News and musings of Fine art pet photographer Laurie Meehan-Elmer based in Tampa Bay area, Florida
A number of my images were recently published in Training Secrets for Siberian Huskies, part of the Popular Dogs Series of “magbooks”. Thanks as always to Dawn and Lou with Husky Haven. Most of the dogs in the photos below either belong to them or are being fostered through their wonderful rescue organization. They work tirelessly on behalf of these beautiful dogs.
Every one of the dogs we used were rescued dogs at one point… even our own. So every one of these beautiful dogs were at one point at risk of being euthanized. Please remember to adopt your next animal…whether it be a cat or a dog.March 17, 2012 – 6:32 am
The busier I am, the less time I have for making blog entries. It’s not a good excuse but it is the reality. Realizing I hadn’t made a single blog entry yet for the month of February, I figured I’d better get something posted before the month was gone. If it wasn’t a leap year, I’d have missed my opportunity! I’m cutting it close with just an hour to go.
In addition to pet portrait sessions, I’ve been doing a lot of landscape, seascape, and wildlife shooting. I spent time working on an article submission for Puppies USA. I also spent several days in South Florida, exploring Big Cypress, Fakahatchee Strand, and Rookery Bay. While there, I was awarded honorable mention in the Rookery Bay Photo Annual, juried by Clyde Buther.
However, for this blog post, It’s all about dogs! Here are photos from a few of my favorite shoots this month.
My dog Nikon accompanies me on a lot of portrait sessions. While he’s not normally on the set while I’m photographing other dogs, he does often stand in while I set my lights. He definitely earns his kibble!
My Trusty Canine Assistant
My cousin has become a Florida winter resident. So has her wonderful dog Karma. While they were here, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to photograph Karma. Her sweet face is irresistible. Here are some photos from her studio portrait session.
Karma the Goldendoodle
This session was done at my home. Of course, at least one of the cats had to get in on the action. I was amazed how Karma totally ignored the cat and stayed focused on me. Admittedly, I was holding a treat and Karma is very food motivated. I think the term her mom used was “food whore”. My cat Jetty is equally motivated by food. With the offer of a treat, all apprehension about hanging out next to a strange dog that could swallow her whole, disappeared. She even stole a few morsels from Karma.
Karma and Jetty
Before it was all said and done, all the dogs got in on the action.
Karma, Comet, and Nikon
A few days later, we took Karma to Ft. Desoto Dog Beach for some fun in the sun. It ended up not being too sunny but that didn’t matter. Karma brought her own personal sunshine to the shoot.
Karma at the Beach
Karma Playing Catch
Thursday of last week, I photographed three dogs. All of them brought a lot of energy to the set. We had a blast! Petey was up first. He was absolutely adorable. He is probably the most bouncy dog I’ve ever met. I loved his wiry coat, his assertiveness, his sweet little kisses, and especially watching the pure joy he exudes when he plays.
Petey Has a Brief Moment of Calm (I love his little white mohawk)
It didn’t take much to get Petey airborn.
Petey Gets Lots of Air.
I think it would be fair to say that Petey’s mom spoils him. The first thing she did when she arrived for the session was buy Petey a new squeaky toy. Petey seemed to like it a lot!
Petey and His New Squeaky Pumpkin Toy
Next up was Astrea. She is such a beautiful pup.
Beautiful Astrea
Sadly, she was recently diagnosed with Lymphoma. However, on this night, she was happy and full of energy.
Doing the Happy Dance
One of Astrea’s favorite toys is a plush green turtle. She really loves playing with it!
Astrea With Her Plushy Turtle Toy
Astrea’s housemate Sin also came along for the shoot. I’ve photographed Sin before and she never fails to make me smile. She’s such a goofball.
Sin Smiling For the Camera
Sin wanted in on the action too. She seemed partial to this plushy toy that has a very loud squeaker.
Yes. She Caught It.
Next up will be a post on some Florida landscapes and wildlife.
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If you’re going to be in the Naples area on February 7th, you should attend the opening reception for the 6th Annual Photography Exhibit at Rookery Bay (5:30 -7:00pm). It’s cosponsored by The Friends of Rookery Bay and the United Arts Council of Collier County. I am honored that two of my images have been selected for the exhibit, along with the work of some other fabulous photographers. The exhibit is juried by the wonderful photographer and advocate for the environment, Clyde Butcher. He’ll be attending the opening reception.
If you can’t make it to the reception, the exhibit will be up from February 2nd through March 31st. Stop by and support the artists and Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Here are the photos I’ll be exhibiting.
Fog-Fisheating Creek
Little Blue Heron
Here’s an article about the exhibit in Life in Naples magazine.
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For us, no trip to South Florida is complete without a visit to Corkscrew Swamp and Fakahatchee Strand.
Audubon’s approximately 13,000 acre Corkscrew Swamp Preserve, near Naples is an absolutely amazing place. The preserve is home to the largest remaining old growth Bald Cypress stand in North America. It also hosts the largest nesting colony of Wood Storks in the US. The benefits of the preserve certainly don’t stop at it’s boundaries. The preserve is a critical connection for the flow of water to coastal habitats as well as a corridor for the movement of wildlife such as the Florida Panther and the Florida Black Bear.
A 2 and 1/4 mile boardwalk trail will take visitors through Pine flatwoods, wet prairie, marsh, and the spectacular Bald Cypress Swamp. In the swamp, the variety and sheer density of ferns, bromeliads, and even orchids is breathtaking.
Corkscrew Swamp Boardwalk
Early morning light illuminates Royal Ferns, Strap Ferns, Leather Ferns, etc.
The lobby of the Blair Audubon Center was displaying photographs from the 2009 Florida Forever Calendar, published by LINC to promote awareness of the Florida Forever land acquisition program. It was great seeing all the photographs presented in this larger format.
Not far from Corkscrew is Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. The strand, running north to south, is about 20 miles long and five miles wide. It includes swamp, prairies, tropical hardwood hammocks, pine rock lands, and native groves of Royal Palms, all connected by a slow moving, shallow slough. It’s the main drainage slough for SW Florida’s Big Cypress Swamp. At it’s southern end is one of the world’s most productive estuarine ecosystems. One of the most exciting things about visiting Fakahatchee Strand is the possibility of seeing Florida Panthers or Florida Black Bears. It’s the only place I’ve ever personally seen a Florida Black Bear in the wild. Other endangered animal species that might be seen here include Indigo Snakes, Everglades Mink, and Diamondback Terrapins. I don’t doubt the State Park brochure that boasts 44 native orchid species and 14 native bromeliad species. For those that don’t want to brave the heat, the biting insects, or the wet terrain, Janes Scenic Drive, an 11 mile road (unpaved) provides easy access for viewing some of the marvels of Fakahatchee Strand. Tram roads from the area’s logging days provide relatively easy hiking (and even biking) for a more up close and personal view of the strand. For the adventurer, not afraid to get a little wet, a swamp walk is probably the best way to experience this magical place. If you only have a little time, there’s a boardwalk into Fakahatchee Strand off of Tamiami Trail.
One of my favorite sights-canoe, bikes, time for outdoor adventure!
Janes Scenic Drive
Ludwigia submerged under flowing water
More Florida fall colors. This might be my favorite photo from the trip.
Red Shouldered Hawk
A rather smug looking Alligator.
Driving out of Fakahatchee, just as it was getting dark, we came across two snakes crossing the limestone road. The snake on the left is clearly a Water Moccasin (Cotton Mouth). I’m not 100% certain but I think the snake on the right is a Mangrove Salt Marsh Snake. The color and markings of this snake are incredibly variable making it tough to make a definitive ID. If any of my herp friends can verify this snake’s ID from my technically poor photograph (using a weak flashlight as a light source), I’d be grateful.
Water Moccasin (Cotton Mouth) - Mangrove Salt Marsh snake (?)
For the end of our trip, we decided to head over to the east coast and paddle the Loxahatchee River. This was our first time on this river and we weren’t disappointed. The river is a Federally designated “Wild and Scenic River”. It starts out as meandering fresh water creeks and as it gets closer to the Atlantic it transitions to a tidal brackish estuary before ultimately flowing into the bay and the Atlantic. We didn’t have the luxury of a shuttle service for our trip so we did an out and back paddle, launching from Riverbend Park.
Cypress and Palms along the banks of the river
Stangler Fig encircles a Cypress trunk
This is the second of two blog entries from our recent South Florida trip. The first entry is here
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An out-take from a holiday shoot with my own cats from a few years ago.
Big One tends to be the most cooperative one of the bunch. All it takes is a string and she's good to go.
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