Penny for my Thoughts
Next week I head off for an extended solo photography trip in the wilderness of Alaska. As is often the case I try to accomplish way too much at home before actually packing and preparing for these trips. Now the time has come to get real and get ready!
In addition to all the projects at home I am trying to finish, we now have been blessed with a new 8 month vizsla rescue. Penny is a beautiful, sweet vizsla currently learning all about her new home. Squirt (18 year old vizsla rescue) and Berton (12 year vizsla rescue) are pleased to have a new sister. Penny is a handful though!
Vizslas need lots of exercise and to be “working” on something themselves. Instinctually that is pointing, flushing, and retrieving. They are incredibly versatile hunting dogs. Although I am not a hunter my daily hikes photographing wildlife help the vizslas practice their innate skills.
Penny, the 8 month Vizsla pointing at mayflies on the river.
The pups get two hikes a day. In the summer one of their favorite places is a local river where they can enjoy the shade and cool water. When Penny gets to the river she transforms into the bird dog that she is. Pointing at birds, butterflies, and even mayflies (aquatic river insects that trout love). The older pups, Berton and Squirt, are more subdued now, and enjoy a slower pace at the river.
A Mayfly hovers above the water waiting to lay eggs in the river and continue the life cycle.
Vizslas are incredible athletes. They can climb trees, catch flying insects and birds, and they run like the wind. They are one of the fastest dog breeds.
As Penny intensely focuses on flying insects I love to capture her incredible athleticism in photographs.
Penny is really learning quickly and that makes me feel a bit more confident in her in the long run!
I am absolutely green after reading this post. My time in Alaska was the best period of my life, and my family would probably agree. Getting away from cell phone access (there was no such thing when we lived there) will go from anxiousness (not knowing) to relaxation once the reality sets in. I’ve spent many hours over and around the Katmai park, usually occupied with the job at hand, but its beauty never escaped me for one second. I’ve spent weeks out and about on Naknek’s western reaches, with the hours of daylight challenging my senses, daring me to go with almost no sleep. Self discipline had to set in and force a routine. I hope you have a very safe and successful trip and come back with many fascinating images and great memories.
Thanks Ed. Would love to hear more about your time in Alaska sometime. I also love seeing it from the air, the flight from ANC to King Salmon is wonderful, seeing the coastal mountains with the lush green meadows and snow capped peaks.
Feeling a little jealous! I lived in Alaska for a bit over 25 years, until I met my now wife. She loved our visits there to see my late father. Now it seems empty without him, so we don’t go very often…
Dave, sorry to hear this. I hope you and your wife do get to visit Alaska again someday, perhaps the visits will bring back great memories of your father.