Bull Riding

Gathered a little audio the other night at the rodeo. It didn't come out how I hoped, but thought I would share it anyways. Next time I hope to isolate individual sounds more.

Herrmanns' Royal Lipizzan Stallions

A breed of horse saved by General Patton during WWII.

Sad day

I remember reading the editing book by Angus McDougall in a photo editing class a few years ago, just amazed by how much was packed in the pages. It's crazy how much affect he has had directly on photojournalists and indirectly on students who are still walking the halls in Missouri. It'll be interesting to see what the next few decades will bring, but hopefully it's something he would approve.

Angus McDougall, 92.

Geekfest

Thought I'd throw a shout out to a group of people, most of whom I appreciate great feedback when I am lucky to receive it, about photos. I haven't been to this workshop and unfortunately won't be able to go this year, but I hear it's a blast and worth checking out if you can. Two Pulitzer winners, a National Geographic photographer and some great newspaper photographers will be there. Plus I heard there's some party action.

Fair Rodeo

Shot at the rodeo tonight. Thinking about putting together a quick multimedia piece before going to bed tonight. I'll keep ya posted.

Turkey Bath!

I got a call tonight from Marlene who said they made a last minute decision to bathe the turkeys today out at the fairgrounds before tomorrow morning's show. Marlene has opened her home to be the location to hold the turkeys until Thanksgiving and it was great to hear her on the phone making sure I knew about the turkey bath. Despite some excited turkeys, most of them behaved quite well. I wasn't going to post any more until the story was finished at the end of November, but I couldn't resist.

Pageant

A brother and sister won the place of Prince and Princess, individual efforts.

It's almost time for...

The Midland County Fair!

Summer Camp

Stopped off for a quick visit to a local summer camp that overflowed to an elementary school because of the high number of kids enrolled.

Midland Summer Night's Dream

Out again tonight after a little break while I was away on vacation. This is at a park in Midland that overlooks the Dow Chemical plant. Friends drove up here from their homes about 30 minutes away just to enjoy the night.

Turkeys

Here are a few photos from a story I am working on about a local 4H group who are raising and caring for turkeys from now until Thanksgiving, when they will be taken north to an Amish community, cut up and prepped, then donated to a local church for their dinner. I probably won't post anything more on this until it is finished. There are a lot of people involved, so I'm still looking for some focus to the story. But I had a blast photographing today as the group were bringing the turkeys to be tested before the county fair next week. Fun times ahead!

Cash for Clunkers

Hung out at a scrap yard in Saginaw for a few hours today while waiting for some cars to come in and follow them through the process after being traded through the Cash for Clunkers program.

Supporting a Friend

From right, Amanda Niemiec, 14, Miranda Hughes, 14, Tyler Miller, 15, and Christine Mialki, 14, stand on the corner of Main Street and Gordon Street near the courthouse Tuesday afternoon holding posters and yelling at passing cars in support for their friend and one-time Jefferson Middle School schoolmate, Steven J. Pribbernow, 15, who is accused of stabbing and killing a 17-year-old as well as injuring three others.

Cash for Clunkers

Jo Ellen Moore

Today I met Jo Ellen Moore and her family at their farm house in Coleman before they headed to church. Jo Ellen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. In 2006, she learned it spread to her lungs. In 2008, she found a lump on her neck. With increasing financial costs to continue with treatments, her church, the Faith United Methodist Church, will be hosting a benefit dinner and auction on Friday in the hopes of raising money to chip in. The Moore's were great to hang out with and welcomed me into their home, their lives, and to a picnic after church.

I <3 Driving

Driving around on back roads with music blasting is quite possibly one of the most therapeutic things in the world, especially when you run across cool stuff worth stopping for.

Mule Palooza

Today I felt as if I met a true cowboy. While photographing for a story about an area mule rescue and adoption organization, I met this guy who was brought in from Arizona and is well known for his donkey and mule knowledge, handling and training. We were sitting in his trailer out of the rain when I thought it would be a good opportunity to ask him the correct spelling of his name. He said, "Let me get you my card." I didn't think anything of it, but thought it was unusual he was digging in a box that seemed to have a lot of loose things making a noise. He pulled out a knife, popping open a two inch blade. He turned it to me and pointed. "It's got my name, my ranch, website and phone number on it. That's one sharp looking card," he laughed. That was Steve Edwards and he had a pretty cool hat.

Gladwin Carriage Festival

Future Jobs? Time will tell...

Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm greets Dow Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris Friday after her arrival in Midland, Mich., for the announcement following the U.S. Deptartment of Energy $161 million grant towards the Dow Kokam joint venture to develop a new generation of high-power batteries at the Dow Chemical Co. The battery manufacturing facility is set to open in 2011 and is projected to employ 800 workers.

More from vacation

Back from vacation

My girlfriend Laura and I left Midland Michigan about a week and a half ago and headed to probably my most favorite place in the world where I spent, and still spend, summers as a kid and winters skiing and snowboarding with my family. By way of Niagara Falls, we made it to Bethlehem, NH and had an amazing time. Here are some photos I shot along the way at various places.