"Bulldog" - 100 Dog Strangers

A very chilled bulldog taking in the scenery at the Ontario County Kennel Club dog show in Orono.

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Adding to my

100 Dog Strangers Series

The Canine version of "100 Strangers".

A photographic record of all the wonderful dogs I meet in my travels.

 Began in 2012 and ending... TBD.

Embrace Your Inner Fool

Every April Fool's Day I get a big smile on my face. It is a day of cherished childhood memories. My first (of many well loved) Labrador celebrated her birthday on April 1st. Cinder arrived to live with us when I was 7. From her first birthday (till her last) I made her a liverwurst cake, topped with hot dogs and candles. I also forced my family to sing her Happy Birthday. See my obsessive love of all things dog started very young. So in honour of Cinder may you enjoy an assortment of my latest Cavs Speak foolish thoughts.
[Actually this was really just a good excuse for a dog photo dump.]

Until you're ready

to look

 ** FOOLISH **

you'll never have the

possibility of being

GREAT

~ Cher

100 Dog Strangers ~ Australian Shepherd, Retriever & Boxer

Who goes there! What a comical expression captured here. This Australian Shepherd was very curious about us and tried to approach us a few times to say hello. When he got too close he got very anxious and then would bark and back up. His owner said he is always dubious of strangers but it was something they were working on.

This dog almost seems to be in a trance meditating. He was having an active game of tag with a black Labrador on the hills. In my last post I showed this dog and the one below in black & white but I think I prefer the colour versions better.

Our hike last weekend was at the now defunct Weall & Cullen Miniature Village. This tourist attraction was very popular for 25 yrs. From spring to fall numerous times a week tour buses came from the U.S. to visit as well. The main attraction was the $650,000 huge outdoor model train exhibit as well the floral gardens, miniature golf and historical building tours. It opened in 1980 but was sold to the town in 2006. All that is left now is a miniature ghost town.



The gardens are still a popular local spot to go for a walk. It has turned into an unauthorized off-leash park - hence the reason for so many dog photos. As a dog owner though, I will never understand why so many owners do not pick up after their dogs. After a long winter it was beyond filthy there - so sad dog owners would ruin their own enjoyment by not picking up after their dogs.



I found this video of the miniature village in full swing with model trains - so many memories here.



Leaving you with a piece of hope, that the snow is finally melting to reveal there is life under it! Here's to the longest winter ever being done!
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Adding to my

100 Dog Strangers Series

The Canine version of "100 Strangers".

A photographic record of all the wonderful dogs I meet in my travels.

 Began in 2012 and ending... TBD.

Participating in Camera Critters

Black & White Sunday: Slipping in the River

March can bring on challenging conditions to photograph outdoors. Lots of gloomy gray skies, muddy tracks, barren trees and sloppy slush. Not exactly inspiring stuff to photograph. This weekend we got together with a local group of photographers for a 2 hr hike. Our challenge was to process our photos in black and white only.
 

This my favourite capture of the day. I love how he is posed and concentrating. The final image with warm tones and a high key look suits him. 

 8 people crossed over the river with no trouble along a frozen section - except me that is! My right foot went crashing through the ice and I ended up soaked up to my knee! Good thing it was not too cold because I still had a good 30 minutes walk back to  car.

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Adding both dogs to my

100 Dog Strangers Series

The Canine version of "100 Strangers".

A photographic record of all the wonderful dogs I meet in my travels. 

 Began in 2012 and ending... TBD. 

Also joining in the fun at "Black & White Sunday"

Oh Eeyore - I mean Becky

It's snowing still," said Eeyore gloomily.

"So it is."

"And freezing."

"Is it?"

"Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "we haven't had an earthquake lately.

~ Eeyore, The World of Winnie the Pooh

Becky and I can see where Eeyore is coming from! Winter is taking it's toll on us and seriously, it is time for it to just begone!  Do you know last year at this time we had an early spring around here! Buds I tell you were already on the Magnolia tree. I am not sure I can actually see my Magnolia through the snow drifts today!

Attempting to have more cheerful thoughts like Winnie the Pooh, I will say I have really enjoyed all the extra time I found these last few weeks to catch up on some reading, put a little extra time into sharpen my editing skills and best of all the extra cuddles from Kodee and Becky by my side.

[Edited with Kim Klassen's kk_felicity and Brooke Shaden's White Hill Mansion #1]

We can't leave Kodee out of the spotlight so here is her lounging dog photo moment.


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Participating in Kim Klassen's Textured Tuesday

Black & White Sunday: The Still of Winter

If Becky were human I imagine her as a poet or philosopher - she always appears to be deep in thought. With such a cold winter, the dogs have been a little more laid back just like me. I often look over and they appear to be daydreaming - probably of greener and warmer days too!

In B&W I always think the mood of a photograph can shine through more. Being an almost all black dog, in colour she can get lost in the background of a photo. 

As part of my The Visual Toolbox: 50 Lessons For Stronger Photographs study group, week 7 is all about "wide angle lens inclusion". Sometimes when you shoot with a wide lens you feel a vastness. This week we were to use a wide angle lens but make the viewer feel like they were included - like they were right there with you.

Both Becky and this landscape were shot with the 10-22mm. In this photo I up to my thighs in snow, crouched very low to the  ground and just a foot away from the rabbit feet.Hopefully you get the feeling of being there right with me.Looking at this photo I also realize it will be some time before we walk on grass again. Let the slow melt begin!

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Participating in Black & White Sunday

Still Embracing Winter?

Lynde Shores Conservation Park is a favourite hiking spot, but this trip marked my first winter adventure on the trails. 

I get birds are designed to swim in even the coldest of weather, but still I got shivers watching the American Black Ducks and Canada Geese dive in the water.

 

 All this winter wonderland almost makes up for the shoveling - almost.

 

The trails this year are probably the prettiest winter scenery I have seen in our region.

My daughter who smugly insists on packing a coffee even for a hike!

The birds and small animals are very tame and easily feed out of your hand.

With the sun beginning to set we thought it might be a good time to get out of the thick of the woods!

What a stunning grand finale for our hike to see the sunset over the marsh.

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Participating in: Wild Bird Wednesday, Nature Notes

Abstract Photography

Random 5 Friday - Thoughts on Creativity

1. So I'm stepping out of of my comfort zone this week and trying to be a bit more creative. Week 6 for my photography group studying "The Visual Toolbox", we spent time experimenting with "Intentional Camera Movement" and getting creative. It was actually harder than I thought it would be but a lot of fun. The smaller images show what I was taking a photo of.

  

 

2. Like many I like to listen to Brooke Shaden because she is a very passionate-giving artist who loves to inspire others. Brooke talks about "Why you need to take risks to make your dreams come true." She goes on to explain "What we need in this world is people willing to be unique." It goes beyond that though - well worth taking the time to watch.

3. Dizzy yet? I love going back and looking over old photos to rethink how I can improve them. This photo was taken just when I got my first DLSR and was my first attempt at radial zoom. I tweaked it a bit with colour boost and a bit if sharpening. A great resource on techniques to create zoom bursts.

4. A few local photographers got together at a local park after sunset. We brought along flashlights and glow sticks to experiment with light painting. I opted to not volunteer to sit on this piece of the playground equipment and frantically twirl about while holding a flashlight. Not the most wonderful photo but this night rates high on the scale of fun things to try!

5. Have I inspired you to branch out and try a new techniques? Take a look at these 100 Creative Photography Lessons for some more ideas.

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Participating in Random Friday 5