I spent time on the family farms of two teenagers last week for a story on an upcoming youth livestock exposition. They were both sweet, polite, patient, and just all around great kids. Farm life always seems to churn out good folks. At the second farm high school senior Hunter Grayson took me and a reporter on a tour. We ventured out in the pastures to get a closer look at some heffers when Hunter noticed one named "Reba" was under a shady grove of trees away from the herd. He told us that she might have just given birth. We made our way over to find a slimy, clumsy-legged calf. Hunter moved in to get a closer look and told us that he was a little bull. I asked what he was going to name him. He thought about it a second and then announced that he would call him "Herald" after the Athens Banner-Herald.
Camille Odom, 17, a state officer for 4-H, works with her wether "Carlton" to prepare for the Junior Cattlemen Associtation's "Youth Livestock Exposition" Thursday at her family's sheep farm in Bishop. The Exposition will be held Saturday at Heritage Park.
Camille Odom, 17, a state officer for 4-H, works with her wether "Hampton" with father Keith Odom.
Hunter Grayson, 18, brushes his bull "Cheeky Bull" as he demonstrates what it takes to prepare for the Junior Cattlemen Associtation's Youth Livestock Exposition at his family's cattle farm in Bishop.
Hunter Grayson, 18, walks across his family's cattle farm.
Hunter Grayson, 18, checks on a newborn calf he named "Herald" after the Athens Banner-Herald at his family's cattle farm Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, in Bishop.
Reba cleans her newborn baby calf.
Hunter Grayson, 18, checks on a newborn calf he named "Herald" after the Athens Banner-Herald at his family's cattle farm Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, in Bishop.
I stayed up until 3:30 a.m. yesterday morning making rain gear from a camo poncho for my equipment because the radar said there was a 90% chance of rain Saturday night right during the Georgia/Arizona State game. About an hour before kickoff a downpour started that didn't cease until halftime. The field was soggy. I was soggy. My lenses were foggy from the moisture. I missed pictures I would have gotten if it weren't for the clunky rain gear and fogging. It was not fun. The Bulldogs led 14-3 after the half. The skies gave us some peace in the 3rd quarter as the Sun Devils took a 17-14 lead. Soon Georgia kicker Blair Walsh made things a nice even 17-17. With 6 minutes or so on the clock Georgia QB Joe Cox threw an interception that gave the Sun Devils a chance to mount a possible game-winning drive. They failed to get 6, but had an opportunity to kick in 3. Amazingly the field goal attempt was blocked by Georgia rockstar wide receiver A.J. Green giving the Bulldogs just enough time on the clock to drive down and make a field goal attempt of their own. The game was on the shoulders of kicker Blair Walsh. The pressure didn't get to him as he booted in the 37-yard field goal with time expiring on the clock. Punter/place holder Drew Butler lifted him off the ground and the Walsh frenzy began. It's always nice to see a kicker get a little glory.
Georgia QB Joe Cox walks onto the field before the Bulldogs' 20-17 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils Saturday Sept. 26, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.
Georgia QB Joe Cox pulls back a pass late in the 1st quarter.
Georgia's A.J. Green catches a Joe Cox pass for a touchdown in the 1st quarter.
Georgia's A.J. Green plows into the endzone for a touchdown in the 1st quarter.
Georgia's A.J. Green celebrates his touchdown with Shaun Chapas in the 1st quarter.
Georgia's Darryl Gamble puts pressure on Arizona State QB Danny Sullivan.
Georgia's Rantavious Wooten makes a catch for a 1st down in the 2nd quarter with coverage by Arizona State's Jarrell Holman.
Georgia's Justin Houston sacks Arizona State QB Danny Sullivan late in the 2nd quarter.
Georgia's Bacarri Rambo eyes an interception in the 2nd quarter.
Georgia's Bacarri Rambo celebrates his interception in the 2nd quarter.
Georgia's Justin Houston, right, and Cornelius Washington celebrate Bacarri Rambo's interception.
Georgia's Marcus Dowtin brings down Cameron Marshall in the 2nd half.
Georgia's Michael Moore runs the ball.
Georgia's A.J. Green misses a pass with coverage by Pierre Singfield in the 3rd quarter.
Arizona State's Chris McGaha catches a pass with coverage by Georgia's Sanders Commings.
Georgia Bulldogs celebrate the A.J. Green blocked field goal attempt in the 4th quarter.
Georgia QB Joe Cox scrambles in the 4th quarter.
Georgia's Caleb King is brought down by Keelan Johnson in the final drive of the Bulldogs' 20-17 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils Saturday Sept. 26, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.
Georgia's A.J. Green catches a 36 yard Joe Cox pass with coverage by Pierre Singfield late in the 4th quarter setting up kicker Blair Walsh's game winning field goal.
Georgia kicker Blair boots in the game winning field goal in the Bulldogs' 20-17 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils Saturday Sept. 26, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.
Georgia kicker Blair Walsh is held up by Drew Butler after kicking the game winning field goal.
Georgia kicker Blair Walsh is held up by teammates after kicking the game winning field goal.
Georgia kicker Blair Walsh, center, and teammates celebrate the Bulldogs' 20-17 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils Saturday Sept. 26, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.
Georgia kicker Blair Walsh, center, celebrates with his team after kicking the game winning field goal in the Bulldogs' 20-17 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils Saturday Sept. 26, 2009, at Sanford Stadium.
The Friday nights of well lit first quarters are over now that it is getting darker earlier. I had to bump by ISO to 3200 within the first few plays of the Athens Academy Spartans' 35-7 win over the Prince Avenue Christian Wolverines. What I wouldn't give to shoot day time high school football! Things are much better now that I have D300 compared to the D2x. Images with the D2x start to look really grainy at any ISO above 800. It is so dark at most high school stadiums that using a flash was just about the only way to get anything at all. I'm not a fan of the direct flash look. I think if done right they can look okay, but when the kids look like demons running down field with glowing red eyes there just isn't much you can do about it. With the D300 I can shoot at up to 3200 ISO and the pics are usable. Those Friday night lights just ain't so bright.
The Athens Academy Spartans storms the field as cheerleaders cheer them on before the Spartans' 35-7 win over Prince Avenue Christian Friday Sept. 25, 2009, at Slaughter Field in Athens.
The Athens Academy Spartans make the "Spartans "Walk."
Prince Avenue Christian's Felipe Howell tries to dodge a tackle by Athens Academy's Patrick Wellborn in the first half.
Prince Avenue Christian's Bobo Marshall is taken down by Athens Academy's Ben Glauser in the first half.
Prince Avenue Christian's William McNeely breaks away for a touchdown early in the first quarter.
Prince Avenue Christian's William McNeely breaks away for a touchdown early in the first quarter.
Prince Avenue Christian's William McNeely celebrates a touchdown.
Athens Academy's Chandler Gunn is taken down by Prince Avenue Christian's Bobo Marshall in the first half.
Athens Academy's Jordan Lawson catches a touchdown pass in the first quarter.
Prince Avenue Christian QB Jones Farriba scrambles as Athens Academy's Timmy McPhillips chases him down in the second quarter.
Athens Academy QB Mark Sanders pulls back a pass.
Athens Academy's Patrick Wellborn catches a Mark Sanders pass for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Prince Avenue Christian's William McNeely runs the ball in the 2nd quarter.
Athens Academy' s Henry Terrell runs the ball in the Spartans' 35-7 win over Prince Avenue Christian Friday Sept. 25, 2009, at Slaughter Field in Athens.
Athens Academy' s Henry Terrell runs the ball in the 2nd quarter.
Prince Avenue Christian's Felipe Howell bobbles a pass on 4th down late in the second quarter.
Prince Avenue Christian punter Mark Zeagler runs the ball in the first half of the Wolverines' 35-7 loss to the Athens Academy Spartans Friday Sept. 25, 2009, at Slaughter Field in Athens.
Did you know this week was Constitution Week? Neither did I until I shot a ceremony to celebrate it highlighted by the ringing of the famous University of Georgia chapel bell.A troop of girl scouts were first to do the ceremonial ringing which was just hilarious as the bell was a bit much for them.It took the whole group plus finally the aide of a couple JROTC members to get the thing ringing. Then a little boy decided he was going to tackle the bell by himself. He ran up to it but the rope sent him swinging. He ran back to his mom crying and hid behind her legs. I of course found this hysterical too much so to actually get a picture of it. Sometimes you have to put the camera down a minute just to laugh.
Mike Tomme of Sons of the American Revolution peeks out the door before a ceremony to celebrate Constitution Week Thursday Sept. 17, 2009, at The University of Georgia Chapel on campus.
Members of the Elijah Chapter Daughters of the American lead the pledge during a ceremony to celebrate Constitution Week.
The Sons of the American Revolution carry the flags during the ringing of the Chapel Bell ceremony to mark Constitution Week.
Members from Girl Scout Troop 12066 ring the Chapel Bell as part of a ceremony to mark Constitution Week.
Cadet Captain Charles Rowell rings the bell.
Clare Newcomer of the Elijah Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and husband Charlie A. Newcomer of the Athens Sons of the American Revolution ring the Chapel bell during a ceremony to mark Constitution Week Thursday Sept. 17, 2009, at The University of Georgia Chapel on campus.
I am a freelance photojournalist in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Previously I was a staff photographer for the Athens Banner-Herald in Athens, Ga. and the Times-Georgian in Carrollton, Ga.
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