Tag Archives: whidbey island dog photography

Whidbey Island Cowbelly party sneak peek

August 4, 2008 – 5:12 pm

Yesterday was the big 5-year Cowbelly anniversary party on Whidbey Island. Dogs and humans alike had so much fun and my guess is that everyone is exhausted today. I know Fergie and I are! I am working from home today- flat out on the couch with my laptop on my lap. Fergie is right next to me, snoring away. I may need a little nap too after posting this. :-)

A huge thank you to everyone that came! Also a huge thanks to JS for baking all of the awesome homemade doggy treats that were such a special gift for attendees. Fergie snacked on hers in the car on the ferry. I plan to post all of the images on my proofs site once I have time to go through them- so far I have them narrowed to 522, ha! I will send the link to everyone when they are ready to view. Here are a few sneak-peeks that I feel best exemplify both the happy, relaxed mood of the day and the gorgeous surroundings of Whidbey Island. I swear there isn’t a prettier place in the Pacific Northwest for dog photography. Enjoy! 

Fergie was very sleepy that morning until we got on the ferry. Then I think she remembered the smells from last year and started getting excited. 

The lovely Puget Sound. Whidbey is one of the San Juan Islands, which are accessible by ferry from the mainland. There were lots of low-lying clouds that morning but they burned off by midday making for a gorgeous, sunny afternoon with beautiful blue skies.

At the first OLA- Marguerite Brons. Which, apparently, is the island’s best-kept secret. Seymour (l) and Bella (r).

Fergie and Sasha.

Kate and Spice.

The off-leash trails at the park. A dense, green, woodsy, mossy, ferny paradise for dogs. Fully fenced (no joke!). That’s Fergie and Dozer there on the left (with D’ogi next to them). F & D went NUTS running through the woods. Nearly took us all out several times. 

Kyah exploring her new surroundings. D’ogi sitting nicely for a treat.

Seymour (l) Fatsa (r). Posing on the same picnic table I shot Fergie one one year ago.

Useless Bay Coffee Company where we had lunch. LOVE THEM. There isn’t a single thing they serve- from their paninis to their cookies to their espresso drinks- that isn’t downright delicious. I think we have some new converts on our hands. :-)

Fatsa fell in love with Charlie, hee hee. That’s Double Bluff Beach. The #1 paradise for dogs on Whidbey Island. I could have stayed there for weeks.

A personal fave below.

Michelle was popular with both the big dogs and little dogs. 

Bella with her mom.

Kate on the left enjoying a game of ball in the (very warm!!) surf. Poor Kyah was still exhausted from our big photo shoot just the day before. 

The water was very shallow quite a ways out, which enabled it to be warmed by the sun. It was like bathwater- incredible. Even non-swimming dogs couldn’t stay out of it. I wanted to lay down in it but alas was fully clothed.

The dogs were exhausted before we even left the beach. Here Bella tries to keep her eyes open while she gets toweled off.

Fatsa taking a little nap in the sun.

After a 20-minute rest Fergie found her second wind. At that point I honestly couldn’t believe she was still moving. ‘Indefatigable’ as my dad says.

In the car in line for the ferry home. I have never seen her so tired ever. Although after running and swimming for hours non-stop it was no surprise! Notice the eyes rolling back into the head, hee hee?

For those Seattleites who are interested in a getaway to Whidbey Island, here is a link to the island’s off-leash dog parks, courtesy of JS, courtesy of a very nice lady on the beach. Not only do they love dogs there but all of the people are SO friendly! I love Whidbey!

www.fetchparks.org 

I agree with James in that we should do it more often! Anyone up for a trip before the summer ends?

By Jamie 'Cowbelly' | Posted in Cowbelly Family, Events, sneak-peek | Also tagged , , | Comments (14)

Whidbey Island ROCKS!

July 9, 2007 – 4:02 am

Have you ever been to a place- on vacation, on a weekend away, on a day trip, that for the rest of your life you can remember with all senses- sight, smell, sound, feel, just by closing your eyes? Just thinking about the place transports you back there in the most wonderful and satisfying way?

Well, Fergie’s 2nd birthday on Friday on Whidbey Island was just that for me and my sister (and hopefully Fergie too).

The people we met everywhere we went were so incredibly friendly and wonderful- everyone seemed to be in a good mood and welcomed us to their island. And talk about dog Friendly! There were dogs everywhere! Many people stopped to talk to Fergie, including a super sweet couple in Langley who also own a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and thought Fergie was great. They and all of the folks we ran into at the dog parks confirmed what I already guessed- Whidbey residents love their dogs.

We spent ample time at two of their best off-leash dog parks. The first was Margeurite Brons Memorial park, which is a beautiful park inland in the woods. As if the large grassy field wasn’t enough, there are 13 acres of off-leash trails through the woods, FULLY FENCED. Fergie had the time of her life blazing through the trails with her two new buddies. And their owner was just one of the nicest people you’d ever meet.

After playing in the woods for a couple of hours we headed into Langley, where we ate lunch at the Useless Bay Coffee company and had one of the best sandwiches I have ever had. It was a beef and blue cheese and red onion and spinach panini, with gooey cheese and a buttery crisp crust. Thomas Kemper cream soda and mediterranean olives rounded out the meal. Yumm! They have a huge dog friendly patio area in front surrounded by stunning flowers and gorgeous landscaping. It is the prettiest of places to have a delectable and relaxing lunch.

After we ate to our hearts content, and Fergie had her fill of lunch treats and h20, we headed over to Double Bluff beach, on the southwest side of the island.

Double Bluff beach has miles of off-leash beach, with acres of sand from the bluff out to the water. Fergie chased her tennis ball out into the crashing surf (waves from passing cruiseships), until she was shaking and panting. As an urban dog owner, it was really incredible to watch my dog run free as nature intended. And not in the few acres of off-leash park like you find in and near Seattle, but in MILES of park, with so much land your dog can’t possible cover it all. So much to sniff, so many things to explore. It was heaven for all of us.

And words can’t describe the beauty of the scenery on the island. From mossy woods and rolling green fields to wide open blue sky and sandy beaches, the island is just gorgeous. As a photographer I was in heaven being there and photographing my pooch. It makes me VERY excited about the photography event I have planned for the exact same itinerary on August 18th. If you read my blog and haven’t had your dogs shot yet I strongly recommend taking advantage of this opportunity. Please contact me at 206-335-8096 for details.

Here are some of my favorite shots from Friday:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I truly believe this was the best day’s of Fergie’s young life so far, and without a doubt I will take her back there again.

It was truly one of the best days I have had in a long time, and in fact my sister loved it so much she even sent me an email thanking me later that night and telling me what an incredible time she had.

As for Fergie, well she has been pretty much horizontal for the past two days, dreaming the best of doggy dreams she could possibly have. :-)

Whidbey Island we will be back!

Jamie Cowbelly

By doggirlseattle | Posted in Personal Projects, Travel shoots, fergie, miscellaneous randomness | Also tagged , | Comments (1)