Newborn Calf

For a brief moment Saturday afternoon the rain stopped. Feeling stir crazy with cabin fever Jain and I took advantage of the break in the weather to tour the valley for any photographic opportunities.

While driving by a group of cows, Jain spotted a newborn buried in hay.

Photos take with a Canon 40D.

Steam engine boiler and crane at the Roots of Motor Power open house September 12th.

Steam Engine

Roots of Motor Power in Willits staged an open house September 11th & 12th. This steam engine was one of the engines on display Sunday.

Photo taken with an EOS Canon 40D, focal length 17mm. Exposure 1/250 s. f/2.7, ISO 200.

On the Eel

Sun-rays gently beating down
grasses swaying in the breeze
cool clear water
darting fish flashing rainbow colors
butterflies fluttering
bees buzzing
lizards doing push-ups on the rocks
all part of the experience of the Eel River









This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 40D north east of Willits, CA in Mendocino County. Exposure 1/200 s at f/10. ISO 100. Focal length 28 mm.

Safety at the Carnival

Ring of Fire, assembled by a master mechanic.

The carnival run by family company Johnston Amusements arrives every year like clockwork the week preceding the rodeo. Like modern day gypsies, the carnies move from town to town six months out of the year, setting up and taking down enormous rides with skill. Gordon Johnston proudly asserts that his company has the safest record in California, eight years without an incident. I believe this, for I have watched and documented his workers for the past two years transform misc. parts into magnificent rides rising above the trees. To watch, you have to have a lot of time and patience. Hurry up and wait sums up the experience. Like a giant transformer emerging from a sleep, each piece is unfolded from its cramped position, workers inspect and grease every joint and movable part. Smaller parts are unpacked, inspected and attached to the ride.

I have never seen people who work as hard as the carnies do. One young man told me, I make a decent paycheck, and I have a job in this economy.

Johnston Amusements will return to Mendocino County in the fall at the Mendocino County Fair in Booneville.

Photo taken with a Canon EOS 40D.

Willits Frontier Days part 5, Carnival

Three Sunglasses

The carnival experience is not complete unless you share it with friends.

This photo taken with a Canon 40D, with 16mm-135mm lens. Accidentally stripped my Exif data.

Willits Frontier Days part 4, Carnival

Ferris Wheel

"Round and round and up and down" said my young friend as we slowly rose into the air on the ferris wheel. Fourth of July in Willits is not complete without a visit to the carnival. The bright lights are a photographers delight.


This photo was taken with a Canon EOS 40D on a tripod, Exposure 0.3 s at f/5. ISO 100. focal length 82mm.

Willits Frontier Days part 3, Street Dance

Daaance Paaarty!

Here in Willits, California we really know how to have a good time. After the evening rodeo, the spectators mosey over to the stage area for a dance. The band, SK2, has the brilliant Flying Eagle ferris wheel and the rest of Johnston Amusements rides as a backdrop. The community at large comes out for a good time and great music. There are sodas and water for the kids and non-drinkers in one corner, and if you had your hand stamped at the gate, you can purchase a cold beer in the other corner. The dance is where you can hang with old friends, make some new ones, and run into neighbors and elected officials. Hey, its a small town. If you don't know someone, stick out your hand and say, "Hi!" Ten to one, you will have some mutual friends.

If you were at the dance, did you have a good time? Can you find yourself? Steve M. I see you.

This photo was taken from the roof of the beer truck on July 3rd at 11:45 PM with a Canon EOS 40D. I had an off camera flash that I popped to give some light to the foreground. Exposure 1/30s at f/3.5 on a tripod. ISO 800. Focal length 44mm.

Willits Frontier Days Part 2

Willits Frontier Days Rodeo was the Fourth of July weekend. The rodeo runs during the Fourth of July every year.

Rodeo. It dwells deep in psyche of the cowboy, young boys grow up watching their big brothers, fathers, uncles, cousins, neighbors, and wish to emulate them in the ring.

In small towns across the West, the rodeo is a family affair. Small boys often get their start riding sheep. They move up to calves. By the time they are old enough to join the California High School Rodeo Association (CHSRA), they will graduate to bulls.

These two adorable boys took turns being the bull between events.

For more information: CHRSA , Willits Frontier Days

These photos were taken with a Canon EOS 40D, flash. Exposure 1/60s at f/4. ISO 400. Focal length 68mm "Boys on Fence" and 28mm "Boys Playing Bull Rider."

Willits Frontier Days part 1

For some strange reason, today's post ended up with Sunday's date. So, I am going to post again. Also, haven't figured out how to enable the subscribe button. So, if you would like an email to send this direct to your inbox, please write me at outpost_patton@yahoo.com

Willits Frontier Days-4th of July
Dust, bulls, horses, and cowboys are the mainstay of every rodeo. And, Willits rodeo is no exception.

The young man in this image is called E.P., 23 years old, and he hails from Laytonville 22 miles north of Willits. E.P. went flying, but thankfully he was not hurt. This was a purely lucky shot. I normally do not shoot the cowboys once the chute opens. This day, the chute opened, the bull twisted, E.P. lost his seat, but his hand was still tied to the bull. A collective gasp went through the spectators, they all know that this can be dangerous if the hand does not come free with his outward momentum, the cowboy will then swing under the bull where he can be trampled. Fortunately, E.P. pulled free, a little disappointed, but still ambulatory.

Photo taken with Canon EOS 40D with a borrowed Canon 16mm-135mm wide angle zoom lens. Exposure 1/200s at f/5.6 with a bias value of -0.33. ISO 100. Focal length 16.mm