Happy Mardi Gras!

It's Fat Tuesday, y'all! Time to fatten up and eat our fill before the season of Lent comes to restrict our diets. :) I don't really participate, but it's hard not to get caught up in the excitement since we're inundated with parades, king cakes, and parties right now. Below are more photos from the CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts parade in downtown Baton Rouge.

This image cracked me up.
Looks like the dog is reading the sign and is none too pleased about it! LOL

This is totally not sexual. I have no idea what is going on.
Seems the white dog just wants to protect the brown dog, keep close tabs, or show who's boss.

Carnival Time, Part II

More photos of the CAAWS' Mystic Krewe of Mutts Parade. What a blast!

I don't know why, but whenever I go to a public place with my camera, there is always a little boy tugging on my sleeve
begging to have his photo taken. I loved the way the dog jumped up to sniff his face and the expression on his little brother's face. It certainly appears the taller boy had been eating something good by the looks of his shirt. :)

Dyed and doodied-up poodles

Blues Brotha

This was the only dog there that did not seem to enjoy being dressed up and pulled along the route.

Dorothy and Toto

This one didn't care for the Mardi Gras theme, insisting on a Hawaiian costume instead. 

Breed a pointer with an Irish Setter, you get a Pointsetter. A traditional Christmas pet!
Good Dog! Magazine

Carnival Time, Part I

It's that time of year in Louisiana with parades in full swing. This was our first time to attend CAAWS' Mystic Krewe of Mutts Parade, which benefits the Capital Area Animal Welfare Society. Animals (and most dog owners) were dressed in traditional Mardi Gras costumes, throwing beads and candy to children, and dog biscuits to dogs who were watching from the sidelines. Everyone was in a good mood, all the dogs behaved like angels, with some even appearing to have wide smiles. Next year we will definitely be participating with one or more of our pups!

I decided to take my 100mm lens because I wasn't sure how close I could get to the action. There was a newspaper photographer kind enough to give me tips on where to stand, encouraging me to get out in the middle of the road to get my shots. That's part of my problem with photography: I'm too timid around people. But I overcame that pretty quickly, shadowing the reporter for a good portion of the parade route. Whatever shot he took, I got right beside or behind him to do the same.

Because of changing light conditions throughout, I shot on Aperture Priority, setting it at f/8 and the ISO at 800, 640 or 400, depending on the situation. I'm wondering now if I should have shot with a wider aperture to get a faster shutter. Only a few people stopped and posed for me; the rest were going by in a blur. Any tips on shooting an event like this?

I want this dog AND the owner's shirt!

This lady was kind enough to pose for several shots

Chia Pet

I LOVED the name of this organization :)

This is Bowie, a long-haired dachshund. He is deaf. What a sweet little dog
who happily watched all the parade shenanigans from the sidelines.

One of my favorites of the day. Cute dog, cute outfit, cute tongue!

More photos of this event are forthcoming until I can get back out in nature again!