Late Afternoon at the Dog Park

Canon 20D, Raw, f/5.6, 1/250, 145mm, Silver Efex Pro

I was trying something new with this image. It did not quite come out like I wanted it to, so I consider this an idea in progress. I used my telephoto lens with the sun behind the subjects. The dogs were running around a lot and I wanted them to kick up more dirt. This was the image that was the closest to what I wanted but not quite there. I converted it to black and white and added a vignette. I will be trying this again but I need to go a little earlier in the day.

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Lensbaby Macro Shot

I am so proud of this photograph! I thought I would try my +10 macro filter on my Lensbaby 2.0. I had only used the +4 macro filter before. Now the +10 is  my favorite. I was finally able to get a good focal point and so lucky I was able to get this bee. Isn’t it great? When I went outside, there were a few bees buzzing around my basil plant that is very large and has a lot of flowers on it. I will work on getting closer to the bee next time, but they really like to buzz around a lot!

This is a great Lensbaby macro photo…

We had some of the fresh basil from that plant on the spaghetti I made earlier in the week. It was great! The day started out very overcast and even a little chilly. I have been waking up early, so when I went out to get the newspaper at 5:30, it was pretty cool outside, and oh so nice and quiet! Willie took the dogs for a good walk today at Central Park. He said Donnan was really good until they went into the dog park. Why can’t he learn from Kyla? Willie said Kyla kept an eye on Donnan and didn’t go very far away from him. The Dodger’s are playing the Cardinals – has not been a good series for them! We’ll see how it goes!

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A Nice Tribute to Unconditional Love

I was finishing up the wedding photos today when Willie wanted me to take a break and go to the park with him and the dogs. I said ok, then no, I wanted to finish, and then I agreed to go. So Kyla and I went to the dog park and Willie and Donnan went for a walk around the lake. I needed to get outside so I was glad I went. I see the beautiful tribute path every time we go and have thought of taking a photo. Today I finally did. What a wonderful way to remember “man’s best friend.” I would say this was done over 20 years ago as you look at the dates. Maybe it is time to add another section?

A beautiful tribute…

All of these tiles look hand made and there are many, many of them. It gave me some practice on lens distortion and warp. It was a beautiful day today in the mid 70’s and I am glad Willie got me to go outside. As I am sure a lot of you know, time really flies when you are on the computer and life passes you by. Tomorrow is Friday, and I am hoping to drop off copies of all the wedding photos to my brother. I am going to a birthday party Saturday evening and then a Father’s Day barbecue at Larry and Shelley’s. My social calendar is so full!

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A Beautiful Springtime Lily

Larry gave me this great plant two years ago on Mother’s Day. It is now blooming again and I wanted to share it with you. I used my +4 Macro filter and I am happy with the way it came out. I did all of the post processing in Camera Raw. That is the first time I have not taken an image into Photoshop. I feel that is a step up and a big accomplishment. Of course I like the shadows and the texture of the stamen. Isn’t it pretty?

A mother’s day Lily….

I am sure this Lily has a specific name, but there are so many different ones, I do not know what it is. I just know it is very pretty. The plant is so tall, Willie has it leaning up against a ficus tree! The day started out gloomy and foggy, but ended up all bright and sunny. I took Kyla to the dog park today and she had a good time. Of course I was unable to take Donnan. I wish I could but he does not know how to behave! Making meatloaf for dinner – one of my favorites. It will be good, I know!

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Boston Terrier Named Frank

Kyla and I went to the dog park today. We had a great time! It was girl’s afternoon and she really got to play a lot. She is so sweet and so good with all the other dogs. Donnan stayed home with Willie. I would love to take him too but he has problems (as I have mentioned before). We have been working on his problems, so I hope very soon we can take him with us. Anyway, I had my camera with me today and took a lot of pictures. I wanted to share this one of Frank with you; who we met for the first time today. Doesn’t he has the most beautiful eyes? Have you ever seen this on a Boston Terrier before?

 Kyla played with Frank today at the dog park…

I will change the subject now. I like to look at other blogs I find by clicking on “go to random blog”, (top right corner where the arrow is pointing outward). I have seen some interesting things, but what really annoys me, and this is just my opinion, is people who do not do anything with their “About” page. I like to learn a little about the person, where they are from, why they are doing this, etc., and 90% of the time I get, “This is an example of a WordPress page…” If you are not going to write something, then delete it or pick another theme! I would use it if I had an about page, but I do not with the theme I chose.  Work with me people! Am I the only person this annoys?

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Is She Not the Most Beautiful Dog?

I guess I kind of got a little over board with the dog photos this month! Kyla and I went to the dog park this afternoon. I just cannot take Donnan right now. I need to figure out what to do to make him less aggressive and stop barking. Anyway, it got very windy this afternoon after a little morning drizzle. She just wanted to play and was having so much fun! She plopped down on the ground and I took this photo. Her hair is gettin g so long! Donnan’s is too. I enjoy taking photos at the dog park and I need to take a lot to get a good one. But that is the way it is with all photographs!

This wheaten looks like a sheep dog….

We were all happy to see Willie come home last evening. He had a good time with Larry and he took some really good photos. We did not do much today except the park. I also did some grocery shopping and we had a great roast for dinner. We will have some good sandwiches this week. I am getting these posts up too late in the day, I think. I need to start taking my photos the day before I post them instead of the day of the post. I used to do that and I don’t know when it changed. I was unable to get to a museum today so I think I have blown my assignment for Tuesday night class!

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A Dog Named Buddy

This beautiful dog was at the dog park the other day.  His owner said he is a Shar-Pei –  he must be a Shar-Pei mix. I took a lot of photos but I particularly liked this one. He was so alert and stood there for a long time watching what was going on. I don’t know what he was looking for but he was looking out for all of the dogs there. A couple of times he would bark and then run out a few yards and then run back. He may have been keeping an eye on his other family members! Doesn’t he look almost regal?

Buddy, the Shar-Pei….

I had a full day today and I am happy that Willie will be home later this evening. Kyla and Donnan keep looking for him so they will be happy tonight too. My class was good this morning and I have many photos to take this week. Annette and I went to lunch and it was very enjoyable. When I got home, I kept busy with housework (so exciting) and worked on the images for my slide show. It is so cold today!  I really hope it warms up a little very soon!

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A Turtle in the Wild

I have never been much of a nature/wildlife photographer (unless you count the dogs at the dog park), but I took a few photos of this turtle at the park the other day before he jumped back into the water. I was using my telephoto lens without a tripod, so I wish it were somewhat sharper. I did the best I could with what I was working with. He looks like he is enjoying the beautiful late afternoon sun. What a life he has!

Basking in the sun on a spring afternoon…

I feel like I have been sitting at the computer all day today! Willie had to go to Long Beach again today and I think he will be there every day for a while. I have to do a slide show for my photography class so I was working on that getting some photos ready. Since I want to do a slide show from the VARA race anyway, I will use that one for class. It will be fancier then I had originally planned, plus there will be music, so that is a good thing. I have advanced web design class tonight, so I better get ready to go! I wonder where the turtle came from?

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My Little Diablo, Donnan

Here is a new photo of Donnan. Kyla and I went to the dog park and I took a lot of photos. Willie took Donnan for a walk because he (Donnan) does not do well at the dog park. He barks too much and appears to be very aggressive. I think that for some reason he is very insecure – I do not know why! Kyla is a sweetheart and we can take her anywhere. Willie had me go over by the lake to take some photos of a turtle – you may see one at a later time. Willie was walking up with Donnan and I could not resist that sweet little face. What a Mr. Hyde he can be!

He is showing his Dr. Jekyll side, all sweet and nice…

The weather was nice today. I finished the photos for my client and emailed a contact sheet to him this morning. He said he will call me later tonight. I was happy with them and I hope he is too. We were over at Westminster Mall today and went to the pet store. They had this really cute goldendoodle (retriever and miniture poodle) there. He was very cute and they wanted $1095.00 for him! Two dogs is more than enough for us but it is fun to look at the puppies! Until tomorrow…!

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