COUNTRY FENCES - NO TRESPASSING!

Lately, I've developed a strange fascination with old rural fences. Here are a few I have photographed close to home in and around King Township, Ontario. Some fences - like the traditional white horse fence - have very interesting configurations and are very powerful mental symbols of estate wealth that says NO TRESSPASSING. But I particularly like the less intimidating, old fashion rustic appeal of post and rail fences, most of which were erected decades ago. Despite the decrepit construction, these fences are also equally effective in keeping intruders and potential trespassers (like myself) off private property.

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Magical Landscapes - King Township, Ontario

A favorite destination of mine for late afternoon or early evening photography, the area is characterized by  picturesque rolling hills and sprawling farmland. The villages, farms, animals and countryside offer a relaxed and tranquil change from the city. Here are a few of my favorites taken over the past few months.

   

                                                    

After a long hard day

As the sun begins to set over the Holland Marsh, most farmers have settled in for the night after a long hard day harvesting produce on the fields.

Celery Calms the Nerves

According to Hippocrates (the father of medicine), celery calms the nerves – perhaps because of the high calcium content. Well here is a whole lot of celery, recently harvested on the Holland Marsh before going to market. This produce will be in grocery stores in a matter of days.

After dinner and before sunset, I often take a drive up to the Holland Marsh and take photos. I find this very peaceful and the local farm folks are friendly - a little inquisitive about who I am and why I'm photographing them and their land - but accomodating nonetheless. Last night was a beautiful evening as the sun set over the vast wetlands.

 I was able to capture a few local crop pickers harvesting their produce. At his time of year, celery, carrots, bok choy and lettuce are abundant in the fields.

Last night's full moon illuminates this field of carrots.

That's a lot of carrots

According to the Holland Marsh Grower's Association, this area grows enough carrots to provide every Canadian with four pounds each year, and that doesn't include carrot yields that are exported to foreign markets. These were was taken in early November 2009 towards the end of the harvest period.

Holland Marsh

Another one from the Holland Marsh area, not too far from where I live (I guess you're wondering why I go there so often, eh?). Well it's close to home and I always find something interesting to photograph for black & white. It's magical place, so different than any other place I've even seen. At this time of year the fields are teeming with crops ready to be harvested. Everything is so green and lush. The long rows of crops seem to go on forever. Here's a bit of history about this area. Took this one last night about an hour before sunset as a large cloud bank enveloped the setting sun.

Passed by this old piece of farm equipment last night while on the Holland Marsh, Ontario taking photos. I just couldn’t resist the shooting. Looks like it hasn’t been used for quite a while. I really like the surrounding weeds.

A shot of local produce market workers in the Holland Marsh, the vegetable capital of Canada. This one is more "documentary" rather than fine art.