Thursday, February 4, 2010

Cows, Cows, and More Cows


I never saw a purple cow;
I never hope to see one;
but I can tell you anyhow;
I'd rather see than be one!

[Written by Gelett Burgess, 1895]

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I'm not sure if anyone would think a purple cow is beautiful.

However, I do think regular cows (as in black and white and red and brown cows) have a beauty and sweet innocence all their own. I've tried to capture that beauty in some of my photos of cows. What do you think? Is it just me, or can you see beauty in them, too?

Here is my most recent bovine beauty. She is a longhorn I captured while meandering off the beaten path of a Tennessee backroad near Bell Buckle. You can click on the images to enlarge them, if you'd like.

How could anyone not love this sweet little face?

This one was curious, but that didn't
stop him from finishing his lunch.

This is one of my favorite cow photos.
I think it would be perfect for one of those "Eat Chikn" commercials.

I love this one's little "top knot."

I call this one my "Shaggy Cow." Gotta love those curls!


I don't think this one was having a good day. She wasn't very happy about having her picture taken.

How now, Brown Cow?

I'm looking forward to spring when I can get out and ramble with my camera again. I've missed that during these cold wet winter months. I'm also looking forward to photographing more animals ... like these cows. And I would dearly love to find some chickens and roosters somewhere. So many pictures out there, so little time!

8 comments:

Deb said...

love the how now brown cow...I love cows...you just wonder what they are thinking when they stand there looking at you....great post..I can't wait till nice weather so I can get out and get more photos...

Tonja said...

I've always thought cows have a certain 'majesty' about them. They look so wise to me.

I heard a story of an old farmer who was checking on his cows and a mean ole bull he kept penned separately. This bull had a history of extreme aggression toward people. While leaving the bull pen, he had a major heart attack, and fell out of his truck onto the ground. This left the pen opened between the two pens. The mean bull started coming toward the man...and those cows went into action. They crossed the fence and they completely surrounded the man ...keeping the bull away from him. They stayed that way until someone came looking for the man, and found him.
They got him to the hospital, and the cows were credited with saving his life.

I don't know what that has to do with anything, but it has always made me think that cows are a lot smarter than people think!

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Tonja, cows are extremely smart. We have a man who lives in town but owns a farm across the highway from us. You know when he is coming down the highway, cause before you ever see his truck the cows start looing and heading to the barn, they recognize the sound of his truck and know it is time to eat. They haven't been wrong yet. And boy do they make a lot of noise.
I love cows they make such great pictures and these are some of the best.
Molly

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I enjoyed this post so much! Whenever we drive into the country i am always so excited to see the cows in pasture. They look like such gentle and wise creatures.

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

I just wanted to let you know I have a blog post for tomorrow's Finding Beauty Friday and I have added a linked back to your post today. I hope you don't mind.
Molly

Debby@Just Breathe said...

I came over to say hello from Tonja. She passed an award on to you. If she likes you I am sure I will like you. I put you in my reader. Also, the photos at the bottom of your blog are absolutely beautiful.

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Hi, Janie... I've always loved cows. They helped send me to college as my father raised white faced herefords and designated certain calves for each of us girls. Love those red herefords with the white faces. They are very sweet, too. Daddy wasn't much on certain breeds that he considered mean, but he really loved raising herefords. So this is something near and dear to my heart. Love all of yoru outstanding pictures!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Dixie said...

We've got some cows at our place... come on over... they love to get their picture taken by "purdy ladies"...

you're right... these are beautiful animals... and your photos of them capture them perfectly!

blessings. Dixie