Coyote Howl, Coulterville, California

Living in Greeley Hill, we have to travel six miles downhill to an 1850s gold rush town, Coulterville, California for our Post Office.  Twenty-six years ago town folks were looking for an excuse to have a community party.  They created the Coyote Howl.  The story of the birth of the Howl is a little murky.  The story is that there was some drinking going on in the Magnolia Room of the Jeffery Hotel (not a surprise, the Mag Room is a saloon) and someone joked that with all the coyotes in the area and everybody imitating them there ought to be a contest.  Now, coyotes don’t make just one sound when they howl, so people have different ideas of what they should sound like. If you would like to hear what the contest sounds like, click here for a multi media clip that we recorded in 2007.  The rest of my images are stored on Photoshelter, so give a click if you want to see more.

Kids in groups compete as Pup Packs.  These boys came in second in 2011.

This Piney Creek resident was the adult winner in 2001.

This year, as always, the parade is lots of fun for families.

This adult contestant had won in the past but didn’t make it in 2011.

The calliope is a treat for everybody.  It isn’t my favorite type of music but it seems to fit in with the parade.

Master of ceremonies Silverman gives a young pup a chance to test out his howl for next year.

Everybody has an opinion and some express theirs more colorfully.

This year’s adult winner wore a little hair of the dog while howling.

Capt. Henry Love shoots his 12 gauge at the bad guys.  Historically speaking, Capt. Love was the Marshall who captured Joaquin Murrieta.

During the gunfight, the bad guys always get to die.

In 2005, the Magnolia was hopping.  It will reopen June 15 of this year.

This pup uses his hands to make his howl.

Panama Red shoots his way out of the saloon.

During the gunfight, the Lady Sheriff shot a couple bad guys.

While county music is playing in the park, folks are dancing in front of a booth that seems to fry everything you could think of.  No fried stuff for me.

 

 

Raiders 2010-11 Season

Still hoping the National Football League and the Players Association will come to an agreement so they can play football this year.  I have been photographing the Raiders almost as long as I have been covering the 49ers.  The drive is shorter and it is easier to get in and out of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum than Candlestick Park.  The Silver and Black had a little better season than the Niners.  But 8 and 8 wasn’t good enough to save Tom Cable’s job.  Check out my gallery on Photoshelter, if you would like to see more images.  Raider fans have lots of enthusiasm.

November 07, 2010

Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles #25 stiff arms Oakland Raiders safety Mike Mitchell #34.  Raiders beat the Chiefs 23-20 in overtime.

September 19, 2010

Oakland Raiders defensive tackle John Henderson #79 and linebacker Rolando McClain #55 tackle St. Louis Rams running back Steven Jackson #39.  Raiders defeat Rams 16 to 14.

October 10, 2010

Oakland Raiders punter Shane Lechler #9 on the sidelines.   Raiders lose to Dolphins 17-33

November 07, 2010

Oakland Raiders defensive end Matt Shaughnessy #77 sacks Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel #7.  Raiders beat the Chiefs 23-20 in overtime.

October 17, 2010

Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell #8 attempts to pass the ball while San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks #55 and linebacker Parys Haralson #98 tackle him.  49ers beat Raiders 17-9.

October 31, 2010

Raider fans love to dress up.  Every game is like Halloween.  Raiders win over Seahawks 33 to 3.

September 19, 2010

Oakland Raiders quarterback Bruce Gradkowski #5 scrambles to avoid defenders. Raiders defeat Rams 16 to 14.

December 19, 2010

With Oakland Raiders defensive end Matt Shaughnessy #77 bearing down on Denver Broncos quarterback, Tim Tebow #15 makes pass during game.  Raiders beat Broncos 39-23.

December 26, 2010

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Fili Moala #95 finally pulls down Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden #20.  Raiders lose to Colts 26 to 31.

September 19, 2010

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden #20 breaks tackle from St. Louis Rams linebacker Larry Grant.  Raiders defeat Rams 16 to 14.

 

October 10, 2010

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Davone Bess #15.  Raiders lose to Dolphins 33-17.

 

 

Cowboy Photographic Workshop 2010

August 14, 2010, I participated as a teacher for the Erickson Cattle Company Photography Workshop in Ackerson Meadow near Yosemite National Park.  I love to share my knowledge with others plus get an opportunity to make a couple images at the same time.  A good part of my career was motivating, coaching, helping, and problem solving with photographers, so a workshop is a good match for me.  I have known the Erickson family cowboys since the late sixties, which is just a drop in the bucket when you consider their family has been moving cattle every summer to graze in the Yosemite National Park area for over 120 years.

Cowboys start at sunrise; Dan Erickson is moving cows along a fence line so photographers can get a good image.  We are going to have two dates this year for the Erickson Cattle Company Photography workshops July 16th – 17th and August 13th – 14th.  This workshop is a great opportunity for photographers of all levels to photograph real working cowboys in their natural environment so that you’ll be sure to make images that will enhance your portfolio.  I’ll be there for hands-on photo coaching to help with all technical questions as well as any creative guidance, and I’ll provide one-on-one editing after our shoot.  If you are interested, email me at al@golubphoto.com for more information.

Safety is always a consideration.  We organize shooting positions so we don’t interfere with other photographers.  After the early morning shooting, a chuck wagon style lunch is served.  We work with photographers to edit their work and plan the upcoming sessions.

During the day, cowboys do their normal duties.  These activities are close enough for photographers to photograph.  The cowboys do everything from roping and herding cattle to running horses and saddling them.  The scenery is beautiful and the cowboys are the real thing.  If you would like to see more of my cowboy images click here to view them on PhotoShelter.

California National Guard training with Cal Fire

April 16, 2011: Recently I became a Cal Fire Volunteer and was fortunate to be invited to photograph a joint Cal Fire, Army, and Air Guard training at the Cal Fire Academy near Ione, California. I want to give a big thanks to Wes Schultz, a photographer, retired firefighter, and fellow Cal Fire Volunteer, for helping to make this opportunity possible. The training centered around Guard helicopters practicing water drops for the upcoming fire season under Cal Fire direction. The most exciting part of the day for me was my first flight in a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. I got to ride in the gunner’s seat on the right side. Wow, what fun! First, we chased a CH-47 Chinook around. The following image is of the Chinook making a drop with Lake Pardee in the background. If you would like to see more photographs just click here to go to my Photoshelter gallery.

Being able to hover near this UH-60 Black Hawk while they dip the bucket in the lake made an interesting image.  The wave effect and the rainbow were cool.  During the fire season you just don’t get this close.  Safety comes first during active missions so even if you have a helicopter you need to steer clear of the drop zone.

While we were hovering to make our images, I photographed this army sergeant watching the activities.  He was sitting in the big seat in the back so Wes and I could use the gunner’s seat to photograph from.

I’m also excitedly awaiting the next issue of Grizzly News Magazine, a monthly publication of the California National Guard, which will publish some of these images.  I’ll be sure to share the final product as soon as it comes out.

La Grange Rodeo

A couple weeks ago I traveled down to La Grange to photograph the 64th Annual Rodeo.  I was on my way to a banquet in Oakland that night but I had a couple of hours to shoot.  These are a few of my favorite images from the day, and if you would like to see more images, check out my full take here on my PhotoShelter Archive.

Hey Ma, I’m blogging!

Here I am circa 1968

It’s been over a year since I created a blog, and I’ve yet to get it started.  So, all excuses aside, I’m going to just jump right in and get going.  I want this blog to be a place where I can share current and old work as well as serve as a resource for anyone interested in photography.  At the age of 68, I feel there is so much more for me to learn, and I would like to share all of the things I’ve learned over the years.  Having been a manager of photographers and other creative people, I have always enjoyed fostering a photographic community where everybody learns from and shares with one another.

Since I’m still learning the ropes on this whole blogging thing, I’d love to receive feedback on where to take this blog.  OK, back to scanning and imaging.

Check back tomorrow for my first real post with images!