Iowa Photo: Nature on the soccer field

Liz Martin Gazette Visuals

Jun. 9, 2021 8:30 am

A robin hops across the field during the second half of the 3A championship game Saturday, June 5, at the boys’ state soccer tournament at Cownie Soccer Park in Des Moines. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)

The boys’ state soccer tournament can be one of our most intense coverage weeks. I’m often covering multiple concurrent games, giving each just 20 minutes before moving on to the next. Championship day is the culmination of a season of hard work for the athletes, and a day to catch my breath photographically. Birds are often drawn to the fields, which are still damp from deep watering, and I found myself tracking this robin during an injury timeout, waiting for it to cross the white line for the context of nature on the soccer field.

Cedar Rapids Xavier celebrates its 2-0 win over Bondurant-Farrar in the 2A championship game at the boys’ state soccer tournament Saturday, June 5, at Cownie Soccer Park in Des Moines. (Liz Martin/The Gazette)