I’ve lived in the Southwest for over ten years, spending most of that time in urban areas. My goals were more aligned with pounding-out an education, whatever that means, and trying to scrape together some semblance of a living. Only after moving to Bisbee did I begin to wrap my mind around how unusual the territory is. Copper extraction in this little mining town has ceased. The hills are dotted with old miner shacks – some renovated and some decrepit – perched over tombstone canyon. Without the mining & precious metals industry – and the stock exchange that once directed commerce in this region – the town’s known more today for its sordid history of miners, gamblers, prostitutes and, of course, absurd tales of their lingering spirits. I prefer Bisbee’s ‘other’ attraction: artists, eccentrics, and junk-peddlers. At the end of the day, this is a place to drink, to sift through antique curios, and maybe grab a bite to eat at any of the decent restaurants we’ve got.

What I never would have known about, not living here, are the peculiar micro-climates. This is Arizona, we’re saddled-up along the Mexico border. This is the damned desert. But then, the San Pedro river rises and falls with the season. Fields of ocotillo and chaparral stretch out through the valley that demarcates the border – just as clearly as that hideous, rust-laden fence. Another location, a bit out of the way, is Whitewater Draw. If you can believe it, the desert of Southern Arizona boasts a wetlands, a major roost site for the Sandhill Crane.

Bird freaks, photographers, and outdoors-enthusiasts swarm this wildlife preserve during the winter season to watch the cranes descend into the wetlands; the birds spend their evening in the shallow waters evading natural predators, and then fly out in the morning to feed and socialize. It’s a sight to see, if you’re into that kind of thing. As the sun sets, flights scatter over the horizon. You can usually hear the beasts before you would ever see ’em. I didn’t have a tremendous amount of luck with my camera when I went out there a few weeks back, but you work with the hand you’re dealt. The area is tranquil and worthy of anybody’s camera.

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As a result of changing habitat and hunting, it’s estimated that the Sandhill Crane population hovered, maybe, around one-thousand in the 1940’s. With conservation efforts – and an unexplained genius on behalf of the birds to select insanely secure breeding habitats – the population has increased. At this point, it would appear that the greatest threat to the crane is inter-species competition with snow geese over food resources.

The cranes are social, generally encountered in family groups. During the migration & winter seasons, non-filial cranes band together, forming “survival groups” that forage and roost together. These are the kinds of groups that one can expect to encounter at Whitewater Draw during the winter here in Southern Arizona. This year’s migratory group is estimated over twenty-thousand.

It’s easy to feel like one’s thoughts are unoriginal, that publishing one’s words is self-indulgent, that blogs like this are unnecessary.

I struggle with these thoughts whenever I sit down and commit thought to paper, clack on the keyboard, publish them on the inter-webs. There’s an odd compulsion, however, to share these thoughts & images, too; after all, as an image-maker and artist, this is my job. I’ve been astonished, these past few weeks, how a common thread clearly emerged; I and many of my cohort have, independent of one another, shared a number of experiences: upheaval in personal relationships, changes in profession, sleeplessness, and stress have all been common themes as we’ve moved beyond the holiday season.

It’s as though the ground has been shifting right beneath our feet.

My reluctance to sit down and write – anything – is obvious. It’s been nearly a year since I’ve sat down and contributed to this web-log. In the days to come, I’m hoping to get caught up on a lot of work. I have a lot of images sitting on various hard-drives, hiding in a stack of memory cards, and dag-nabbit it’s time I sit down and sift through ’em. I’m living alone now; the burden of keeping an ailing relationship alive has been lifted. It’s time to get back to work, so keep your eyes peeled for more photographs, illustrations, and stories.

Cheers!

Bobby Mote won the buckle for the rodeo overall, winning money in two events, bareback and team roping.

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Today wrapped the 2010 Tucson Rodeo.It was a sell-out crowd with eleven thousand fans out in the stands. This years numbers are proof that the tradition of rodeo is anything but dead.

All things considered it was a hot day in southern Arizona. Empty water bottles littered the gathering area behind the bucking chutes while the cowboys dusted their hands with baby powder and stretched their legs. Folks in the grandstand fanned themselves with event programs, occasionally seeking refuge beneath the west end stands to take in the shade and shop at the four dozen vendors tents. The relentless sun didn’t seem to matter, though. Enough excitement in the arena, a few pretty ladies in the barrel races, and a tall measure of cheep cold beer always promises to keep spirits high.

Today’s final round brought the top competitors from the week into the arena for a single performance. The aggregate scores for all the timed events were close – usually within a few tenths of a second apart.

– – –

In the eight full days of rodeo this year, there were 635 competitors and $430,000.00 in prize money awarded. The overall winner at this years’ rodeo was Bobby Mote who, while not qualifying in today’s bareback ride, took home money in two separate events: team roping and bareback.

– – –

More of the rundown when I do the numbers.

Luke Gee on Bull No. 804 takes 86 points, the top score at today's performance.

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It was a hot day and the stands were full – ten thousand in attendance. With highs in the 80’s on a February afternoon in Tucson, the soil was dry and the rough-stock knocked around more than those daring & crazy enough to ride ’em. Mounds of dust made for an interesting experience on the ground. Agitated broncos rushed the “photo pit,” a caged-off area opposite the bucking chutes, covering all of us in a thin veil of powdered earth.

No injuries today save for the usual black & blue, the occasional pulled-muscle or sprain. From what I can tell, the only real victim was pride during today’s performance; a lot of cowboys were knocked out of the running with only a handful of qualified rides on the rough-stock. Of sixteen total bull rides – a  serious amount for this event – only five cowboys took home a score. It was a Montana boy who took today’s best score – Luke Gee, of Stanford, Montana, took an 84 point score on Red Dog.

The bronc riders took a few more scores today. In fact, looking over the score-sheet, it appears that every last bareback rider took a score today. An Arizona cowboy – Shon Gibon from a town called Taylor – brought the only score to break 80 points in the bareback event on a stunning beast named, simply and accurately, Rage. In the traditional rodeo event – Saddle Bronc – Justin Berg won the day on an exceptional ride on Ravishing Ruby, taking 82 points and a victory lap to a thundering crowd.

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The roping events haven’t changed pace. The team ropers have been struggling this year and only three rides qualified today with a top score of 5.7 seconds. It was a great run by Levi Lewis & Brent Tryon, two Arizona cowboys. And even though it may not seem like much, it’s a hell of a distance – the arena record in this event – made in 2008 and tied in 2011 –  is 4.9 seconds.

In tie-down roping, Jake Hannum of Plain City, Utah brought in an 11.7 second run. The arena record for this event is 7.7 seconds, set in 1993 by Jim C. Smith of Del Rio, Texas.

– – –

The heat’s on and tomorrow’s the last day. It’s going to be a good one.

Jet Price scores 77 points on a horse appropriately named Mucho Motion

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I woke up this morning fully clothed, eyes sticky with dust. The fifth performance won’t begin until this afternoon and I’d hoped that maybe I would be able to sleep through most of the morning. I’m excited, though, and I’ve already begun my equipment check – swabbing lenses with optical cleaning wipes, blowing dust out of the rear elements, charging batteries, and formatting memory cards.

Yesterday was hard on the performers and there were a lot of turn-outs (rodeo lingo for no-shows). Compared to last weekend, the timed events weren’t enough to keep most of the guys in the running, and that disappointment hung in the air for a long time while the crowd cheered through the settling dust. Up in the stands, most of them haven’t been following the aggregate, so when a mud-dogger broke ten seconds people went nuts.

It’s nice to see a good run, but those of us covering the event already knew that most of these boys were out of the running before the sun even came up yesterday morning.

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It’s going to be an interesting day. So far as I’m aware, there’s going to be a brief memorial for legendary rodeo photographer Louise Serpa, who passed away in January at the age of 86. She’s often lauded as the “Ansel Adams of rodeo photography.” Her accomplishments include being the first Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association-sanctioned woman to work the arena as a photographer and, as it turns out, the first woman inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame.

This would have been her fiftieth year at the Tucson Rodeo. The last couple of years were difficult for her, but as long as she drew breath, she was in her usual seat, located just behind the “photo pit,” camera in hand. We’re all going to miss her and the decision was made to keep her seat open. Louise’s daughter, Mia Larocque, has been at the rodeo photographing with me for the past three years; her advice, and the quick wit of her mother, have left an indelible mark on my life as a photographer.

I’m not entirely sure what to expect in the arena today. We’re anticipating a sold-out crowd of eleven-thousand, which would keep in lock-step with this years’ record-breaking attendance. I know which riders I’ll be keeping my eyes on, and we’ll see who makes it to tomorrow – check back later for today’s rundown.

– – –

And, since I couldn’t possibly say it better myself, I’ll leave you with some of Louise Serpa’s words, published in “Rodeo,” an Aperture publication of her photographs.

“Rodeo is fueled by adrenaline; it is geared by athletic ability and heart. The odds of winning are not high, and the pay is the lowest of any sport. Constant traveling, lack of sleep, and physical soreness make some men burn out early…Rodeo is the great equalizer – there’s no room for braggarts, bullies, or the fainthearted. No guts, no glory.”

Marcus Michaelis is stepped on after being thrown from Danny Boy

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Nine-thousand five-hundred in attendance with an expected sell-out tomorrow afternoon. From the crow’s nest I could hear wild cackles and beer-fueled banter across the earthen arena. Primal yells issued from the grandstands along with howls from the bucking chutes as the cowboy cheered on their fellow riders. The smell of blood must have been in the air – the outlaw stock were not to be trifled with. As it turns out, today’s livestock has been determined to be the most vicious so far; it’s no wonder that the day’s roster was marked to hell with turn-outs. I hadn’t given it much thought, but I suppose it makes sense. These guys have to take into account future events before making the hard decision to risk life and limb – mostly limb. An early injury can put a competitor out for the whole season, not just one rodeo.

Of thirteen bareback bronc riders slated to perform, only nine took the plunge. Of the fourteen saddle-bronc riders, only seven saddled up.

Today was a day for the bulls. Literally.

Of more than a dozen rides, only seven boys made the eight seconds. And with two injuries to report, it could have been a better day for the bipeds.

– – –

Marcus Michaelis of Caldwell, Idaho had a run of sorry luck today. Not only was he thrown headlong from a sizable piece of beef named Danny Boy, but the 33-year-old southpaw was stepped on, then nearly railroaded, as the bull-fighters (rodeo clowns) tried to steer the bull toward the pen on the north end of the arena. Most of these guys wear helmets for a reason – today it likely saved Marcus’ life. Danny Boy’s hind leg came down with crushing force on Marcus’ head before stepping on his sternum; he’s lucky the impact didn’t stop his heart.

After lying motionless in the dirt for several moments, the announcers up in the booth were able to see that he was conscious and talking. Paramedics helped him to his feet and he left the arena upright.

According to Rick Foster of Justin Sports Medicine, Michaelis has a concussion but no indication of any neurological problems. With a few minor cuts and some monster bruises, he’s expected to be just fine, although he’ll be sore as hell come sunrise tomorrow. While putting his boots on in the trailer, Marcus was heard saying, “I guess I’ll just have to tough it out.”

Ye gods. That’s a healthy attitude after being nearly trampled to death.

Tyler Scales of Severance, Colorado on Pocahontas - 79 Points

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Nine -thousand spectators arrived today, just shy of the arena’s eleven-thousand limit. And you could tell.

Boots rattled the aluminum grandstands and hats flew. Agreeable weather and the promise of pretty cowgirls, whiskey, and an arena full of talented cowboys & expensive livestock conspired to make this one of the better-attended rodeo events I’ve ever been to.

– – –

Today’s Rundown

The rough-stock was good, but I’d be shocked to see a better showing than last weekend – those beasts were big. Hooves were pounding in the chutes – angry shotgun kicks – before today’s bareback event, and that only served to drum up animated folks in the stands. Tyler Scales of Severance, Colorado took home a 79 point ride on a bucking horse named Pocahontas. In the traditional rodeo event – saddle bronc – Bradley Harter fetched 82 points on a horse named Buckskin Bill.

– – –

The biggest draw, across the board, is always the bull riding. Most folks agree that the bull-riding roster is populated by madmen. You’d have to be to consider sitting your ass on an seething mound of angry beef ten times your size. It’s my humble opinion that, at the end of the day, it takes an unusual combination of absolute lunacy and skill-tempered bravery to ride one of these monsters. But then, as the danger is ratcheted up – that and the promise of possible injury – it’s hard to un-stick our eyes from the rattling cage before the chute doors swing open. I don’t want to downplay how strictly regulated these events are – but the danger is real. And hell, there’s something about a wind-burned crowd, stomping their feet on the floorboards, huddled beneath the shade of their hats, quietly praying for blood.

Nobody ever enjoys seeing another person severely injured, but they all love to tell a story. I’ve seen enough rodeo injuries in my time, though, and I’m glad we didn’t see any serious ones today. Buck Moon almost got killed riding bull number 604, named Silver Sport, after a no score ride. The bullfighters seemed to have the situation under control, but Silver Sport charged and threw Buck into the gate beside the bucking chutes. He was upright but didn’t do a terrible lot of walking – EMT’s were on the seen to make sure none of his injuries were life-threatening.

– – –

Shane Proctor is built like a bar fighter, muscled & lean.  His left forearm is tattooed with a reasonable enough motto: “keep it simple.” This professional, 26-year-old bull rider from Grand Coulee, Washington, took 88 points on an 1,800 pound bull named Coffee Break. Coffee-colored and designed to break men, I imagine Shane feels lucky enough to walk away with today’s top score and no broken bones.

Tom Lewis of Lehi, Utah was the best time today in Steer Wresting by a margin of one whole second, clocking in at 5.6 seconds.

Today was measurably more kind to the ropers. Low winds and a cheering crowd probably didn’t hurt. Cimarron Boardman won the day at 10.4 seconds in the tie-down event. He may well be in the running against the overall tie-down competitor, Cody Owens, whose aggregate score is 43.1 over three rides (that’s an average of 14.4 seconds per ride).

Team roping didn’t change it’s shape this go around – it’s been a tight run for all of the competitors this year. The top three times today were 7.6 seconds, 7.5 seconds, and 7.4 seconds – I suppose it always is more fun when the race is tight, and we definitely got that today. Drew Horner & Buddy Hawkins got to run a victory lap today with their impressive 7.4 second run.

– – –

There’s still more to come – three more days’ worth, in fact. If you get the chance, I’d recommend coming out – it’s been one hell of a year.

Cheers.