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After having problems with the site….took the rest of the day and just hung out with the dogs…playing, doing agility and a little bird watching.

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Gemma…aka wild coyote. This image was taken this morning with a Nikon D300…28-70 f 3.5 @1/20 of a sec ISO was pretty high due to the lighting…and the fact I was OH so very lazy and hand held the camera. Impossible for me t0 hand hold a camera under a 60th of a second (depending on the day and how sturdy I am). Still….lazy moment and I wanted a few images for todays blog. Gemma is a mixed breed….she happened to come to me for socialization and training several years ago. I like to say I earned a good bit of money, in the end got a dog too. She actually was the most unsocialized dog at seven months or so I have ever met. After being in my care for several months….soooo much progress was made….I state that as in progress for this dog. She did not trust humans….her saving grace was the fact she so liked being part of the pack…she learned through them. My pack of five at the time were dogs that so adored people were well trained and well balanced. I was honest with the woman when asked if she would ever be “normal”….my reply was that no…you cannot go back in time to ensure proper socialization….heck….just a little bit of socialization would have benefited this dog. You can only move forward….try to make her as balanced a dog as she can be. I doubt she will ever like being in the company of people, that is other then her own. She accompanies us on vacations….as long as she is with her pack, she is a happy dog.

Her person at the time had seven other dogs…..all rescues. A very big heart, however she worked full time and had little time left for eight dogs, severall of which had behavioral issues. Since progress was so slow going…..it was decided Gemma was not to go back home. Sigh…..while I can in no way save all of the dogs….I knew I could keep Gemma safe, and those that were in her company safe….so she remained with us. So many improvements made….still, she really does not like people, change, being taken out of her environment. I like to say she is a works in progress. Gemma has so many fears….pretty sad…but we keep her active….work her and yes, adore her. We praise the wanted behavior and pretty much ignore her fears. One of her fears is bad weather. She will seek my company out and that is all right….she must remain calm. Thunder storm phobia is usually something that worsens with age in many breeds. So far I have only seen improvements….still she has so learned all of the approaching signs of a storm….barometric pressure, darkening of the sky….wind etc. Some dogs also react to their humans fear and behavior. Comforting the dogs for panting, pacing and going into a state of high anxiety….well you are rewarding that behavior. Yes, it is soooo tough for some to understand that often times we make the anxiety worse.

Again, the above image taken this morning…Nikon D300, Sigma wide angle lens…another of those situations where the use of a tripod would have come in handy. With the storms approaching there was a lot of bird activity at the feeders…all three looked up at the same time…what I like to call a Happy accident. So….rainy day blues here in the Atlanta area, waiting, keeping an eye out for we are in a tornado “Watch”…these same storms have been more then rainy day blues in surrounding states. For all in the storms path…pay attention…stay safe.

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Just in time for Valentines Day as a special gift to our blog readers…save $25.00 off the Photography Sitting Fee. For those interested in a painted portrait save $25.00…all sizes…all you have to do is mention the February Blog Special to save $25.00.

Gift Certificates are available and make a wonderful Valentines Gift.

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The start of a new day…sounds promising indeed. My days each start pretty much the same…get up, take the puppies outside….pretty chilly this morning from 60 degrees yesterday to low 30’s this morning….brrrrr….shuffle into the bathroom, entourage following. Wash up, brush teeth….comb hair….all without ever looking in the mirror….way too early for that. Head into office, still in my jammies….turn PC on….back in the kitchen to put the tea kettle up (I like a cup of green tea in the morning). It is then I notice somewhere along the way I have lost my entourage. I head back to the office and there they are…already napping, knowing I will sit look through e-mail….sip my tea…look at yesterdays work and start painting for about an hour or so, then time for breakfast. They are so very adaptable to my schedule. I type that with a smile for…say, I was to go over that hour of quiet time in the morning….then boy are they ever so annoying for they want breakfast. After each feeding there is a pack rule ….no play for a few hours (always reminded me when I was a kid, no swimming after eating)….this rule stems from having dogs that can possibly suffer from bloat. It has never been discovered why some breeds experience this, we know it is in many a hereditary problem…others, well so many things have been said to be the cause….since no one really knows…well there must be rules right

Well, they know exactly when it is time to play…..they just know. Just as they know when one of their loved ones should be coming home….sure, your thinking that they are creatures of habit…yes indeed, that they are….but it is more then that. …Dogs can tell time

The image was taken this morning, bad light but this is the view from my chair when it is pushed back….often times Gemma (the dog that is missing from the photo) does not follow me into the office, but rather stop in the living room preferring to nap on the comfy leather sofa.

On the Prowl….

As I was sitting at the computer yesterday mid afternoon, I noticed one of the Cooper Hawks (there are several) putting on a display. S/he soared wings full span, then dived down would disappear before I could spot her again.Now, I was raised in the City and I am in no way what you would call an out doorsy kind of gal I always feel honored whenever I get the chance to see something like this….especially just looking out my own window. I have seen enough NG to know this hawk was busy hunting. My eyes flashed to “my birds”…the small enclosed area with which I feed the birds and thought they are in danger. Never one to loose an photo op, I grab the camera, attach the long lens and out I go.

I can see there were a good number of birds on the branches as I looked up and notice many of the black birds….all of which like to sing and tell a tale (pretty noisey when they flock together and they are always together)….nothing, no chips,, no songs…just quiet, still….very quiet for there to be that many birds…the quiet meant Danger, you could sense it, feel it…

My eyes were searching out the hawk for s/he must be very close….I was slowly removing the lens cap as I was taking a step off of my patio when all of a sudden all of the birds take off at the same time….there were many….the noise of their wings and the chirping at the same time startled me. There was the Hawk, just a few feet away….out of the bush and up and out of sight.   Not a good hunting day….still I had a good look around to see if any injured birds about before letting the dogs out.

Now….before anyone lectures me about nature….I am a tad bit protective of the birds that have chosen my yard to feed….especially that of the cardinals. They nest close by and I have in past years managed a few good close ups of the babies….they are raised knowing me the dogs and the camera. During the times they are feeding in my yard I feel responsible for their safety.

The dogs are great at chasing the neighbored cats away…..and if I see the hawk I will go out with camera and photograph them…they are lovely creatures. I find they do get annoyed with that. Noticed the word annoyed….I do not get the sense of fear when I am around…..it seems to me that when I am in a wild bird of prays presence they just really seem annoyed for I am a disruption to the other birds….I disrupt their hunting.

So why you wonder do I feed the birds knowing it can put them in harms way. Well….I cannot control the simple fact that some people who have cats allow them to roam….without any forethought of what their beloved pet can do to the bird population. Add to the fact that any roaming animals is an annoyance to most….yes, I have been told by cat people that their cat NEVER leaves their property…yep….if you could see me I AM rolling my eyes Cats are pets and should not be allowed to roam the street….nice to think that you cat stays right on your property….my neighbors think that as well. I have several photographs of their cats hanging out in my yard.

During the winter months the birds actually need the extra food for they burn so many calories just trying to stay warm….also…it just makes me smile watching them. As for the hawk….well that is part of nature. I can try to keep the birds safe by letting the dogs out…but that is the best I can do.

Over the years I really do not remember seeing so many of the hawks….and I do not remember them getting so close to humans. They have no where else to go I would suppose. My area is so very built up….behind my house it is like a little bird sanctuary for there is a creek. Especially now, during the drought….I have seen an increase in the birds feeding….no wonder an increase in the birds of prey. I wonder though, since so many birds of pray in this very small space just what effect it will have on my birds. Time will tell.

I will be going through my files to see if I can put together a few of the images of the Cooper Hawks and come up with a painting. My images are not the best for my lens is not long enough so I will have to do some research for the detail…..for I would want to paint those eyes…..truly amazing. I could always climb a tree and sit in wait…yep, me rolling my eyes again

Gallery wrap

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Up dated Jan. 23rd:  Still very much a WIP (works in progress) at this point….but getting a little closer.

The start of a portrait…always a little scary, and exciting. All of that white space, just lines….can you capture who that animal is, the personality? Always more fun if the client allows the artist free rein, however when dealing with a beloved furry friend…well sometimes it is best to not tamper with perfection and one would do their best to capture the animals true likeness. The eyes have it hand s down….they speak volumes to their human friends so important to make that the focal point. I will do my best to post an update to this a little later in the day.

16×11 Gallery wrap

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Snow from yesterday all gone, actually it was gone within the hour. We had our fun….now just a muddy mess. Funny how the dogs know that when it is raining and muddy….lots of naps inside, they can stand it for about two days at the most. Looked over at Rocky earlier and starting painting him….wonderful model when sleeping. Still very much a works in progress…will not take long to finish it up. Check back a little later…for his hard work modeling will have to take him for a nice walk before it starts raining again.

I know Northerners would get a good chuckle that I am calling the above “snow”….but indeed it is snow, and still coming down. Last I heard this will just be mushy mess and not amount to anything…or just turn to rain, or so they say. Want to see a city panic, come to Atlanta when there is any mention of snow….just not equipped to handle it. I have not seen snow in several years….this is the first time the dogs have seen snow…Niki did not like it….remember the tale “The sky is falling”….well that is how she looked. If any snow left in the morning I’ll post a few images….all though I really doubt it.

11 x 14 Fine Art Paper

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Yes…still in the office trying to get things put away…not having any fun So…took a few minutes to scribble something…just to put me in a better mood. Makes things go so much smoother when I take time to create something. I hope my attention span is a little better tomorrow, need to really get this office completed!!

Like many others, I too made a few of them for the new Year….the usual….organize, choose to live a healthier life (better food choices, more exercise)….be kinder, more generous…understanding…most importantly, Patient. Nothing crazy that I cannot at all attain. …well maybe the organizing part. I am an unorganized individual…big time. So, the last few days has found me in my office…a very small space with a lot of stuff. To organize….well difficult to do in a tiny space for usually as the mess gets bigger and bigger I usually give up….this time hanging in there….will get this done….so that is what I am doing for the next few days. Maybe in the next few weeks I will actually even paint the room….it needs a little something. I have actually found a few things that were purchased and forgotten about…hoping I find a few more surprises for that will keep me going

Over the weekend Michael managed some time to build a pvc ladder for little Niki’s rehab and exercise. It is 10 feet long, however separates into two 5 ft. sections….right now we are just using one section. I introduced it to her yesterday and worked with her until she could run out in front of me… run the ladder, turn around and come back towards me (wanted a few shots). Would have loved a few photo’s of her running across with me on the sidelines for I would have gotten a better view of just how high she is lifting those back paws. I hope by incorporating this into her daily routine it will improve muscle memory in the hind area. This can be used just for fun….Rocky did it a couple of times….helps to teach a big dog that there is a back end. With Gemma, it can help improve her confidence. Oh….might I also add the dogs think this is fun….and wonderful exercise. In one of our upcoming On Line Dog Training classes we will be teaching Agility in a bag and I will be offering info on how to build your own agility equipment, as will I be selling a small kit. Fun way to hang out with your dogs….teach a few tricks, commands and intro agility.