Patriot Power, Bob Jones Homecoming 2009

I know I haven't been shooting a lot of my usual subjects lately for various reasons, but I hope you all enjoy my recent shoots. I just got done editing and uploading some new photos.

I had planned on being out of town this week. So I did not add Homecoming to my calendar and forgot all about it. That was until I heard the drums of the Bob Jones Band. I had been cleaning house all day and was just about to start dinner. Needless to say I was not dressed to the nines.

With no time to change clothes I grabbed my gear, tossed on my work shoes and ran out the door to catch as much of it as I can. Luckily I am close enough to the start of the regular parade route that I think all I missed was the JROTC and color guard that normally start the parade. They were just passing by my normal spot and the band was following close behind as I got there.

I unfortunately did not get shots of everyone and every float, but I hope you will enjoy. Not sure if I will be able to make it to the game tomorrow night, but I want to wish the Bob Jones Patriots good luck against Homewood Patriots tomorrow night.

Kick off is 7pm at Madison City Stadium. Bob Jones #6 in the State 6a class are currently undefeated after a fight last week against Decatur's Red Raiders. Their 20-7 victory ended a 10 game losing streak against the Red Raiders. Bob Jones 5-0 in the state and region are being picked to win by 23 against Homewood (#34 / 6A). Next week Bob Jones heads to Huntsville. October 23 they Return to Madison to go against our Rivals the Sparkman Senators.

Blizzard Alabama Style

Blizzard Alabama Style

While we usually get a light dusting each winter it is usually gone before most of us wake up. Today is a rarity. It is really blowing out there and has been coming down for over 3 hours now with no sign of slowing. Thanks to temps being so high all week literally 60s and 70s just a few days ago doubt much will stick on the ground despite current temps of around freezing with wind chill of 20-25. It could get nasty if temps drop into the 20s and possibly teens as expected tonight, but right now I am enjoying the view and not worrying about what may happen. .

While looking at the ground it doesn't really look like much the flakes are big and wind is blowing so much it truly looks like a blizzard. Especially to an Alabama boy that is not used to seeing more than half inch to 2-3 inches a year. Sitting here at my PC with curtains open wide there have been a few times wind and snow mixed have looked like a white out where literally could not see few feet beyond my window. Mostly it is when wind burst blows the snow off the roof but wind changing directions makes it a lot more interesting.

I have been up in Chicago during a good snow. In fact had to drive from Chicago to Huntsville as storm hit with snow falling well into Tennessee. Luckily we headed out a day early because it was supposedly the worst storm of the year or years. Friends up there said it really got nasty. I had my first time driving in snow and on ice after the storm of the century back in the early 90s when some areas around here got well over a foot. I had to work the night the storm hit back in 96 and left a nice little dent in bumper of my pickup truck when I hit some black ice driving home at 3am.

After I went out and got the newspaper this morning I had to do what I love to do the most. I put on some heavier clothes and grabbed my camera. Considering this is only the 3rd decent snow we have got since I bought my camera summer of 2006 I have not had a lot of practice shooting snow, but I got a few shots around the house first batch around 630 Central time and few sets since then. Depending on how much more we get today and tonight no telling how many I will post.

http://www.bamacowboy.com/gallery/main.php/v/latest_shots/snow2009/

Latest Updates 02 November 2008

Things are still pretty hectic around here, but slowly returning to some resemblance of normalcy. Dad and I spent the day yesterday working in the yard doing things that had been put off for the past year or longer because couldn't leave mom alone long enough for dad and I to get the stuff done. Last night I was pretty exhausted, but I got started on some minor updates with more to come.

First off here on BamaCowboy.com I added a direct link to a collection of recipes that has been online for a while. Nothing fancy just open directory full of Snacks, Meals, Desserts and Drinks.
http://www.bamacowboy.com/Recipes/

DBatesPhoto.com has a new guest book, Links updated with few new ones being added and the Bio/Contact Page has been updated with new testimonials and portfolio links.

Still working on few other sites, but hope to have some news soon.

Don't forget I am booking for Christmas Photo Sessions. So if you are interested in shooting together contact me on DBatesPhoto.com or my 18+ Portfolio site RealWyldOne.com!

Happy Halloween

Just wanted to post a quick shot of Jack and wish everyone a Safe and Happy Halloween.

While there are a lot of things I enjoy, Photography has long been one of my absolute favorite hobbies almost to the point of obsession. Last weekend 13th of September 2008 I had the pleasure of dusting off my camera gear and heading south to a friend's house. She was hosting a photo shoot that a mutual friend another photographer helped plan. While many people did not show up or had to cancel for various reason we had a very good turnout. Nine photographers from all over Alabama 8 female models and 3 male models. Weather was night and the location a good sized farm in North Alabama. I was more than a little rusty, but I think I came away with more than a few good images and have some of them posted on my portfolio site, DBatesPhoto.com.

To see more from the shoot go to:
http://www.dbatesphoto.com/gallery/main.php/v/latest_shots/2008_sept_13/?g2_highlightId=3540

Me and Martina McBride

I had the pleasure of meeting Martina after she performed at the annual 4th of July Spirit of America Festival in Decatur Alabama's Point Mallard park. She was just beginning the tour that skyrocketed her to the top in large part to the song she performed for us from her upcoming album "Independence Day". I wish this was a better photo, but I have not seen a photo that does her eyes justice.

To See a slightly larger copy as well as other photos from my Personal album go to:

Martina