Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - Southwick's Zoo, Mendon, Ma

Inspired by my photog' friend Mary Schwalm's (http://www.maryschwalm.com/) zoo photographs posted on facebook a couple of weeks ago, I decided I wanted to spend a day at a local zoo shooting. Not having been to a zoo since I was a kid (that I can remember), and having no idea what we had around here, I did some research online and read that the Southwick's Zoo in Mendon Mass (neither of which I had heard of) was the best reviewed zoo in New England. Yesterday was a decent day, so I grabbed my D3 and 70-200 and headed down 495, and wandered around the zoo for 4 good hours. I enjoyed the zoo for the most part. They have a good variety of subjects. The only bummer was the male lion was napping each time I strolled by, though I can't blame him, it was a good lazy day! Here are five shots that caught my eye upon first inspection of the nearly 650 images I shot. I hope to have a gallery up soon, and will include the link here soon. Enjoy!

Lake Potanipo, Monday, September 28, 2009.

So, late this afternoon, I decided to venture out to Mason, NH. I had a couple of hours to kill before meeting up with an old friend and his family in Milford. When I left Nashua, the sky was blue and sun was bright, but by the time I got there (20 minutes or so), it was overcast. I saw this cool little lighthouse and small waterfall alongside Lake Potanipo. I brought out the ol' Tripod and put together this HDR image. I had to wait for the ducks (geese?) to clear out first, but they were happy to pose for a few shots before taking off....

UNH Women's Hockey exhibition vs. Durham Jr. Lightning, Saturday, September 26, 2009

Following the UNH/Dartmouth football game, I ventured in to my home-away-from-home to catch the first hockey action of the season. UNH women's hockey hosted the Durham Jr. Lightning, a team of high schoolers from Canada. The 'cats squeaked by the Lightning 13-0 outshooting their visitors 62-4. Though the game didn't prove much of a test, seeing many new faces on the ice, along with a full bench was welcome. It will take some getitng used to having different skaters wearing the sweaters of last year's seniors, thats for sure. Here are a few quick shots. A full gallery should be available Sunday. Enjoy.

UNH Football vs. Dartmouth, Saturday, October 26, 2009

Another beautiful day to be outside shooting. I covered UNH/Dartmouth football for AP this afternoon and after a close first half (20-14), the Wildcats pulled ahead in the second half and put it away for a 44-14 final score in the final match in the lopsided intrastate rivalry against the Big Green.

Sprint Cup Race at NHMS in Loudon, Sunday, September 20

Sunday afternoon, I shot the NASCAR Sprint Cup Chase for the Championship opening race at NHMS in Loudon for AP. This was the third time I had shot at the track, and first time on the outside. My spot outside of turn 2 provided a great view, though the sun and clear day proved a tricky balance of light and shadow, especially as the race progressed. I included a couple of my better shots, led by race winner Mark Martin (5) edging out a few competitors on one of the final laps.

Sunday afternoon

Wandering around Fort Stark, Saturday, September 20, 2009

Saturday afternoon, prior to my friends Allan and Tanner's beautiful wedding in New Castle, I had some time to kill, so I wandered around Fort Stark, which is on the island. New Castle island is one of my favorite little places to drive around in the area, and I hadn't been out to the fort in a long time, so here's what I saw...

Friends of UNH Hockey Face-Off Feed: Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, September 19, 2009

Saturday morning, the Friends of UNH Hockey hosted their annual Face Off Feed, where fans can meet the team, and are introduced to the freshmen for the first time. This year, the Friends of Hockey decided to have a pancake breakfast, a twist from the barbecue that they have hosted. Along with the breakfast, fans were treated to a tour of the Whittemore Center, led by members of the board of directors and seniors from the team.

Toy Drive - Union Leader, Manchester, Sunday, Sept 13, 2009

Today, I had a quick shoot which was conveniently located in the parking lot of the paper. Each year, many (sometimes thousands, like today, as it was a beautiful day) bikers participate in a Salvation Army Toy Run, in which they ride from the DMV in Concord, down Rt 3 to the Union Leader in Manchester. Here are a few snaps from the event, which reminded me a lot of my dad. I know he would have been a part of this, if he were up here, and I'm sure he participated in many of these in North Carolina...

Exeter vs. Spaulding High School Football, Saturday September 12, 2009

A little high school football in the rain today. Shot Exeter hosting Spaulding in Division II action. The Blue Hawks led 26-0 at halftime (it was only 5-0 after 1). Here are a few quick shots.

Manchester City Golf Championship - Monday Sept 7, 2009

Monday evening, my only assignment was to catch the end of the Manchester City Golf championship final round. I was allotted 4-5pm which ended up being pretty much perfect, as I got to the Derryfield Country Club in time for the final group, including the champion, Justin Nutter, a JUNIOR at Bedford HIGH SCHOOL to putt on the 17th. Nutter won by 9 strokes, I believe, so the ending was rather anti climactic, but all-in-all, a beautiful day and weekend for the tournament, and here are a few shots that I snagged in my short time on the course. The first photo is Justin's father Al presenting him with the championship trophy. The second is Justin waving to the crowd after sinking his final putt. The rest include a bunker shot from Adam Weeks, also a student at Bedford High School, Ray Badger, the third of their grouping looking on, and Nutter sinking a birdie putt on the 17th hole.