Recent Road Trip To Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Part III; This Can't be Easy

A sight not often seen in the United States.  I have much respect for the hard work, skill and tenacity of those
who farm, but even more for farmers such as this man who do it "old school." (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark III; 40-150mm f/2.8 lens @ 125mm; 1/200th sec. @ f/6.3; ISO 200

This is something you don't often see today.  At least in the United States and other developed countries.

Watching this Amish farmer mow his field using this horse-drawn mower was fascinating.  I suspect it takes great skill and much practice to be able to move these four equines exactly as needed.  This is one type of activity I enjoy documenting as this way of life, almost everywhere else in the United States, is long gone.

My friend and fellow photographer, Dave Hileman (TwoLaneTouring) saw him mowing as we drove one of the country roads in Lancaster County.  We made a U-turn, pulled into a place where we could park then watched him for a while before documenting his skillfully executed task.  I was specifically interested in how he turned the four horses collectively and managed to get them to the exact spot he needed them to mow the next row.  

Plowing a straight line, approaching the end of the row. (click to enlarge)
130mm; 1/500th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200

Starting his turn.  The horses are no longer quite fully coordinated in their movements but he maneuvers them exactly as needed to make the turn. Notice the outside horse has to travel a great distance and the inside horse is basically just standing still, crossing his legs. (click to enlarge)
130mm; 1/500th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200

Halfway through the turn, the farmer masterfully manipulates his horses to the exact spot he needs to continue
to mow a full row. (click to enlarge)
150mm; 1/250th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200

Proper turn completed! He is exactly where he needs to be.  (click to enlarge)
150mm; 1/320th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 200

I appreciate and respect this farmer.  Also, just to be clear, because the Amish don't particularly care to be photographed we were using pretty long telephoto lenses.  For the many minutes we were watching him, I don't think he noticed either of us.  He was fully engaged in his work.  Maybe that's why he is good at what he does.

For some additional images of the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area, take a look at Dave's site as, we all know, two photographers standing next to each other and looking at the exact same thing, will come away with differing images.
Join me over at my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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