Dog with Noctilux & Canon 50 f1.2

[billh]

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The M8 is not the preferred camera for these kind of shots, but I was curious to see the comparison between the two specialized lenses.

 

Noctilux at f2.8,

 

 

Canon 50 f1.2 at f2.8,

 

 

If you want to see the puppies typical afternoon activities, I posted a bunch of photos here,

 

http://homepage.mac.com/billh96007/2005_Calendars/PhotoAlbum239.html

 

The old gang, now unfortunately all departed except 13 year old Shadowfax, had a very involved game, with sufficient complexity to insure my perpetual puzzlement. I think I finally did have a basic understanding of the more fundamental rules, but if I had wanted to join them, I doubt any one of them would willingly have chosen me for their team.

 

Little Cody loves to dive into the pool to fetch a toy, and Baghera, his shifty playmate, choses this moment to hide. She is an absolute master at disappearing right in front of our eyes. Cody, sensing she has hidden, swims to the steps as fast as possible and begins racing around looking for her. He uses both his eyes, and his nose. Sometimes I see Baghera, motionless, crouching in a very low profile stalking position. Suddenly she explodes into motion and flies past Cody at full speed. The chase is on! The have amazing speed and agility, and seemingly endless energy, even in the heat. They take turns chasing and tackling each other, and if, when he is in the lead, Cody enters one of the many tunnels they have through rows of bushes, Baghera instantly veers away the moment Cody enters the bushes. He emerges expecting to find her in hot pursuit, but of course she is nowhere in sight. Then everything starts over again.

 

Cody does spend time swimming with me, and Baghera then stalks birds, squirrels, or anything else that moves. She has the patience and stealth of a cat, and when she charges, she seems to hit top speed in about two steps. Cody usually joins her, and their game of chase each other begins anew. This goes on each afternoon for an hour and a half or so, or as long as I can stand being food for the multitude of voracious insects infesting our back yard this year. I can usually get them to give up and let me dry them by suggesting dinner time is upon us, but they do not seem at all tired - but they are hungry. In fact, Cody is always hungry. This has always been the case with our boy puppies.

 

Bill

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[biglouis]

Bill

 

A couple of great shots (not too sure why the M8 is not the camera to use for these). I went to your web site and you have an excellent series of pictures of these two dogs. Must be qutie a handful. I'm intrigued about the vests they are wearing. What are they for?

 

LouisB

[billh]

Hi Louis,

 

The M8 is not great for these shots because it is difficult to focus the rangefinder on a dark, wet dog in motion, and you are not supposed to get the M8 wet,

 

http://homepage.mac.com/billh96007/.Pictures/Swimbest2006/Kona,f1.2,0429.jpg

 

We have always put the vests on puppies for their first season in the pool. Interestingly, the following year they refuse to wear them - they want to be like the big dogs.

 

Baghera swims fine without the vest, but on occasion she will try to float, and then her rear sinks and there is this mad scramble as she tries to swim vertically. Cody is like a young boy - he has not one iota of caution (or common sense) in his body. He will dive in from literally anywhere, and he is also quite happy to leap right on top of me (I assume, for the moment, I am an honorary Bouvier). He also likes to swim out and hold one to me with one paw, and drift around together in the pool. I hit upon an idea and bought a life vest like the water skiers use. It works perfectly as armor against those sharp Bouvier claws that cause such trauma to delicate, wet primate skin.

 

You can see from some of last year’s pool pics that none of the dogs wore vests - unfortunately we lost Niko, Kona and and Tasha last November to January, which is why the puppies are here now.

 

http://homepage.mac.com/billh96007/2005_Calendars/PhotoAlbum193.html

 

Bill

[stuny]

Bill -

 

I've missed seeing your Bouviers, especially in the artificial version of their bred-for environment. As always, these two photos are terrific in subject, color, action, light and angle. Also as always, I appreciate your narative.

[billh]

Thanks Stuart. I'll bet these two guys would enjoy themselves on one of your trips!

 

Bill