Bitter Sweet

Lilacs are my Mom's favourite spring flower. While I was growing up we had a huge lilac tree outside our second floor den which had a balcony off it. The lilac tree grew up to meet the balcony and while you sat out there each May the fragrance was wonderful. 

This lilac bush is also very special because it started from a clipping from my husband's Grandmother's  garden. We have two growing at our house and when we move I hope I succeed in cultivating another clipping to take with us.

I took these photos for part of my "12 Months For Dogs" May set. The theme was "A Splash of Colour". Purple Lilacs mean first love and when I look back now I find that fitting because the next day my Mom suffered a stroke and she passed away a few days later. I look back on these photos with bitter sweetness. While in the hospital I cut lilacs from this bush and filled her room with their scent. She saw them and smiled.

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"How Lucky Am I To Have Someone To Love

Who Makes Saying Goodbye So Hard"

~ Winnie the Pooh

I am so thankful for my family but also my dogs. Kodee and Becky brighten everyday with their funny antics but in rough times they bring such comfort, I do not know how others go through life with out a dog.

I haven't had time to participate in my favourite photography groups, but sure am enjoying scrolling through all the photos at my FlickR 12 Months For Dogs group and the Be Still Class at Kim Klassen's. I think the time has arrived to delve back into the things I am passionate about so hope to pick up my camera again soon.

Flowers In Her Hair

"I'd rather wear flowers in my hair than diamonds around my neck."

This is how I think of Becky. If she were human (wait, isn't she?!..) there is no doubt in my mind she would be a flower child! She is a very earthy dog, simple likes, no make up, roll up your sleeves sort of girl err dog.

I so amuse myself how I have these perfect images of my dogs personalities. I am sure both Kodee and Becky are rolling their eyes and thinking "as if'".

  Edited using Kim Klassen's Breeze and Jessica Drossin's Sublime

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Participating in Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday

Textured Tuesday ~ Magic Perspective

Having some fun with a my FlickR dog group themed photos this week and using a few of Kim Klassen's textures too.

  12 Months For Dogs March "Perspective" Definition #1

"A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something"

Clearly Becky has a different perspective today on the joy (or not) of photography! Ha she was in NO mood for me! Look how she is puffing out her cheeks and giving me stink eye as I lay on the floor below her. Such a hard time with this one this month. So glad winter is almost over so I can get back to photography. My house is dark and small and a black dog indoors I am finding very challenging. Attempted this exercise a few times this month and kept hitting delete on the photos.

Kim Klassen's Texture "Magic"

Perspective Definition #2 

"A perspective drawing, to give the right impression of their height, width, depth, and position in relation to each other when viewed from a particular point."

Kim Klassen's Texture "Rainy Day"

Daily Dog Challenge "So Close Yet So Far..."

Clearly not far enough because Becky helped herself to a yellow flower to munch on seconds after I clicked this photo.

Kim Klassen's Texture "Magic"

Daily Dog Challenge "A Different Angle"

My little Watch Dog. From this angle it is hard to believe my protector is all of 16 lbs! She reminds me of an Eagle guarding her nest here.

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Joining in the fun at Kim Klassen's Texture Tuesday.
 Using Kim's textures "Magic" and "Rainy Day"

Black Moon Visits With Mars & Venus

February 20, 2015 

 Venus and Mars have not been this close to the moon since 2008 and won't be again till 2017. That is what made me venture out for a few seconds in sub -30C weather! I use back button focus on my camera so that meant I had to actually take my warm & fuzzy mitt off for 3 seconds to focus. In that little time my fingers felt the burn of the cold. 3 snaps and I was out of there - not a perfect picture but good enough if one wants to avoid frost bite!

And because I know you have all been missing the girls...

12 Months For Dogs On FlickR

Becky 02/12 "Simply the Best"

The dogs seem to be taking winter in stride though! They are not getting much walking in these cold temperatures but they do have burst of energy rounding the backyard for a bit of fun. Got to love Kodee's yet again determined face wanting to catch Becky. Never is that going to happen! Becky is in such a relaxed loose gait with all 3 in the air. She is a natural athlete full of spunk.

A Part of Me

M4H P52 Week 4 "A Part of Me" 

STORY TIME! Learning photography is all due to this girl right here. When Kodee was about a year she started to have a problem with her patella. It was a combination of reasons, but the prime problem I suspect was an early spay at 5 mths before growth plates had closed. Combine that with over zealous new puppy owners really excited to have an active dog that loved playing fetch. Then it happened she jumped up to catch a high ball and when landed screamed. 

A few more times over the next few months her patella popped out. She was low grade, young and surgery was not really being recommended at this time. So I set out to correct it with conditioning. We pulled back walking on cement to 10 min a day and did another 10 min on soft grass areas. Slowly we built this up over 2 mths to a full 1 hour walk in the neighbourhood. Then we slowly added in small hills to build rear end muscle. Finally we started to take her on hikes for 1.5 hr with some hill work. My vet was shocked how fit and muscular she was. We also started and kept her on a good joint supplement. That was 8.5 yrs ago and she has never had a problem since.

So what does this have to do with photography? I was not much of an outdoor hiking person before Kodee. My husband and I developed a passion of exploring different conservation parks and day trips to new towns. Eventually we added cameras to the mix and it just kept going from there. So I have to thank Kodee for letting me discover the joys of hiking and photography - I already knew the wonders owning a dog brings to my life, so these were extra gifts from her that will always be a part of me. {ahhhhh... }

A Girl Can Dream It's Spring If Wants To!

Still playing indoors with flowers to try and pretend spring is here! This is my first attempt reversing my 50mm 1.4 lens and free-holding. Dreamy but not so sharp. I like it anyways.

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Join the weekly themed fun at My Four Hens Project 52 Weeks.

Double Present Month!

 

 I love this saying and think it will be my motto for 2015! 

Poor Kodee doesn't have much say in the fact I so often make her look silly! December is her birthday month and this year she turned 8 yrs old! Don't tell Kodee she is a senior though - she is still a very active and spunky girl!

   

 Last year I joined in a group on Flickr where we had to choose one dog to photograph each month for the year. 2014 was all about Kodee. I loved having to push myself each month to follow the monthly themes and think of new creative compositions. It was loads of fun getting to know other dog centric photographers and their dogs! These are a few of my shots for the theme "Festive Holidays".

   

 For 2015 my focus will switch to Becky! That will be a challenge because she is a bit harder to photograph some days with her all black coat.

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12 Months For Dogs 2014 ~ Kodee

Monday Morning Movement!

"Christmas Garland


"Icicles"

"The Snow Storm"
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A slow winter's night with too much time on my hands! A bit of abstract "Intentional Camera Movement" fun with my Christmas tree. I will get around to showing you this year's tree soon but in the meantime here is one of my all time favourite Christmas photos of Kodee and Becky.

Black & White 5 Day Challenge: Day 2

 

 Empty

What do you mean there is NO DINNER?!

Poor Kodee she was completely baffled why I was not telling her "OUT" as I usually do when she climbs in the fridge. Instead I was pointing to the fridge and saying "LOOK" encouraging her to spread her dog hair about my food... plus hiding cookies and smears of peanut butter in it. 

I wanted to try my hand at either an ipad front lit or fridge rim light photo. In these photos often you have to use a higher ISO, but I wanted to try a grainier look. My only regret is my kitchen layout didn't really allow for a wider shot.

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Black & White 5 Day Challenge
Day 2: Side lit with a little rim lighting effect, high contrast

Moulin Rouge Halloween

 

 Happy Halloween! May your night be filled with more treats than tricks!

 

Storm clouds may gather and stars may colloid but I will love you till the end of time. ~ Moulin Rouge

   

 The greatest thing you will ever learn Is to love and be loved. ~ Moulin Rouge

   

 Actually these are really Mad Hatter hats but Becky and Kodee's eyes were giving off more of a Moulin Rouge feel to me. I can tell you one thing, the dogs are not as amused as I am this evening! 

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Participating in "Spooktacular Blog Hop"

Wordless Wednesday - Darkness & Light

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“When darkness falls, beauty is lit from within.” 
~ Jonathan Jena

UnBEElievable

So picture a hot summer's night. The golden hour is just beginning. The dog's are up to their necks in clover so really do not want to pay attention to me. Seriously they think I plopped them in a giant salad bowl just so they can eat.

It takes a brave woman to lie on the grass [and who knows what else is there] at the park frequented by a zillion pooches.

I'm on my tummy shouting "cookie, treat" anything to get their attention. Then I roll over... yup right onto a bumble bee. Man that hurt! All for the shot right?! Well worth it though to stop and take in the gorgeous golden hour casting it's glow on the clover field, capturing another fond memory of my girls being their naughty selfs - simple "finds" that make my days :)

QUEEN BEE

I am no ordinary bee.
I’m royalty, a queen, you see!
I don’t just raise a family – I rule a whole society!
Each day I lay two thousand eggs.
Believe me – that’s tough on the legs!
My doting daughters feed my belly,
And I was raised on royal jelly.
My princely sons are known as drones – Not one of those boys ever phones!
When it’s too crammed, then I take wing.
With such a life – who needs a king?
~ Author Unknown

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Joining the fun at Camera Critters, Kim Klassen's Friday Finds and 12 Months For Dogs

Bashful Peonies

Peonies! What is not to love about these show stopping blooms! Every year we attend the Botanical Gardens Peony Festival and take in the fragrant and humongous blooms. I am still dreaming about one day owning the 100mm 2.8 Macro lens but for now I enjoyed trying out a macro filter over my 85mm lens.

There is a lot of history around Peonies. They are also referred to as "the plant of healing" and thought to keep evil spirits away.

Greek mythology says the flower Peony is named after Paeon who was a mortal known as the physician to the Gods.  Paeon was asked by Leto (the goddess of fertility and Apollo's Mother) to find a flower that would sooth pain for women in childbirth. Paeon's mentor Asclepius had such a jealous rage that Zeus thought it best to turn Paeon into a Peony to save his life. 

Peonies come can be red, pink, white, orange or yellow and the blooms can reach 8 inches in size.

This was a dog friendly event so Kodee and Becky tagged along for the fun. Becky's goal for the day was to enthusiastically greet all who passed her. Kodee had a mission too - it was to attempt eating the flowers scattered on the ground. Not a good idea Kodee considering peonies are toxic to dogs!

 

The peony gardens turned out to be an appropriate spot to photograph Kodee's for my "12 Months For Dogs" FlickR group project because June's theme was "Seasonal". If a magazine ever existed called Dogs & Gardens I know I would be first in line to subscribe!

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Joining in the fun with  "Today's Flowers"

Dandelion Wishes

Hiking is a favourite activity of Kodee's. - she loves an adventure exploring new places. I join in each month on a photography group on FlickR called "12 Months For Dogs". This photo was my pick for the month of May's theme "Exploring".

I have learned when one wants to photograph their dogs in a fresh field of Dandelions it is best to NOT wear
new and light coloured clothes :S.

The girls love a love a romp through a field especially when the end result is getting to Mom who is holding a treat as a reward for letting her get the photo she is after.

Dandelions

Some see a weed.

Some see a wish.

~ Anonymous 

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Visit our 12 Months For Dogs group on FlickR

2014 ~ Kodee 12 Months For Dogs Album