Week 41-
I knew the farmers would soon be moving and covering the hay and soybean rolls, so I took advantage of a beautiful day and got this photo of Dazzle on a soybean stalk roll. I saw the farmer moving the bales in this field (to a spot that would not be good for a photo) so I'm glad I didn't put off this photo!
I asked him if it would be ok to take a few photos and he was confused and asked "why?" I think he thought I wanted photos of him. But I explained I wanted a photo of my dog on the roll and he said "ok", like he still thought I was crazy. :-) Who cares, I love this shot!
Because I had set out this week to get the shot above, it was the one I used for the submission to the Flickr group. But I also went to the lake and while getting photos of the color on the trees, Dazzle dropped his ball which rolled over the edge and part way down the lake side of the dam. I sent him to get it and when he got to the top he jumped the railing. I knew I had to get that shot, so he did a few more jumps till I got this...
Week 42:
I was short on time this week because I was preparing for a big conference, but I did take a few hour break for photos. I started at the dam because I wanted to get a repeat of last week's jump for this week's submission. The colors in the trees were even better this week!
This shot is kind of washed out, but it shows how close the ground is to the guard rail
I took several other photos in the area too.
On the way to the dam near "fossil hill"
I have passed these houses many times and have wanted to stop and get photos. This day I finally stopped.
This massive tree near the dam had not yet turned Fall colors
While walking around another big tree, I saw this "face"
Looking out over the lake
The front side of the dam. It's much steeper than this photo makes it look. I sure wouldn't want to be the person that has to mow it!
Dazzle watching something in the distance
A photo of the Dog Scout booth, ready for the crowds at the APDT conference. We had a great turn out and response from all the trainers and dog owners in attendance.
Week 43:
After shooting in the last IDPA match near us on Sunday, I got several last minute things done and then packed up for a retreat at Dog Scout camp in MI. The theme of the retreat was "Zombie Detection Training" and the organizers went all out on the details.
It was SO nice to be able to enjoy camp as a "camper" and not staff. :-) There were over 30 people there, so nearly as large as a regular summer camp and everyone had a great time!
Despite the temps in the upper 40's, Dazzle still wanted to swim, so I finally gave in. I chose this photo as the submission because I love the reflection and I rarely do backlit shots.
But it was hard not to pick this shot. I love the colors in this one. I used a fill flash to compensate for the strong sunlight.
Bear got to attend camp too! But he didn't care much for the cold weather. I brought along his "jammies" but he still was shivering if we had to wait around for an activity.
After every throw, Dazzle had to pick up a mouthful of leaves in the frisbee, then try to shake them all out before he got back to me.
Dazzle started this hole at the last camp (July) and it was filled with leaves when we arrived, but not for long!
Happy dog!
His mission is to remove all roots from the ground
"Hole? What hole?"
When he wanted to play, he didn't appreciate my taking photos. Here, he is "yelling" at me to put down the darn camera and throw the ball!
Fall camo. "Here zombie zombie zombie." For this shot I had him lie down and then kicked leaves over him, which he didn't seem to mind a bit! I was surprised he didn't try to attack the flying leaves.
The handler's view of dock diving
Thanks for leaving me a whole 12 inches of bed to lay on guys. Yes, most of the night they both slept on the single bed with me.
This is the Zombie Dazzle and I and our team mates had to build from the parts we had to locate in the woods (from provided clues). We could have won the entire competition, but the winner has to organize and plan next year's event, so there MIGHT have been some strategic choices being made. Like using my older dog and her deaf/blind dog for the recall game and building this zombie really slow! WE know we could have won it if we had wanted to :-) Dazzle was doing hand targeting with it. LOL
Troop 217 did a fantastic job of putting the weekend together. Each activity started with a briefing
We had more food than we knew what to do with! Some of the desserts were as amazing as they were delicious!
Shortbread cookies with almonds for fingernails- yum!
We all made survival bracelets. Some were more confused by the braid than others :-)
Despite the frosty temps, Gloria actually stayed in her tent!
Night views (by Fay)
Cabins under the stars
The lodge at night (where I stayed)
Zombie Detection K9
A room full of zombies!
Sheryll thought she was posing with the stick zombie, but a live one got in somehow and almost got her!
There were many games (tests of skill) during the weekend. Bear is waiting for his turn at tracking. A little known fact: zombie flesh smells like hot dogs!
Dazzle is ready too! Thank you to Melissa who took photos of our team.
The heeling game involved stay on a mat while a second mat was placed by the handler, then heeling with a tissue paper leash to that second spot
We also had to do apocalypse agility. Notice my brain hat made by my mom and grandma! It was a big hit!
No pictures of Dazzle doing the zombie parts retrieve, but he got 4 parts in the allotted 30 seconds
Recall/message delivery game
The costume contest was a huge hit! I'm so glad I wasn't one of the judges!
Bear was dressed as a "Right wing attack dog"
I was a zombie sheriff with my K-9
Of course I had to arrest the zombie hippie
Thanks to Fay for the photos of the spooky trail, my camera didn't like the low light. This is just some of the highlights.
