The best rodeo in Oklahoma
Austin Vincent, of Des Moines, New Mexico, jumps on his steer in the steer wrestling event during the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Friday, July, 17, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
We cover a lot of rodeos at The Oklahoman. The one that our photo staff looks forward to the most every year is the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee. The great thing about the IFYR is that most of the competition happens during the day. Rodeo can make great pictures, however, most of the rodeos we photograph happen at night or in dark, dingy arenas.
The beautiful atmosphere of this rodeo really comes through in the sun. The daylight allows us to use higher shutter speeds to stop the action better as well. So, the IFYR is the best rodeo, for pictures at least, in Oklahoma.
Here are some photos and galleries of pictures from the competition.
Cody Carlton of Mims, Florida, gets thrown off a horse during saddle bronc at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla. Thursday, July 16, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman
Tyler Taylor, of Stephenville, Texas., kneels down to say a prayer before his go in the bull riding event during the second day of competition in the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Tuesday, July, 14, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Landon Parrish, from Kayenta, AZ, holds on the shoot rail as the bull he was trying to ride gets out of the gate early at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Wednesday, July 15 , 2009. Photo By David McDaniel, The Oklahoman.
Cole Miller, Lahoma, Okla., wears a friend's hat while that cowboy competes in bull riding during an evening session of the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, Wednesday, July 15, 2009. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Bullfighter Rob Gann gets rammed by a bull at the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Thursday, July, 16, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps,The Oklahoman
Stetson Cravens of Eufaula, Okla., falls to the ground after being dragged by a bucking bronc during the bareback bronc at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla. Thursday, July 16, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman
Taylor Hayes, of Bryan, Texas., tapes up his wrist as he prepares for his go in the bull riding event during the second day of competition in the International Finals Youth Rodeo at the Shawnee Expo Center on Tuesday, July, 14, 2009, in Shawnee, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Cody Tyler White, of Choctaw, Okla., competes in bull riding during the final round of the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., Saturday, July 18, 2009. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Okie Noodling
Marion Kincaid of Peru, Kansas, unloads a catfish during the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, Okla., Saturday, July 11, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Bryan Terry went yesterday to the weigh-in of the Okie Noodling Tournament, where people catch flathead catfish with only their bare hands, in Pauls Valley, Okla. Men with bloody knuckles heaving flatheads can make for some images you don’t see every day. Bryan said the event was saturated with professional photographers and video crews. No doubt some of this popularity is due to the “Okie Noodling” series of documentaries about this unique tournament. Here’s some pictures from the weigh-in.
Jon Bridges of Bartlesville, Okla., brings in a catfish during the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, Okla., Saturday, July 11, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Lee McFarlin of Stillwater, Okla., demonstrates noodling during the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, Okla., Saturday, July 11, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Fans watch as a catfish is brought in during the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, Okla., Saturday, July 11, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Marion Kincaid of Peru, Kansas unloads a catfish during the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, Okla., Saturday, July 11, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
A catfish is unloaded before being weighed during the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, Okla., Saturday, July 11, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Fans watch catfish swim in tanks after their during the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, Okla., Saturday, July 11, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Jon Bridges of Bartlesville, Okla., brings in a catfish during the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley, Okla., Saturday, July 11, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Fourth of July wrap-up
Fans watch fireworks at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The photographers of The Oklahoman were out in force to cover Independence Day. The weather shifted from nice to muggy and then rain in the evening. I’m glad we got the rain, but just wish it had happened either the day before or the day after. The RedHawks didn’t play their baseball game, but did have fireworks. Other fireworks shows were postponed. Here are some of the photos from the day.
To see a gallery from events around the metro area, click here.
For former President George W. Bush’s Independence Day visit to Woodward, click here.
A gallery of photos from Edmond’s LibertyFest parade is here.
And Bryan Terry did a cool time-lapse video from the LibertyFest parade that we highlighted in this blog entry.
Jesse Hardiman and Ava Welch, 1, walk during Bethany's Centennial Freedom Festival, Saturday, July 4, 2009, at Eldon Lyon Park in Bethany, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Boy Scouts carry a huge American flag in the LibertyFest Parade in downtown Edmond, OK, Saturday, July 4, 2009. By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman
Trent Nondorf, 4, left, and Ethan Nondorf, 2, wait for the start of the Quail Creek Fourth of July parade in Oklahoma City, Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
Kristen Gregory sported a festive Fourth of July headband during LibertyFest at UCO campus in Edmond, Okla. Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Ashley McKee, The Oklahoman
Former President George W. Bush and wife, Laura, were given a warm reception when they arrived at Woodward's July 4th celebration and re-dedication of Crystal Beach Park. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
Lauren Atkins, 9, from Norman, eats free watermelon at the Norman Independence Day Celebration at Reaves Park in Norman, Okla., on Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
Darren Ransley slides on the tarp during a rain delay of the Oklahoma City RedHawks and Omaha Royals at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark, Saturday July 4, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
LibertyFest Parade
Bryan Terry shot a time lapse video of the LibertyFest Parade in downtown Edmond. There are 1754 still frames in the video condensing the two-hour parade into two-and-a-half minutes.
Paul Hellstern was covering the parade from the ground. You can see a gallery of his photos here.
Below are a couple of other still frames Bryan shot from the roof.
Boy Scouts carry an American flag down Broadway in Edmond, Okla., during the LibertyFest Parade Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
People watch the LibertyFest Parade on Broadway in Edmond, Okla., during the Saturday, July 4, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-Sarah Phipps
Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall
Bryan Terry just turned in this photo from the traveling recreation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial known as the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall. The Wall arrived in Piedmont, Okla., tonight and will be there until Sunday, July 5.
A person is reflected in the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall as it is assembled at Piedmont High School on Wednesday, July 1, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
LibertyFest Car Show
Went to the LibertyFest car show this morning on the campus of UCO. It was hot and so were the cars! One of the best shows I’ve seen. Something from every decade from 1900! I love the cars from the 50’s and 60’s. Back when the designers still ruled! Great car stories too. Here are a few of my favorite detail photos. Enjoy the full gallery here.
What detail! Radiator cap on a 1927 Buick belonging to Randy Dekker at the LibertyFest Car Show on the campus of UCO Saturday, June 27, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
1955 Chevy Bel Air convertible belonging to Annette Myers at the LibertyFest Car Show on the campus of UCO Saturday, June 27, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
1955 Ford F-100 pick up belonging to Kathy Bernhardt at the LibertyFest Car Show on the campus of UCO Saturday, June 27, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
Donna and Brandon Krist look at an original, unrestored 1959 Chevy Impala Sport Coupe with 50,000 miles owned by Dennis and Sharon Doughty of Edmond at the LibertyFest Car Show on the campus of UCO Saturday, June 27, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
1962 Chevy Corvette at the LibertyFest Car Show on the campus of UCO Saturday, June 27, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
1966 Cord Repro belonging to Dale Williams at the LibertyFest Car Show on the campus of UCO Saturday, June 27, 2009. This car is number 37 of 97 built in Tulsa. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
-Doug Hoke
Sparks America Bikers Week
I don’t think this photo by Jim Beckel will make it into the newspaper. However, it works perfectly well here. To see a photo gallery of other pictures from bike rally, click here.
A man reclines on his motorcycle while waiting to participate in bike games at the Sparks America Bikers Week in Lincoln County, June 19, 2009 . He is not identified, but people at the rally called him Nature Man. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Lawn mower racing
Here are some pictures and a video of the El Reno Grascar Association lawn mower races by staffer Bryan Terry. This looks like entirely too much fun.
Kyle Ramos races during the El Reno Grascar Association lawn mower race in El Reno, Saturday, June 6, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
ndrew Barrow races during the El Reno Grascar Association lawn mower race in El Reno, Saturday, June 6, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Fans watch as riders line up to enter the track during the El Reno Grascar Association lawn mower race in El Reno, Saturday, June 6, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Mark Hall, left, races in front of Jordan Macias, and Jim Petit during the El Reno Grascar Association lawn mower race in El Reno, Saturday, June 6, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
A mower is pictured before the El Reno Grascar Association lawn mower race in El Reno, Saturday, June 6, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Jessica Shatto bumps fists with her father Jack before a race during the El Reno Grascar Association lawn mower races in El Reno, Saturday, June 6, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Jessica Shatto races during the El Reno Grascar Association lawn mower race in El Reno, Saturday, June 6, 2009. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
Simon Says
Remember playing Simon Says when you were a kid? How fun it was? Well now the fun is taking photos of kids playing Simon Says as I did Monday night in Edmond’s Fink Park at the Girl Scout Twilight Camp. I came across a group of Brownies playing and took some photos as the command was “Simon Says Smile Big!” See more photos Saturday in the MyEdmond section and a photo gallery: http://newsok.com/multimedia/photos/gallery/501195
Natalie Delpha, 7, plays "Simon Says, Smile!" during a class in Fink Park during Edmond Girl Scout Twilight Camp Monday, June 15, 2009. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman.
-Doug Hoke
Your AP monthly contest results
I have gotten behind on posting our department’s winning images from the monthly AP photo contest. Here are our winners from recent months. Congratulations to all.
FIRST PLACE, FEBRUARY: Residents work to clean up damage to a home in the Oak Tree housing addition on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009, after a tornado hit the area on Tuesday in Edmond, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
THIRD PLACE, FEBRUARY: Firefighters work to extinguish flames in a barn that was set ablaze by a grass fire near SE 108th and Maguire Road in Slaughterville, Oklahoma, on Friday February 20, 2009. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
SECOND PLACE, ARPIL: Flames leap out of a broken gas line in Midwest City, Okla., Thursday, April 9, 2009. Fire crews in Oklahoma and Texas raced Thursday to control wind-whipped wildfires that destroyed dozens of homes, forced evacuations and shut down parts of a major highway. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
THIRD PLACE, APRIL: Iowa Tribe volunteer firefighter David Milby with his wife Bonnie Milby at the Integris Baptist Burn Center in Oklahoma City Monday, April 13, 2009. Photo by Paul B. Southerland, The Oklahoman
FIRST PLACE, MAY: Oklahoma City public school students swim during the Wacky Water Wahoo water safety class at White Water, on Thursday, May 21, 2009, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
SECOND PLACE, MAY: Graduates watch fireworks following the 2009 University of Oklahoma Commencement at the Gaylord Family -- Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Friday, May 15, 2009, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-Nate Billings
