Your own private oasis

As a real estate photographer in Vancouver, I get to see a lot of interesting properties, but this one takes the cake. Only a few minutes from downtown Vancouver, this 3.5 acre estate boasts its own lake, 2 swimming pools, stables and a tennis court. Not to mention 15000 square feet of living space. If you have to ask the price, you probably can't afford it :)

Island Images

I got a chance to stay in this beautiful home in Comox, BC for a few days while shooting some images for the owners. The weather was perfect, the view of the ocean was breathtaking, and the local deer are plentiful and friendly. All in all a terrific vacation!

How wet dogs get dry

Dougal likes to swim, but doesn't like being wet. So this is how he dries himself off. I just like the textures in this photo and enhanced them a litle in Photoshop.

Afghanadian

This regal looking hound belongs to my nephew Greg and his lovely wife Sylvia. They live in a cozy little house in Kitchener with their Afghan Bentley, another Afghan, an English sheepdog, couple of cats, and a ferret or something. A good basis for a reality TV show I think.

Get out and vote!

My boy Dougal needs your support in his bid to become rich and famous --- well, famous, anyway. Please go to Modern Dog Magazine and cast your vote for the big guy. His name is Dougal and he approves this message.

The Mennonite Hunter

I was in Kitchener, Ontario recently, which, as you may or may not know, is in the middle of Mennonite country. I grew up back there so I was used to seeing the occasional black buggy clopping down a country road when I was growing up. But it was a beautiful Sunday and my sister and I decided to do a little exploring, starting at Ontario's only remaining covered bridge in Montrose. I was hoping we would get lucky and spot a few Mennonites on the way.

Just as we got to the bridge, a horse and buggy came trotting over it towards us. I grabbed the camera and shot through the windshield thinking it might be my only chance at a bridge and buggy shot. After it passed we pulled over to the shoulder, got out and took some more photos of the bridge, when we noticed a small parade of buggies on the other side of the river, heading over the bridge towards us. Jackpot! One after another came flying by us, the horses's breath streaming behind them. They continued for a good 15 minutes until the bridge was finally quiet. If we had gotten there half an hour earlier or later, we would have missed the whole thing. Could it have been Divine Intervention, intervening, in its, um, divine way? Or just luck? Probably luck, I'm thinking.

More photos here.

Trying the vegetarian thing

Ever wonder what's going through a dog's brain at time like this? I do.