Driving in fog in the area of Coupeville on Whidbey Island, we came across Ebey Road Farm with a red barn and Holstein cows, the only bit of contrast and color we could find.  Parking by the "no trespassing" sign, we walked up the road past the house and said to the guy in the truck, "please sir, could we paint your cows?"  He laughed at us, of course. "The cows won't stay still!" he said. 

Yet we drove around to the other side of the barn and set up our easels in front of a small group of most curious cows, vying for position on the other side of the fence.  The two guys fixing the roof on the big barn were singing, the sun eventually came out and the rather busy cows (busy trying to figure out what we were up to) followed the alpha gal from one end of the fence to the other, took a lunch break on the other side of the barn, and finally came back and settled for a rest facing west, with their backsides in our direction. A little sweet talk with some grass brought them around and I was rewarded with a kiss on my hand from the long pink tongue of the most forward and courageous cow.  A little quick sketching between laughing heartily at the antics of these amazing animals made for the best morning of the week.  I wouldn't have missed it for anything.