BestFPS: Best Photos of 2010 Part 3

And the last part of my best photos of 2010. Here is to hoping for a more exciting new year.

Standing only 5'1" tall, female Japanese knuckleball pitcher Eri Yoshida, stands on top of risers as she talks to media and fans after she was introduced as the first female pitcher for the Chico Outlaws in the Golden Baseball League at a press conference at Chico Sports Club on Friday, May 7, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The wind whips around mustard weeds atop a hill near a home along DeGarmo Dr. near Bamboo Orchard on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A flock of snow geese take flight as people view the geese, ducks, raptors and other waterfowl at Sacramento River Refuge Llano Seco Viewing Platform during the Snow Goose Festival Saturday, January 30, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Pleasant Valley High's #77 Jordan Rigsbee (center) breaks through the banner against Red Bluff High before the first quarter of their football game at PVHS Asgard Yard Friday September 3, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Pleasant Valley High's #17 Brandon Coborn makes a diving catch for the out against Paradise High's #4 Matt Smoots (not seen) in the top of the second inning during their baseball game at Doryland on Friday, May 7, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

BestFPS: Best Photos of 2010 Part 2

Here is the second batch:

Alex Henry, 10, play in the fountains at the Downtown City Plaza September 9, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Outlaws' #3 Eri Yoshida (center) laughs with #5 Pascual De Real (left) against the Na Koa Ikaika Maui before the start of the top of the first inning during their baseball game at Nettelton Stadium on Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Ella Campbell, 9, of Coarsegold, CA (left), practices with Shannon Hall, 10 of Clovis, CA (right) as they prepare to compete in the CA Old Time Fiddlers State Fiddle/Picking Contest at the Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Fire Capt. Ray Silverman takes of his mask as he is covered in insulation after battling a fire on Tuesday, October 1, 2009 in Chico, Calif. Chico Firefighters work to extinguish a fire in a home along E. 12th St. near Locust st. The fire broke out sometime after 3:00pm. There was a report of a dog inside the home. The fire was reported by several neighbors and passing individuals. There was a report to no one home at the time of the fire. It is unclear at this time the cause of the fire. Damage was extended to the attic of the residence as firefighters were able to quickly knock down the fire.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Jessen Cole is reflected in a computer screen of a picture of Cole when he was in the hospital as he talks about how he survived a rare reaction to anesthesia called malignant hyperthermia after recovering in his home Saturday, July 10, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

BestFPS: Best Photos of 2010 Part 1

There are three parts to this FPS. Part of the reason to get back to blogging was not just the fact that I am on vacation from graduate school, but also because I was looking over the photos I took this last year and thought, "Wow, I actually took some images I like." So, here are my best frames of the last year.

Chico Police officer Travis Johnson (right) looks over CHP officer Brian White (left) as he talks to the suspect, German Herrera-Alvarez, 32, who involved in a high speed (105mph) pursuit that started from southbound Hwy99 and East Ave that ended with a two-vehicle collision at Hwy99 just south of E. 20th Ave Friday, May 14, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State's #7 Josh Johnson (left) and #6 Zach Bradford (right) react to loosing the game against Midwestern State at the end of the second half of their men's soccer game at CSUC University Stadium Saturday, November 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

South Confederates (seen) fire a cannon to engage the North Union in a "Battle of Tuscan Ridge" Civil War re-enactment at Tuscan Ridge Golf Course Saturday, October 23, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Pleasant Valley High's #12 Chase Drews (right) lays out for a completed catch in the endzone to score a touchdown against Chico High's #9 Jesse Holmes (left) in the second quarter of their Almond Bowl football game at CSUC University Stadium Friday, October 22, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Carter Addington, 8, Joshua Addington, 10, Leah Addington, 5, Ellie Addington, 2 1/2, and, Eric Addington, (left to right) cheer for the Canadian Snowbirds that fly in formation during the Twilight Chico Air Show dazzles the crowd at the Chico Municipal Airport Friday September 24, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

In Absence Too Long

I'm not usually tardy and never absent, but for the last couple months this blog has been vacant. I'd like to say that starting graduate school at the Academy of Art for an MFA in photography made me stop, but the truth is I probably could have kept it updated a little bit more. Yes it is true graduate school has completely consumed my life. But as this year winds down, I think it only appropriate to have a New Year's resolution to be to get back to blogging. Hopefully I will continue throughout the year.

Friday Night Football Is On!

Another season of football has begun for the high schools in the area. I always love the first couple games because the sun is usually setting for great light. In a matter of weeks it will become black in the sky and cold. I love football, and it looks to be an exciting season. My first game was between Durham High and Gridley High. Durham pretty much dominated the field. Here are a couple shots from the night's game.

Durham High's #9 Nelson Fishback stiff arms against Biggs High's #25 David Diaz (left) during the second quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The sun sets on the field as Durham High prepares against Biggs High before the first quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Durham High's #22 Chris Craven (left) is congratulated by #9 Nelson FIshback (center) and #4 Adny Sundberg (right) after Craven scored a touchdown against Biggs High during the second quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Durham High's #17 Isaiah Perez (left) rushes against Biggs High's #17 Michael Torres (right) during the first quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The sun sets on the field as Durham High against Biggs High before the first quarter of the football game at DHS Friday, August 27, 2010 in Durham, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Soaking in a Summer Night

With the sun setting I headed out to One Mile. The night was still warm as temperatures had hit over 100 degrees earlier in the day. There was a golden hue over the pool. I probably missed the golden hour by about 10 minutes. But I snapped a quick shot. It reminds me of a painting. Very simple, but telling of a culture and a place.

Chicoans spend the evening with a cool dip in the Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area on a warm summer evening Wednesday, August 25, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Prep Football is Warming Up

With temperatures well over 100 degrees, what a better time to go out to some local high schools to see how football practice was going. It was hot, way hot. And no creeks or pools in sight. These kids are worked hard, and they are excited to be out there. I myself, may prefer a air conditioned indoor stadium, but we don't have that luxury. Prep football is always an exciting time of the year. I am sure there will be many more football updates as the nights come.

Thomas Jones runs drills as Las Plumas High School football team practices at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Michael Simon runs drills as Las Plumas High School football team practices at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Matt Soudan (left) runs drills as Oroville High School football team practices at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High School football team takes a water break as they practice at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Gage Cuellar (left) tackles Anthony King (right) as the Oroville High School football team practices at the high school Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Look Ma, No Ha...Feet?

I stumbled across a jet skier out with friends on the Afterbay in Oroville the other day. I noticed something a little unusual about how this jet skier was spinning around the water. He had his feet propped up over the handles and was spinning circles in the water. It was a different way of riding, but from the looks of it, he was having fun. It just goes to show you can never plan your day or what you will see.

Joel Rohm, of Yuba City, rides feet first on a jet ski as people find time to play in the Thermalito Afterbay Tuesday, August 24, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Portrait of an Artist

I had the pleasure of meeting local Chico artist Jake Early. He has created a popular printmaking series and just released a new set of prints. I spent some time with him at Chico Paper Company. Early was a good sport about the photo shoot. I even was able to try a non traditional pose using his print as a backdrop for him. I don't know if it was my favorite shot, but it just goes to show the variety of tasks that I have to undertake as a photographer.

Chico artist Jake Early shows off his newest prints for Lundberg Farms at Chico Paper Company Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico artist Jake Early shows off his newest prints for the Highway One series at Chico Paper Company Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico artist Jake Early shows off one of four newest prints for Lundberg Farms at Chico Paper Company Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hands Across the Bridge

The Bidwell Bar Bridge had a community event to draw more public support for the facility. The initial size of the crowds weren't as big as they organizers and myself were hoping for. I still managed to get a couple shots out of it. I was lucky enough to have time to stay and wait for a photo opportunity.

Boy Scouts Troop 130, Michael Wiles, 11, (left) and Tyler Bruce, 11, (right) stretch arms with others who gathered at Bidwell Bar Bridge for "Hands Across the Bridge" event Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Oroville, Calif. There was a pancake breakfast John and Annie Bidwell will visit, yoga demo, Tollhouse cookies for sale, butterfly release, face painting, horseshoe tossing and more.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

People gathered for a yoga demo on the Bidwell Bar Bridge for "Hands Across the Bridge" event Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

8FPS: What a Wild Night

With Chico State students heading back into town, the south campus area is becoming much more wild. The student population creates much more party activity than in the summer months. With students, new, old, and from out of town, Chico Police are kept busy. I try to make an effort to head out in the late evening, early morning to capture the type of activity that is becoming more and more prevalent.

What made this night more wild than others was the close proximity to all the activity. It all centered around 5th and Ivy, a hot spot for crazy parties. Chico Police, Fire and Paramedics were all keep busy tending to fights, stabbings, and drug young people. There was even a commercial structure fire that night. The most unusual story happened at the end of the night when police were called out to the train track after a report of three men who jumped from a moving train injuring themselves... Maybe "wild" night is the wrong description; what a stupid night.

Chico Police arrest a man who was in a fight and had a stab wound, at 5th St and Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Young people party at a home at 6th St. and Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on them as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire tend to a victim of an assault and robbery, who was knocked in the head and bleeding along Ivy St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire and Police attempt to locate a man who was reported to have jumped with two other friedns from a moving train along the train tracks and W. Sacramento Ave, after hopping on the train as it pasted through town. His buddies had injuries and were taken to Enloe. Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tacos de Acapulco stays open late for midnight cravings for the Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police arrest a man who at 5th St and Ivy St. who was harassing women as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Fire respond to a commercial structure fire at Playtime-4-You lingerie shop at Esplanade and 12th Ave Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico Police officer James Dimmitt (left) and Sgt. Greg Keeney (right) question a man as they make a stop at a party along 6th St. near Cherry St. as Chico State students and youth take to the south CSUC campus streets patrolled by Chico Police keeping an eye on people as they party for the weekend before school gets under way Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Sports Is Not All About the Action

The first thing you generally visualize about sports is the action. But as a photojournalist, there are many more stories from the games we see that the activity. Eri Yoshida has been a huge star both locally and nationally. Most people want to come to the game to see her pitch. She definitely has a unique style to her game. But after the first, second, third and even fourth game, her pitching is still the same. There needs to be another story.

The story I see is how Yoshida interacts with the other male members of the team. She laughs and high-fives with them just like one of the guys. She has been well excepted not just with the fans, but also her teammates.

Chico Outlaws' #3 Eri Yoshida (center) laughs with #5 Pascual Del Real (left) against the Na Koa Ikaika Maui before the start of the top of the first inning during their baseball game at Nettelton Stadium on Friday, August 20, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

FDIC Takes Over Local Bank

I received a phone call early Friday morning from a source about the FDIC who was going to seize control of Butte Community Bank later that evening. The feds certainly do things in style. They were suppose to approach the bank's main offices and shut its operations down. There had been talk in the banking community that this was going to happen after Butte Community Bank's large loans had taken a drop in value. Butte Community Bank was purchased by Rabobank. It was a very quick and very hush operation. I was lucky enough to be on site at the right time and examiners approached the bank buildings.

Members of the FDIC security approach the Community Valley Bankcorp building off East Lassen Avenue Friday, which is the headquarters for Butte Community Bank. The bank was taken over by the FDIC.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The next day I went to one of the branches to see the changes that have been made. I guess the FDIC do things quick. The plan to take the bank over Friday at closing time and if there is a new buyer, reopen by Monday. Many customers had read our story in the morning paper and were coming to inquire their options. One man I talked to closed his accounts because he didn't want to leave his money with a bank he didn't know.

Michael Bridges walks out of Butte Community Bank after closing his account he had for three years. The new Rabobank, was the former Butte Community Bank off Forest Ave Saturday, August 21, 2010 in Chico, Calif., after FDIC Bank Federal regulators took over Chico-based Butte Community Bank on Friday, because of a strategy to recapitalize the local bank that apparently failed.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

No Excuses

In light of my recent broken equipment, I have still had to do my job. I had a great performing Canon EOS 1D, and a good quality second body Canon 40D. But since both of them have decided to break over the same time period, I have been left with an entry level DLSR, a 10D. But this is no excuse for me to not perform. While I will also give no excuses to not buy new gear, it has never been the gear that have created great photographers. It has always been the images.

Gear merely provides a convenience. Instead of waiting for that perfect timing, just push the shutter for an 8 frame per second sequence that will probably snag what you are looking for. Having the gear doesn't mean you'll get the shot. You still need to work hard. Gear just makes it a little easier.

So, when I was force to use a camera that didn't have all the bells and whistles, I still had to work for that shot. I was able to shoot a baseball game and get a decent shot out of it.

Chico Outlaws' #12 Anthony Manuel (right) fields the ball to first base for the force out against the Na Koa Ikaika Maui's #8 Phil Alves (not seen) as #5 Paul Nishimura (let) attempt to advance to third base in the top of the third inning during their baseball game at Nettleton Stadium Thursday, August 19, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

New Dorm Makes Me Want to Back to School

Chico State students were welcomed back to town with the addition to a new dorm on the campus. It was Sutter Hall and I was treated to a look inside to the new facility.

It was nice. Real nice. The dorm offers spacious hallways and a huge dining facility that is close to being open. The dorms sure didn't look anything like the new Sutter Hall. What really made the new living facility nice is the open common area between the new and old dorm. There was a large open area that offered a common ground for students in Whitney Hall to meet with students from the Sutter Hall. It was quite a sight. I wish they had the new dorm when I went to school. It makes me want to go back.

The new CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility provides a very modern architecture on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State University Housing and Food Services Dr. David Stephen talks about the new dining facility that is soon to be open in CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Chico State students walk out from the main entrance to Sutter Hall Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A rock column structure sits on the center of the dorm buildings allowing for more seating area between the new Sutter Hall and the old Whitney Hall.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Davin Buszek, 19, of Danville, (left) and Taylor Carrington, 19, of Granite Bay (right) play Xbox in Buszek's room in the new CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Residential Advisor Shannon Smith works on projects for new students in her room in the new CSUC Sutter Hall student dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The rebuilt Rec Center is seen adjacent to Sutter Hall as Chico State students walk up the stair to their new dorm facility on campus Wednesday, August 18, 2010 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)