Let it Ride

The weather here in the Pacific Northwest has been phenomenal!  It's taken until August to get here, but here it is.  80's sometimes reaching the 90's and very few clouds.  Ahhhh  It's like the month we get to venture outside.  Luckily for us with webbed feet, it's extended this year into September.  I don't remember the last time kids were in school and people were at the beach at the same time.

One item on my list of "things I'd like to photograph" over the years has been a horse race.  Why haven't I done this before?  Emerald Downs is located just North of where I live and I've finally just now gotten around to it.   As if shooting horses weren't a challenge as it was, I decided to try my hand at it during an evening set of races.  It was a beautiful day, I just knew it was going to be perfect weather for the evening.  And it was.

Turns out the races in the evening were a challenge photographically.  I knew they had lights, but even with the lighting, it was really hard to get proper exposure.  I had to go full manual and sacrifice some shutter speed and ISO (2000!!) while shooting wide open at 2.8 on my 70-200.  Given the circumstances, I am happy with some of the shots I got.  I can't wait for next racing season to go again!

It got dark fast, but I was able to snap the mountain.  There is no mountain more beautiful than Mt. Rainier!

I loved it when the gate started right in front of us so I could catch them in a pack coming out.  (is it just me or is number 4 checkin' me out?)

This picture was a happy accident.  Horse 5 was in the lead and you can see his odds and pools.  Score!

But in the end, #3 took the purse.

 

Such majestic and beautiful animals.

 

What a fun evening!  And even better, I broke even on my bets.  :)