Posted on March 7, 2012 in People
I’m not quite sure if this group of people are Amish or Mennonite, but there is always some question on whether or not it is appropriate to photograph the Amish. What is your opinion? Should I have taken this photo or not? All comments welcome! This family spent a little while near the lake at Middle Creek looking for migrating birds last weekend.
Posted on March 6, 2012 in Animals, Wildlife
It’s Middle Creek week on the blog! This week I will be posting images from my visits to the Wildlife Management Area for the snow geese/tundra swan migration. Part of the fun of the experience at Middle Creek is watching the people and the dogs that come to the park. This sweet Boston Terrier was with his mom who was photographing the geese alongside the road. There is a yellow rope that guides visitors in knowing where they can go and what areas are prohibited. This little pooch kept inching his way under the rope and out as far as he could go on his retractable leash so that he could get a better view of the birds. It’s always amazing to me that the dogs don’t often bark or go after the geese…..they are, just like the rest of us….enjoying the experience of watching the activity!
Posted on March 5, 2012 in Animals, People, Wildlife
Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is well-known for being a stop-over location for migrating snow geese, tundra swans, Canada geese and ducks. In recent years, as many as 100,000 snow geese, 10,000 tundra swans and 10,000 Canada geese have stopped on the way to their breeding grounds to the north. It’s a magical place to be at this time of year! I always look forward to visiting several times during their usually month-long visit. I’ve been to Middle Creek twice this year and have spent time observing not only the miracle of nature before me, but also the reaction of the visitors. Yes, the photographers are out in full-force – many with lenses longer than my arm – like in the photo above right. But there are also the kids who I believe are enjoying the event more than anyone! The kids don’t really care what kind of camera they have, or whether their photos are close, out-of-focus, off-center, etc. They are – maybe even for the very first time – witnessing something they may have only read about in their science books. They eagerly look through binoculars and snap photos as the geese blast off and fly overhead with a sound like you’ve never heard before! Who do you think will cherish their visit to Middle Creek more …. the gentleman with the mega-zoom lens or the little girl with her pink camera who is capturing the thrill of a lifetime? Yes, I do take my camera with me to Middle Creek, but with just a 200mm lens, I don’t expect fabulous photos. What I want to bring home on my memory card is just that….a memory of the exhilarating experience of watching 100,000 birds take to flight all at the same time! Sometimes I don’t even photograph as the snow geese take to the air….I just watch in awe!
Posted on March 3, 2012 in Animals, Pet Photography
It’s taken me years to learn to recognize the different breeds of dogs and there are some that I still am unsure about. I sometimes confuse the Otterhound with the Spinone, the Deerhound with the Wolfhound, etc. unless I see them together. Cat breeds are another story altogether. I’m not sure that I will EVER learn to recognize breeds on sight. Maybe it’s because I’m not around the different breeds often enough. There are only a few cat shows in my area throughout the year and there is no “program” that explains which cats are in the ring at any given time. You have to rely on the judge giving some explanation or just ask questions on your own. I am pretty confident in saying that the blog image features a beautiful blue eyed Birman. The breed originated in Burma and first came to the United States in the 1960’s. They are always in the list of Top 10 favorite breeds and why not…they are gorgeous. They are long-haired with points and come in many colors. If you respond to them when they meow, they will become quite good at “talking” back to you! How cool is that?
Posted on March 2, 2012 in Animals, Pet Photography
Did you know that February was National Pet Dental Health Month? Bad breath and gums can signal serious health issues in your pet, so it’s very important to keep a close eye on your pup or kitty’s mouth. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will develop some type of dental disease by the age of 3. Not only can dental disease lead to abscesses, gum disease and tooth loss, but it can also affect organs like the heart, liver and kidneys. Practice good dental hygiene at home [inspect your pet’s mouth and gums and brush their teeth!] and have them checked regularly by a veterinarian. Today’s blog post features a Shiba Inu showing off his pearly whites for a judge at the Chester Valley Kennel Club show last year. Right below is another image of the same pooch with her classic “Mona Lisa Smile”! 🙂
