I’ve always wondered what it would be like to attend a rodeo, and I got my chance. We recently visited our friends in Tuolumne and went to the 66th Annual Mother Lode Round Up Rodeo. Held at the Sonora County Fairgrounds, in the country, it was as I expected.
Attendees dressed as cowgirls and cowboys–even the children! Food and souvenir venders selling overpriced goods. We had $5.00 snow cones, which I thought were reasonable. Others found seats carrying fried potatoes that we thought were fried in a basket and dumped on a paper plate, retaining their shape.
But we were there to see the action–and we saw plenty of it. I’m hoping the cowboys ran to their chiropractors right after the rodeo ended. I can’t believe how tossed around their bodies were and the pounding they took. I came home with more than 800 pictures. I’m still going through them, but here are some pictures of the bull riders. All I can say is wow!
I’ll be showing you more as I get them edited–slowly but surely!
Slow Shutter Speed 
Wow! You had prime seats, Anne. These are amazing shots. I need to go to the Austin rodeo when the time comes.
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Thanks Egidio! Actually, I didn’t have good seats, and only had a 300 mm max lens. Thank goodness for Topaz! Most of my shots were good enough for Topaz to sharpen. Any thing closer had a fence in front. I’ll be posting some of those in the future.
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I have been watching the PBR and I often barrack for the bull. Man Hater and Fast Flow are my favourite bulls. Snuggles and Electric Kitty make me smile
Brady Fielder, an Aussie was on top of the world championship until last week. The rest of the riders are American or Brazilian
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I was thinking that for the bull to jump like that, it must be in some sort of pain or have been agitated. Or is that the bull’s normal disposition?
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Agitated plus they are trained as well to get whatever it is off their backs.
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what skill and grit
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Absolutely! Also a bit crazy??
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yes – not for everyone
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Rodeos look like a great subject for photos, I’ve never been to one, I’m not sure about them, but I enjoyed seeing your photos.
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Thanks Leanne! There were other events and as I edit, I’ll be posting.
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Wow! Wonderful photos so far, Anne! You have your work cut out for you with over 800 photos!📷😎
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Thanks Donna! I was shooting on continuous shutter and that’s how I got 800+ photos. The real task is figuring out which are the best shots without going through them all.
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Anne, you captured the action of the bull riders perfectly! I can feel the riders’ pain. I still remember how much fun we had at a rodeo in San Antonio many years ago. So glad you got to attend one.
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Me too Beth!
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I’m not sure how I feel about rodeos from the animals’ perspective but I have to say you’ve captured the action very well indeed 🙂
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Thanks Sarah! I was thinking about the animals also Sarah. I’m hoping they are treated well in between rodeos.
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Amazing action shots. Looks like you were right at the edge of the action
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Thanks I. J.! We weren’t at the edge of the action. In fact these were across the field where I didn’t fight the fence. They were very protective of the audience and didn’t let us get close. I was using my Tamron 18-300mm. Thank goodness for Topaz!!
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Sounds like so much fun! 😁
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Thanks Pepper. It was fun. But I was left wondering: Why do they do it? What is the impact on their bodies? And what about the animals?
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Very good questions! Definitely not something that I would try.
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I’ve never been to the rodeo either Anne. I’m glad you had fun and like you, I wonder how they’re bodies handle all the bucking and tossing.
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I feel the same about boxing. Why get in a ring just to hit someone???
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LOL. Maybe they love pain?
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Fantastic action shots!
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Thanks Nora!
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How exciting! Great photos, Anne! Hubby and I watched a couple of times, but not recently.
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Wonderful pics of the rodeo action, Anne! I also get a kick out of people watching. Rodeo season begins in Spokane. Hope to attend one again. I love watching the barrel races.
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Thanks Terri! I haven’t gotten to edit the barrel races yet. As I said, more to come.
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