Spring Break-Up XT-1 with 10-24mm

Despite another 6" of new snow today, it is spring an the ice on the lake is starting to break up!!

Simply beautiful!

Absolutely gorgeous. Lucky you to have Spring break up now (so early!).

Is that Chase (which I think is more likely,) or Joy?

regards,

Cadder........................from the frozen depths of NB

Very nice.

Thank you! Yes, I imagine that you have a way to go yet until real spring weather at your place. It was quite warm here early last week and that helped a lot. All the little creeks and brooks (including the one on my place) were roaring with run-off. I got this snap of one of my mini-falls:



If it makes you feel any better, we got another 6" yesterday and last night. I spent the early morning today plowing. My mountain is all white again - it was a wet snow that stuck to every twig so the world is very pretty again. This is not from today, but it looks pretty much like this right now:



The good thing about snow this time of year is that it doesn't last. I'm hoping we can get afield for one of the last hunts of the 2014/15 season this afternoon. It all ends on March 31.

I bought a small sailboat, so the dogs and I will do a little small lake sailing and fishing during nurse time this spring and summer for something different. Not sure how many photo ops that will offer - we'll see.

Yes, that is The Chaser. Joy was with us, of course. I just liked the B&W of Chase better than this pic.



Ms. Joy really learned the hunting part of her trade during her first season - not much training left to be done in that regard. Here, nicely pointing a visible pheasant during one of the warm snowless days last week:





Here, pointing another pheasant, with her point honored by her young friend Ti, the setter:





Here, another point that day, honored by Chase:







Of course, she needs to gain experience and seasoning - and that will occur over some years with a lot of bird contact for a smart dog like her.

However, her obedience leaves a lot to be desired mostly because I haven't really taken the time during the season to work on that with her, except incidentally. The bad news for Joy is that obedience training is my main spring and summer project (well, along with replacing the massive pile of firewood we burned this year).

Best!

Greg, Chase and Joy

Another beautiful image.

Birddogman said:

Despite another 6" of new snow today, it is spring an the ice on the lake is starting to break up!!

Click to expand...

Lovely shot!

The perspective and tighter focal length, combined with the low angle of view works so well in this case. Its almost a vision of the world as seen though the eyes of the dog ... Nice balance of tones too.

I find with my 10-24 that its strength lies in the fact that an infinite number of options become available in terms of framing and perspective, that simply aren't possible with a fixed FL. A change in focal length combined with a slight shift in position, can be the difference between a mundane shot and a winner ..

--
Regards
Rich S in Brittany (britcam)

Very nice to see Ty the Setter! Good work Joy!

Beautiful shot!

Very nice shot. It's dreamy, evocative and well composed. It draws you in.

I very much prefer it to the full color versions you posted. I dunno, try to figure out for yourself just what makes that first shot, the B&W, so emotionally strong, and use those elements in your future shooting. Just a suggestion.

Good work!
---------------
Tom B

Birddogman said:

Despite another 6" of new snow today, it is spring an the ice on the lake is starting to break up!!

Click to expand...

I keep coming back to this image, and it has to be viewed full size. You should give serious consideration to having it printed (large) by a print shop, such as Posterjack, and I think it would look very good printed on canvas.

Regards,

Cadder

Greg, another stunning photo of Chase! Your black and white photos of the dogs are so evocative, I love the composition and tone. Keep them coming. Glad you are getting out and enjoying the local scenery, Rich

Hey Greg,

You know, everybody else has said such nice things about this pic, so I guess I'll also say I like it

No really, lovely pic and I always enjoy seeing your pics of the dogs. This lens looks frighteningly sharp in the center, amazing how much detail there is in the dog's head. WOW! The processing, composition and lighting are wonderful. As another has said, would make a beautiful print.

Congrats!

Very lovely picture!

Good to see some ultrawide pictures with the 10-24. This lens needs more love!

Very cool!

Hey, where have you been? Nice to see you posting here again.

When I read "break up" I thought... wow... he photographed the end of his relationship! That takes guts. LOL

Ozonation said:

When I read "break up" I thought... wow... he photographed the end of his relationship! That takes guts. LOL

Click to expand...

Could you imagine!!

Hello Birddogman,

This is a beautiful and majestic image!

Your B&W PP is just excellent.

I agree with the others that have stated this image begs to be printed...

Regards,

RP