Salem's Pups 3 Weeks Old

Our first litter of the year was born three weeks ago today. Lynphil Shelties allowed us to lease the lovely Ch Lynphil Salem, bred to Am/Can Ch Lynphil Timeless Piece. This breeding had previously produced an outstanding bitch Ch Lynphil Time of Magic, who was second in a competitive Novice Bitch class at this year's ASSA National. I had seen "Mimi" last fall and was impressed with her head detail, type and outline, so when the opportunity arose to try for my own "Mimi", I had to say yes. Looking at this litter, I'm extremely glad that I did! Hopefully the odds will be with us - Salem gave us 2 sable girls, 2 tri girls and 1 sable boy.

A Day at the Ocean

A few weeks ago I spent four fantastic days visiting my very good friend Dianne Hawes (Wistwin Shetland Sheepdogs)near Raleigh, North Carolina. During my last visit about a year and a half ago, we toured the Blue Ridge mountains - an absolutely outstanding day - and this year we went to Wilmington, a city just as well known for it's fabulous ocean side beaches as it's historic charm. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful outdoor lunch at the boat dock with seafood as fresh as you can get. Naturally we were more than eager to walk off our delightful lunch with a long stroll along the beach. The day couldn't have been more perfect!











These little birds (I think they were part of the sandpiper family) would move en masse as they hunted for goodies up and down the beach. It was quite entertaining to watch!








There were gulls of a different variety than what we get up here, quite striking in just basic black and white.













As close as I got to swimming :).




Beautiful cactus ...






"Sand-henge" :)











I can't wait to visit this gorgeous beach again ... heaven!

Tuppence

This past Sunday I met my friend Gillian to do some updated photos of her five month old Brussels Griffon, "Tuppence". I had taken some pictures of this adorable little girl a couple of months ago, but now she's sporting a more adult-type coat. She's quite the character and is just a whole lot of fun to be around.

I was quite pleased when I was reviewing these photos, at the squinty small eye that we try to capture in our shelties' photos. However, it turns out that a large, round eye is what is valued in the Griffs, so I need to set up another photo date in order to redeem myself!

Tuppence didn't care too much for the prep work, combing out her beard.




Stand still? Not so easily done ...







On such a lovely day, it was easy to be patient and just enjoy being with a good friend and her fun-loving puppy. I'll look forward to doing more photos in another couple of months or so. Tuppence may not feel quite the same :).

Fun at Fox Hill

I started my weekend early and headed up to Ottawa last Thursday to visit Kim and Pete (Laureate Shelties). It's about a 6 1/2 hour drive but one that I enjoy and try to make once or twice a year, or as our schedules allow. I always look forward to visiting my good friends and their wonderful hospitality, and one of the high points, providing the weather cooperates, is an outing with the dogs across the huge open fields at the back of their 50 acre property.


We went out a couple of times this weekend, not only to enjoy the stellar weather, but for both Kim and I to do some shooting (cameras, of course!). The dogs are awesome subjects, either at rest or going full tilt across the fields. Kim and I took turns shooting with our own lenses of choice and then switched off, taking the adults out on one day and the pups another. It was great fun and a super photography opportunity.


Three sisters ...





At rest ...




Watching ...




And stalking ...




Kim being "distracted" by our photo subjects.




Full steam ahead!




And more full throttle action ...










One last jump for joy!

Puppy Shoot

On the weekend, I did photos of my two friends' 12 week old youngsters. This is Norm LeNeve's little homebred puppy, "Shay-Dee's Intrigue". Jake was such a good boy; it got warm pretty quickly in the unseasonally warm temps, especially on the driveway. Enough was enough! :)







And this little firecracker is Tuppence - "Four Oaks Pocket Change at Tapestry", owned by Gillian Robertson. She is one feisty but seriously huggable Brussels Griffon puppy. Very much looking forward to seeing how both of these very promising youngsters grow up!!

Hiatus Over

I usually get out a number of times during the winter to do some shooting. I love the way that snow softens things and gives such a different texture to our everyday surroundings and scenery. Not so this winter-that-wasn't. Photographically, for me, it was very uninspiring, a pretty bland and mediocre season. Not that I'm totally complaining. For getting around, lack of shovelling, and overall comfort, it couldn't have been better. But now that spring is on our doorstep, it's time to get out and enjoy a new season and the new life that it brings.

One of the definite signs of spring in this area is the migration of the Tundra Swans, the most widespread and numerous species of swan in North America. Of the two distinct populations of these birds, it is the the Eastern population (the other being the Western) that travels through Southern Ontario, as they make their spring migration between their Atlantic coast wintering areas and arctic coastline breeding grounds. These birds spend their winters in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, and up to 60,000 of them fly through this area in spring. The swans are seen in this region from mid to late March and for about three weeks afterward. These photos were taken at the Aylmler Wildlife Management Area, host to many other birds as well. It makes for an impressive sight!


From one of the viewing stands ...




With such a large population, there tends to be some overcrowding, and the swans are not shy about declaring their "personal space" to their neighbours.










And when they're not snapping at their neighbour, they still squabble a lot.








Sentries keeping watch ...




Incoming!







I wonder if this Canada Goose realizes he's not like the others? :)

"All That's Old is New Again"

The beginnings of a brand new year, full of promise and stories yet to be told, memories in the making, out of sight for now. A time for reflection and for resolutions, that kind of in between time, when we recall our highs and lows over the past 12 months, and look ahead to the next with self-assurances of doing better.

I am thankful for 2011. It was a very good year in so many ways. My family continued to be happy and healthy, and we even added one! I had a lot of fun at dogs shows this year and some very memorable wins that I was able to share with good friends. I had some beautiful puppies, and made some new friends through the pets I let go to loving homes. Generally, it was a year of balance and harmony, with a few thrilling peaks and not many valleys.

Looking toward 2012, I hope to build on the high points of last year and move past the low ones, which thankfully were few and far between. I am excited to see what surprises are in store, will try to make the most of opportunities that come my way, and be wise enough let go of that which I can't control. I hope that a year from now, 2012 will look as good in the rear view mirror as 2011 does now.