Since 2009, the retirement home of Shot On Site Photography... the source of the finest sighthound performance images in the world. As of August 1, 2022, the blog will become much more photo-centric. Not only will I post images from the homestead in the foothills of the Little Florida Mountains, and surrounding environs, but also tips about shooting, editing, archiving, software, hardware and more. The political rants will become few and far between (but not eliminated! It is 2022 after all!)
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
My Last Post on BarkObamaBlog.
Since not everyone who reads this blog reads Bark Obama, (and shame on you!), I thought I'd reprise my final pre-election post there. It's entitled:
Last Minute Advice for All My Republican Friends.
Both of you. You're uncomfortable with the McPain/Calin ticket. I know... I can read your body language. But you just can't bring yourself to vote for Obama/Biden. I understand. I once voted for John Anderson. If you're truly conflicted, I have just the ticket for you: Bob Barr. Saw him on PBS NewsHour a couple of weeks ago.. he's just the guy for you. In fact, if you've got friends with the same hesitations about the 'Cainster let 'em know that a vote for Bob Barr will make them feel oh-so-good. The more the better. Really. Do it. Do it tomorrow. Lots and lots of Republican votes for Bob Barr. Ignore for a moment he's a friend of Al Franken's. So is Gordon Liddy, and we don't hold that against Al. (Although, we might should...).
Better than not voting.
I was listening to Radio Times last week, and the discussion was with a panel of three non-voters. These guys not only don't vote for President; they don't vote for anything. One guy's wife was an elected school board official and he didn't even vote for her! Their reasoning was the usual nonsense: Not happy with the choices. It doesn't make any difference, I don't live in a battleground state, yada yada yada.
I've only heard one person give a compelling reason for not voting: (Warning- Not work-safe, and definitely not for the little ones...)
And he's dead.
So get out there and do it tomorrow.. (if you weren't smart-as-whips like some of us were and already voted!)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Where The Hell Are We?
And where have we been? Oh, it's a sometimes troubling, sometimes humorous trip across some of the reddest states in the land: Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, before arriving in Oklahoma, where the Republican politicians don't just think the voters are stupid... they know it. We've been subjected to some of the worst political ads we've ever seen. Worse, we're subjected to ads from both Oklahoma and Texas. Thank dog it'll be over soon.
A funny thing happened while we were in Georgia... pollsters changed Georgia's status from "lean McCain" to "toss up"! Wow. We're good. ;-)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
We Are The World!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Fall Color
...and yes, we're still blogging, although it would be hard to prove it based on the past couple of weeks' activity. Gonna try and change that over the next couple of weeks, because the leaves are turning, and it's time to head South for the Winter.I've updated the schedule, to the
And, of course, Margaret's kids and grand kids are calling, so we'll be in Georgia again for Christmas, and that means the folks at GANG have let us know we should also include Calhoun at the end of the year for 5 straight days of trials.
Among the other things I need to catch up on:
- A shout-out to the folks who made our California trip enjoyable
- The toilet story
- Anything else of note that's happened since I posted last. (This will not include anything about Michigan football, which is mothballed until next season)
Thursday, October 02, 2008
VEEP Debate Observation.
This Would Be Really Funny If....
...there weren't a grain of truth in it. Coming this October, in the Simpson's Treehouse of Horrors.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
I Read Blog for Bark Obama.
My partisan leanings have caught the attention of those lovable curmudgeons over at Bark Obama , and they have had the audacity to invite me in to their circle. You may have noticed that the widget in the sidebar has changed slightly.
Who are the Bark Obama writers? Well, just just check out this roster!. That's an all star cast of the folks who, when they're not proselytising on the merits of our next President, are writing the stuff you read the most.. on blogs, in books, and in magazines... about your pets.
And my non-dog aquaintances are always telling me to get a life. Hell... see? We got life!
Check it out, for sure.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Gimme Some Truth.
One song he plays, without fail, every single week is one that maybe we should hear on a daily basis during this political silly season:
Especially relevant for a certain campaign that will remain nameless here... but they like to talk about a bridge. ;-)
Brother Patrick Explains it all for You!
Thanks to Pat Burns the Terrierman, I can point you to an explanation that will make it all clear... especially for our fellow dog friends. Prepare to be severely pissed.
But don't worry.. according the the alleged President this morning, wrongdoers are going to be "persecuted" . (That mean they'll have dollar signs burned on their lawns? Heckled at the workplace? Sugar in the gas tanks of their Escalades?)
RTWT.
Even Mindless TV Can Rock.
these guys are my pick to be standing at the very end.
Amazingly, differently, entertaining.
*"No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people."- Henry L. Mencken
AAARRrrrrggghhhh!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Doppelganger.
The question on everyone's mind: How would she do? This would be a role she'd never before been cast in. The Republicans were tense. Democrats, too. This could be the deal breaker... or the deal maker of the whole presidential campaign.
In the end, as if there was ever a doubt- she didn't just hit a home run. She hit it clear out of the park.
"Dan", you're saying, "have you switched parties?".
Of course not. I'm talking about Tina Fey on SNL last night:
Perfect. Right down to the Frances McDormand "Fargo" inflection. She's still so damned hot! And a major talent on both sides of the camera.
As if I ever had a doubt.
(Watch it while you can.. NBC apparently doesn't like its stuff on YouTube for some reason, and this may be pulled.)
UPDATE: As predicted, NBC pulled the clip off YouTube, but thanks to Andrew at Regal Vizsla we've got another link up. Watch it while you can.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Wet.
Notice our schedule to the right, I've called the Friday, September 12, 2008
Moron Report.

Thursday, September 11, 2008
More McSame...
Wasn't this campaign going to be, uh, different? Tell 'em you're sick of it.
As the final frame says.. "Psst. Do Something."
Monday, September 08, 2008
The Real Original Mavericks.

Thursday, September 04, 2008
Nobody Does it Like Jon...
There are straight, academic places online where you can get the straight scoop. The best of these is Annenberg's FactCheck.Org which analyzes political ads and campaign statements for accuracy and context, regardless of political party. I check it out every time I see an ad that raises my blood pressure.
But I enjoy laughter and humor with my political exposés, and for that, there's only one place to go, (and all the great HBO and Showtime programming aside, the real reason I want satellite TV in the Express), and that's The Daily Show:
This segment is being hailed, on FARK, as the best Daily Show segment... ever. Pushes all of my (political) buttons.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Excuses.
Soon I'll post another story. About the toilet. You won't want to miss that one.. guaranteed to elicit a comment or two from Santa Anna, TX. Also look for the final report on the long trip.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Fun For a Couple More Days
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
12 Years Ago This Morning...
...Randir, (Leelanau Mithrandir) was whelped in my basement in Jackson, MI. Today, like most days, he's sacked out on the bed. But he was chasing jackrabbits last Winter, and I expect he'll sprint out (briefly!) after them again next Winter. We send out birthday wishes to his two surviving sisters, Hillary and Morgan."...may you stay forever young." - Bob Dylan
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Local Travel Alert!
If anyone's interested in meeting us, and more importantly, the hounds ;o) , please get hold of us by email, or phone. (Phone number is listed at http://shotonsite.us ).
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Donner Pass. (Insert tastless joke here.)
Friday, August 08, 2008
Last Stop.
We made it to Hollister today, the last stop (event-wise) on the California trip. They have larger-than-normal entries for Sunday, and possibly Saturday as well. Is it the "Shot On Site Effect"? We'd like to think so.
Anyway, there's a lot of activity behind us that still needs to be reported. Maybe on the way East, we'll stop at a WiFi-equipped campground for an day or two and get caught up.
Here's a partial list of some of the highlights you should look for:
- Restaurants
- Wine tastings
- Sandia and Fanny at the beach
- Hunting with Dr. John Burchard... (chasing, actually)
- Herb's Jackrabbit portfolio- Stunning!
- Los Tres Amigos
- Granite Construction tour of the big hole
- and, hummingbirds.
Mileage now stands at 2,900 miles..... exactly!
The future? Reno, Salt Lake, Medicine Bow, Badlands... and more.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Friday, August 01, 2008
Sideways.
I have a couple other "mystery" images to post shortly. Stay tuned.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Lemonade.
That's why we say, "when life gives you lemons...Sunday, July 27, 2008
That's More Like It!
For all you suffering in unbearable heat and humidity back east? The "extended forecast" looks just like the current 5-day, and the previous week was identical as well. I suppose if you look back over the last 30 days, and ahead 30 days there will be little change. However, we're not bored yet. I could see how boredom could set in, though...... BAAAhaaahahaahaahah! NOT!*****
The perfect weather notwithstanding, the Scottish Deerhound portion of the reason we drove the 2500 miles to California was pretty much a disaster. We missed two events due to breakdowns, and the one event we did shoot- the AKC trial- "we" lost the win pictures. Perhaps our luck will change now.
We've got two weeks before the next event, up in Hollister. Our schedule is starting to fall together as to how we will spend that time.
When we leave Santa Maria, we'll head up the coast to Paso Robles, where we will park for a day or three at Margaret's cousins. She thinks she remembers that her cousin's husband is a good cook. There's that "food theme" again!
Then we have some options. We've been invited by a total stranger- but one who is familiar with this blog, and knows someone who knows Dutch Salmon, and therefore we're all friends (I like that logic)- to stop and spend time in Coalinga.
Or.. we may drive from Paso Robles to Alpaugh and spend time with Dr. John Burchard, whom I haven't seen in 8 or 9 years, and his cohorts, George Bell, and Herb Wells, (another photographer whose open field coursing images many of you may be familiar with). There's a better than even chance we could go scare a few jackrabbits.
We may do both! And probably will.
That should get us near to where we have to be in Hollister, which I've been told is only about 25 miles from where we might get a chance to photograph one of these guys:

Stand by for that! For a Hollister weather image, just add 1-2 degrees to the above ;0)
Long range plans- beyond the Hollister trials- call for a return on Interstate 80, through Wyoming, where we may veer north to Medicine Bow and, you guessed it, kick up a few more jacks. White tails, in this case. Then up to I-90 so we can see the sites of our adopted state: Badlands, Rushmore, Crazy Horse. Then we need to get our driver's licenses renewed while we're there.
And finally, back to Michigan. Whew!
I've got to talk about our dinner here in Santa Maria the other night, but I'll save that for another post. I'm still processing that.. literally, as well as figuratively.
Time to feed the crew.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Oh by the Way...
We arrived in time for the Deerhound AKC trial, and have been hard at work all week long. We'll try and get some details up when we get a chance to rest. Good eats abound!
Meanwhile, male readers should check out this interesting archery post on Patrick the Terrierman's blog...
Monday, July 21, 2008
Help Us Spike!
Besides.. we have bigger problems now than some old K&N filter with too much oil on it.
We travelled 235 miles today, to roughly 25 miles west of Needles, California. We were into our second climbing stage out of the Colorado River basin when there was a loud noise, and it only took a second to realize that while the engine was still running, we didn't have any power steering. Cataclysmic destruction of the serpentine belt.
So, here we're parked, behind the Colorado River Cheverolet Dealership in Needles, waiting for them to open in the morning, so we can get the damn belt replaced, and not miss more than two deerhound events.. (LGRA, ASFA Lure Coursing).
You know you've heard of Needles if you watch your local weathercasts: "And the hottest place in the nation again was Needles, CA at 107 degrees". Fortunately, we'll be gone before Wednesday, when it will get really hot.

Oh.. and gas here? $4.99/gal. Yeah.. we could live here. It's hot... but it's a dry heat.
*****
Talk about a vertical profile! That trip down Oak Creek Canyon was nothing. In 4 hours today, we went from around 7000', cool-ish temps, at Flagstaff, to the California border at the Colorado River: 326' and 102 degrees. A shock to the system.
*****
And who is this "Spike"? You know. Click on the title.
*****
Decent little Chinese place here.... right up on the corner. Dinner specials packaged like lunch specials, including rice, soup, and soft noodles. Hmmm, noodles in Needles.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Another Perspective.
This is the vertical profile from the GPS track of our 113.1 mile "Saturday Joy Ride". We lost a lot of altitude in that first 25 miles, didn't we? That's the drop into the canyon, which included those incredible switchbacks in yesterday's photo. The higher portion there at the 50 mile marker is Sedona; the lowest elevation was where we picked up I-17 to return to Flagstaff. First time under 4000' in over a week!Saturday, July 19, 2008
Sedona Road Trip
The canyon ends at the city limits of Sedona. We took a look, and drove right on through, having no current need for any crystals, T-shirts, cappucino, palm readings or anything else on the main drag marketplaces.
We wanted to see Red Rock Canyon. And we did.
This is Cathedral Rock. Just one of the hundreds of amazing rock formations in the Red Rock area. We took lots of pictures. Lots. We'll put up a slide show when we have a better signal. We haven't had a slide show here in quite a while.
Robert Earl Keen Said...
Stuck in Flagstaff, Mile 1852.
I "knocked on wood" goddammit! You all read it here. So why, some sixty miles or so after our stop at the Jackrabbit Trading Post, did the engine suddenly lose power?We had to pull off on the shoulder, where it finally died. We waited a couple of minutes, and on the second attempt it started right up. It was flooding for some reason. Back on the highway, we made it another 10 miles before it did it again.
We called our road service and got the phone number for a service center in Flagstaff. We had two more "episodes" before we finally made it to the Flagstaff RV Service Center.
The problem: It was a Friday afternoon, they closed at 5:30, there were 3 rigs in front of us... and they're not open Saturday. About 5:30 they at least got in to check the fuel pressure- good. Problem is not yet another fuel pump. Filter was clear, no blockages. Code reader showed a couple of sensors having problems that could conceivably be sucking the power down. All that pollution equipment that wasn't in vehicles when I was a kid!
Time was up. We found "Black Bart's RV Park, Steakhouse, Music Hall with Singing Waiters". Holy Cow! We didn't eat there, as the menu was way overpriced, and the parking lot was packed to the rafters, so to speak. Instead, we found yet another great Mexican restaurant... Salsa Brava. It was a "pork night". I had the Adovada Combo, and Margaret had the Carnitas Combo. It was good, good, good! The pineapple-habanero salsa was delicious, but not nearly as hot as advertised. My only disappointment of the night.
Since we're stuck here for the weekend, and going to miss the small Scottish Deerhound LGRA (8 entries) on Monday morning, we decided to "make lemonade". Today we're going to Sedona... gonna get our auras and chi adjusted to some new age brain-mush music or something. Or maybe we'll just go see the Red Rocks. Stand by.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Here It Is
So. How much did we spend in the Jackrabbit Trading Post? You tell us!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Mile... oh, Big Whoop!
The object was to just get moving again. Cooler than Todd's I-Phone!
Hah! Where to start...? 10.3oz, with a display that looks just like a paper page. (No back light! At night you have to turn on your reading light, just like a real book!) No glare, either. That's a good place to start. I hate reading articles and books on a laptop.. blogs, and newspapers' online sports sections are about all I can handle. I can handle this. And my aging eyes can sure handle scalable fonts!
It's priced about like an 3G iPhone, and is packed with about as many features, (except the phone part, of course). $359, available only from Amazon, includes the EVDO data network, so you can download books right off the NY Times best seller lists, and more, including magazines, blogs, and on and on and on. No need to find a hot spot. The only wires you ever need for it are attached to your ear buds, if you download a talking book!
Instead of listing everything it can do, I'll just point you to the link above.
There's lists of features and functions, videos of testimonials, and more. I'm pretty sure we'll be carrying fewer pounds of books around in the Express come Christmas...
HT to our "hand model extraordinaire", Steve Garth. ;0)
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Land of Enchantment.
Aliens in New Mexico
So.. who remembers The Adventures of Buckaroo Bonzai Across the Eighth Dimension ? Save the Planet, Be Humiliated on the BBC
Apparently, it's a real... car... quadracycle. Don't get caught dead in one.
Summer Hunting With the Family
Early means 5:00AM if you want to get to the fields near Moriarty at the crack of dawn. We loaded up Sandia with his sister, Maya, and his aunt, the notorious Camille, in Steve's Explorer and headed out at 5:30 in moderately cool 58 degree temps.
By 7:30, we'd run two jacks, and the temperature started to rise. We headed back to the vehicle, and by 8:30 we were meeting Joan and Margaret at the once-closed, and now re-opened with new owners, East Mountain Grill, (No web page). As good, or better than we remembered.
This is our "day off" from travelling. I've got a little project to finish on the motor home, and mostly we're just kicking back. Maybe we'll go ride the "World's longest aerial tramway" to the top of our Galgo's namesake mountain. Or maybe not, now that I've checked the rates. :-(
Maybe we'll just sit tight, and await tonight's next powerful thunderstorm.


