Non-lethal Predator Control
This is one of Katy and Richard Harjes’ Maremma sheepdogs, guarding the flock at their Willow Spring Ranch north of Bozeman. The Harjeses employ Maremma and akbash dogs to guard their sheep against predation. The Humane Society of the United States assigned me to make these pictures for an upcoming story they’re running in the March/April 2012 issue of All Animals, their bi-monthly membership magazine. I hear the story is about coyote predation in the U.S. and different ways of controlling it. These dogs scare predators away more often than not, teaching the coyote, wolf or bear to look elsewhere for an easy meal.
Reading up on the breeds before my visit, I expected the dogs to be all business and very protective of their flock. They are, Richard Harjes says, but he and Katy went to some extra trouble to make them more friendly with people. So although Richard or Katy had to introduce me to the dogs and I needed to meet them in the early evening when they are most playful (and about to be fed), once introduced, the dogs were very friendly. And then, as the sun fell ever lower, the dogs became less and less playful and affectionate. They became instead more and more vigilant and protective. Ever watchful, barking and running at the slightest smell or sound.
They were incredible.
Draft Horses Over Tractors
I’ve mentioned before that Dick Huttinga has been kind enough to let me hang out and make pictures while he farms with his teams of draft horses. I’ve made a short thee-minute slide show of some of the images, narrated by Dick. I hope you like it.
Time
I’m fascinated when I can see time.
Katie and I were out for a short hike the other day along the Gallatin River south of Bozeman, where we saw these rocks covered in ice and a recent snowfall. My eyes tell me these rocks are strong, that they stand against the current for years and years and years, forcing the water to move around them.
But my brain knows that in the end, the water will win. It will turn these rocks into sand, which will then descend into the bowels of the earth, become compacted and reform as a new rock. That just kills me.
Kickstarter update
Many of you made very generous pledges to our Kickstarter campaign to finance some of the printing costs for this book I’m doing with writer Al Kesselheim and publisher Jane Freeburg. Thank you.
Although we did not reach our goal through Kickstarter, we were able to make an advance sale and kick in enough of our own moneys to publish both a soft cover and a hard cover edition of the book in April. So last week, we all wrote very large checks and sent off our proofs and files, expecting to see magic happen in just a few short months.
I’ve set up a page for those who wish to place discounted orders. I’m working on adding some Paypal buttons, but for now, just send me an email to photo@ThomasLeePhoto.com and we can handle things that way.
Thanks.
Season of realization
This has been an exciting year for our family. We’ve launched ourselves as a business, and we’ve also had lots of other beginnings. We’re excited about all of this and we hope that you and your loved ones are excited about the coming year too.
Our country also seems on the verge of something new but to me, it has seemed to be on this cusp for far too long. I’m reminded of a scene in the movie, War Games, when the computer plays Tic-Tac-Toe so much and for so long, it finally comes to realize that the only way to win is not to play at all. I’m hoping our representatives in government — of both parties — learn this lesson soon about the political games and brinkmanship that have consumed all of our energies for far too long. Let’s get busy fixing things. Let’s learn that the only way to win a game of political chicken is not to play at all because otherwise, it’s our country that loses.
Best wishes to you and yours from all of us at Thomas Lee True West. May your 2012 be better than your 2011 and may we all soon find ourselves in a better place with a better hope for the future.
Montana’s CIO
This is Dick Clark, Montana’s Chief Information Officer. He’s going to be on the cover of January’s Government Technology magazine and it was my privilege to photograph him last week in Helena. Dick says he never lets anything get to him, even working in government when job security lasts maybe four years at a time. I really admire that.
Great Entertainer
Katie Goodman is a local comedienne who has recently struck out for New York City to hit the big time. She has garnered some fame for this YouTube video, but don’t watch it unless you’re over 18. There’s some pretty strong language.
Katie gave a show in Bozeman not too long ago and Rena and I were able to attend. The show was great. Very funny. If you get the chance, check Katie’s comedy out. That’s her husband, Soren, with her in the slideshow. Soren is also Katie’s creative partner. He does a lot of work behind the scenes.
Community
Peggy Kohleris a professional opera singer now living in Bozeman who decided to organize an event to stuff Christmas stockings for children involved in our local Family Promise program. Family Promise is an organization working to help folks needing homes find a place to live.
Peggy organized a musical event at the library and involved some of Bozeman’s finest musicians, including Julie Gosswiller, Chandra Lind, Kayla Pierce and Frederick Frey. The event asked only for gift contributions for the stockings, and it also gave Bozeman a chance to enjoy classical music and marvel at the tremendous pool of talent we’re blessed with in this small mountain town.
Liberals in a Red State
Montana is generally viewed as a conservative state. Still, our two senators and our governor are all Democrats and in the last presidential election, President Obama didn’t lose our state by much. And earlier this week, I was able to volunteer my time at an Obama campaign event here in Bozeman. It was kind of odd to be in a social situation in Montana where discussing politics from a left-leaning point of view was not only safe, but encouraged.
Drafting
I’m not sure what it is about draft horses that I find so appealing lately, but Dick Huttinga has been kind enough to let me spend some time with him while he works with his Percherons while I try to figure it out. Dick says he uses his teams to feed cattle in the winter and prefers it to using a tractor. He says they can always be depended on to start on cold mornings.
Thomas Lee True West 