The story behind gorgeous photo of poodles in the forest

Rick Olsen has two photogenic poodles. And a good eye for some spectacular light in the forest.

Olsen of Camano Island shared this photo of his two standard poodles in our reader photos gallery. It caught my eye, so I dropped him a line to ask about it. Here’s what he said.

Where did you take the photo?

I took the photo on my property on Camano Island. I have 20 acres of mostly woods through which I have a system of paths and trails where I walk my dogs every day.

Tell me a bit about how you took it.

I walk my dogs on my property every morning, and I’m in the habit of always having one of my cameras with me. It was very foggy as we started out, but the fog was burning off as our hike proceeded. As we were coming down the hill and around the bend, into an area of swordferns, the sunlight was breaking through the trees. My dogs are in the habit of running ahead, but never too far ahead. As I saw the sun’s rays breaking through onto the trail ahead of me – I called for the dogs, who came back around on the trail to see what I was up to. I gave a command to “stay” and “sit” as they approached me on the trail: the ever-obedient Indy sat down, and Dusty stood still for just long enough for me to take the shot.

Are those your dogs? Tell me a bit about them?

Yes, these are my dogs – both poodles. The black poodle is “Indy” – a 12-year-old standard, and the white poodle is “Dusty” – a 6-year-old miniature. They are not “foo-foo” poodles, but – as we live on 20 acres – they are very outdoorsy farm poodles; they love to run and play in the woods and fields. These are wonderful dogs!

What sort of editing did you do on the photo?

I brought the photo into Photoshop and warmed it up.

What do you really like about this photo?

I like the photo because it portrays the essence of my daily walks with my dogs: the companionship we share, and the quiet beauty of my property with its swordferns and sunlight (and so much more.) It is peaceful, quiet and beautiful – every day. This was just one moment of many over the years, but I feel it captures the mood and essence of them all.

How long have you been a photographer?

I’ve been taking photographs all my life. My father always had cameras around and as I grew up I developed a compulsion to capture moments of life with photographs. This compulsion never subsided: my current photography portfolio can be seen at www.rickography.com.

Thanks, Rick, for sharing the photo.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

The Moonlight Swing Orchestra will play classic sounds of the Big Band Era on April 21 in Everett. (submitted photo)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Relive the Big Band Era at the Port Gardner Music Society’s final concert of the season in Everett.

2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD (Honda)
2024 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport AWD

Honda cedes big boy pickup trucks to the likes of Ford, Dodge… Continue reading

Would you want to give something as elaborate as this a name as mundane as “bread box”? A French Provincial piece practically demands the French name panetiere.
A panetiere isn’t your modern bread box. It’s a treasure of French culture

This elaborately carved French antique may be old, but it’s still capable of keeping its leavened contents perfectly fresh.

(Judy Newton / Great Plant Picks)
Great Plant Pick: Mouse plant

What: Arisarum proboscideum, also known as mouse plant, is an herbaceous woodland… Continue reading

Bright green Japanese maple leaves are illuminated by spring sunlight. (Getty Images)
Confessions of a ‘plantophile’: I’m a bit of a junky for Japanese maples

In fact, my addiction to these glorious, all-season specimens seems to be contagious. Fortunately, there’s no known cure.

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited (Hyundai)
2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited

The 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 6 Limited is a sporty, all-electric, all-wheel drive sedan that will quickly win your heart.

The 2024 Dodge Hornet R/T hybrid’s face has the twin red lines signifying the brand’s focus on performance. (Dodge)
2024 Hornet R/T is first electrified performance vehicle from Dodge

The all-new compact SUV travels 32 miles on pure electric power, and up to 360 miles in hybrid mode.

chris elliott.
Vrbo promised to cover her rental bill in Hawaii, so why won’t it?

When Cheryl Mander’s Vrbo rental in Hawaii is uninhabitable, the rental platform agrees to cover her new accommodations. But then it backs out. What happened?

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

Don’t blow a bundle on glass supposedly made by the Henry William Stiegel

Why? Faked signatures, reused molds and imitated styles can make it unclear who actually made any given piece of glass.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.