Haybales in the field early morning
In the morning mist
Tree stump and barn 1 (Seneca county)
Tree stump and barn 2 (Seneca county)
Barn on Seneca lake (Senca county)
Big barn on Rt 227 (Tompkins county)
Red barn in Groton (Tompkins county)
Barn on Windborne way (Tompkins county)
Old car and barn (Seneca county)
I have been away for a few days on a venture around the Fingerlakes region of New York. I stayed in Ithaca and mostly ventured around Seneca and Tompkins county. Tompkins county basically surrounds the bottom 1/3 portion of Cayuga lake while Seneca county covers much of the upper half of Seneca lake, both of which are the largest lakes in the region.
I love old barns and everything to do with country living, but unfortunately much of these things and agricultural structures are fading quickly with the times as their owners are finding them too costly to maintain especially if it is on a non working farm.
Governor Paterson has recently signed legislation that will enhance tax credits for historic preservation. I had learned that Tompkins county has been conducting a survey of barns and agricultural structures to help create a public inventory of the historic agricultural buildings that are a part of our rural history and disappearing from our landscape.
In addition to the survey they have included a barn photo contest and I thought it would be fun to enter since I love shooting these subjects and was there anyway.
The three from Tompkins county I have entered, but having only been there a few days I think my chances are slim against some of the locals who know the sweet spots and times. . .but I'm happy to be part of it nonetheless.
In particular, I had met the owner of "Red barn in Groton" and learned she intends to burn the structure down at the end of the year because it has become unstable and I assume would be too costly for her to repair. Maybe, it will be saved in the end thanks to the efforts underway to preserve these great landmarks of our countries history.
17 comments:
Your photography takes my breath away!~
Sunny smiles from tropical Brisbane, Australia :]
Kimmie
Just lovely. I'm always afraid places like this are just going to go "poof" off the map.
Terrible to think we could lose these treasures. Thank you for your work of digital preservation.
I'm big on preservation of our landmarks. Brilliant photos, Gary. The last one is my favorite. ((wow))
Now..I was rolling very slowly through these photos, examining each and every stick of old wood.
And then, I spied my lucky number "227"..staring right back at me, and then I was blown away...again.
It had to be you.
Be well.
The sound of her voice would make my head tilt sideways like a dog.
I love that! :^)
Plus, I had to come back and take another peek at that last photo. Ah, the grey sky, paired with the slate grey of the car and that mellow patina of the barn. Heaven.
With your wonderful photos you make a work of conservation, an account for the future generations. These old red barns must absolutely be preserved. Thank you to share.
oh gary, these are stunning!
i could look at these all day!
:)
That first photograph with the hayballs is just stunning!I would have loved to see it framed (In my living room!!) :)
Such wonderful photographs. Saw those beauties when I visited the Fingerlakes. Could never capture the images you do!
Karen
wow. Gorgeous. Love these shots.
I saw your profile picture and though--what great photo and then I realised you are a professional photographer--that explains it. Glad I found your blog. It is lovely.
Beautiful pictures, love your barns, being interested myself in taking pictures of old buildings (and there are a lot here, in Gibraltar and Spain); I loved too the donkey in the morning mist, just lovely...
Barn competition - what a great opportunity for you! I have my fingers crossed. :)
Ahh, photo of donkey ... Amazing! I would kill to take photos such as this. (Ok, not kill, please don't quote me, but I may do other things ...)
Excellent as always...
(And yes, you guessed it: the top three are my faves, due to the composition)
I love the light in the first picture, Gary, and the barn in Windborne. My Great grandfather was born in Groton and his grandfather (my ggg grandfather) lived there from about 1829 until 1865. On the main street I think it is either a church or meeting building built on land my ggg grandfather donated. It is a beautiful and very rural land still.
My favorites are the donkey, red barn with ivy and the barn with the car. I would not worry about the competition Gary...I have a feeling your "quality" will overshadow the locals.
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