As I looked at the photos again today, I was struck by how much I love to see the smiles of the riders!  

I am learning the rules, and trying to determine how to capture the best photos of the athletes.   While I did not always know why the referees were blowing their whistles, I thoroughly enjoyed the fast paced game!  The girls played hard and had fun--in a game that ended in a tie.
 

I am back in action now, with a new camera.  I took photos of Katie, Anika, and Ronnie at a schooling show today.  It was a schooling experience for all of us, as I tinkered with the settings on my camera.  

In addition to equitation and pleasure classes, flat and jumping, the girls got to try their hand at barrel racing!

Typical lacrosse weather...snow still on the ground for the first game, torrential rain/hail followed by a rainbow for the seond game!

First game, against Amsterdam, was a win.

Second game, against Scotia, was a loss.

Both games were exciting.  I love to watch (and photograph) our fierce young ladies.

Save!
 

This is my first year photographing high school track meets.  I have to admit, the meets are a bit confusing for the novice!  But the athletes are fun to watch, each striving for a personal best with the support of their teammates.
 

Long jump
 

Cemo's brown from Nelson's Spring Creek

  Rainbow brown Our smiles were almost as big as the fish!

Barb and Jefferson brown Cemo and her Nelson's brown Yellowstone brown

And then there are the photo buttons....a chance to see if I can get the kids to forsake the "game face" and smile.

Thank you to our wonderful coaches: Erin Kunkel, Haley Hallenbeck, and Leslie Sherman.

Our young warrior princesses played hard, learned a lot, and had fun.

Why fly fishing?  It is a sport in which anyone can participate, as it requires more finesse than strength.   The movements gently stretch the arms in ways that are helpful for recovery after surgery.  Most importantly, fly fishing makes you focus in the moment....causing all your other concerns to recede into the background.  After fly fishing you might be tired, but you can also be profoundly refreshed.  And yes, you might even catch a fish!

Ben Sherman for Zionsville

At the end of class, having earned a "great job!" from Doug, the horses are tired and the girls glow with accomplishment.

Even an old barbed wire fence takes on some mysterious romance in the snow.

There was drama during the first quarter when Josh Hinkle, the senior Eagles quarterback, was injured.  During the tense moments while the EMTs worked, the players, coaches and parents prayed.  My heart just breaks when a player--any player--gets hurt.  Hinkle was taken off the field by ambulance, in a neck brace and taped to a backboard.  (I understand that he has a concussion, and is expected to make a full recovery.)

As if to let everyone know that the Eagles were down but not out, Trevor Liechty, the Eagles sophomore backup quarterback, took the field and almost immediately threw a touchdown pass to Ben Kocher. 

Kocher reception

The game was close, and exciting, until the end. 

I am sorry to see the football season end.  May I shout it just one more time??  GO  EAGLES!!!

On Saturday the JV team played in the rain.  Unfortunately another loss. 

In case you were wondering: no, my lens is not dirty in these photos!  The fast shutter speed that I use to freeze the action also froze the raindrops in some of the photos.

We head into Sectional Playoffs after a bye week. 

Coach Mac gets the game ball from Nick Maines

The last regular season home game was full of excitement!  Just before the game the seniors who have contributed to our football Friday nights were honored.  Senior cheerleaders, dance team members, football players, football managers, athletic trainers, marching band and guard members were introduced to the crowd, escorted by their families.  I was fortunate to be able to photograph them.

Then the Eagles played the Bulldogs.  Not much scoring in the first half, but the Coach must have said something inspiring to the team at halftime........ the Eagles dominated the second half, with a final score of 27-3.

After the game the team gathered around Coach McWhorter for a tribute.  Coach was given the game ball, and a plaque in recognition of his many accomplishments at Zionsville High School.   

The shadows lengthen across the football fields and the temperature drops during the games.  The leaves are starting to turn.  The concession stands are selling hot chocolate.  And the season marches on, seemingly to the cadence of the high school band drum line......

We have had some spectacular wins, and some hard fought losses.   The fans are loyal and loud, fueled by school spirit and town pride.  And the players.....the intensity of their focus and effort can almost make you forget that these are our teenage sons!

As a photographer these games pose some interesting challenges with lighting.  The players can be in bright sunlight at the beginning of a play, and move into a deep shadow as the play progresses.  And after the lights are turned on, it becomes clear that no two fields are lit the same way!

On Friday 9/13/13 the Varsity Eagles took on the HSE Royals at home.  The Royals won, despite a strong effort by the Eagles,  with a final score of 21 - 3. 

There were some exciting plays, which brought Eagles fans to their feet in the belief that the tide might just turn......  these included a fumble recovery by Baker, an interception by Conner, and a touchdown (called back for a penalty) by Penola.

Changing flies on a spring creek

I recently returned from an amazing trip with the best group of fishing companions ever!  I was traveling with women I have met through my association with Casting for Recovery.  Casting for Recovery offers weekend retreats that provide fly fishing instruction, medical education, and psychological support to breast cancer patients and survivors.  When I first volunteered for CFR, I thought it sounded like a good idea...but I did not fully grasp the power and magic of fly fishing.  I have come to understand what another volunteer has said: "a lot of healing happens on the water".    The peaceful natural surroundings, the graceful movements of the rod and line, and focus on the fly are (sometimes) punctuated by the excitement of actually catching a fish.  When the beautiful fish are released back into the water, a sense of both awe and accomplishment remains.  As the fish swims away, it is hard not to feel--at least for that moment--that all is right with the universe.

Fish On! We fished in gorgeous locations in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho and made new friends along the way.  As the least experienced angler in the group, I observed my more seasoned companions and guides:  it appears that the wonder of fly fishing does not get old!  I am so incredibly fortunate to have been introduced to this sport by people who have generously shared their knowledge (and flies).  People who have taken me fishing, and experienced sympathetic joy at my success.

It all started with Eagle Fest.  Food, friends and fun to usher in the Friday night season.  It seemed as if all of Zionsville was there! 

As game time approached, the crowd worked it's way across the street into the stadium.  After the Marching Band played the Star Spangled Banner, the band and cheerleaders lined up to welcome the players.  In keeping with tradition, Zionsville Youth Football teams were also brought onto the field to help welcome the Varsity players.  (I remember how exciting this event on the Varsity field was for my son when he played youth football.  I don't, however, remember him ever being that small!)

ZYFL players run onto the field The weather was perfect.  The band and the cheerleaders fueled the energy of the crowd.  And, although it was a low scoring battle, the Zionsville Eagles soared to victory!   The final score was Eagles 14, Lafayette Jefferson High School Bronchos 7.  (Touchdowns by Penola and Maines, with a two point conversion by Hinkle.)Touchdown!

The Junior Varsity team played this morning, away in Lafayette.  Another win, with the Eagles 33 to the Bronchos 12.  (Touchdowns by Mattingly, Hodge, Fisher, Hudson, and Claps).

Today was photo day.  While a professional photographer took the official team photos, I was one of several parent volunteers to take photos for the photo buttons.  This was my first time helping out on photo day, and I was impressed.  We had the players for only a brief period of time, because the teams had to leave right away: the Freshman team headed for a scrimmage and the Varsity team to film review with the coaching staff.  The organizers have this down to a science!  We got all the pictures taken very efficiently. 

These buttons are for the mothers (and grandmothers) of the players, so we encouraged smiles rather than "game faces".  Not all the boys smiled (it is football, after all), but they were all good sports about the photographs and a pleasure to work with.  I was assigned to the freshman and sophomores.  My favorite moment during the morning was when a sophomore player was joined by his senior brother.

I have no brothers, so all of my back-to-school memories are about new clothes and new school supplies.  I still love the potential and promise of new notebooks full of blank paper!

In our family now, we have the added anticipation of a new football season.  New uniforms and helmets hold as much potential for creating heroic stories as blank notebooks.  I am checking my gear and re-adjusting to the rhythm of photographing football.