Rad Ranch was filled with chores on an over casted day. But with camera in hand and a team of young whippersnappers at my heels I was ready to capture all the happenings at this local CO ranch.  I originally headed out east before the sun even rose on a brisk but unseasonably warm morning. Windows down, heater on and a warm steam of coffee filled my soul as I drove to a beautiful ranch in the east plains of Colorado. I connected with this ranch a few months prior inquiring about raw milk. Of course, I couldn’t help myself & asked if I could show up and snap some photos of their daily morning chores. This loving family staggered out of their home, while I petted their trusty guardian dogs. First came the little humans, rubbing their eyes until they braced the morning rays. Wagon in tow, the kiddos stepped foot off the porch and knew the day had begun. I tagged along and followed behind. The first shot I caught was the dad looking out into the distance. Pail in one hand & coffee in the other he follows the dancing dust of his little girl as they head to the pasture. One of the pups even wagged his tail & joined in for the fun.

 First was the bottle feeding of all the little ones on the farm. Nothing more adorable than the pitter patters of tiny hooves bouncing and prancing around waiting for breakfast. I arrived just in time to see the tiniest of lambs. Keeping warm together and by a heat source, they scurry to the feeding area awaiting a bottle. A wooden box made to hold several bottles is set in place. The little lambs make their little noises and drink away. With the milk overflowing from the nipples of the bottle, no drop goes to waste and the same pup that followed behind a bouncy human is now happily licking up all the spilled milk. By now the kids have warmed up to my camera and now are wanting to try and take photos themselves. Posing on the gates, directing me to take pictures of the dogs, and even asking to hold the camera to try their hand behind the lens.

 The milk cows were led to the milking stall where they were loosely tied up. The milking cart was rolled in and a small stool placed next to the utters. Now the only real exposure I have had milking cows is what I have seen in the movies, and so far, this morning is very picturesque . . . then the milking machine is attached to the utters. A contraption that does the work in a fraction of the time. It was explained to me that milking occurs every 12 hours and doing it by hand on such a busy farm takes a lot of time. Having the machine helps with that and the cows just stand there quietly munching on some snacks. I adjust my camera settings, squat down and snap away. One of the little girls is hold onto the goat who is next in line to get milk. I capture an expression on her face that aluminates innocents, kindness and most importantly the curiosity of a child’s eyes.

 It's a divide and conquer when chores need to be done. Everyone on the ranch helps - the kids help with the goats, dad feeds the pigs, mom tends to the cows, and all the rest of the horses, sheep, goats, cows, ducks, chickens, and pigs have been taken care of. We roam the ranch and find all the characters busy in their day. I click away portraying each animal and tiny human in their environment. One of my favorite things to do whilst photographing is walking with the mom. We casually chat about the ranch and each animal. She fills my brain with so much information. She will stop and tend to a chore, or most recently help unstuck a goat who got tangled in the fence. I become more addicted to being outside every time I visit the ranch. I’m sure there’s heartache and tragedy that happens as well, but on this morning – I couldn’t have asked for a better day . . .  And before you know it, we’re all inside enjoying freshly baked sourdough bread.