Great Prosser Balloon Rally
October 12, 2010

 Hot air balloon pilots prepare their balloons for inflation before the Great Prosser Balloon Rally in Prosser, Washington, USA.
Balloon pilots listen to a weather briefing before the last day of the Great Prosser Balloon Rally in Prosser, Washington, USA.
Hot air balloons lift off into the sky for the Great Prosser Balloon Rally in Prosser, Washington, USA.
Riders wave to the crowd as a balloon takes off from the ground at the Great Prosser Balloon Rally in Prosser, Washington, USA.
Spectators watch as balloons inflate at the Great Prosser Balloon Rally in Prosser, Washington, USA.
After a light rain started, a hot air balloon returns to the ground and volunteers deflate the balloon at the Great Prosser Balloon Rally in Prosser, Washington, USA.
After a light rain started, a hot air balloon returns to the ground and volunteers deflate the balloon at the Great Prosser Balloon Rally in Prosser, Washington, USA.
A few images from the Great Prosser Balloon Rally in Prosser, Washington, USA. Bad weather put a cramp on the day; only a few of the 20+ slated to fly that day actually made it into the air. More images available for license at my archive.

Mechanical Bull-A-Rama
September 10, 2010

 Competitors ride a mechanical bull at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
A small converted camping trailer serves as a concession stand at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
A small audience watches competitors ride a mechanical bull at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
A small audience watches competitors ride a mechanical bull at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
Competitors ride a mechanical bull at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
Young riders wait their turn on the mechanical bull at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
A small audience watches competitors ride a mechanical bull at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
Competitors ride a mechanical bull at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
A small audience watches competitors ride a mechanical bull at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
Dogs lay at the feet of people watching the mechanical bull rodeo at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
The winning children’s team poses for pictures at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
Teenagers play while watching the competition at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
A small converted camping trailer serves as a concession stand at the Mechanical Bull-A-Rama at the Whoa Arena in Valier, Montana, USA. The event, organized by Janelle Nelson, was a benefit for local youth rodeo participants and the local food bank.
Bumper stickers decorate the back end of a Chevy Nova car in Valier, Montana, USA.
The Mechanical Bull-a-Rama, a first in Valier, MT, is expected to become a yearly tradition. Janelle Nelson owns the arena in the town (population 498) and wanted to give a little back to her community. She met a mechanical bull operator from Idaho who was willing to come up to Valier, and the Bull-a-Rama was born as a fundraiser for local youth rodeo participants. Competition was fierce but friendly; age and gender were no limit. Really, it was just an excuse for something to do as the day turned into night. Couldn't have been a better time. More pictures available at my photoshelter archive.

Testicle Festival in Clinton, MT
August 19, 2010

 A sign advertising the Testicle Festival and the Rock Creek Lodge stands outside Clinton, MT, alongside I-90. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
A man uses a wooden penis attached to a hose to spray a contestant in the wet t-shirt contest at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
The crowd gathers to watch young women perform in the wet t-shirt contest at the Testicle Festival in Clinton, MT. Most participants in the wet t-shirt contest removed all of their clothing while performing for the crowd. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
A sign next to a pool outside a trailer declares the pool is for skinny dipping only at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
A woman flashes people in exchange for beads at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
A man displays beads around his neck at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The beads are typically given to women in hopes that woman will expose her breasts. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
People walk past an overflowing garbage can at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
The campground is filled to capacity with tents, RVs, and trailers at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
People whip and spank a man wearing little at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
Young men use their hats to get the attention of a friend while a crowd forms to watch the wet t-shirt contest at the Testicle Festival in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
Men eat Rocky Mountain Oysters at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
A man takes a shot of alcohol from a cocktail waitress at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
A woman falls to the ground at the Testicle Festival at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
Crowds gather to watch the Undie 500 competition at the Testicle Festival in Clinton, MT, in which racers drink beer, ride tricycles, and remove articles of clothing when they perform poorly. Many contestants were fully naked by the end of the competition. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
People walk past the Rock Creek Lodge during the night at the Testicle Festival in Clinton, MT. The Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, has hosted the annual Testicle Festival since the early 1980s. The four day festival and party revolves around the consumption of so-called Rocky Mountain Oysters, which are deep-fried bull testicles.
The Testicle Festival is a Montana institution. Held at the Rock Creek Lodge in Clinton, MT, just outside of Missoula, the festival has been going for nearly 30 years. Thousands come to the wild event from all over to indulge in a local delicacy: Rocky Mountain Oysters. Battered and deep-fried, the bull testicles are a favorite among attendees, but the real fun to be had is the 4-day party. Ridiculous games such as the Undie 500, in which contestants drink beer, race tricycles, strip away clothing for poor perforance; a wet t-shirt contest that always turns into an amateur strip show; and dancing late into the night to live bands. On one evening this year, the crowd packed the dance floor to a raucous cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd. At the Testicle Festival, however, the song echoing through the valley was "Sweet Home Montana."

Massive delays at Beijing Capital International Airport
June 18, 2010

 Stranded travelers wait for news about delayed and canceled flights at Beijing Capitol Airport’s Terminal 3 in Beijing, China, on 17 June 2010. Almost all departures and many arrivals were severely delayed or canceled due to thunderstorms and hail in the area.
Stranded travelers wait for news about delayed and canceled flights at Beijing Capitol Airport’s Terminal 3 in Beijing, China, on 17 June 2010. Almost all departures and many arrivals were severely delayed or canceled due to thunderstorms and hail in the area.
Stranded travelers wait for news about delayed and canceled flights at Beijing Capitol Airport’s Terminal 3 in Beijing, China, on 17 June 2010. Almost all departures and many arrivals were severely delayed or canceled due to thunderstorms and hail in the area.
A flight information board displays caanceled and delayed flights at Beijing Capitol Airport Terminal 3 in Beijing, China. Almost all departures and many arrivals were severely delayed or canceled due to thunderstorms and hail in the area.
Stranded travelers wait for news about delayed and canceled flights at Beijing Capitol Airport’s Terminal 3 in Beijing, China, on 17 June 2010. Almost all departures and many arrivals were severely delayed or canceled due to thunderstorms and hail in the area.
Stranded travelers wait for news about delayed and canceled flights at Beijing Capitol Airport’s Terminal 3 in Beijing, China, on 17 June 2010. Almost all departures and many arrivals were severely delayed or canceled due to thunderstorms and hail in the area.
Caught on the return trip from the US to China this week, I was among the thousands of travelers stranded at Beijing Capital International Airport. Severe thunderstorms crippled the airport, delaying or cancelling hundreds of flights for a day and a half. I took a few pictures while sorting out my own travel woes. Air China, thankfully, put me up in a decent-enough hotel while I waited for the mess to unwind. More pictures are available for licensing.

A few days in Urumqi
May 15, 2010
Crowds gather outside the Urumqi Railway Station in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
A woman shakes out a sheet while doing the laundry in an apartment in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Broken glass obscures the view out a window of a hotel in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China.
Spent a few days in Urumqi, capital Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, covering how the city has coped with ethnic tensions half a year or so after the violence in the summer of 2009. There are still plenty of signs of strife and unrest, but the city's hustle-and-bustle economy seems to be on the mend. Now with the rumoured stimulus package planned for the region, the city hopes for a bright future. These pictures serve as a glimpse of a longer story to be published here soon.

At the edge of the city
May 15, 2010
I've been exploring the edge of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, where high-rise apartments and luxury shopping malls give way to farm fields, chemical factories, universities, and new luxury housing developments.

Older work
Newer work