Diamond Dawgs Double Header, Almost

The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs had a double header on Sunday. Despite the forecast for hot and humid, I decided to attend the games. I was looking forward to shooting some baseball action shots with enough light to have a fast shutter speed. Here are a few of the action shots at the bases. And for the "almost" part, the second game was called after torrential rain and lightning. Too bad, because the Diamond Dawgs were leading, and the temperature had dropped substantially.

Birds and Baseball

The birding season is winding down at Gatorland, but someone forgot to tell the birds. The great white egrets are building their second nests of the year. It also looked like the cormorants were nesting for a second time. The tricolored fledglings are just about gone and only some cattle egret fledglings are left. I went out on Saturday to practice some flight photography. It is still a challenge but getting better.

Coming in for a landing

Wood storks flying in formation

Great Whites in Conversation

 The Winter Park Dawgs, part of the Florida Collegiate League had a Sunday afternoon game. My plan was to take photos with lots of light so the shutter speed wouldn't be a problem. I only got to take a few photos since the game was called after a few innings due to severe thunderstorms. Trying to stay out of the rain, I moved back in the stands but shooting through the netting doesn't work unless you are fairly close to it. Maybe next weekend it will not rain and I can try again. I am really getting hooked on these baseball games.

Pitcher for the Winter Park Dawgs

Pitcher for the Deland Suns

Summer Evening at the Ball Field

It was a beautiful summer evening with no chance of rain. Before the sun set, the temperature was a little warm but a breeze made it  comfortable. After the sun set it couldn't have been better. This was my first experience shooting baseball and I wasn't sure what the obstacles would be. We were able to sit in the chairs up close, but there is netting protecting the spectators from stray balls. I was able to mostly eliminate the netting by focusing past it. Another challenge was getting enough speed with limited light to stop the action. I raise the ISO up to 800 but still didn't have a fast enough speed so there was some blur especially the bat action. But, all in all, it was a fun experience and I hope to return and shoot some more.

Field at Rollins College in Winter Park

Orlando Freedom vs. The Winter Park Diamond Dawgs

Orlando Freedom Pitcher  Josh Strong

Orlando Freedom Lee Dunnam

Whose Keeping Score!