The Changing Sky —–smoke from wildfires.

An early start before the sunrise driving westward on the highway before turning off and into the back roads that led to a law enforcement facility to spend half a day photographing the USPCA Region 7 Detection Trials. The radio talked about smoke dropping down from Canada that might cause some air quality issues. Not being so sure exactly what that meant I watched the sky.

The early morning sky started out like a foggy morning as that’s how it appeared before me as the sun rose at 6 am. Quickly though the smell of the air and texture of what we were breathing in was very different. Nose was itching and eyes were scratchy as I now was wishing a mask was nearby.There was a surreal look to the changing sky as we photographed. It was oddly beautiful as the colors were getting matted and blurred to the plain eye as the camera was aiming at the officers.

It was beautiful yet scary as the realization this smoke was getting thicker as the morning went on.By the end of this shoot- the foggy color to the background of each picture made it impossible to shoot clear images from the distance I was at.The photographs are telling of what officers do with their dogs in times that no else else would.First responders go out into elements running into situations when people flee into the opposite direction. Watching them out working had me thinking about how situations that could well be national emergencies- selflessly putting themselves out there as the first line of defense for our safety.

By the end of this shoot- the foggy color to the background of each picture made it impossible to shoot clear images from the distance I was at.

Getting back into the car driving eastward- windows were rolled up, circulated air was put on in the car and I drove into a deep orange
sky going home thinking about just how much these officers put out there on a daily basis to keep safe.My day ended by six hours after it began and these K9 Units were going back to their jobs to work until their shift ended much later that day.

Thank you to the USPCA Region 7 for allowing me to be present to photograph this certification trial and share the company of those I respect. Be safe my friends.