LAPD Centurians vs San Deigo Enforcers

This is late, but better late than never.

 

I've been with the LAPD for 26 years now and have been wanting to shoot one of their football games.  That's right, the LAPD has a team that competes with various other police and fire departments throughout the country.

Well this past week I was talking with a co-worker and he mentioned they had a game coming up and that he usually attends them.  I brought up the fact I've been wanting to shoot a game and after a few phone calls from him it was arranged for me to get sideline access.

 

I've never shot at the school where they play, but once I got there I knew it would be a tough one to shoot from.  The field is on the side of a hill and only has a bout 6 feet of space from the sidelines to the wall, which makes it hard to move about, but I do what comes naturally and made it work.

 

This wasn't a high scoring game to say the least, it was 9-7 by half time and the Centurians were having problems running the ball and passes just weren't working out for me, so needless to say I didn't get a lot of shots that made me say wow.  Also their half time was extended greatly and I had plans with me son, so I ended up leaving prior to the second half, which I found out later never happened due to some unforeseen issues.

 

With that said here are my favorites from the game.  I've also created a sport art piece using one of the players (last shot).

 

Enjoy.

 

Lakewood Track vs Wilson

Headed out to Wilson High to cover a make up meet with Lakewood and Wilson High.  It was a nice afternoon, but I have to say I was a bit disappointed.  Due to various reasons Lakewood didn't have many participants in the events, but I made things work and took some shots I can be proud of.

 

Enjoy

 

Bolsa Chica Wetlands

In the last year you might have noticed a lot more sunset shots and shots from the wetlands.  Well with the wife and kids all working evening shifts I have a lot of night home alone and I just don't want to sit in an empty house.  So I will head out to the beach for a sunset or hit the wetlands to see what's out.

 

Well this past Saturday was just one of those nights, so I took the drive to the wetlands and did my thing.  It was a great night to be out and the activity was real nice.

 

Lets start with a ruffled Snowy White

 

Great Blue taking flight

 



While walking along a trail to see if any hawks were out I found this guy sunning himself on the trail.  He allowed me to get pretty close before taking off back into the brush.

 

Gopher Snake

 



 

Snowy White giving me a fly by

 



 

I think something scared this Snowy White as he looks like he simply jumped straight up, almost out of his claws.

 



 

Had a few Brown Pelicans fishing and sunning.

 



 

A Double-Crested Cormorant fishing along with the brown pelicans.

 



 

A Black Crowned Night Heron giving me a fly-by

 



 

Another shot of the Brown Pelican with a low fly-by

 



 

A Common Tern with a low fly-by as well

 



 

The Black Crowned Nigh Heron taking a break after his fly-by

 



Dynasty Girls Softball

First let me say when I first got involved in sports action photography it was with little league baseball and rec-softball.  As time went I move up to high school and then some college, but I never forgot where I came from and how I started.  Although I love the action and intensity at the higher levels, there is nothing better than shooting our youth and capturing them in action.  For me that's what its all about being a sports shooter.

 

Well this past Saturday I had the opportunity to go back to my roots and shoot a 9-10U softball game and boy did I love it.  It was an exciting game to shoot, let alone watch.  Being out on the field brought back so many memories from my early days.

 

Its been way too long for me, I can't thank Michele enough for having me out to capture her daughters team in action.

Bolsa Chica Wetlands

The wetlands in Bolsa Chica will always be my go to place to relax and simply enjoy being alive and outside.  No matter how small there is always something to see and enjoy.  This day wasn't any different.  I simply walk from one area to another seeing what the wetlands has to offer.

 

Lets start with a Snowy White Egret who was fishing with a Great Blue Heron, who seemed to have better luck.  A walk further into the wetlands I found this Great White Egret fishing.

 

Enjoy

 

 

 

 

 

Turning 50

Recently a very close good friend, one I've know since 1st grade, and myself turned 50.  We brought our family and friends together for a great bbq.  It was nice seeing some friends I haven't seen in quite some time.  With growing older our kids are now having kids and they had a blast playing in a dirt pile in my backyard.  Usually parents will prevent their kids playing in the dirt, especially while at a bbq at a friends house, but this time it was different, which I loved.  I feel kids need to be kids and should spend their time playing.  There is plenty of time for them in life to become serious, but not this day.

 

I spent a good amount of time just sitting in the grass capturing some shots of the kids playing and running around.