ZOINKS!

Where'd the ground go!

We had a blast this morning at the Ultimate Air Dog competition. Finally brave enough to weather the crazy crowd of the Cherry Festival in Traverse City, we traveled
into town to catch the dog jumping competition. The festival has many events (air shows, contests, art fairs etc.) and this weekend the dogs got their turn. At this event the dogs and their owners start out on a long platform in front of a pool. The owner entices the dog with a toy or ball and wings it out into the pool... the dog then runs and leaps out after it and there are measurements along the pool's edge to gauge the distance. So many different dogs with so many different techniques, but they all had so much FUN!

I set up my photo-zone at the end of the pool (just far enough to avoid most splashes). I did a fairly good job of staking my claim and most people respected my position. (How odd for me... I usually shrink and get all self-conscious when I have my camera.) It was very crowded, so I had to get brave. ;) The lighting was a challenge; the dogs were in the shade for most of the event or the occasional harsh light from one side. That mean that I had a higher than optimal ISO going, but for the most part I was pretty happy with the action photo experiment.

This guy cracked me up... the look on his face is priceless. I also posted several on Flickr... If you have the time, it's a fun group to check out. Each one with a different technique and expression.

We got home and our company arrived. They are out fishing right now, and I decided to post early today (yesterday's blip doesn't deserve a full 24 hours...) But I'd better wrap it up and start dinner.

Enjoy your weekend!