Favorites from the Fourth of July weekend

The Granby fireworks display is reflected in the SilverCreek
pond on Saturday evening.  Byron Hetzler/Sky-Hi News

There is always so much to shoot around here over the Fourth of July weekend, I always seem to be scrambling from one end of the county to the other.  This year I told myself I was going to really work at shooting these annual events in new ways, or at least from places that I hadn't before.  

Granby often holds its fireworks display on an evening other than July 4.  This year it happened to be on Saturday evening.  Once the sun had gone down, I decided to leave the rodeo early and start finalizing my shooting location for the fireworks.

There is a pond not too far away from the rodeo grounds and the hill where the fireworks are launched.  Lately it seems I can't pass up a good opportunity for a reflection, so I decided this would be the spot.

Normally, by this time of night, the pond would have been still, but a small thunderstorm was passing to the south, which kicked the wind up and eliminated the perfect reflection in the pond.  At first I was bummed, but after looking at the final result I don't mind that it's not a glassy reflection.

Spencer Brown competes during the bareback bronc riding event at the Flying Heels
Rodeo on Saturday in Granby.  Byron Hetzler/Sky-Hi News 

Saturday's Flying Heels Rodeo in Granby was the first rodeo I had shot this year.  Organizers had cancelled their Memorial Day weekend rodeo due to the equine herpes virus.

While this rodeo image isn't much different from what I would normally shoot as far as the action goes, I did remind myself to try shooting from a new angle, which actually cleaned up the background nicely by avoiding distracting banners and workers (aside from the white car).  Some great early evening light added to the moment to give me a nice frame.

Participants make their way along the Fraser River Trail during the Run for
Independence on Saturday morning in Winter Park. Byron Hetzler/Sky-Hi News

I headed to the Run for Independence in Winter Park on Saturday thinking my "do it differently" plan was in jeopardy, because I thought I had already photographed this five-mile run from all of the best spots.  Fortunately, as I walked along the Fraser River Trail looking for a new shooting location, I came across this group of trees and winding stretch of trail.  All I had to do was wait for the participants to pass by.  The runner with the American flag was a nice bonus.

A dog pops bubbles during Fourth of July festivities in Polhamus
Park on Monday in Granby.  Byron Hetzler/Sky-Hi News

This dog was pointed out to me during Fourth of July activities in Granby's Polhamus Park on Monday. It was having a ball chasing bubbles coming from one of the exhibitors set up in the park.  It was tougher than I thought to get a good shot, but this one works and I like that their are still remnants of a just burst bubble lingering over its head.




goo, goo g'joob