DockDogs in Deadwood!

On Friday, June 18, the National DockDogs competition came to Deadwood during Wild Bill Days.  The timing couldn't have been better, as I received my last dose of chemotherapy on Thursday and the day after chemo I always feel great, so I grabbed my camera and headed to Deadwood for this fantastic opportunity!  I love watching DockDogs on TV, and was familiar with the format of the events, but I had never had the opportunity to see these incredibly athletic dogs perform live!  I cannot say enough about the atmosphere of this event! Between the event presenters, Royal Canin, and the dog owners and handlers, they make sure to make everyone feel completely welcome. It was terrific to see the locals with novice dogs who were making their first jump getting advice and support from the seasoned pros!  I was also given plenty of advice and tips as to what kind of photos the owners like to see, the best places to stand around the pool, etc., all of which were immensely appreciated!

Phog takes a leap in the DockDogs Big Air!

Needing a little guidance on his first effort!

David with Jet discussing their strategy for the Extreme Vertical!

Stacy showing Bo where to jump for the Extreme Vertical, 

but he has it all figured out!

Jet, a Belgian malinois, shows some focus in the Extreme Vertical!

Jet, with handler Dave Smith of Sit Means Sit Dog Training, swept the competition of the day, 

winning the Big Air, the Extreme Vertical, and the Fan Favorite!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make it back to Deadwood on Saturday due to the chemo effects setting in, but I had a great time on Friday watching these dogs  and their handlers have so much fun at this event!  If anyone missed this opportunity to see these dogs in action, they will be competing at the Laramie County Fair on August 7th & 8th in Cheyenne, Wyoming, a great time for a road trip! 

The complete gallery of images from Friday's competition can be viewed and purchased at Thompson Photography ~ Events.

Storm Chasing in Hot Springs, South Dakota

Wednesday, June 16, was a day of extremely active weather in the Northern Hills area.  My good friend, Kristi, was at a welding class in Hot Springs, and since there was some storm activity building up that direction, I decided to head that way and pick her up after class so we could go see if we could find some lightning or clouds to photograph.  With the Doppler showing two very active storms in our area, we found some great clouds, got hail on my new car, and even ran into Reed Timmer and the Dominator!

It was a great evening of storm chasing and we saw a lot of beautiful country!  These images and many others of South Dakota weather can be viewed and purchased in my Weather Gallery at Thompson Photography.

Spearfish Post 164 Legion Baseball

I FINALLY made it to a ball game! All spring I have been getting more and more bummed because on the days it was raining, I would feel good and the games would be postponed, and the days directly after my chemo when I felt horrible, it would be nice out and I wouldn't feel up to shooting the games.  Everything finally came together, and on Wednesday night, June 7, at 5:30 Spearfish hosted Belle Fourche for a double header.  It was wonderful to make it back out to a baseball game!

Images from the 5:30 game can be viewed and purchased at Thompson Photography - ALB Baseball.  After this game I headed over to the Pope and Talbot Youth Sports Complex for an 8:00 PM Majors game between SP1 and SP4.  More images from this game can be viewed at Thompson Photography - Majors Baseball.