Jackie and Chris review a poster announcing the first bullfight of the 2004 season in El Puerto..

TV crews arrive and station themselves outside the ring to transmit the action.

The Puerto Bullfighting Ring is one of the best in the area.

Chris and Lena Akerlind wait to purchase tickets.

Trumpets from the presidencia or president's box announce the beginning of the bullfight.

Followed by the procession of the bullfighting team from the puerta de cuadrillas.

Matadors salute the president's box.

Picadores receive the presidencia's acknowledgment..

The specially bred four year old bull weighting about 500 pounds is announced.

Banderilleros begin the process by sticking pairs of lances in the bull's back.

Picadores goad the bull with steel-pointed lances which wound the bull's shoulder muscles.

Then it's time for the matador to tire the bull.

This is accomplished through many attempts ...

... to goad the bull with a red muleta or cape ...

... which is stiffened at one end.

The matador continues to ...

... goad the bull until ...

... it charges the red cape.

The closer the bull, the braver the matador.

The dance continues as ...

... the matador yells, ...

... flashes the red cape to the right, ...

... and flashes the red cape to the left.

Sometimes the bull is tired of the effort.

... which allows the matador ...

... to show his courage by turning his back on the bull ...

... and walking away.

After cutting the dying bull's ears off as a prize for the matador, horses drag the bull from the ring.

The matador then walks the perimeter of the ring to accept gifts of admiration such as roses, books, even purses.

Folks in the stands cheer at the end of the fight, some waving white handkerchiefs to ask that the bull live.