Month: February 2011

Walker the Toy Poodle is a tech savvy pooch who has his own Facebook page!  There is just something about poodles that makes them fun to photograph….I guarantee it’s the haircut!   If you’ve ever watched a poodle being groomed, then you know how much work is involved in creating their unique look.  Hairspray is definitely involved!  This image of Walker is from the Valley Forge Kennel Club dog show last year.  Handler Kaz Hosaka and Walker always impress in the show ring!

Last month after a snow I visited Eckley Miners Village near Hazleton, Pa. for a little outdoor photography.  This was my first ever visit to Eckley when there was snow on the ground.  The town is desolate to begin with, but even more so in winter.  Only when there are summer historic events does the town come alive with visitors and activity.  That is a good time to visit if you have never been to Eckley.  All of the historic buildings are open, guides are dressed in period clothing, and you will learn a lot about the history of this old mining village.  To see more images from my visit to Eckley, follow this link:
  http://www.betsydallasphoto.com/Eckley%20Jan%202011.html

The lake at Middle Creek Wildlife Refuge is still mostly frozen, which is keeping the numbers down a bit on the migration of snow geese and tundra swans.  While watching the activity yesterday afternoon, I noticed some gulls flying overhead.  One gull landed on the ice, found a small opening and began ‘fishing’.  He was poking his beak in and out of the water to get the attention of the fish below.  After a few minutes, he caught one and pulled it up onto the ice.  The fish was almost as big as the gull!  We watched as he happily had his lunch.  Meanwhile, another gull was flying around with his eye on the fish.  Before long, he swooped down and stole it away from gull #1 and found a spot further out on the lake where he could enjoy his ‘catch’.  Hey guys….can’t we all just live together happily and share?!  🙂

The migration has begun at Middle Creek Wildlife Refuge and I had a chance to stop by today for what I hope was the first of several visits.   Today’s estimate was 55,000+ snow geese, tundra swans and Canada geese and the show did not disappoint.  We were also treated to seeing a gull ‘ice fishing’ on the lake.  The whole process of migration is so amazing.  The birds are much better at predicting when Spring will arrive than the weathermen or Punxsutawney Phil.  There were plenty of people on hand with binoculars to observe the birds and of course I found some dogs to photograph as well.  The dogs…especially the sporting breeds…were eyeing up those birds with thoughts of giving chase I’m sure. 

 

In keeping with yesterday’s ‘brown spots’ theme, here’s a photo of English Setter, “Token”, who recently won Best of Breed at Westminster.  This image was taken at the Back Mountain Kennel Club Dog Show [Bloomsburg, Pa.] last Fall.