Return To Home Page	Here are some shots taken on the morning of April 29th, 2001 at the McKee-Beshers game preserve and managed hunting area along the Potomac River. Our heroine in these images is 1-year-old Briar, being trained by Jim Birdsall of Southern Pines GSPs (in Poolesville, MD) and handled by owner Rich Mahoney. Click on any of the images for a bigger view. Meet Ch. Snowy River 'N Shomberg Honeybriar JH ("Briar")
	An old farm field, now part of the public game area, is filled with grass humps, thickets, woods-edge, and (invisible to us humans), a number of birds that Jim has planted for the occasion. There are also a few out there from earlier sessions, and Briar will be put to the test to find them.
	It's a bright, warm morning, and Briar is anxious to get off the lead and start finding those birds. Her handler, Rich, is being followed by Jim, who has another bird in his mesh shoulder bag.
	And Briar gets right to it! Jim coaches from the sideline as Rich urges his dog to remain steady and hold her point at the bird she's found in the grass. Jim uses the red flag tied to the tall weed to tell which way the wind is blowing over the scenty hot-spot created by the bird.
	She definitely has the idea, and is waiting for her person to get that bird on the wing.
	As he continues to reinforce Briar's patience, Rich gives the brush a gentle kick so the bird will take to air. Being partridge-like the chukar will only fly fifty yards or so over to the open field. Briar will be hot on its tail.
	True to form, Briar runs down the bird, and brings it back, completely intact (if a little tired) to her master. She seems very pleased with herself.
	A quick dip in the swampy area next to field to cool off, and she's ready to explore the thickets for that next bird.
	A particularly smart bird has found a hideout in some nearly impenetrable thorny weeds. Briar is persistent, but that old expression about "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" starts to make a lot of sense all the sudden.
	It's a good thing Briar has a great nose, because unless you're this close to a bird in the weeds, you won't even know it's there.
	The bird has gone to ground again in some dried grass, and Briar is giving a perfect point, waiting for Rich to come over and flush the prey.
	And flush the bird he does! Briar once again runs after it, and chasing it to a small mud flat, fetches the bird for her master. Good girl!
	It's been a busy morning, and Rich is happy to let Leesy McDonnell rinse the dirt and swamp stink off of Briar with a nice cooling gallon of water before she hops into the truck for the ride home to Hagerstown. Briar enjoys the whole ritual, and is set for a good afternoon nap.
	Photos and imagery by Matt Laur