Imported, winter-hard cows in a Dutch landscape
Some cows are sturdier than others; these were grazing in the snow here in The Netherlands as if nothing were amiss. I think they are Highland cows from Scotland, looking at the horns, the fur, and the hippie hairdos (also, spot the heron):
Olympus Stylus 1s, 180mm, ISO200, f5.6, 1/250s
Here's one up close I photographed in summer, maybe you can identify make and model:
Olympus XZ-1, 112mm, ISO400, f5.6, 1/100s
I do wonder where they drink in winter though, as all ditches looked something like this, pretty, but frozen, as were the lakes I posted about yesterday:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 37mm, ISO125, f5.6, 1/80s
There were no Regular Dutch Cows in sight, there were all in their byres, or barns, as some say:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 47mm, ISO100, f8, 1/160s
See? No cows. That's OK though, empty landscapes are pretty too, especially under a low sun:
Olympus Stylus 1s, 100mm, ISO200, f8, 1/200s
All is quiet in the countryside, and the snow dampens the sounds. I like that.
I can't spot the heron :(
It's just in front of the third cow from the right.
Now I see it :)
I look at those pictures and think about how similar they look to where I live. And you are right -- the snow dampens the sounds and makes the countryside so quiet and peaceful. This winter has been unusual in that we haven't had snow on the ground since before Christmas.
Snow is great. The winter here is unusual also, as we had some proper snow that lasted a few days 8-). I hope we both get some more.
There is a good chance of snow here today, but the temperature is warm enough it will most likely fall as rain.
Rain, the great snow remover. It's +0.4oC (32.7oF) here now, so the snow cover should survive for a bit longer.
It is 32 here, too!
Liked your story with good pics.
I love that cow photo! It looks unimpressed with you taking it's photo.
It was, fortunately. They are quite impressive up close ...
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