Trees for Troops

Georgia National Guard Sgt. Raymond Collins, center, and Eddie Hardigree, left, load Christmas trees as part of the "Trees for Troops" program at Greenbriar Creek Farm on Thursday, December 2, 2010 in Bishop, Ga. Over 800 Christmas tree growers nationwide are donating trees for military families as well as troops deployed overseas.

Tis the season. I would have jumped into the back of the truck, but the bed of the military truck was 5 feet off the ground. Couldnt get myself in easily.

Oconee Softball

First baseman/pitcher Geri Ann Glasco slides in safely for the only run of game one as the Oconee County Warriors sweep a double-header from the Riverwood Raiders to advance in the GHSA class AAA softball playoffs on Tuesday, October 14, 2009 in Watkinsville, Ga. Oconee won the first game 1-0 and 12-0 in the second.

This month it seems like I've done nothing but shoot sports, which don't get me wrong - I love shooting sports - but i'd like to get away from football just to change things up a bit.

Imagine my surprise when I got to shoot the opening round of the GHSA Class AAA Girl's Softball state tournament here locally which turned out to be feast and famine. The first game, a 1-0 no-hitter while the second was a 12-0 mercy-rule game.

Worked my way around the entire field. Nearly had my head taken off by a foul ball - which the opposing team's parents neglected to say was about to plunk me in the head. I'm generally not biased about who wins and who loses (I get paid no matter who wins) but not telling me a pop-foul is about to hit me while I'm in a camera and then laughing about it is not an good way to win me over.

All in all, good photos. Good action. No real game winning jube but I'll take it.



Center fielder Caitlyn Glenn waits to take batting practice before the Oconee County Warriors sweep a double-header from the Riverwood Raiders to advance in the GHSA class AAA softball playoffs on Tuesday, October 14, 2009 in Watkinsville, Ga. Oconee won the first game 1-0 and 12-0 in the second.



Pitcher Geri Ann Glasco, left, and center fielder Caitlyn Glenn, right, cheer in the top of the fourth inning of the second game as the Oconee County Warriors sweep a double-header from the Riverwood Raiders to advance in the GHSA class AAA softball playoffs on Tuesday, October 14, 2009 in Watkinsville, Ga. Oconee won the first game 1-0 and 12-0 in the second.



Center fielder Caitlyn Glenn makes contact with a pitch as the Oconee County Warriors sweep a double-header from the Riverwood Raiders to advance in the GHSA class AAA softball playoffs on Tuesday, October 14, 2009 in Watkinsville, Ga. Oconee won the first game 1-0 and 12-0 in the second.



Left fielder Caitlyn Hogg stands on third base in the second game as the Oconee County Warriors sweep a double-header from the Riverwood Raiders to advance in the GHSA class AAA softball playoffs on Tuesday, October 14, 2009 in Watkinsville, Ga. Oconee won the first game 1-0 and 12-0 in the second.

I really do try to make things as artistic as possible under the circumstances. In this case, framing the runner on 3rd with the legs of the batter.




Pitcher Courtney Poole warms up as the Oconee County Warriors sweep a double-header from the Riverwood Raiders to advance in the GHSA class AAA softball playoffs on Tuesday, October 14, 2009 in Watkinsville, Ga. Oconee won the first game 1-0 and 12-0 in the second.

Sweet. Don't Die.

Oconee County Firefighter John Vangotum sprays down hot spots as firefighters battle one of several small forest fires along the railroad tracks near the Victoria Station subdivision on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 in Watkinsville, Ga.

I texted a friend while i was at the scene of a wildfire along the railroad tracks in Watkinsville, Ga., and thats what they said. "Sweet. Don't Die." Probably the best advice you can give anyone covering a wildfire. Well really the best advice you can give someone.

When i critique student work and i see brush fire coverage, i always have to remind them to have the right gear. You shouldn't be that photographer who is at the scene
of a wildfire and have great access and try to get shots with a 20mm lens of the crews working without the right Nomex gear. Yesterday i broke that rule, straddling the line of good judgment and complete dumbass.

I went as far as i could without endangering myself and as far as i could without getting in the way of the Oconee County Fire Dept. Turns out a passing train from the Hartwell Railroad (The Athens Line LLC based on a 2005 article) managed to spark the fires as somehow brakes from the train will send sparks into the dry brush. Remember back to third-grade science class: heat (sparks) + fuel (dry brush) + oxygen = FIRE. I got dirty and found myself wondering if my shoes would melt as well as getting a face full of steam as i was following the fire crews. When i got nervous for my safety and everything kinda hit me, I left. There will be more wildfires. I got my pictures and i bailed.

I missed a few photos of people using garden hoses to wet down their back yards. OCFD saved a few structures before i started wandering around and getting up and into the face of the fire.