Cave Creek Rodeo Sunday 25 March 2018

 One of the finest small PRCA sanctioned rodeos in North America is the Cave Creek Rodeo in Arizona.  I was again there taking photos, this time from the Stockman's Club.

This rodeo might be the most fan friendly and camera friendly rodeo in all of North America.  Sadly, so many of the rodeos and other events as well are limiting "professional" cameras, or cameras that have detachable lenses.  I think they want to stop people from bringing in oversized 150-160mm lenses that looks more like weapons.  I still don't like it.  And the other trend is to require clear plastic bags.  I have no idea how much longer the Cave Creek Rodeo will be so fan and photographer friendly, but I'm enjoying it while it lasts. 

Rodeos have bareback riding, roping, clowns, barrel racing, and of course the headliner is always bull riding.  Eight seconds of hell, if a cowboy lasts that long.  My second favorite event is the ladies barrel racing. 

Until My Next Adventure,

See You On Down the Road!

Jim Patterson

… and all the photos!

Parada Del Sol Scottsdale Rodeo 11 March 2018

Sunday in the middle of March is time for the Parada Del Sol or Scottsdale Rodeo.  And once again, Westworld was host.  It’s an indoor arena with tricky lighting.  

I brought my second camera, the Canon G3x.  I got some wind from the rodeo people that they might stop me from bringing in my full size Canon 5D Mark IV.  Security could care less what I brought in.  What that ended up meaning was photos with higher grain.  Plus the G3x is a slower camera.  

Patriotism is a big part of rodeos.  That's good.  I love it.  

Bareback riding...

The ladies compete in barrel racing...

And the final event in every rodeo is eight seconds of hell, or bull riding.  

I also photographed steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, and tie down roping.  Mark Swingler was the rodeo clown. And, we were also entertained by Whiplash The Cowboy Monkey.  

Given the limitations of an indoor arena for lighting and the limitations of the camera I used, I took more time in post processing, but I still got a decent number of photos.  

Until My Next Adventure,

(Cave Creek Rodeo!)

See You On Down the Road!

Jim Patterson

… and all the photos!

A Lazy Day at the Races

I spent part of Monday, the 12th of March, as the race track.  In Phoenix, that means Turf Paradise.  It was a warm day in the 80s andI had a camera.

I ran into a nice fellow who told me how scientific he bets.  I told him I look for a name, a sort of commandment from God, as a guide.  For instance, if a horse is named “Wildcat Jim” then he gets $2 to win.   The other method I use is to look at the last serial number on a dollar bill.  On this day, it was 2.  So I put $2 on the 2 horse.  Guess what?  The two horse won!  I got $16.80, enough to pay for a beer and a few hot dogs.  

I used a Canon 5d Mark IV and Tamron’s wonderful 28-300mm lens on my short visit.

Until My Next Adventure,

(Cave Creek Rodeo!)

See You On Down the Road!

Jim Patterson

… and all the photos!

Neal McCoy in Wickenburg Arizona

A few years ago I saw Neal McCoy at Country Thunder.  I was so impressed.  He had a string of hits in the 90s so I knew his songs.  But he is also funny and did I say talented?

So we went to Wickenburg, Arizona on 4 March 2018 to see him.  I had never driven to Wickenburg, a town about an hour northwest of me.  It’s close enough to Phoenix and yet far enough away to keep it’s western ways.  

Neal and his band performed in the lovely Del Webb Center for Performing Arts on the campus of Wickenburg High School.  Marvelous facility!  As a side note, I bought a beer there for TWO DOLLARS.  

Neal has also done many USO shows for soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, and coasties.  

He sang his hits, but also sang old standards from the likes of Frank Sinatra, showing off his multi-talented skills.  Along with that, he sang the theme song of the Beverly Hillbillies television show RAP STYLE!  

During one song he notice there was an empty seat in the front row.  He stopped the show and asked the gentleman there why the seat was empty.  He said his wife.. was tired.  So Neal said “call her up and give me the phone.”  And he had a nice chat with her on the phone during the set!  It was hilarious.  

Neal's currently popular song is his reaction to NFL players taking a knee during the national anthem called "Take a Knee Kiss My Ass."  He got a standing ovation for that and I have the tee shirt!

I know Neal will be at Country Thunder Arizona coming up in April.  If you get a chance, go see him.  You will love it!   

Until My Next Adventure,

(The Parada del Sol Rodeo in Scottsdale!)

See You On Down the Road!

Jim Patterson

… and all the photos!