Category: Pets

Test Pattern

This was going to just be a quick test shot to see if the camera’s autofocus could lock on Trixie’s eyes but I’m rather fond of how it turned out.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: November 29, 2023

The Happy Pup

Our dog Bear looks at me with a joyful and loving expression as we played in the living room, taken on November 29, 2023. Original: _A671313.ARW

While researching cameras I most wanted to know how well the animal eye autofocus worked and was shocked at how there were almost no examples with pets with dark fur. Several of my cameras have pet eye AF but not a one of them can see Bear or Trixie. I’m happy to report my new Sony A6700 sees both, and while the AF isn’t perfect, the ability to easily grab a quick shot like this while Bear and I were playing brings tears to me eyes when I think back to how much of a struggle it has been going back to 2007 when we adopted a black cat we named Emma.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: November 29, 2023

Pup in Boots

Our dog Bear sits while wearing dog shoes on the Camino Campana Interpretive Trial in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 25, 2023. Orignal: _A671173.ARW

A few days ago I took Bear on a short hike in dog shoes to see how he’d do, it took him a couple of tenths of a mile to find his stride but then it was full steam ahead. Whenever we hike this trail he stops for a while to watch the metallic animal sculptures placed in the desert, the mountain lion in particular confuses him as the shape suggests danger when his nose is clearly telling him there is none.

📷: Sony A6700 | Sony-Zeiss 24mm f/1.8
🗓️: November 25, 2023

The Joy of Discovery

Our dog Bear with his eyes wide and mouth open as he tries a new dental treat for the first time. Taken on August 28, 2022. Original: _Z725474.NEF

Bear last summer as he was trying out a new dental treat. Needless to say it was a big hit.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70mm f/4
🗓️: August 28, 2022

Saguaro Sandwich

Our dog Bear stands in front of a saguaro while the shadow of another saguaro falls across him on the Latigo Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 31, 2023. Original: _ZFC8034.NEF

Bear sandwiched between two saguaros on the Latigo Trail. The other day while making the long gradual climb back to the car on a western leg of this trail, he was so tired he let me take the lead, a first I think! Yesterday on a loop I stopped after a mile and doubled back to the car since he was flagging, so today I’ll give him a rest day and we’ll go for an easy walk in the neighborhood.

📷: Nikon Z fc | Nikon 24-70mm f/4
🗓️: October 31, 2023

Once More Into the Hatch

Our dog Bear looks out from the open hatch of my 2020 Lexus UX250h hatchback in the Brown's Ranch parking lot in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 22, 2023. Original: _Z724790.NEF

A few years ago I traded my beloved Crosstrek for a Lexus hatchback as I wanted something better suited to my commute and it’s worked a treat, I’m almost embarrassed by how much I love the little UX. I didn’t know then we’d be adopting this giant goof years later, the hatch is a little small and with a high entrance but thankfully it didn’t take Bear long to figure out how to jump in and get comfy. To watch him sprint to the back of the car when we’re getting ready to go for a hike is to see joy made manifest, pure and unbridled. Here we’re getting ready to leave my favorite trailhead, Brown’s Ranch, after one of our many hikes there. A few weeks back one of the stewards called us over and gave him a couple of treats and ever since he’s on the lookout when we pass through.

📷: Nikon Z 7II | Nikon 24-70 f/4
Date: October 22, 2023