I do not recall round hay bales when I was growing up. One summer I worked on a farm in central California and rode the baler--that was tough work and very dirty but out bales came out in rectangular fashion. In Ocala, however, round bales are the in thing, too.
Round bales now dominate. Baling hay can be done by one person, so it saves labor, and the bales are handled by equipment, not by hand. As a kid I also worked stacking small (50-80 lb.), rectangular bales by hand.
Yes, we still have snow. Got another 3-4 inches of the stuff yesterday and below freezing temps for today, so little melting.
Love the first. The bales in the second have a threatening look. Doesn't the snow damage the hay? I know rain does, as it can seep inside and start decay.
The outer layers of hay act like a straw roof and keeps moisture out of the bale. They can sit out for more than a year or two and still have fresh hay after peeling away the outer layer. Eventually the bales will decay if left out too long. Often hay baled in the summer and fall is fed to livestock through the winter.
I do not recall round hay bales when I was growing up. One summer I worked on a farm in central California and rode the baler--that was tough work and very dirty but out bales came out in rectangular fashion. In Ocala, however, round bales are the in thing, too.
ReplyDeleteStill have snow on the ground, heh?
Round bales now dominate. Baling hay can be done by one person, so it saves labor, and the bales are handled by equipment, not by hand. As a kid I also worked stacking small (50-80 lb.), rectangular bales by hand.
DeleteYes, we still have snow. Got another 3-4 inches of the stuff yesterday and below freezing temps for today, so little melting.
Nice B&W images here. Hoping things warm up for you soon. We just missed a blizzard earlier this week and I'm hoping for warm temps this weekend.
ReplyDeleteWe at best can see ten-twenty of these in a field: you have many, many more!
ReplyDeleteVery nice black and white photos. We run across many hay bales in the country areas not too far from our home.
ReplyDeleteLove that first shot!
ReplyDeleteNice B&W post, - the snow is gone?
ReplyDeleteNot yet, and more to come next week.
DeleteI guess you could use the hay to stay warm in the new snow you've had.
ReplyDeletehay bales take me back to childhood
ReplyDeleteNice shots, I love seeing hay bales done like that in the fields. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteA lovely first photo. I enjoyed the education in your response to Lowell.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots. I have not seen it before.
ReplyDeleteLove the first. The bales in the second have a threatening look. Doesn't the snow damage the hay? I know rain does, as it can seep inside and start decay.
ReplyDeleteThe outer layers of hay act like a straw roof and keeps moisture out of the bale. They can sit out for more than a year or two and still have fresh hay after peeling away the outer layer. Eventually the bales will decay if left out too long. Often hay baled in the summer and fall is fed to livestock through the winter.
DeleteGreat photos in B&W! Especially I like the first one!
ReplyDeleteThose hay bales are like a symbol of activity in the countryside. Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteAnd they march off into the distance.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, rural landscapes.
ReplyDelete