Life in the fog....

Things are slowly warming up here... but the frost and snow has been replaced by a thick fog. All weekend long we lived and walked in this eerie gray soup. We normally would just hunker down and wait for it to lift, but I ended up in the city with the camera for a few hours over the weekend. I'm so glad that I took the time to explore and see the city in a new way. The streets and spots that I have photographed a thousand times had magically transformed into a new and sadder place.

This photo was taken in one of my favorite spots. During the long warm days of summer it is a popluar picnic and hangout spot for college students.... but in the fog it just felt abandoned and lonely.








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Today's Random Pic...

There is just something magical about holding the camera up and knowing that you have just gotten a good picture. The photo below was one of those moments. I often run across an individual that looks as if they have just traveled here from a different time. This young guy was playing the pipes in the pedestrian center of city... and boy! does he look like he just stepped off of a postcard! I know that he was 'playing the part' and trying to earn a few bucks, but I could not help but see him as one of these timeless characters. I could not wait to get home and see what he looked like 'in print' (on the computer screen).







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The Horse Fair (final one)

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The horse fair was a strange mixture of worlds. Here I (an American) was wading through a muddy field, dodging kicking horses and poop with the most picturesque people in Ireland, but the real madness existed on the outskirts of the field. It was on the side streets that crowds crowded into street markets... that a traveling amusement park played thumping music... where teenage boys threw firecrackers... where psychics read cards... and where scams and back alley deals were made. The following picture is of a 'three card monte' game taking place in the middle of a market. If you look.... you can see my friend S's camera in hand ready to take a picture, and a guy keeping lookout for the police. It cost fifty EURO to play the game, and we saw several people loose their money in a matter of seconds. It is funny how you always know where the right card is until money is on the line.


I was only brave enough to take this one quick picture...






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The Horse Fair #6

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The Horse Fair #6

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The Horse Fair #5

Are you guys getting tired of horse show pictures? I hope not... I still have a ton to post!













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The Horse Fair #3

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The Horse Fair #2

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The Horse Fair

It is that time again.... Time for the Ballinasloe horse fair! This amazing fair is really a crazy spectacle of animals, carnival rides, and markets. The main section of the fair takes place in a massive field. There really is no rhyme or reason as to how it is organized... horses and owners claim a spot in the field early in the day, and potential buyers (and 1 crazy American photographer) have to navigate the maze of poop and kicking horses at their own risk.

I love the fair. There truly is something timeless about it. The way deals are made by slapping away and eventually shaking hands... the games of three card monte being played as lookouts watch for the Garda (Police)... the timeless look of the farmers.... It is truly a photographer's paradise! Here are just a few of the hundreds of pictures I took (more to come this week).



While standing and looking out over the massive field a friend compared it to a scene out of Lord of the Rings (the battle for Helm's Deep). I have to say... it was a good comparison!


















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An Indian Summer?

Indian summer: an informal expression given to a period of sunny, warm weather in autumn in the northern hemisphere, typically in late October or early November, after the leaves have turned but before the first snowfall.

Everyone has been talking about the impending 'Indian Summer' for several weeks now... I have to admit... I didn't believe it. Don't get me wrong... I wanted to... But the fact that we already had our heat on in our house and a fire in the fireplace every night didn't give me much reason to think that summer was going to have a comeback. I was wrong. It looks like we are having an 'Indian Summer'! For the last two days we have had amazing summer-like weather... in fact, I would say that the weather has been better than most summer days in Ireland! buíochas le Dia!! AND ... It is here just in time for my parents' visit! WAHOO!!!

Mom and Dad get here early on Sunday morning... I hope that the weather holds!



I took this pic yesterday... Nothing says "Indian Summer" like a game of hurling on the beach!









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Street piper

I had to run into the city for a few things Saturday, and I was so grateful that I decided to bring my camera. I was walking down a small side street when I first heard the faint sounds of pipes... Oh, how I love that sound. There is just something magical and timeless about the sounds of traditional instruments in the open air.... I followed the sounds until I came across the piper. The uilleann pipes are the Irish bagpipes. Unlike their Scottish cousins are not meant to be played out on mountain tops, but rather to be with a fiddle beside a fireplace. They are softer and more delicate, and their tones are pleasing to the ear... and they instantly cause your foot to pat in time with it... The piper didn't mind a few pictures (after I put some money in his hat), and I stood and enjoyed the music for a few moments.













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The Pub...

Just a few quick pictures taken outside a pub...













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Rule #1

You ask - "What is rule #1"? I'm glad you asked... it is my number one rule... never leave home without a camera! I know... what a shock! I took the picture below this week when I was out with work. A friend and I walked down a little lane and saw a farmer struggling with a very stubborn donkey. The farmer pulled, yelled, and even slapped the donkey on the rear end, but the donkey was not very impressed. It seemed that the harder and madder the farmer got the less the donkey wanted to cooperate. Eventually, the battle was over... a truce had been struck... the farmer was able to drag the donkey out of the field and get him to walk down the road. It was then that I witnessed a split second moment of reconciliation that made me smile. See the photo below:







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More Kid Pics...

Just a few more quick kid pics. This is our co-workers' other daughter. I took these the other day when we were waiting on a group of students...

She was getting a bit tired of waiting... and was a bit sad that she didn't get to go with the rest of the group... but ended up finding a smile when I asked her not to...

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Another photo shoot...

So... just a quick update with a couple of pictures that I took this week. These are of my co-workers' little girl that has just turned two. I took the photos in a field down the street from my house... and I love all of the flowers... C, however, was not too sure about the long grass. She has not had the opportunity to wear shorts or a dress too often here.... I'm sure that the sensation of the long grass on her legs felt funny. In the end... she decided that the grass wasn't too bad and I was able to get a few quick shots.

Here are a couple of the pics...
















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More from the photo shoot

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Photo Shoots

I have had some really fun photographic opportunities over the last few weeks. I was hired a few weeks ago to photograph at a first communion mass, and several friends in our community have asked us to photograph their kids. Needless to say - it is a bit intimidating to be asked to take photos. Until this time, I have really only taken candid shots in public or shots of family members who were willing models. The first thing I did was to call my cousin Jason. He is starting a photography business in Oklahoma and had already taught me a great deal about planning a shoot when I went to visit him last fall. Jason gave me some great pointers for shooting kids.

Finally... the day of the 1st communion mass came. It turned out to be a beautiful day, and I was able to get some really good shots (at least I feel that they are good). After the mass I came home and was pumped! The day had turned out to be so beautiful, and I was on such a high from the first shoot that I called my friends and made arrangements to photograph their kids later that afternoon. We ended up taking two sets of twins and one little girl out to play and take pictures. Dee and S (one of the moms) helped me to wrangle the kids into a field of flowers, and I just let them play and make faces while I took pictures. It was a little crazy at times, but was a lot of fun. I think that the kids had a good time also... The other day I was out walking and as I walked past their house two of the boys were yelling at me "Wallace - come take our pictures again".

These first two photo shoots turned out so well, that I think I'm going to do some more. Here are a few pics from the 2nd shoot. Hope you enjoy.



























(Pictures posted here with permission)

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Yesterday

I'm dragging a bit today. I have been really busy the last couple of days giving a small group a tour of the area and surrounding counties. I did however get some cool pics. Here are just a couple of the group from yesterday.












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more from Paddy's Day

In the parade....




Nothing says "St. Patrick's Day" like sponge Bob!




Pub decorations...




Crowds




The best seats





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Paddy's Day!

It was an amazing St. Patrick's Day! The weather was perfect... not too hot... not too cold... but a perfect 60 something. The sun was out... and there was not a cloud in the sky! Dee and I met up with some friends and went to the parade. The warm dry weather really brought out the crowds, which really added to the excitement. Here are a few quick pics... but I'll be posting more soon!

The modern version of St. Patrick (and his pet snake - I think). It is a rare sight that St. Patrick has to wear sunglasses!





Watching the parade





There were several groups of immigrants that marched in the parade... even a group of Americans that dressed like Obama and carried masks. These are a couple of our friends F and E. You did know that Obama is Irish... didn't you? That isn't a joke.




at the end of the parade...





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The Tin Whistle

Ireland really can be a magical place. The way a modern place mixes with ancient traditions and way of life really amazes me. Here is an example: As I write this I am sitting outside with my MacBook and wireless internet. I am also instant messaging with a co-worker and at the same time I can hear the faint tune of a tin whistle on the air. Only in Ireland.... wow... I love that!

The tin whistle is probably the most abundant instrument in Ireland (I would think). Here, most kids learn it first and then graduate to a harder instrument. The simple little whistle can be played with such complexity and speed that it astounds me. The airy tune can be carried on the wind across fields and water for what seems kilometers. I often will hear the magical music on the air and have no idea where or what direction it is coming from.

Finally... (the last sheep sheering post)

These are the final two pictures that I am going to post from the sheep sheering competition. I was only there for about two hours, but I feel like I was able to really capture several different shots.







I was really excited when I got this second shot. I don't know what it is... but I love taking pictures of hands. I have taken so many that Dee actually suggested that we start a hand wall in our house.




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Just a little off the top...

I was able to sneak out for a couple of hours this weekend and go to the annual sheep sheering competition. This is the third time that I have gone to one of these... and finally it wasn't a miserable day. Usually the rain buckets down and the wind lashes everyone who is there. This year the sun was beating down and everyone was complaining about the heat. I loved it! It always amazes me that these type of things still go on. No doubt that competitions like this have gone on here for generations.

Fathers and sons competed... lads from the next village battled against lads from Co. Kerry. The announcer spoke with the speed of an auctioneer and with the passion of the most excited sportscaster. The sheep seemed to go into a trance as their thick coats were sheered off of them at a record pace... The crowd cheered and laughed... men in white coats stood and judged the competitors... winners gave speeches... And there was even a 'queen of the wool' contest and winner.

This, beyond any doubt, is one of the many things that I love about Ireland.





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