deer

Lightning

Lightning strikes a windmill farm near Ames on Wednesday. Lightning seems much more intense in central and southern Iowa.

airport a.m.

A scene from Saturday’s Honor Flight, which took place at the Mason City Airport.

fattening up

Comets volleyball

Charles City’s 6th-ranked volleyball team swept Clear Lake and Mason City last Thursday.

Clear Lake junior Rea Faber’s shot is blocked by Charles City senior Makaila Schlader in Thursday’s game at Charles City High.

Charles City senior Shelby Lewis sets the ball as Madalyn Forsyth waits in the background during Thursday’s game against Clear Lake at Charles City.

Mason City’s Megan Eckenrod, right, jumps up to block a shot hit by Clear Lake’s Taylor Thenhaus as Mohawk junior Autumn Alitz is there to help the play in Thursday’s game at Charles City.

Charles City senior Madalyn Forsyth, right, celebrates a point with junior Abby Lasher in Thursday’s game against Clear Lake at Charles City High.

Charles City senior Shelby Lewis digs the ball up as junior Meredith Worrall stands by in Thursday’s game against Mason City at Charles City High.

Charles City senior Madalyn Forsyth hits the ball over the net in Thursday’s game against Mason City at Charles City High.

Speed king

Mick Meyers of Mason City secured the 2009 points championship in the hobby stock division at the I-35 speedway with a second place finish last Sunday.

Mason City’s Mick Meyers rounds turn two at the I-35 Speedway in Mason City on Sunday during the final race of the 2009 season.

Lighting the court

This week I shot Lake Mills’ volleyball team at Mason City Newman. It was the first time in my nearly three year photo career that I used Pocket Wizards and a strobe. In fact, I’ve never even seen a strobe up close until Tuesday night.

Lake Mills senior Darcy Nelson, right, celebrates a point with teammates Lindy Pins, left, and Josie Brackey, center, on Tuesday during the Bulldogs’ varsity volleyball match against Mason City Newman at Newman High.

Members of the Lake Mills varsity volleyball team, Darcy Fjelstad (No. 19), Lindy Pins (No. 3) and Jordynn Finer (No. 15) watch the ball sail out of bounds in game three of Tuesday’s match against Mason City Newman at Newman High.

Lake Mills senior Darcy Nelson punches a shot past Mason City Newman sophomore Jessica Balek in Tuesday’s varsity volleyball match at Newman High.

Lake Mills varsity volleyball head coach Jim Boehmer applauds his Bulldogs’ win in three sets on Tuesday over Mason City Newman at Newman High.

Lake Mills sophomore Morgan Fjelstad and her Bulldogs teammates celebrate a point in the second set of Tuesday’s volleyball match against Mason City Newman at Newman High.

Mason City Newman junior Kelly Quade hits tha ball as Lake Mills sophomore Josie Brackey, left, and junior Amanda Lampman await the ball at the net in Tuesday’s game at Newman High.

Lake Mills sophomore Morgan Fjelstad digs the ball up as teammates Jordan Manning (center) and Amanda Lampman (top) help the play in the third set of Tuesday’s match against Mason City Newman at Newman High.

North Iowa football week 2

Prep football action from North Iowa on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. I shot Mason City Newman’s battle with Fort Dodge St. Edmond before heading to Manly for a quarter of Rockford’s win over Central Springs.

Mason City Newman senior Dan Behr leads the Knights through a banner prior to kickoff of Friday’s game against Fort Dodge St. Edmonds at Newman High.

Mason City Newman senior cornerback Andrew Burgmeier, right, catches Saint Edmond junior running back Thomas Kesten in Friday’s game at Newman High.

Rockford junior receiver Chase Riley is hit by Central Springs senior Taylor Hagen in Friday’s game at Manly.

See link below for more images.

Ready for gametime

Clear Lake’s Paxton Farmer, left, runs the ball during practice on Thursday at Clear Lake High. The Lions will host New Hampton tonight.

Rockford’s Scott Paulus practices on defense on Wednesday. Last week Paulus scored four touchdowns, including an interception return, in the Warriors’ win over North Iowa. On Friday they will travel to Central Springs in Manly.

Run, run, run

Russell Scharper, left, and Cole Schwartz of Forest City compete in Tuesday’s cross country meet in Mason City.