A "Rocky" weekend

Midweek we had a visitor come to stay with the family for the weekend. Not your usually type of visitor but a very hairy, maybe 2 lb bundle of energy, named Rocky. Our family has never been dog owners, but I grew up always having some type/breed of dog in our home. My parents were into breeding Golden retriever's, so little furry bundles I'm quite fond of. This one, however is not a pup but full grown dog. You would hardly know it at his size. You can't take him for a walk without people stopping and asking you about him.
We agreed to dog sit for the weekend, having a dog for a few days is always a good way to appease the kid's need for an animal in the house and a great compromise with my husband and I and our need for no vet bills, 5:30 a.m. pee breaks, and scheduling around a pet. It must be very stressful for pet owners to entrust their pets to someone for a period of time to get away on holidays. I always question my children when they say come from camp etc. to see what they did while away from home. Dogs don't have that ability to tell their owner's what they've been up to while away from home. So I thought this week I'd do a little photographic commentary on Rocky's days with us.
In the above picture, Rocky is on one of his daily walks around the neighbourhood - we don't get very far,very fast- yep! Every fire hydrant and pole along the way!

Above: Rocky coming back from a walk down the drive way on his way to help with my son's flyer's. Below:Rocky loves the front couch, all curled up in a blanket.

Rocky's feeding station, that food is pretty large! He likes a little peanut butter on it but I did notice he was quite proficient at licking it off and spitting out the food-Hummmm.
Rocky, checking things out in the front window in the morning light.
Below: Rocky on a walk in the woods.
Sunday we took Rocky on a "field trip" to the lake. The excitement- meeting a black bear on the road! Trust me I took my dog sitting responsibility to a whole new level! I was walking with Rocky and my niece and her dog when we happened to look to our left, and saw a black bear staring at us. I looked at my niece and calmly said pick-up the dogs, and walk fast! As soon as we were out of his line of sight we be- lined it back to the cabin! Rocky also got to spend the day in the company of a number of females-a little larger then himself - I think he was partial to Sportie a wire haired Dauchts hound. Below are his new friends, left to right, CoCo from B.C, Sportie and Liebie. We said goodbye to Rocky this morning- amazing how one's heart gets lost to a pet! But on a positive note we know we'll see him again!

Rain, rain go away....

One can only endure rain for so long!!!  What happened to "Sunny Manitoba"????  After the 5th day of the wet stuff, I couldn't take it any longer. After much thought to the fact the family had become couch potatoes in light of the weather, I decided enough is enough. Taking matter's into my hands I announced we were going to spend an adventuresome time at the zoo. After all when was the last time I or any of my other family member's got in tune with their inner most child and played in the rain? So off we went. A couple of questions did enter my mind as we arrived at the zoo- would there be other's just like us? Are we paying to see animals hiding in their dens/ caves and boxes??? We were quite surprised to find we weren't the only souls to protest the lousy weather, and for the most part, we had some great views of the animals who were glad (or curious) to see how many crazy humans were actually visiting them! 

 
We found this big guy roaring away. I think he was hungry, he was salivating at the mouth... could the rain have turned us into soaked, tasty, looking  morsels???

This big guy had a very wet coat but came right to the front of the pen to pose for some pictures. And below the leopard appeared to take advantage of the rain to clean himself. Shooting through bars is always the challenge!

We found these next two characters a little further back in the zoo. We came upon a mother turkey who's chicks  were running for cover underneath mom to get out of the rain. Her body seemed to grow rounder as each chick found a spot beneath. In the second shot, you can just make out their tiny legs. The Zebra above was hiding under his  feeding cover and had to come and check out what all the commotion was about as we giggled over the chicks.

We were never so happy to see the smelly Tropical house! Not only was it rainy but cool as well- a little warmth would be welcomed. We got lucky on that front, however I think the roof may need a little attention-we are talking some serious leaks!!! 
Some beautiful greenery - and this guy I think says it all- WHAT YOU CAME OUT IN THIS WEATHER??!!!

In the tunnel portion of the tropical house I thought I'd get a little creative looking for the available light and seeing how it falls on objects in the tunnel. I found some cool light in an aquarium and some side light on the aztec looking wall.  My 50 mm lens, 1600 ISO  allowed me to capture the available light.

  

We followed up our soggy trip with you guessed it!-Ice cream!! Maybe tomorrow will be a little drier??? Please???

Speed Boats really should have seat belts for photographers!

From the title your probably thinking the worst (Those of you who know me, and my run of luck with my camera as of late). Sunday, the sun decided to make an appearance from the rain filled days we've been experiencing here in Manitoba. I headed out with my family to the cabin to do a little waterskiing. I love it when my nieces and brother come out too. The more the merrier. Of course, the goal is to attempt to photograph them in action from the back of the boat. I'm always very careful to ensure the camera is covered in some way so the spraying water won't get at it. The only thing I didn't give much thought to this time was myself and my position in the boat. Let's just say I can totally see why individuals go flying out of boats. You would think after spending what seemed like an eternity in high school, attempting to achieve Life guard status, (completing level after level of Life Saving skills, water safety, etc.) I would know better than to 1. Not wear a Life vest in a boat  2. Pay attention and sit properly in the boat seats.

It happened way to fast- I was photographing my brother in action. I was positioned on my knees turned backwards on the seat, elbows on the back of the seat stabilizing the camera. My brother fell, the line went slack, my husband cut the engine quick, and yes, Ebonie became air born backwards, thankfully not landing in the water, but on the not to soft arrangement of water skies in between the driver's seat. I remember as I felt myself "lift off", thinking A. This is sooooo not good B. Keep the camera up!

I landed with a pretty good thud. I have bruises on my hip and elbow as proof. Looking up from my position on my back I remember seeing my nieces worried faces. Good News -I saved the camera from another potential mishap! I'm a little sore, but a lot wiser! Next time I'm in the boat photographing- I'll be the one in the bright orange life vest and the one bracing myself for the unseen!   

Blast from the Past!

This week I had the opportunity to see a friend I haven't seen in a long long time! Marni was a bridesmaid at my wedding and after starting a family she moved away to B.C. . I was so excited to hear that she was in Manitoba for holidays and staying at Grand Beach for the week. Ah yes, Grand Beach, pristine sand, tanned bodies, boardwalks, whitecaps and only an hours drive away from the city. Yes, many memories from my youth-but we won't go there! When I arrived we decided to go for a walk along the beach - had things changed much? It probably didn't help that the weather was cloudy, windy and only about 17C, the beach was pretty much deserted ! It was great for walking along the water's edge though, photographing the seagulls, shells, children, and a few sports fanatics who were braving the weather, water and enjoying the whitecaps. 

Marni also had friend Rhonda out for the week with her family. Here are their girls, Brittany, Mylie, and Lindsay. They have definitely grown up since I saw them last! What great sports when it came to posing. I tried a little "edgy" technique on the above shot to create sort of a painted portrait feel to the image.

What a relaxing day, I left there with great memories and some fun shots. As we drove home through a storm as was really surprised to see an most amazing rainbow in a clearing.  I pulled over to the side of the road to take a few pictures. My only regret is that I couldn't fit the whole rainbow in with my  17mm- 85mm lens. Hummm, maybe I need to make a purchase in the near future....