He Saw, She Saw--On My Birthday

Thanks for all of the birthday wishes--cards, emails, Facebook, calls. It was a great day.

I haven't been to a rodeo for years (grew up attending the TF County Fair and Rodeo, and I've really missed it). When I heard that the Payson rodeo was on my birthday, I knew exactly what I was going to ask for.

Mmmm. Cheesesteak. Mmmmm. Lemonade. Mmmmm. Funnel cake. Mmmmmm.

And I got to wear my favorite boots. If you can't wear your boots to a rodeo, what good are they, anyway?

These pictures tell both sides of the story--what I saw through my lens, and what I looked like as I took the photos, thanks to Brad.

What he saw

What I saw

It must get boring waiting at the rodeo. It also must be cool as a kid to sit on the chute fence.

What he saw

What I saw

It was the most perfect night ever. Clear and not hot. A light breeze. No bugs and gorgeous light.

What he saw

What I saw

I always love it when they ride the flags around the arena.

And this one's my favorite. What he saw

What I saw

My next goal as a photographer is to learn how to capture better moving pictures when the light is low. Here are a few from the saddle bronc riding.

 All four feet off the ground at once, and that cowboy stays put. Love it.

 If you've never been on a horse when it's bucking, you have no idea how hard it is to stay in your saddle. They make it look so easy.

And the finale--the bulls.

 The cowboys in the arena act all cool in their Wranglers and Stetsons, but when that bull gets close, they climb fast.

We spent the night at the cabin, took a hike Saturday morning, gorged ourselves on these . . .

. . . and headed home. It was the most perfect birthday ever.