Down By the Creek

A picture of the Canada Goose nest from a few weeks ago. The female would leave the nest from time to time to go get food. I took the opportunity to carefully take a photo. I thought there were more eggs, but I only see two. She was sitting on them and the male was coming closer to the nest last week. When our visitors from Japan were here, she was on the nest. We were busy Mothers Day and on Monday the nest was deserted. I didn't check on it again that day, but on Tuesday I noticed no one on the nest again. It wasn't until Thursday that I caught a glimpse of them; the parents had been keeping them well hidden.

Just two babies, and very protected by both parents. When I saw them, I jumped into the car and drove down to take photos...they were nowhere to be seen. But I did happen upont his guy...

He was washing something quite intently. He stayed only for a moment and then wandered off...

Pete snapped these shots from our deck last night. We were watching them as we were having dinner. This is the first time we've seen them back at the island where their nest was.

The little ones nibble on the grasses...

Mama Goose keeps them warm while Papa Goose is on watch...

Busy Few Weeks

Pete and I flew out to Saskatoon to attend the CSSA National Specialty (held every two years in different regions of the country). We have not shown at the Specialty since 2002 when we won with Louisiana. We had LuAnne entered but had to leave her at home as she had a bladder infection (which has since cleared up). So we had miss Cocoa, Ch Laureate Jivara as our Special and we had Jenna Cruthers show our puppy, Laureate Epitome. "Miley" had been flown out a few weeks earlier but promptly came into heat, which made her feel a bit frumpy.

This is our not so lovely parking lot in front of our not so lovely motel. The room wasn't bad, but the grounds were very soggy with little place to exercise Cocoa. I managed by buying some funky pink boots which made me much happier about being in puddles!

Best of Breed winner Ch Miqelon Summer Storm B/O Rhonda and Jenna Cruthers, shown to perfection by Jenna. We couldn't have been happier with the result...we love this girl and her owners!


Our dear friend and roomie Brenda Campbell took home the silver with Chelson Satin Image who is owned by Cynthia Charbonneau and was handled beautifully by Brenda.

Maureen and Mike Lynch (Shelamo) made the trek to the show by car. They showed veteran dog BPIS Am/Can Ch Shelamo's Prospector. Rocky showed his heart out and is sired by our A/C Ch Laureate Explorer, ROMC.
The very lovely Ch Laureate Landslide daughter, Ch Dynstar Emelina shown by owner Hanna Campbell and bred by Leane Lorenzen.
Priceless...granddaughter of Barbara Selby (Prairiemist Shelties)

"Miley" getting her face on. She won the puppy class in the Breeders Sweepstakes.

Cocoa in the ring...

Cocoa did us proud by winning an Award of Merit!

We flew home on Monday and then with the help of Connie McNeill we began bathing and trimming all our dogs in preparation for our visitors from Japan.

We got everyone spiffy and while the weather didn't cooperate, we had a wonderful visit on Saturday with Yuu and Mrs Hiyama and Shiro. They looked at the dogs, we had a lovely lunch, and afterwards Yuu showed us how they tape puppies ears (seen on our photo of Miki).

Yesterday on Facebook I unveiled photos of our young hopeful "Miki". You can check out more photos and pedigree on our hopefuls page.

Muskrat Love and Mama Goose

We have a Canada Goose nesting on the island in the creek and I went out on the deck to take some pictures of her. She wasn't thrilled with my presence and got very low and tucked her head into her side to camouflage herself. I tried not to disturb her too much, so I sat quietly on a chair waiting for her to lift her head. I was rewarded by a peek at one of her eggs.

Then along came this guy...

Swimming merrily along...

I had the 70-200 lens with a doubler making the range 400mm. I was using it hand held, so the pictures are a bit shaky.

He turned around at the bridge and swam away leaving a wake.

Shortly he was back with company.

Is it love?

Don't think so...not looking too friendly.

They whirled and they twirled and they tangoed!

It only lasted a few seconds...point made.

Back to their territories...

Mergansers A wood duck...not as common as the mergansers here. A beautiful little duck.

Mama Goose

Looking forward to seeing the babies...

The National

I have uploaded lots of photos on the travel blog of the ASSA National Futurity where I had the privilege of judging.

A Bunch of Mudders

It all starts out innocently enough...just a romp in the field.

Then one of them leads the way...

Don't want to name names, but Juno is often known to be a mudder...

And Eva as well.

Mayer has become one. Compare and contrast with the photo from last weekend!

And then they are all in the game. Yep, this is how it happens; our guys gravitate to a ditch than runs between the fields. They jump in it, over it, wade through it, and of course...have a drink.

Miley prefers to leap while her mother Paris trolls along with her face in the water.

Emma has been a water rat from a young age...

Visiting Bunny is a hesitant mudder...but she did manage to wade in.

Little Diva is newly initiated; having tested the puddles in the other field earlier in the day.

She's got game!

Owen is not as impressed!

While little "Miki" thinks this is a blast...

Cocoa in fine form; showing she can do more than look pretty in the ring!

She can figure out the best way through the rushes...

Yes, that's our show dog!

OK...not all are into being wet. Nova doesn't like that sort of thing. She has never gone near the ditch, or a puddle if she can avoid it. But rolling in the grass...heaven!I think it is safe to say they had a pretty good time!

Winding down and heading for home...