Male Cardinal striking a pose.

Male Downy Woodpecker (only the males have the red on their heads)

Male & female Cardinals, Male and Female Mourning Doves

 Lately I find myself doing 100 things at once….several paintings, getting the forum up and running….yippee….it is now open to students. Finally, a place to upload their work in one location….maintaining the web site and blog. Of Course, Mothers Day deadline has come and gone so know that gift certificates available up until the very last minute. Oh….I have not forgotten about the big Print Giveaway….it is really coming….soon.

With the warmer weather I longingly want to be outside, as do the dogs. Yesterday I decided to take a little break….we go out….dogs, treats, some bird seed and camera. We Play, do Niki’s PT and then put out some fresh bird seed. I have been trying to photograph a few of the blue jays that have been visiting our feeder throughout the day. Then do a little bird watching….Blue-jays would fly over head and just pass right over us….nope they were not going to visit with me and the dogs sitting there, they are not as brave as our other feathered friends. Place the dogs inside for a little while….find a better location where I was not as noticeable….of course that  meant my lens could just not capture what I wanted. So…the blue-jays are now called the elusive blue-jays….as I type I can see two of them feeding away at the feeders….they know what they are doing!!! Make sure that no-matter how busy…take some time for yourself, and of course your furry friends.

The Nikon D300 is a wonderful camera but I must share with you…in low light situation lots of noise….or I should say I am comparing it to my Fuji S2 pro. One of the images I am posting today, sadly the birds were just too far away for my lens….but I just had to have it….so cropping, not the best lighting and well lots of technical things wrong with the image. One of these days I will just have to break down and purchase a lens that can capture my feathered friends from a distance.

 We simply adore our furry friends!

Sharing our lives with them is very beneficial. I know in my daily existence they get me away from the PC . We all know sitting in front of the PC for long durations is not very good for us! Working from home is also a bit lonely, you do not have the opportunity to see people….the dogs keep me very busy and saved me from a life of talking to myself….well OK, I still talk to myself but not as much

As with any relationship it does take a bit of work….due to the fact I have three dogs in my pack I must vacuum….allot. Also….mopping the floor is now one of my daily chores, not to mention the fact that I can never wear black again, only colors that hide the fur.  One MUST spend time with them…doing things they like to do….walks, ball tossing, only fair as they are always doing the things you like to do etc. As I have written so many times, you must also train them…they in turn do the same with you. If you think I am exaggerating just think about it….they tell you to feed them, they tell you to rub their butts, they shove toys in your face to get you to play with them…yes indeed, they train their human friends better then most humans I know train them!!!!

Sharing one’s life with a furry friend is a win/win situation and to be honest I cannot imagine my life with out them!

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Just one of those days, so much work to do. About 4:00 look over at the dogs…pretty pitiful….so play time. Grab the camera before heading out. This is a nice little pack, they get along very nicely…although, as in all packs one always wants what the other has. I have watched little Niki go over to Rocky and growl to gt his stick or bone…Gemma and Rocky are a bit more subtle in that they do their best to distract, then steal what they want.

Each one has their most favorite game they like to play…Gemma loves chasing the others, as does she enjoy Frisbee…Rocky loves a tennis ball or two….Niki loves to play kick ball….and of course this involves me running and playing soccer with her. Nice to watch her play….the little dog that could. She can run, since she still has hind end issues due to the spinal injury… when she runs fast it is like a bunny….she hops…but fasssst. In a couple of the images above you will notice that both Gemma and Rocky enjoy resting their heads on Niki…she must be pretty comfy

When photographing your furry friends, do think about telling their story as opposed to just trying to get capture an image. The above is all about the pack, and how they get along and love to play. Only one was “posed” and that was the very first image….very tough on them for it was taken when we first went outside…they wanted to play soooo badly!!! Play, enjoy and get some great photographs.

Break over and back at it for me….I can think of no better way to spend my break times!

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Yesterday, after dinner was started Niki and I decided to do a little bird watching.  As you can see by viewing the photograph of Nik-Nak…it is very relaxing. I, of course had my camera with me and managed a few shots. While we have many types of birds that visit our feeders, we have a large amount of cardinal’s.  While sitting I noticed with the arrival of Spring, many of the birds are just a bit more territorial then usual. They were so busy chasing each other away…did not mind us watching though….they too did a little dog and people watching!

All photographs were taken with a Nikon d300, Sigma 70-200 zoom lens.

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I get soooo many questions about smudge painting….so easy. Classes are not needed all you have to do is PRACTICE. The above was a demo that took about 10-15 minutes to complete….you of course would take your time and do a much better job of it then I….this is just a very quick demonstration. In Photo-shop make your adjustments, after making a duplicate of course….I wanted the above to be soft….so I sharpened (usm)….just not a lot…..adjusted contrast, saturation, levels. Then clicked on the smudge tool and chose my brush. Very important once started to to vary brush size, strength…lighten, darken in those areas that need it (you can even add color).

I know so many that do the eyes this way as well….I just blacken them and paint in what I want.You can smudge the background….or just paint on layers with several different colors…adjusting the opacity along the way. It is soooo important to make sure you cover the entire image….push those pixels around. I use smudge painting when I am short on time and need to show a proof, or for retouching an image…or just want an overall softness to an image. There are so many wonderful examples on the net….really the best way to learn is to practice, practice and more practice.The above image was taken with a Nikon 5200 a couple of years ago. The dog…my beloved Phoenix who died last July. While I think of him so very often…the arrival of spring he has so been on my mind. Our walks looking for wonderful things to photograph…fun times playing and doing agility. Yes…I do so miss my Phoenie…

On a brighter note… first day of spring. Rocky the Golden is getting over an injury, yet again. While his Pano has improved, he hurts himself so very easily.Yesterday I happened to spy my first Monarch butterfly for the season….what a lovely dance it put on flitting here and there. Rocky, with Frisbee in mouth spied it and soon both he and the butterfly were what seemed to be chasing one another…Rocky, running, spinning…until the butterfly flew over the fence. Poor Rocky, still with Frisbee in mouth just looking over the fence. My camera was inside, of course, and I knew well enough best to watch the dance then dash off for the camera. Maybe another day. Nice to know my big goofy Golden is still very much a puppy a heart.

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I always wonder just what they are thinking and doing….maybe a little People Watching

I have been missing in action….not feeling 100%….so taking a little break from the world….when the weather is nice….you will find the pack and me out back doing a little bird watching….going for walks and just wanting to feel better….soon, I’ll be back real soon!!!!

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I hope all of my friends have a Happy Valentines Day. I hope someone did something special for you today…and vice a versa…or maybe just do something nice for yourself!  I have never really been a big fan of Valentines day….although I like the idea of wishing all a Happy Valentines rather then just that special someone, although that is nice as well.  The above image was taken with a  Nikon d300, wide angle lens….oh and the use of a few small pieces of hot dog was used…hey Rocky demands treats when he works

Below, something special I made  as a Valentines gift….a good meal, good wine and a wonderful desert…what a great gift. The desert is not low cal….but oh my, very yummy (recipe follows).

Tiramisu….rather then use lady fingers crushed Amaretti cookies were used (if using the crushed cookies you do not need as much of the coffee and rum…and I went to the local coffee shop for the espresso…cookies were purchased online, although you could make them yourself).

6 egg yolks (room temp), 1/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup good dark rum, 1 1/2 cup brewed expresso, 16 oz. mascarpone cheese, 30 itl. ladyfingers…or crushed amaretti cookies, shaved bittersweet chocolate.

Whisk the yolks and sugar on high for five minutes until thick and light. Lower speed to med. and add 1/4 cup coffee and 1/4 cup dark rum, cheese…whisk until smooth.  Dip one side of the lady finger in remaining coffee and rum mixture…line a bowl (or a layer of crushed cookies….drizzle rum/coffee mixture over the crushed cookies). Pour cheese mixture….then repeat with a layer of lady fingers, or cookies….more cheese. Top with crushed cookie and shaved chocolate. refrigerate over night….then enjoy!

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Time goes by so very quickly….Sammy and I are very old friends. He has been visiting me and my pack for many years now. Yesterday was Sammy’s 10th Birthday, he is spending it with me because his people are on vacation for two weeks. In celebration we did a few of his favorite things….went for a few walks, ran with Niki and Gemma and did a little bird watching, kept the squirrels away from the bird feeder. All in all….it was pretty good day. Happy Birthday Sammy

The above portrait was taken with a Nikon D300, 70-200….below, Nikon D300 with a sigma wide angle….birds Nikon D300, 70-200 lens.

** Our beloved furry friends are with us for such a short time, do not miss an opportunity to photograph (check our class schedule on How to take better photographs of out furry friends) or make an appointment with Dee to have your furry friend photographed, remember….February’s special savings is $25.00 off the sitting fee.

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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.