerable level, I decided to take a stroll around the grounds. 
The young calf’s roaming freely in the outside pen were sweet, but it was an adorable dairy goat kid that stole my heart!
Just look at this face!
The li’l goat kept posing for the camera as if in its own impromptu photo shoot!
"Flirt" (Dairy Goat Kid) Nikon D300, 200mm, F/8, 1/80s, ISO 200
Don’t these look like they were shot in a studio??
They weren’t.
The little goat was standing just inside the doorway of an ingloo-shaped shelter made of thick plastic. Toplit and backlit, the inside glowed yielding this suede-looking backdrop.
Cool!
I could have photographed him (her?) all day long but, unfortunately, other stops were still on my to-do list. So, I bid the sweet little creature Adieu and went on my way.
I smiled all the way home and then had to laugh when I realized that goat was the most cooperative model I’ve ever had!
Flying away to warmer temps today…just a few days of R&R in the happiest place on earth before I am forced to face the rush of the holiday season!
"In a Horse's Eye" (Norwegian Fjord Horse) Nikon D300, 105mm F/2.8G macro, F/7.1, 1/125s, ISO 640
I was clearing out my media cards for the trip and wanted to share this image with you. Animals are amazing creatures and I often wonder what is going on behind their beautiful, soulful eyes.
The trick here was NOT to capture myself in the reflection! Took quite a few clicks to achieve and fortunately for me, this gentle steed stood by patiently (and still) while I figured it all out.
From the cool demeanor to the toothpick in the mouth, this goat is definitely Italian!
"Howyoudoin" (Goat) Nikon D300, 105mm, F/6.3, 1/250s, -0.7EV, ISO 640
Capiche?
Nooooo, I didn’t go back to the orchard today. I’ve just been slowly going through the images I took and picking out the best ones. There are several horses at the farm, but this golden beauty grazing in the field in the afternoon light was clearly my favorite.
"Rapunzel" (Norwegian Fjord Horse at Russell Orchards) Nikon D300, 105mm, F/25, 1/200s, -0.3EV, ISO 640
I have no idea the gender, but to me, she just feels like a girl. For a long time I watched her graze, hoping she would raise her head. She didn’t. 
But no bother. I love this shot for its serene, fairytale-like quality where the ending is always a happy one!
Was out doing some errands today and decided to head to Richardson’s Dairy in Middleton to see if I could find anything worth photographing.
Sadly, most of the animals must have been out grazing in the fields, but there were a few calves roaming the small paddock. One seemed particularly sweet on me!
She kept sniffing my camera and licking the cuff of my denim shorts. So, I stroked her head and scratched her neck a bit and when she had enough of me, she joined the others to lay down in the shade (smart girl!)
Was a difficult time of day to be photographing (hot, glaring sun), but I did get this shot of my sweet li’l Bessie!
"Making Eyes at Me" (Dairy Calf) Nikon D300, 70mm, F/8, 1/1000s, -0.7EV, ISO 200, SB800 w/Gary Fong Lightsphere Cloud, -1.0EV
