A Sunrise Adventure

Shyla and I were out at sunrise this morning, and it was the best part of my day.

I've been getting used to a smaller and lighter camera, a "micro four thirds" camera. I bought it because of my latest spine problems. It is much lighter than my DSLR, and I hope it will save my spine some wear and tear.

It has been tough to learn what all the little buttons and dials do on my new camera. In contrast, I can operate my DSLR in the dark while almost asleep (e.g., taking star photos). Because I'm clumsy with the new camera, I've been hesitant to use it for photos of Shyla at sunrise. I need to work very fast to get good photos in those first few minutes after the sun rises. Using a camera that I know well, like my DSLR, is a huge advantage.

The first time I tried to use the new camera at sunrise, I hit an unknown button that locked up every control on the camera. I said some choice words as I tried to undo whatever I'd done. I got almost no photos that morning although I eventually figured out which button I'd hit to "lock" the controls.

This morning, I tried the new camera again at sunrise. I got my first photo without hitting any unknown buttons.

Then, I hit a button that made everything in my viewfinder turn weird bluish color. It only took about a minute to fix that mistake, and then I made another photo.

I thought that things were rolling smoothly at that point but I was wrong. Before I took another photo, the autofocus stopped working. I checked the controls to see if I'd accidentally hit one, and nothing seemed out of place. I was ready to give up when I decided to turn off the camera, take off the lens, and then put the lens on again. It worked!!!

But Shyla was mortified at the language I'd used during that snafu. She covered her face in embarrassment.

After that, my camera operation went smoothly but we'd missed some of the best light of the sunrise. Ah well. Live and learn.

I set Shyla up for one more photo before we got moving. However, she was obsessed with something off to my side and behind me. I wasn't too concerned, especially because her eyes looked so beautiful from that angle. So I kept snapping away with my camera without checking out what she was staring at.

When she lifted her head and gazed so intently in that direction, I decided I'd better take a good look behind me.

When I looked, I was in disbelief. A buck was grazing about 20 yards behind me. I absolutely cannot believe that Shyla didn't move from her spot. After I saw him, I reminded Shyla to "stay", and I walked toward him to encourage him to move along. He bounded away, and Shyla still didn't move from her down-stay on the boulder.

To say that I was proud of Shyla at that moment would be an understatement. Since I have taken positive training to a new level, focusing on playing and strengthening my relationship with Shyla, she tends to make the "right" choices without me saying anything. The fact that she "stayed" with an exciting buck so nearby while I was obliviously taking photos of her is a great example!

Way to go, sweet girl!