White on White

At my recent SNOW DOGs event, we were blessed with a fresh layer of new snow to make the landscape complete for new paw prints.  Oliver, a year-old Standard Poodle arrived with his owner, Cheri, and he was sporting a recent grooming, complete with a beard.  Just what every male Poodle needs!  He looked charming and masculine.  Cheri arrived in a red coat and as a landscape architect, she was aware that the dogwood would be starting to get red again as the daylight was getting longer.  Everything came together for a good session – white dog on white snow with a splash of red!

 

Oliver and Cheri embraced the deeper snow and immediately set about demonstrating the depth of their relationship – running, balls, jumping, and showing off his groom.  The two of them together are a perfect match and I love it when the dog’s and owner’s energy levels are the same.  I wondered who would tire first.

Oliver and owner, Cheri, enjoy their play time in fresh snow during the SNOW DOGs event.

Recently Cheri came for the View and Order session to pick out her images from our session together.  Trio Panels are a popular way for dog owners to take home a nicely designed piece of wall art for their home.  As I worked with Cheri’s Trio Panel, I wanted to tie in her relationship to the landscape since she noted the color of the dogwood in the photos.  Here’s a contemporary look that I created for her that ties in snowflakes and the yummy, red color.  Tell me if you think it works, or not!

 

 

Amazing Recovery

In June 2011, a very sick German Shorthair Pointer/English Pointer dog showed up at a rescue in Indiana.  She was emaciated and ticks were helping themselves to a warm, blood meal at her expense.  She was initially treated and then fostered through Illinois Bird Dog Rescue (IBR).  It was there that they discovered she had Lyme’s disease and after her initial treatment for Lyme’s, she also tested positive for Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever and Ehrlichia.   Poor girl!  Because of IBR’s emphasis on tireless testing and treatment of all their dogs prior to adoption, I can tell you that Helen Jane (aka Hellie) is doing VERY well these days!

She’s been with us for 2 weeks now and I can report that she’s made an amazing recovery!  Very athletic, eager to please, and yet calm, mellow and loyal – in spite of all she’s lived through.  While we still need to watch her health closely, IBR continues to guide us, as they have worked with many dogs with tick-borne diseases.  We’re thankful for another “save” by IBR and the foster family that gave her a home for almost a year!

Here’s to a healthy Helen Jane after her romp at the Runway Dog Park this morning!

Hellie on the Run

Style Counts

What fun it is to photograph dogs in fresh snow!  Throw in a newly groomed white, standard poodle that loves to be outdoors as much as it loves its owner, and you’ve got a chance to make some enthusiastic images.

Meet Oliver and Cheri!  A woman that adores her standard poodles and shares a zest for life outdoors with them.  When she showed up in a red coat, I knew we were off on the right foot, or paw.

 

One of Oliver’s specialties is ball playing.  His ball is as accustomed to his mouth as his tongue.  With a light snow falling, Cheri started tossing the ball and Oliver not only caught the ball consistently but did it by earning hundreds of ‘style points.’

 

I think my favorite of the jump shots, however, was this image:

 

After a little rest, Oliver was treated to some yummy treats.  As he waited patiently, he threw his head back and jutted his chest out as if to say, “hey – look at me sitting so pretty!”

 

As one of my Snow Dogs, it was a pleasure to meet him for the first time and make some memorable images of he and Cheri together.  Thanks for the laughs, Oliver!

 

 

Ahh, the Fall!

When you’re photographing people outside in the Fall, you’re always at the mercy of the weather.  Will it be cold, windy, hot, or rainy?  Fall is a time of vast change and if I’m working with little ones, weather can make all the difference in the mood of the images.  So last week, when the weather didn’t cooperate for an active 18 month old, named William, I told Amy, the mother, “the weather’s surely going to get warm again.”

So with the temps in the mid 60’s this morning, I headed out to Cedarburg and had lots of fun with William and his apples!

I’m sooo big and strong!

He was so enthusiastic and enjoyed playing with his parents as we maneuvered quickly through 3 clothing changes and some time with his beloved Sammy.  The warm, morning light was pouring through the white birch leaves, while a steady breeze kept him cool in his warm outfits.  Even Sammy, the family pooch, gave me a spontaneous moment that they will cherish long after William’s buddy is gone.

It was a exhilarating morning with William and his family and we all were blessed with the wonderful, soft kisses of warmth that Fall can bring.  A great joy accompanied me all day as I thought of the fun I had in the company of William and his apples.  I hope you can find time to go outside and breath it in over the next few days in the Midwest.  Be sure to eat an apple while you’re out there!

I’m ready for frost now.

 

You are my very best friend in the whole, wide world!

On top of the world on dad’s shoulders.

 

Got my weight-lifting over for the day!

 

 

 

You Did What For Your Vacation?

If your idea of a perfect vacation is sitting by a sun-dappled lake with a good book in hand, I couldn’t agree more.  But that part is what I usually look forward to after pedaling about 60 miles on my touring bicycle.  Yeah, the kind where YOU supply the power, not the Harley – Davidson.  Each summer we embark upon a real road trip, the kind where the skinny tires meet the road.  This year we brought along our 16 yr. old nephew, Bennett, to the eastern Upper Pennisula of Michigan for the MUP ride.

Limited to 150 people, we hit some of the most famous highlights of the U.P.  For you geography fans, we started in St. Ignace – Mackinac Island area and then pedaled our way over the rural roads, into small towns filled with pasties, fishermen and lumbermen, and dipped into 2 of the greatest fresh water lakes around – Huron and Superior.  Towns like De Tour (Michiganers pronounce like ‘road construction” road sign vs. its French, fur trapper de’ tour), Sault Ste. Marie, Paradise (another name to get your imagination going while your seat is semi-numb) and Newberry greeted all of us that thought pedaling 60 miles into a head wind in mid 80 degree temps. was fun!    

From the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island to the Soo Locks of Sault Ste. Marie, we got off our bikes and visited small museums and lighthouses that told the story of life in the U.P.  One of my books was about the CCC camps in the mid to late 1930’s that told how these camps saved a generation of men in the UP and built the state parks, forestry lands, cleared roads and rescued those stuck in monstrous snowstorms. (Saving Our Sons – Larry Chabot)

Our accommodations were wonderful – our own tents.  The photo above was made out my ‘front door’ as we camped on the Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie.  It is the International Peace Bridge at night.  Some of my braver, fellow riders road over the two-lane bridge to Canada and back.  I had not brought my passport along so was ‘skunked.’

It was in Sault Ste. Marie that we kayaked on our ‘day off’ after touring the Soo Locks.  If you’ve never been here to see the locks in action, I highly recommend one of the boat tours.  We got to go into the locks with the big boys – one of which was a tour boat out of New York City.

It’s something to see a 700 – 1000 ft. ship going by you in the locks!  I learned that the Soo Locks puts through more tonnage each year than either the Suez Canal or the Panama Canal.  Way to go Great lakes!Here a dredge barge works to keep the locks deep enough for the ships.

 In Sault Ste. Marie, the old electrical station is the sight where the St. Mary’s River comes into Lake Huron.

While back on the road, the Dancing Cranes coffee shop/bakery/local meeting place, did a bang up day of business as many caffeine deprived cyclists stopped by for some “fuel.”  You’ll note the colorful cycling jerseys and ages of the riders in the photo.  Riders range from kids to seniors.  A 10 year old pedaled her bike with her father and sister on this trip and the oldest rider, we had met on a previous ride in WI, was 78.

Further down the road we came upon one Point Iroquois Light House, outside Brimley, MI.  This lighthouse is kept by a retired couple and they live there year round.  As I contemplated the notorious storms that blow in off of Lake Superior, I spied a satellite dish as I rode away.  One would need some company on those long, winter days.

The grounds were beautifully decorated with the pebble fence and flowers.  Cyclists LOVE to stop and take in the local environments and historic places along the route because it’s a way to stretch your legs, and bum, and get a water/snack refill from the SAG wagon.

Our weather ranged from overcast to sunny but the temps. were mid 80’s all week.  We delighted when two of the nights were 60 degrees – nice for sleeping in a tent.  Here Kathy and I have fun making a mock Viagra commercial.

In Paradise, MI – a very small town that swells in numbers during the summer months. While exploring the town on my bike, I came upon a chainsaw artist – Edwin Lafitte.  I watched as his put his chainsaw down and burned the dark spots onto Mr. Bear with a blow torch.  After an application of wood sealer, Mr. Bear would be for sale.  He ships them, so no need to worry about carrying one on your bike!

If you’re one of those cyclists contemplating the pros and cons of a newer, lighter bicycle, you can skip the ones we found outside of Sault Ste. Marie.  When I saw this public art display, I knew we had a Christmas card photo!  Thanks Bennett.

Another public art display we almost missed.  We’d been told at the previous evening’s meeting that we should be on the lookout for this U.P. comfort station.  I found it a wonderful place to check my messages until I realized I had no bars.  Who says cycle tours are boring??

Some days the miles, heat and humidity can get to you.  Add a full stomach after lunch and you have the perfect combination for a post-prandial nap – even if it’s on concrete.  Gotta love that cycling jersey though!!  Naps are allowed on cycling trips because you have all day to get to your next destination.

Vanna White (aka Kathy) models the tent camp outside of Lake Superior State University at sunset.  It’s fun to see all the different style of tents and camping gear that people bring along.  This year we packed some cards and crossword puzzles that we did in down time.

Bennett and I are still looking pretty good about halfway through the week.

While cycling into Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the most visited state park in Michigan, I came across a three-legged red fox.  Most likely a trap victim, he seemed to enjoy part of my power bar.

Tahquamenon Falls is 200 feet wide and is the widest river east of the Mississippi.  In the late 1800’s, millions of board feet of lumber came over these falls on their way to Lake Superior.  Fireweed dances in the breeze in the foreground.

Fireweed is an herb that’s usually found in open fields and burnt over land.  It flowers from the bottom up and in Alaska, they say that summer is over when top part has bloomed.  Tahquamenon Falls is in the background.  

Along the route I spotted some blooms of water lilies.  A quick hit on the brakes, I pulled out my nifty compact digital camera (Nikon S8200), zoomed in and made the photo.  As a pro photographer, I’ve got to say what a nice job the camera manufacturers have done with lightweight, compact cameras.  Perfect for traveling, backpacking and cycling!

Speaking of great, compact cameras, Bennett showed me some of his excellent images he makes in his iPhone 4S while we were on the Soo Locks tour.

Back in St. Ignace after a 67 mile day, we started to get packed up, head for the showers and then home.

If you’re interested in giving bike touring a try, let me explain that you don’t have to be in Olympic- athlete shape.  The longest ride I had in before this 350/7 day trip was 15 miles.  I road a lot of 8 miles trips that I fit in after work.  Your first few days on the trip you pace yourself and stop at all the planned rest stops. (We stop at them whether we need a rest or not.  It’s part of the fun!)  The rest stops are usually 10-15 miles apart.  For one St. Ignace woman on the ride, it was her first ride ever and she did it on a hybrid bike – alone.  She met many new friends along the way, however!

Cycling is considered to be “the new golf.”  A place to get in exercise, meet people and make business/pleasure connections.   Just click on this highlighted URL for a list of all the National Bike Tour Directors rides.  Pick one out and give it a try.  We’ll be seeing you on the road making new friends along the way!

NOTE:  all images made with Nikon S8200 and S9300 compact cameras.

The Best from BARKS

If you’re a dog, hot, humid, sunny weather is perfect for laying around under a big, ‘ole shade tree.  Last Sunday was one of those days and in spite of the hot, humid weather, dogs and their owners came to the the outdoor church service for pets and their owners at St. Mark’s Episcopal church.  Praying was in order instead of laying under the shade tree.  While the dogs were blessed outside by Fr. John Allen, I was also blessed with the well-behaved dogs that came to be photographed as a benefit for the church.  So much fun with all the different breeds!

I’m always trying something new and thinking “what if.”   This year I decided that some dogs needed to wear tutus.  I have them in the studio for toddlers and I thought the dogs would tolerate them for a short time.  Here are a few images from some accommodating dogs:

Modeling the purple tutu at Barks event,

Brown tutu for the Golden Retriver.

There was a Chocolate Lab that literally ‘sat’ for me.  When she plopped herself down against my backdrop, I got the feeling that this girl was saying, “It’s been a long, hot morning.  Let’s get this shoot over with.  I’ve got a date with the couch!”  I love the body language she shows here.  If you’ve got another caption running around in your head, please share it!

“Let’s get this shoot over with!”

Lastly, there was a 12 week old Vizsula puppy that bounded in to be photographed.  Loved his furrowed brow and puppy breath!  I could have photographed him all day but here’s a fun shot.

At this age, everything is interesting – including a photo session!

If you missed the Barks at St. Mark’s event, keep this in mind.  During the months of July and August, I’m running a “$75 Thursdays.”  Any Thursday session (up to 1 hour) is $75 at the studio or within 25 miles (round trip) of the studio.  Now THAT’s something to bark about!  You can contact me about this special here.

Copper River Red Salmon run!

Fair notice here:  This post has little to do with photography and all to do with the huge, tasty, Copper River Red Salmon (Kings) that are caught in Prince William Sound this time of year.  One of the  longest salmon runs is the world is on!

While it starts mid-May in Alaska, those of use in the lower 48 can enjoy the rich, nutty, full flavor of the Copper River Red salmon (photos) through the month of June, and this year, probably well into July.  This year’s run is breaking all the records with over 469,000 salmon crossing the Cordova counting point, as of Sunday.

These salmon grab my attention because of their great taste/easy to grill factor, but also because I’ve spent some time over the last decade exploring the areas that they head to to spawn.  Chiefly, the vast, glacier-strewn area of our largest national park – Wrangell-St. Elias.

We’ll be heading up to Wrangell-St. Elias in a couple of weeks and will cross the great Copper River at Chitina.  It’s here that we’ll stop to watch and photograph the dip/gil netters catching their share of the salmon run.  Alaskans are allowed a catch limit of salmon each year for their subsistence and they go after it with great enthusiasm.  With the salmon running so strong this year, we’re sure to see plenty of action along at Chitina Bridge!

As we start our 2.5 hour journey on the gravel McCarthy Rd. from Chitina, toward our destination of McCarthy, AK, we’ll pass a 2 mile lake at Mile 40 called Long Lake.  It is here that the sockeye salmon run ends.  It’s a long, arduous journey and the fish won’t arrive here until late August, early September.  It’s a distance of over 300 miles, made so can spawn where they were born.  Here are some of the salmon that have made the distance and are caught in the weir for data collection.

In this image, it’s early September and my friend, Stephanie, measures the salmon, takes a scale sample and then releases the salmon back into the water so it’s spawn run can be completed.  In these small streams, one has to be watchful for both black and grizzly bears during the salmon run.  Stephanie’s daughter is always close by and keeps watch over her’s mom’s duties.  Here you can see how the data fluctuates from year to year.

One of these years I want to take the float trip from McCarthy to Cordova to follow not only the route of the salmon, but also the route of the copper ore extracted from this area of Alaska from 1908 – 1938.  For you history buffs out there, some of the purest copper ore ever discovered was taken out of the hills pictured above.  For a brief history of the copper ore discovery and its extraction/transport via railroad to Cordova, you can read this or go here.  For an up close view, visit Wrangell-St. Elias National Park!  The park is THE most beautiful place that I’ve ever been and it continues to call me back almost annually.

Kathy picked up quite a few big ‘steaks’ today and now our little, refrigerator freezer is stuffed full for when the run is over.  Costco has them available, as would your local fish market.  I like them grilled skin -side down over medium heat (cover down).  When I see the white fat oozing out of the flesh, I know they’re pretty much done.

In the meantime, Ellie and Emma are enjoying the salmon as well!  What’s good for us is good for them.  Bon appetite Copper River style!  We’ll see all our McCarthy friends soon!

Related articles

• Healthy Recipe: Grilled Copper River Salmon with Garlic, Mustard Crust and Blasted Broccoli (fitfabcities.com)
• It’s Here! Alaska’s Copper River Salmon Arrives in Seattle (seattle.cbslocal.com)
• So very Northwest: Copper River salmon are here (king5.com)
• Fish tales (economist.com)

BARKS at St. Mark’s

     Every once in a while, someone enters my life and brings into it much more meaning than I would have every thought possible.  That’s how it was with Fr. John.  From my initial greeting with Fr. John Allen, I knew that he was a unique, spiritual guide and man.  There was a twinkle in his eye, a sincerity in his voice and his Irish Wolfhound puppy was sporting a different kind of collar – that of a priest!  You see, Flynn works the spiritual side of life with Fr. John.  They’re a team and Fr. John understands the talents that his spiritual partner brings to the table.

     As I conversed with Fr. John, he asked me to photograph them together, and then wondered if I’d be interested in helping them out at their upcoming Barks at St. Mark’s  (2011) at his church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (1314 E. Rawson Ave.  South Milwaukee).  Click HERE for directions.

     Remember I said he had a twinkle in his eye?  Barks at St. Mark’s is a Sunday church service, held outside, under a large tent, and it’s EXPECTED that you bring your dog/cat/pet.  In fact, Fr. John tells me that pets are welcomed on any Sunday during the year – inside or out – not just to celebrate St. Francis of Assisi of the Barks event.  Fr. John knows and lives inside the healing, nurturing world of pets, year round!

     Last year the weather was beautiful and people/pets of all shapes and sizes (cats were there too) came forward during the service for a communion (dog/cat biscuits) and a personal blessing from Fr. John.  I loved what I saw that day and I teared up a bit when some of the older dogs stepped forward for his blessing, knowing they were one step closer to meeting their maker.

     This year’s event is next Sunday, June 10th and I’ll be there at 8:30 in the morning to photograph your and your dog, inside, BEFORE the mass starts at 9:00 a.m.  I’ll be photographing again AFTER the mass until 11:00 a.m.  Due to the number of people/pets wanting to be photographed, these will be “quick takes” of about 5 minutes.  You may want to brush up on your sit/stay, or down/stays prior the event.  Images will be available online for ordering/delivery.  Parking is available in the back but you may find street parking more convenient.  Be careful exiting your pet from your vehicle, as it can be a busy street!

     Following the blessing, there will be a complimentary picnic provided by the members of St. Mark’s parish, and you can browse some of the pet-friendly businesses that will also be there.  If you were  a participant of Barks at St. Mark’s 2011, post a comment and tell others about your experience!

     For those who are photographed, a $15 donation is required.  This donation goes to helping St. Mark’s provide assistance to those in their community who have pets but have trouble meeting the financial responsibilities of veterinary care, medications, food, etc.  You can make your check out to St. Mark’s Church.  Cash is also accepted.  You will be notified via email when your images are ready to viewed online.

     As there will be a number of dogs there, it’s requested that dogs be leashed and up to date on their vaccinations.   

See you on June 12th!!

Mad Hot Ballroom 2012

For just a few minutes I ask you to step into a pair of tap shoes and transport yourself to the Bradley Center in Milwaukee.  For those of you out of town, it’s our home to the Milwaukee Bucks basketball team and other indoor professional sports teams.  Allow me set the scene which you are about to enter.

Over the last 6 weeks, you’ve been attending tap dance lessons as part of the Danceworks, Inc. program with Milwaukee Public Schools.  Your gangly, growing body has been learning swing, latin and funky styles of tap once a week.  Any other practice is on your own.  After some final coaching tips, it’s time for the taps to hit the floor in a large inter-school competition.

You’ve got your best dancing clothes on – dresses for girls and ties on the guys.  You go over your steps one more time, mouthing the count under your breath, and then you step out onto the floor with the huge Jumbotron showing your every move overhead as the roaring crowd of parents, teachers, volunteers and judges ready for your performance.

As the quarterfinals became the semi-finals and the semi-finals became the finals, I can see the energy and the seriousness of the teams start to show.  Here I capture just one little series of a young couple who seemed to enjoy what they were seeing – on the Jumbotron!   As I edited the images today, I knew you’d enjoy this little glimpse into a big day for these young tap dancers.  Check out these faces and feel their joy, amazement and sense of accomplishment!

I like how they both see themselves and then separately take their turns peaking at themselves.

Birding in Orlando Wetlands Park

While in Florida, I always make some time to go out birding with a friend and wonderful, local bird expert – Don Chalfont.  I met Don through my mom, who spends 4 months at New Smyrna Beach, FL each winter.  Of course, I have to come and visit and after the first time of birding with Don, I wanted to come back for more.

Yesterday Elza, another fine birder, joined us as we visited the Orlando Wetlands Park.  It’s a vast area of managed wetlands where treated sewage (cleaner than the water in the St. John’s River!) is pumped into the wetlands.  Around 25-35 million gallons a day is pumped 17 miles to this location and the natural process of water settling through the wetlands removes excess nutrients from the water and provides an amazing habitat for raptors, wading birds, ducks, warblers and sparrows.  Besides birding, you can enjoy walking and bicycling on flat, dike roads and hiking through woods.

Don & Elza looking for a King Rail

One of the first birds we spotted with a fine Carl Zeiss spotting scope, far out in the distance, was a Crested Caracara.  A while later it came closer to us and I was able to capture it with my measly 70-200mm lens with NO tele-extender.  I sure wished I had a 500mm with me!

Crested Caracara

Another fine bird Don and Elza spotted was a Purple Gallinule.  It moves around in the reeds and didn’t give us a nice open shot.  However, my determination kicked in and I waited and was rewarded with a somewhat plausible image in flight.

Purple Gallinule coming in for a landing

If you’re a Limpkin fan, Orlando Wetlands Park offers numerous opportunities for not only viewing them, but listening to them.  Being a newbie birder, Elza shared a story that the Native Americans said the Limpkin sounds like a crying boy.  I heard a lot of crying!  This one let me get pretty close and stuck it’s ‘tongue’ out at me.

Limpkin

While many of you back home are also enjoying record, warm weather and seeing robins and other birds returning, I got excited to hear/see the Red-Winged blackbird – usually the first bird of spring for us.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, we pulled out some picnic lunches and decided to head back in for the King Rail.  Alas, it wasn’t to be today but while they were searching for it, I’m always looking around for another image.  I noted a small raindrop on my arm and I looked up behind me to see ominous clouds mixing with fresh, wildfire smoke.  The scent and scene took me back to the summer of 2000 when I lived in MT and the whole state was on fire from wildfires.  I’ll NEVER forget the acrid smoke smell and to this day, I’m very sensitive to detecting it.  This fire was likely a controlled burn and it was fun to see that it caused local rain drops to form.

Wildland fire darkens the sky

Thanks to Don and Elza, I saw some ‘life birds’ on this trip.  Now to save for that 500mm lens!!