Lost in a Corn Maze
Even though Halloween has passed, the Rogers Farm corn maze was still open for one more weekend. A full moon illuminated the paths through the maze, while brisk 37-degree weather pushed us to keep moving. That, and the guy in a mask with a chain saw chasing us down the paths.
Florida vs Vanderbilt Football
Florida quarterback Jacoby Brissett (17) during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida squeaked away with a victory against Vanderbilt Saturday afternoon. The Commodores haven’t won in Gainesville in decades, but that didn’t stop them from trying to win the football game.
A fan stands during the national anthem before a football game between Florida and Vanderbilt at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida head coach Will Muschamp on the sideline during the first half of a football game against Vanderbilt at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida running back Jeff Demps is tackled by Vanderbilt safety Kenny Ladler during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida wide receiver Omarius Hines runs during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida defensive tackle Dominique Easley (2) tackles Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers (11) on a play that Easley was called offsides on during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Vanderbilt corner back Andre Hal (23) attempts to tackle Florida running back Jeff Demps (28) during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida quarterback Jacoby Brissett (17) speaks with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida quarterback John Brantley (12) is hit after he threw the ball during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida center Nick Alajajian (58) speaks with head coach Will Muschamp during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida kicker Caleb Sturgis (19) kicks a 54-yard field goal during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida wide receiver Omarius Hines runs during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011. Hines fumbled into the endzone and Vanderbilt recovered.
Vanderbilt running back Zac Stacy (2) is tackled by Florida defenders during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida running back Mike Gillislee (23) is brought down near the end zone during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida fans take off their shirts when the sun came out during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida running back Jeff Demps (28) runs for a touchdown during the first half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida running back Mike Gillislee (23) rushes during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers (11) rushes during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida players and fans celebrate a touchdown during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Vanderbilt corner back Trey Wilson (8) attempts to return a fumbled two-point conversion during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Vanderbilt wide receiver Jordan Matthews (87) is tackled during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers (11) rushes during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida tight end Jordan Reed (11) catches an onside kick during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
A Vanderbilt fan celebrates a touchdown during the second half of a football game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, on Nov. 5, 2011.
Florida vs Georgia Football
The Florida marching band plays before a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., on Oct. 29, 2011.
Florida and Georgia fans returned to Jacksonville on Saturday for the yearly pilgrimage to the unofficially billed World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Despite a rainy morning, the afternoon was perfect weather for sports photography, with a large softbox filling the sky.
Florida running back Chris Rainey (1) is tackled by Georgia corner back Sanders Commings (19) during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida running back Chris Rainey reacts after an incomplete pass during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida quarterback John Brantley in a huddle during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida running back Chris Rainey (1) is tackled by Georgia cornerback Brandon Boykin (2) on a play that hurt Rainey’s ankle during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida quarterback John Brantley is sacked during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida quarterback John Brantley (12) throws a touchdown to tight end Jordan Reed in the first half of a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida tight end Jordan Reed (11) and wide receiver Quinton Dunbar (9) celebrate Reed’s touchdown in the first half of a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida corner back Cody Riggs (31) tackles Georgia’s Marlon Brown during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
A Florida cheerleader during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida coach Will Muschamp argues into his headset during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida tight end Jordan Reed dives after catching a pass during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (11) is hit by Florida linebacker Jelani Jenkins (3) as he throws during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida quarterback John Brantley chases a fumble during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida running back Chris Rainey runs with the ball during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
The ball comes loose as Florida running back Chris Rainey fumbles during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Georgia’s mascot interacts with fans before a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida fans during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida wide receiver Andre Debose (4) and running back Chris Rainey (1) after an incomplete pass during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd (73) celebrates a defensive stop during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Georgia fans react to a broken-up pass in the endzone during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Georgia tight end Orson Charles (7) looks down at Florida safety Josh Evans (24) after Evans stopped him during a football game at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Florida quarterback John Brantley scrambles during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
A Florida fan tries to stay warm by rubbing her hands together during a football game against Georgia at Everbank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Albert the Photographer
Among the hazards you’d be prepared for as a sideline photographer, mascot mooching has to be low on the list. It seems that in most Florida games I cover, Albert the alligator eventually finds his way over to me to play photojournalist on the sideline during a timeout. I let him indulge, it’s often a refreshing break from waiting out the TV commercials.
Back to the Beach
A boy sets up his board near a line of skim boards on Holmes Beach in Anna Maria Island, Florida.
After a week in Asheville of outdoor adventures, the only way to finish the vacation was with another stay at the beach. I’ve been going to Anna Maria Island, Florida, for years with my family and there’s always a tinge of nostalgia when I return. The nice thing about having a week around the water is that you can skip being in the sun around noon and just enjoy the evenings at the beach.
A man and his daughter walk Holmes Beach at sunset in Anna Maria Island, Fla.
The evening crowd catches a sunset at a restaurant on Bradenton Beach, Fla.
Visitors watch a shark feeding at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Fla.
The Great Outdoors
Hiking the unique prairie at Craggy Gardens along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina.
The mountains around Asheville, N.C., were enough to keep me out until after dusk every day of my visit, leaving only the late nights to explore the city’s dining scene. An afternoon trip up the Blue Ridge Parkway turned into a race against sunset after a visit to the Craggy Gardens tied up most of the evening. An unusual field of flowers and rhododendron topping the mountain at the Gardens provided a worthy diversion from the drive to reach Mount Mitchell.
On the hike back down the hill, I came across a couple enjoying one of the more complete picnic spreads I’ve seen outside of a commercial shoot. They happened to run a restaurant in Asheville and the conversation lead to a much-appreciated invitation to lunch. It’s always refreshing when traveling to come across people who look for a good conversation.
A rainy-day road trip on another afternoon into the Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park led to elk sightings and a white knuckle drive on a 16-mile gravel road that twisted through the mountains.
The fading sun casts a shadow over the road up Mount Mitchell in North Carolina.
An elk walks down a road in the Cataloochee Valley of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
A local dog followed visitors to a boat launch on the Pigeon River in Waynesville, Tenn.
The Walters hydroelectric power plant in Waterville, N.C.
The restauranteurs’ picnic in Craggy Gardens.
Relaxing at Edisto Beach
A man fishes with his dog at dusk in Edisto Beach.
Taking a break from working doesn’t mean taking a break from photography, and for the first leg of my vacation I visited the seasonal beach town of Edisto Beach, S.C. While only about 40 minutes south of Charleston, it lacks a commercial feel and even the Piggly Wiggly grocery store looks like a beach shack. The area was once divided as plantation land and some of the homes still survive. The Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management Area opens with a tunnel of oaks onto fields of sunflowers and corn, giving a glimpse of the land when it was actively farmed. The plantation links with a small sea island and beach where a grove of palms now stand feet from the surf after erosion.
Near the entrance to the plantation is a classic tourist trap, the Edisto Island Serpentarium. The attraction features collections of snakes, turtles and alligators. And if that doesn’t make you squeamish, there are daily live feedings for the venomous snakes in an outdoor enclosure. The lethargic, and in the words of a worker during the daily feeding, obese, alligators are tossed chicken parts in another presentation.
The Edisto area was a quiet area and great place to slow down before the vacation picked up again.
Postings on an ice machine outside the Edisto Beach Piggly Wiggly.
A tunnel of trees into the Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area on Edisto Island.
A group of pelicans patrol the shore at the Botany Bay Wildlife Management Area.
Workers move an alligator to clean the pen at the Edisto Island Serpentarium.
An alligator chows down on a chicken during feeding at the Edisto Island Serpentarium.
Visitors watch during the alligator feeding at the Edisto Island Serpentarium.
A man and his son, vacationing from Montreal, throw stones in a tide pool on Edisto Beach.
A family game of train dominoes at the beach house on Edisto Beach.
Atlantis launches for the last time
Space shuttle Atlantis surrounded by spot lights on the launch pad in the early hours of July 8.
Having the opportunity to photograph the final shuttle launch is one of those moments I’ll remember. That, and and not getting sleep for two days to make sure we had a location on the water secure to shoot from. We set up in a corner of the lot at Paul’s Smokehouse, and joined the line to park just after 1 am. The sheer size of the crowd was evident after shooting the Endeavour launch in May. Areas that did not fill up until morning for Endeavour were already packed with viewers camping out for Atlantis on July 7. The estimates of a crowd around one million were not hard to believe. Our shoot on the shore went off without a hook and everyone enjoyed just being at the launch.
A production crew prepares a stabilized camera to track Atlantis’ launch from Paul’s Smokehouse.
Awaiting the Atlantis shuttle launch
The weather on the Space Coast has been gloomy ahead of the planned launch of space shuttle Atlantis at 11:26 a.m. on July 8. Only a handful of tourists hit Cocoa Beach as the evening storms rolled in. The weather report for the morning launch predicts a 30% chance of go, but the shuttle make sneak out during a break in weather.
