Australian Shepherd Photo Shoot - Take Two

I have been trying to get an Australian Shepherd photo shoot of my 2 Aussie's. It hasn't worked out too well. Since Aussie's are always on the go, and they don't stay still for more than a second, it can be extremely difficult to get pictures. Last weekend, while my OH and his friend were playing a game of horseshoes, I tried "take two" of the Australian Shepherd photo shoot. The dogs had been out playing all day, so I was hoping they would have less energy, and I could finally get some good pictures. Yeah right, less energy? What is this girl thinking! I was able to catch Bailey laying down, so I crawled in the grass and told him he'd better stay, if he knew what was good for him. Here's the results of our take two. I will also be critiquing my photography skills. I am still learning!

Ok, my first mistake was I didn't notice the scenery behind Bailey right away. So he has a red stake coming out of the top of his head. I didn't think the actual horseshoe pit was a bad background though.



I actually like how Sadie is laying down in the background of this photo. But there is that red stake again. At least it isn't coming right out the top of his head. Oh, and if you look really close, you will see a fly on Bailey's nose. I don't have flies out in the horse pasture, but for some reason one popped up on his face. I did notice the fly when I took the picture, eventually Bailey felt it on his nose, and wiped it off with his paw. Good dog! But eat it next time, ok? We are trying to stay fly free around here!



Now, I like how Bailey is looking towards the neighbors here. But when he turned his head, that red stake is coming out of his head again. So I had to crawl along the ground to get that darn horseshoe pit out of the background. So far Bailey is being a good Aussie, and staying. He does know what is good for him!



Bailey didn't move too much during my photo shoot. He kept his paws crossed and just moved his head from side to side, taking in everything that was going on around him.



I didn't get that absolute to die for picture I was looking for. I am just glad I got my dog to hold still for 5 minutes.



Now, Sadie is probably the worst subject to take pictures of. She would definately not make it in the professional photography world. Once I located Sadie, crawled on the ground and started taking pictures, she just wasn't cooperating. So only one of the ground level photos is going to make it here. She obviously doesn't know what is good for her!



After I drag myself off the ground, which is a very difficult thing for me to do, and sometimes I wonder if I will even make it off the ground, we all know the saying "Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!" Well, that saying always comes to my mind when I have to try to get off the ground. I guess I should tell you the reason why I have a hard time getting up off the ground. My bad knees make it very difficult. Even though I've had surgery on one of my knees, I can't bend my knee all the way, and I can't get on my knees when I am on the ground, so I have to sit on my butt, but to get up from this positions requires some skill, let me tell you! I am sure it is quite the sight to see! Maybe I should have someone video tape this someday. But that would be very embarrassing.

Once I drag myself up and I am standing back on my 2 feet, Sadie decides to put her paws up on the bench.



Sadie has just recently started doing this. Than she climbs all the way up onto the bench. I am almost starting to think this could make a beer commercial, but if I had my bucket of beer on the bench, instead of the beer cooler.



Sadie decides she is going to sit and stay awhile.



Or maybe she is enjoying this view of the horseshoe game that is in progress. I have always thought my Aussie's think they are half human. They sure act like it sometimes.



Once my photo shoot is complete, I mean, I did all I could do to get them to hold still for this long, I decided to check out my roses. A couple weeks ago, my OH's mom and I finished weeding the rose flower bed, than my OH and I put bark down.



Almost all of my roses are blooming beautifully. I love the nice mix of colors we have. I did notice the aphids are eating the leaves, so looks like I better get the detergent/water mixture prepared and start spraying. I probably should have started that a long time ago. I don't have a very good green thumb. I usually kill anything and everything.



Pretty pinks, reds, whites, and yellows.



I love how this one is opened up, but the other 3 haven't yet.



I am still trying to get some good bird, chipmunk and squirrel pictures. I think those are even harder to get a photo shoot of, than one of my Aussie's!