Hearts race and pulses quicken as the teams head into the starting chute, the breath of the anxious dogs filling the air with steamy blasts. Then, as the sun rises over the frozen heaves of Lake Superior, the signal is given and they’re off in a blurred fury of brilliant colors and snow, charging ahead into the raw wilderness to the encouraging calls of their mushers. Which team has what it takes to brave the icy challenges that lay ahead? Who will be crowned this year’s champion?
Source: bayfield.org
Another first this last weekend – sled dog racing. Cyndie and I joined our friends in Bayfield, WI for the 20th Annual Apostle Island Sled Dog Race. I must profess that the whole scene is pretty exhilarating. There was a palpable excitement in every sled dog preparing for the race. Some sat quietly waiting, but only for a moment before their passion-filled song and dance moved them once again. They are a vocal and energetic lot. They returned to the finish line a bit more subdued.
Watching the teams race out of the chute was fun. Photographing them was challenging as they raced toward you through the crowd that had gathered. Each musher had their own phrase to encourage their dogs on.
There were two main races: a 10-dog, 80-mile race and a 6 dog, 60-mile race. There’s also a 40-mile Sportsmen’s Race, a 6 to 8-mile Family Race and a 6 to 8-mile Youth Race (16 and under). Half the distance was completed each day. You can see the course of each race on the map.
You can see it in every dog… the drive and determination radiating from their eyes.
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Incredible images that tell the entire story. You’ve captured the anticipation, the competition, the energy, the movement, etc.
You really ought to sell some of these photos to the Bayfield tourism folks. Excellent work, Dan.
Thanks. It was a fun weekend.
Wow! Great photos Dan! I love the colors… but the biggest draw is the exuberance and delight of expression from the dogs.
For sure. It was entertaining looking through all of the shots.
Nice work Dan! You captured the radiant effort and energy those beautiful dogs share to pull the sled. They look so happy and enthusiastic! Your pictures convey the action very well! 🙂
thank you.
Well seen Dan… that last shot with the wagging tongue… perfect.
Oh this looks so fun! Thanks for sharing!
It was fun. Lots of excitement and character to capture there.
Dan: Thanks for the like on my Snow covered Squirrel Feeder. Sled Dog Races have always amazed me … such endurance. Great Images!
What an great post; you captured the drive we seen not only in the dogs, but in the mushers themselves! This was truly one amazing experience… Well done!
Thank you honey.
the sled dogs are fantastic. We have some in a little village called Naseby down in Central Otago – love seeing them pulling the sleds, totally in their element.
Great pics, and yes, you can see the dogs are having a blast.