Recent Road Trip To Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Part VII; The Animals

I noticed this cow in the foreground staring at me as I was walking up the road along the fence line.  Then I noticed the three cows in the background, standing motionless, also staring at me.  For a moment, I thought maybe there was something unusual about me that had caught their attention.  Maybe having no beard, which would have been an unusual sight for them.  In any case, I thought the cows, how they are all staring in unison and their composition made for an interesting image.  Of course, the cow in the background on the far right just couldn't be bothered by it all.  (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark III; 12-100mm f/4 lens @ 92mm; 1/000th sec. @ 7.1; ISO 250

One thing that I observed that I think is central to the success of Amish farmers is their animals.  Horses and mules pull buggies, plows, mowers, seeders, etc.  They are truly beasts of burden.

Cows give milk.  In fact one Amish family makes and sells terrific "home made" ice cream right off their farm!  I can attest to its spendicity!  (I just made up that word, I think)

Chickens lay eggs and provide meat.  Swans, ducks, geese and many, many species of birds are everywhere.  Dogs become companions and guards.  Cats eat mice!

Looking at the variety of livestock on many of the farms, it's obvious the Amish take good care of their animals.  If they don't, well, I suspect the farms would fail.

At Lapp's Valley Farm, they produce their own ice cream.  They also have these very young calves as well as older ones separated from the adults.  Families visiting the farm can walk over and pet the calves.  They are quite gentle. I watched as several children petted and fawned over them.  For a child, educational and thrilling. (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark III; 12-100mm f/4 lens @ 29mm; 1/320th sec. @ 8; ISO 250

Lunch time!  Southern view of northbound cows! (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark III; 12-100mm f/4 lens @ 61mm; 1/25th sec. @ 8; ISO 200

One farmer had a small lake which was inhabited by many ducks as well as this beautiful swan.  How could I not photograph a beautiful swan?  (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark III; 12-100mm f/4 lens @ 100mm; 1/1600th sec. @ f/7.1; ISO 250

Lots of horses and cows everywhere, as you would expect. (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark III; 12-100mm f/4 lens @ 31mm; 1/800th sec. @ f/7.1; ISO 200

Many of the Amish raise chickens and supply eggs.  The day I made this image it was pretty warm and the chickens were doing their best to get near these openings in the huge coop to get the breeze from outside.  Of course, there were several huge fans moving air through the coop to keep the chickens from overheating. (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark III; 12-100mm f/4 lens @ 47mm; 1/50th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 250

It was getting toward the end of the day and the light was warming nicely.  After spotting these cows near the roadway, I stopped and parked the car then walked over to compose my image.  The curious cows starting walking toward me, for what reason other than curiosity, I don't know.  However,  once I proved to be unexciting, it wasn't long before they returned to their grazing. (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark III; 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens @ 16mm; 1/125th sec. @ f/8; ISO 200

I know these farm animals are not visually exciting.  However, they are an integral part of the community and, without them, the community would cease to exist as it now is.  So, I included them in my travelogue.

Join me over at my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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