Yesterday I went to my first CFL football game of the season thanks to a friend who couldn’t use one of his season tickets. I like to go to a few games each year and the BC Lions are sitting at the top of the league standings and playing well. This was also my first visit to the new and improved BC Place Stadium and since it was a nice day the roof was open.

 
One of the first shots I took once inside. Seats were great.

 

I had my Nikon D800 with me and two lenses: Nikkor 14-24 f/2.8 wide angle and Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 telephoto. Despite a decent reach of 200mm I still had to crop the images of the play. Also, while bright I had to shoot at ISO 400 otherwise shutter speeds were just not fast enough to freeze the action. Here is Tim Brown (35) ready to do his thing.

 

Anthony Calvillo (13) set for the snap and for the toss.

 

 

Paul McCallum (4) field goal.

 

There are always some interesting characters around.

 

Certainly one of the best parts of the game is when the Felions squad takes to the field.

 

This image is just to show the great ability to crop images from the D800. A 100% crop from the full size image.

 

 

 

This guy has a tough job.

 

 

 

Thanks ladies.

 

Always some crazy games for the fans. If it were me I would have ran into the field in that thing, they can keep the t-shirt or whatever you win.

 

Back to football, Sean Whyte (6) punting away the ball as the Alouettes couldn’t get it done.

 

Travis Lulay (14) chased by the pack and making the pass.

 

 

Travis Lulay (14) scramble.

 

Lining up on the 10.

 

Crushing hit, one of the best in the game.

 

The Lions get the TD.

 

Here are a few views of the stadium from the upper deck.

 

 

 

Back to the game, Tim Brown (35) takes another kick.

 

Travis Lulay (14) in action.

 

Another Paul McCallum (4) field goal, I think he missed this one.

 

Souvenir?

 

Attendance at the game was 29,734 and the 50/50 jackpot went up to $34,500. The lucky guy who won it was in my section, high fives all around.

 

As always, some guys decide to start the wave. I’m all for it, but you are supposed to do it when the opposition has the ball. Just an FYI.

 

After some perseverance they did get it going.

 

Tracking it, patience.

 

Pretty happy with themselves.

 

Looking over the images, I noticed a zombie in the crowd. Glad I’m not in that section.

 

Is Khalif Mitchell (96) doing the robot?

 

Lions on the one yard line, not looking good for Montreal.

 

TD, no surprise.

 

And the free throw is good too.

 

A few more shots of the Felions, can’t go wrong.

 

 

Dude, you’re doing it wrong.

 

 

Despite the wide angle lens, I still couldn’t get the whole stadium. Here is a panorama stitched from several images shot with the 14-24 lens.

 

Since there are some BC place photos in the mix, some previous shots I took of the stadium.