Lakewood vs Wilson - Girls Varsity Softball

Were getting about halfway through our softball season. Here are some shots from the Lakewood vs Wilson game, which was held at Lakewood High.

Unless I'm covering a paticular player I will try to get the best action possible and move about to various positions to do so. For this game I talked with both coaches and got permission to be in the dugout during game play. So take a look, I'd love to see what you think.

San Vincente Light House

Last Sunday I drove around Rancho Palos Verdes with my friend Paige and we ended up at the San Vicente Light House. While there I discovered there were two hawks nesting along the cliffs and wanted to get back there to see if I can get some shots, as last time I didn't have my baby (the 300).

So the wife and I drove out there to see if I can get some shots of the hawk and then some sunset shots.

Here we have the wife giving me not one, but two thumbs up. That has to be good - right.

Just warming up the lens with this littley guy.

After waiting for about 45 min's the hawk finally decided to make a dive to his nest. He simply folded those wings in and came in fast. I have to say this was pretty cool to watch

Of course I had to have a few shots of the light house.

This last one was taken at twilight as the light in the light house became active.

Girls Varsity Softball - Millikan vs Lakewood

Its that time of the year - high school softball / baseball, but this post is dedicated to girls varsity softball. It's been about a year since covering my last softball game and each game gives me different obstacles to overcome. With this game I was really limited to where I could position myself, which was about 5-7 yds past the first and third lines. This gave me issues with other players getting in the way or the base coaches standing between me and the batters, but I've learned that there are never any guarantees and as a sports shooter you often have to be flexible with your positioning.

So in addition to the two spots I mentioned above I also shoot through the fence (behind and off to the side of the catcher) with my 300 f/2.8 to get some shots of the pitchers. Another spot I used was a hole in the fence just inside the dugout which gave me a direct view for thrid base and shortstop.

I will say I seriously need to work on my timing to get the ball in the shot more, but well see what happens as the season goes and I get out to a few more games.

Rancho Palos Verdes

It was a rainy day here in Southern California and my dear friend Paige had nothing to do, so I drove out to Hollywood and picked her up for if anything - a nice drive along the coast.

We started our rain soaked afternoon driving down Sunset Blvd to the Santa Monica coast where we followed PCH and headed to Rancho Palos Verdes. I wanted her to see the coast line from the hilly cliffs of Palos Verdes, w.hich is very pretty.

We had a great time stopping at one overlook, where our shoes just seemed to collect all the mud around us. It was still raining lightly while we were out, but it was a great view and Paige loved it (two shots below)

Just as we were about to leave I saw this along the property line of two homes and thought it would make a nice picture for Paige.

We continued along the coast looking at homes we could only dream of living in when we arrived at the San Vicente Lighthouse. Paige was excited to see the lighthouse and was surprised we had any out here. So we explored the area enjohing the view and taking pictures. Paige is a lot like me in regards to having her pictures takin. Usually we don't like our pictues and as a result tend to avoid having it taken, but I was able to get some shots of her and I do have to say I think they came out great.

What would I be if I didn't take a few senic shots of the area. I will say that while we were there I did see a rather large hawk (thinking red tail - not sure) flying along the cliffs and the whole time I was wishing I brought my 300 for some shots. I could have taken some awesome shots. I will come back to get them though, so keep your eyes open for that post.