Almost a week before the Cave Creek Rodeo the Cave Creek Rodeo parade kicks off rodeo season in the area.  

I like to set up early in front of Big Earl's.   If you come early, you get the best seats.   Plus, I always have a breakfast burrito at Earl's.   It's my tradition.

As usual, a big crowd filled the south side of Cave Creek road as the entries went from west to east.   

The parade concluded around Harold's and the Buffalo Chip.

Next for me is photographing the Friday night Cave Creek Rodeo!   

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from the Cave Creek Rodeo Parade, click HERE

Scottsdale Rodeo 10 March 2024

The Scottsdale Rodeo Sunday edition came as it did the last several years from Westworld, an indoor arena.   If you have ever been to a rodeo, you know there is a lot of pageantry, especially at the start.

Kiana Martinez

Country music recording artist Kiana Martinez sang some original tunes, then sang the National Anthem to get things started.   

And the American flags.

 

And here comes the horse stock!

Eight seconds seems easy but hard to do.

My two favorite events are barrel racings and bull riding and they are traditionally at the end of the rodeo.   

Barrel racing shows off the skills of the lady cowboys.   It's timed, and it costs 5 seconds if they knock over a barrel.   

Bull riding scores are more a judgment.  50% on the skills of the cowboy.  50% on the athleticism of the bull.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from the Scottsdale Rodeo, click HERE

Arizona Renaissance on 3 march 2024

It was a long drive from north Phoenix, but in the end it was worth it.  The renaissance fair was in Gold Canyon, east of Mesa, Arizona.   A taste of Olde England.

One of the first to greet us was the washing wenches.  Very pretty girls, I'm sure you agree!

Another character looks like Zeus to me...  And then there were three drummers.

And a very informative show on glass blowing.

All the shows were fun... especially the fire eater.

Tip... GET THERE EARLY.   Also, buy your tickets online.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from the Renaissance Fair, click HERE

Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show 25 February 2024

I don't believe he had any competition

The yearly Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show was at and around Westworld.   It's a ten day event.  I was only there on the last day.   

High Stepping!

The horses are beautiful and are highly trained.   There is a lot of money involved in the competition.

Once around the arena

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, click HERE

Photographing the other competitors

Legends Rough Stock Series in Cave Creek 24 March 2024

Riders line up to be introduced

The first stop on the Legends Rough Stock Series was Cave Creek Arizona at the memorial arena on 24 February 2024.  "Legends" as in older cowboys, usually 40+ who have won some during their careers.

Even the fans look authentic

This wasn't a complete rodeo.   The focus here was on the big animals... horses and bulls.   

I've photographed many times at the Cave Creek arena.  I usually sit on the top row and capture images with my Canon EOS R6 Mark II and Canon RF 100-400mm lens.

This is a dangerous sport!

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from the Legends Rough Stock Series in Cave Creek, click HERE

Buckeye Arizona Air Fair and Fireworks

Buckeye Arizona, on the far west side of the Phoenix valley, once again hosted the air fair in February 2024.  On this particular day, there was also a fireworks demonstration.

The air fair featured a number of trick and even commedic prop engine aircraft.

One intriguing and exciting feature was a P-51 prop aircraft made famous in World War II along side an A-10 out of Tucson's Davis Monthan Air Force Base.

Following the air show, came the fireworks.   I've seen many fireworks shows.  This one, folks, was the best.   Coming back to the car, we took a golf cart back and shared it with a family from Oregon.  The father said to me the same thing, "best fireworks show ever."

There were common fireworks launches we've all seen, but there was also a night time parachute and fireworks of a lit up plane! Look at the photo below and look to the upper right.  See the plane?

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from the Buckeye Air Fair and Fireworks, click HERE

Wickenburg Parade and Senior Pro Rodeo

One day in February 2024 was a busy day in Wickenburg, Arizona.   In the morning, it was the Gold Rush Days Parade in downtown Wickenburg.   Then, in the afternoon it was action at the Senior Pro Rodeo.

Before the morning parade, we saw trick roper and shooter Will Roberts.   Will is also an actor.  If you can remember seeing Ozympic commercials, you would have seen him doing roping tricks.  He also plays General George Marshall in the movie "Oppenheimer."  

The parade featured local politicians, fancy and old cars, and of course horses, cowboy, and cowgirls.  

For more images from the parade, click HERE

Now, on to the rodeo at the rodeo grounds.  It's the senior pro rodeo.   These feature cowboys and cowgirls up to, believe it or not, 70 years old.  And they are good.

These folks might be legends, but they still have to pay the entry fee.  And losing or not qualifying means they are out that money and need to go to the next rodeo.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from the Wickenburg Gold Rush Days Senior Pro Rodeo, click HERE

Deer Valley Airport 2 February 2024

In a break between storms, I decided to go to the local Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix to capture images. 

 

I thought the backdrop of angry clouds might make some interesting photos.

I photographed small trainer aircraft landing and taking off, along with a few small jets and a helicopter.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from my visit, click HERE

Turf Paradise 29 January 2024

A day many horse racing fans in Arizona didn't think would come.   I thought horse racing at Turf Paradise was finished once last years season ended in May of 2023. 

So it was a happy surprise when the ownership decided to have a shortened season starting 29 January 2024.    

Who knows if Turf Paradise will have an operating track next year.  But for now, horse racing will live on at least until May of 2024.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from my visit, click HERE 

Barrett-Jackson Car Auction 21 January 2024

Arguably the largest and biggest wow factor car auction is the Barrett-Jackson auction held again in Westworld Scottsdale.

Doors opened at 8am so I thought I'd be clever and get there right after opening.   There was already a huge crowd there!  

There were race cars, souped up cars you'd see on the streets, and cars owned by famous people.  There was also exciting and colorful lit signs. 

I used the Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the Canon 14-35mm lens with a circular polarizer.   The CP I used to cut down on the glare.   Westworld was very well lit.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from my visit, click HERE

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park Scottsdale 23 December 2023

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale has lights up for the Christmas season.   

If you like ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo, you will love this railroad park.   They also have model trains running through mini towns, reminding me of my youth when I had a very similar setup.

They also have a little passenger train that takes you through the area that is fun for adults and kids.

Until My Next Adventure,

See you on down the road,

Jim Patterson

For images from my visit, click HERE