Friday, September 23, 2011

Come Closer, I Won't Bite


Come Closer, I Won't Bite
Originally uploaded by *Bundy*
I was driving on my way to my parents trailer for supper last night when I spotted this sucker slowly inching across the road.

Where he was coming from I have no idea but his destination was the marsh. At the rate he was going, he still had a lengthy trip ahead of him.

I pulled my car over to the side of the road and grabbed my camera. Several other cars slowed down to have a look and a few other folks got out and joined me for a look and this prehistoric looking fella.

This was one of the many images I captured of this snapping turtle. They're a fairly common site around these parts but I'd never actually stopped to photograph one. Usually I'm just trying to avoid hitting them and doing damage to the bottom of my car.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

And Boom Goes The Dynamite

I had a quality sports moment last night. They don't happen nearly as often as they used to for me.

Wednesday night is my usual golf night. Normally in the summer it's Men's League but that came to an end for this year a few weeks back.

I debated whether or not to go as the weather was not looking good. Rain was on the way but I figured I'd take a chance we'd get the round in.

We were playing a best ball scramble with about 16 guys or so. My foursome included Jim Conley, Dave Reid and Tom St.Denis. We started on hole one and we parred it. My tee shot wasn't horrible but we didn't use it.

Next we moved over to the second tee and waited for the group ahead of us to putt out and vacate the green. Dave had the first crack at it and didn't give us much to work with.

Nobody else wanted to go next so I walked over and tee'd my ball up. I went through my usual pre-shot routine tugging on the shoulders of my shirt and adjusting my hat. I never take a practice swing on tee shots.

I settled the club in behind my Calaway Diablo ball and quickly started my back swing. I was using a nine iron for a bit more distance as I've been getting a lot of loft on my tee shots this year.

Down my club came with full force as I contacted the ball sweetly in the centre of the club face. As expected it was launched on a lofty flight and a good trajectory towards not only the green but the pin as well.

I bent over to pick up my tee and lost site of the ball momentarily. The guys liked what they saw as the ball fell towards the earth and I stood up and located the ball just before it contacted the green about two feet right of the hole.

The ball took a short hop left and then began to roll gently toward the cup. I stood there in disbelief as I watched the ball disappear into the jar.

The guys let out a roar and I'm sure I was grinning from ear to ear as they gave me high-fives in celebration. Tom and Jim didn't even bother teeing off.

After taking the trip to the green, I made my way across the dance floor and using my divot tool I fixed my ball mark. I then gazed into the cup and spotted my Calaway resting comfortably in the bottom of the hole.

I reached in and pulled it out and safely tucked the ball away. I was done using that ball forever. I will eventually be given a plaque to commemorate the occasion and will affix the ball to it for a keepsake.

This was my second ever ace and although the first one was special, this one made me happier as I was able to witness the ball going into the cup. My first ace came on an elevated green and it wasn't until I got to the green and couldn't find my ball that we checked the hole.

It was one of those moments all golfers dream of and I enjoyed every minute of it. I just hope it isn't another eight years until I get my next one.