North Shore 2016

Memorial weekend we made a journey to the Minnesota north shore along with all of our 3 dogs. Needless to say, it made for a full vehicle with camping gear The weather was not great the first day with off and on rain, fog and then cold a night, but that is what rain gear and sleeping bags are for.

During this trip it was finally time to try out the new tent I bought last year, for the first time. This tent was great to allow space for an inflatable mattress and room for 3 dogs. I must also add that this Eureka Copper Canyon tent I got from REI is tall enough for me to be able to stand up. No more hunching over or crawling on my knees to get around in the tent.

First night under the stars in the new Eureka Copper Canyon Tent.After a day with rain with the rain and fog, we were fortunate for a clear evening look at the night sky, and were given a show with all of the shooting star like things passing by. Even one burned so bright like a flash in the sky and caught the eye of Erika's and I. Some of these long exposure night sky photos when looked at closely showcase some streaks of light going straight across the photo. I thought maybe there may been a meteor shower I was not aware of happening.

Our Milkyway

Focused on the North Star

This trip I had a goal to find a moose, to just see one outside of a zoo setting and get to at least say seen a moose in the wild. I thought the best place to do this maybe to set out on the Gunflint Trail road out of Grand Marais. Sure there are lots of trees, wetlands and lakes along the way and even a viewing deck by a pond we hiked to observe moose. It turns out it was not our day and our search continues as no moose were visible. 

The trip wouldn't be complete without a chance for the dogs to go swimming. Sophie and Aspen geared up in their Ruffwear lifejackets to brave the VERY cold Lake Superior water.

Sophie and Aspen enjoying the north shore of Lake Superior

Finally, Snow

It was just recently we received a good amount of snow here in Minnesota just before Christmas, that actually stuck to the ground. It is late in the year for us to finally get any actual snow. The Bernese Mountain Dogs love the snow as always and had their chance to play and lay around in the snow as if it was not even cold.

Sophie

Aspen

With the dogs out enjoying the freshly fallen snow, I also wanted to share a photo of the Christmas tree lot that pops up every year. Just down the hill from where I live is a view of this tree lot displaying lots of beautiful trees this time of year. When the evening comes the lights strung from wooden post to wooden post are electrified and the bulbs glow with this beautiful soft light.

Red Wing, Christmas Tree Lot

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone, may 2016 bring a year full of opportunities and happiness.

Cleary Lake Regional Park

    Our journey to Lakeville to obtain Erika's license plates for her car from the dealership lead us to take Aspen to a dog park we never been to before. In Prior Lake Minnesota there is a beautiful dog park part of the Three Rivers Park District named Cleary Lake Regional Park, 28 acres of fenced off leash dog utopia. If you plan to go the park it does cost $5 if you do not have a $35 annual pass. The dog park is in a prairie setting with a few young trees and many mowed trails to walk along. It features a bathroom, potable water and a small swimming pond that is thankfully gated off. I say this because there are times when going to a dog park with water when you want to keep your dog out for reasons of algal blooms or you just don't want to handle a wet dog. 

   Aspen is no stranger to water, just not water deep enough where he actually had to swim. A tall Bernese  Mountain Dog is entertaining to watch to say the least. While labs with their webbed feet gracefully doggy paddle under the water, Aspen paddles like an old steamboat paddle slapping the water surface. I assume he is trying to stand on his hind legs and keep his head above the water surface. When he does reach a shallow enough area he tries jumping through the water to get out. Thankfully he is not afraid to swim and enjoyed going in and out of the water.

  Eventually we plan to visit more dog parks on our ventures and with the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of the greater Twin Cities, Play Pals events.

Aspen paddle boats through the water. 

Aspen paddles through the water.

Aspen thrashes through the water.

Dogs run around the pond area.

Aspen chases other dogs around the pond at Cleary Lake Regional Park.

5D Mark III and a Trip to The Dog Park

  It is finally here, I've waited over a month after I ordered the camera to receive it, due to it being recalled and the long pre-order list. I now finally have my 5D Mark III. I've been waiting for this camera to be announced in the beginning of the year and it wasn't until the week after my birthday that it was announced by Canon. After having my Canon 30D for over 6 years, a 1.6x APS-C crop sensor camera body. I have been through a lot with that camera and have taken it across the country from Washington D.C., Texas twice, and Colorado. When I was in Washington D.C. I went with my classmates from the MSU Reporter to the Lincoln Memorial at night in the pouring rain. Luckily I had a rain covered camera bag, but that couldn't keep the body dry enough when I took it out too shoot. After that the shutter button on it has never been the same. Now that I have a back up camera body I will be able to part with it and send it in to get the shutter button repaired.

Canon 5D Mark III

   First off this camera feels so great in my hands, the ergonomics of it are fantastic. In fact the overall feel of the camera is outstanding, from the battery door to memory card door and the soft touch grip of the camera, it just has a better build to it. This is all exciting to me because I am coming from a Canon 30D. The new auto focus system with 61 AF points compared to my 9 point AF of the 30D are in no way equal. 99.9% of the time I use the center focus point which is the fastest functioning AF point. When I picked it up and set sights on our Bernese Mountain Dog Aspen, the 5D Mk III just nailed the focus on his eyes even in a dark room. Compared to my 30D it search for seconds to find something in a dark room and a dark subject.  That improvement alone amazed me. The image quality output and large rear LCD are beautiful.

   I am very excited to be shooting with a full frame (35mm) digital camera and look forward to taking more photos and sharing them with everyone. Check out a few photos below I shot the first day I received the camera. All the photos were shot with a 24-70 L f/2.8 . I will be spending a few weeks just trying to figure out all of the custom functions and play around with making videos as well.

  My future posts may consist of reviewing the camera and answering any questions people have for me. Please leave your comments and questions below. Thanks!

   Of course Aspen had to be my first model.

Aspen

2 Puppy Old English Bull Dogs at the North Rochester Dog Park

A boy throws Frisbee at the dog park in the late afternoon