I don't believe he had any competition The yearly Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show was at and around Westworld.   It's a ten day event.  I was only there on the last day.    High Stepping! The horses are beautiful and are highly trained.   There is a lot of money involved in the competition. Once around the arena Until My Next Adventure, See you on down the road, Jim Patterson For images from the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show, click HERE Photographing the other competitors ..read more

Buckeye Arizona, on the far west side of the Phoenix valley, once again hosted the air fair in February 2024.  On this particular day, there was also a fireworks demonstration. The air fair featured a number of trick and even commedic prop engine aircraft. One intriguing and exciting feature was a P-51 prop aircraft made famous in World War II along side an A-10 out of Tucson's Davis Monthan Air Force Base. Following the air show, came the fireworks.   I've seen many fireworks shows.  This one, folks, was the best.   Coming back to the car, we took a go ..read more

One day in February 2024 was a busy day in Wickenburg, Arizona.   In the morning, it was the Gold Rush Days Parade in downtown Wickenburg.   Then, in the afternoon it was action at the Senior Pro Rodeo. Before the morning parade, we saw trick roper and shooter Will Roberts.   Will is also an actor.  If you can remember seeing Ozympic commercials, you would have seen him doing roping tricks.  He also plays General George Marshall in the movie "Oppenheimer."   The parade featured local politicians, fancy and old cars, and of course horses, c ..read more

In a break between storms, I decided to go to the local Deer Valley Airport in Phoenix to capture images.    I thought the backdrop of angry clouds might make some interesting photos. I photographed small trainer aircraft landing and taking off, along with a few small jets and a helicopter. Until My Next Adventure, See you on down the road, Jim Patterson For images from my visit, click HERE ..read more

A day many horse racing fans in Arizona didn't think would come.   I thought horse racing at Turf Paradise was finished once last years season ended in May of 2023.  So it was a happy surprise when the ownership decided to have a shortened season starting 29 January 2024.     Who knows if Turf Paradise will have an operating track next year.  But for now, horse racing will live on at least until May of 2024. Until My Next Adventure, See you on down the road, Jim Patterson For images from my visit, click HERE  ..read more

Arguably the largest and biggest wow factor car auction is the Barrett-Jackson auction held again in Westworld Scottsdale. Doors opened at 8am so I thought I'd be clever and get there right after opening.   There was already a huge crowd there!   There were race cars, souped up cars you'd see on the streets, and cars owned by famous people.  There was also exciting and colorful lit signs.  I used the Canon EOS R6 Mark II and the Canon 14-35mm lens with a circular polarizer.   The CP I used to cut down on the glare.   Westworld was very wel ..read more

The McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale has lights up for the Christmas season.    If you like ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo, you will love this railroad park.   They also have model trains running through mini towns, reminding me of my youth when I had a very similar setup. They also have a little passenger train that takes you through the area that is fun for adults and kids. Until My Next Adventure, See you on down the road, Jim Patterson For images from my visit, click HERE ..read more

Saturday 16 December 2023 the Japanese Friendship Garden put on workshops highlighting New Years traditions. First was a demonstration of mochitsuki where glutinous rice is pounded to make muchi, a chewy rcie cake.   It can be used in a variety of dishes or enjoyed on it own, sometimes with toppings or fillings. Then there was a demonstration of mochi bana (rice cake and flower), a traditional japanese art form that involved shaping and decorating mochi, the chewy rice cake.  Here, the mochi is shaped into small pieces of various colors, and then attached to branches.  ..read more

I love photographing country artists and bands.   I enjoy the music and the people are nice.   The same is true here while photographing Ryan Shupe and the RubberBand.  This was their Christmas show in Mesa, Arizona. The song that put them on the map was "Dream Big."        I showed up early, but not that early.   The auditorium seemed closed so I walked all the way around and found an open door.  I peeked in and Ryan peeked back and invited us in from the backstage.   One of my other favorites they had don ..read more

Stagecoach Village in Cave Creek, Arizona hosted a Christmas celebration.   You could do some Christmas shopping, get something to eat (I had those delicious candy apples), and even a softdrink or adult beverage (Sapporo beer from Japan went down nicely).   Well well well, here's Santa and Mrs. Claus!   And here is a close up of a glass statue of a deer.   And then they had a few hot air balloons some in for lighting. Until My Next Adventure, See you on down the road, Jim Patterson For images from my visit, click HERE ..read more