Cold Morning Brings Ice

Temperatures have dropped in the North State and it is cold! While not as cold as the midwest, when you are used to summer heat above 100 degrees, a temp below 32 F becomes quite chilly. I took some time to head out to Lindo Channel and photograph the frost and ice that had formed from the night before.

A layer of frost formed on a car windshield after temperatures dropped below freezing Sunday, January 13, 2013 in Chico, Calif.
(Jason Halley/Enterprise-Record)

A layer of ice formed around a rock in Lindo Channel after temperatures dropped below freezing Sunday, January 13, 2013 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Enterprise-Record)

A layer of ice begins to melt over Lindo Channel after temperatures dropped below freezing Sunday, January 13, 2013 in Chico, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Enterprise-Record)

Dull Rain, Great Photo

The rain finally came today and when I was about to start my shift, it let up. The downpour I was looking forward to covering as a photojournalist stopped as soon as I was going to begin. I was left with a cloudy dismal, gray world facing me. I decided to head out and see what I could find. My travels took me to One Mile Recreation Area where no one was out except a few active runners. The wet became cold as I searched for something interesting. Then I decided to get a new view on the world. I pointed my camera up at a tree and let the rain splash on the lens. (I have a UV filter that protects the main lens... and a rain cover for the camera) With the rain splashing the filter it created a watercolor effect over the lens. I took a picture of one of the trees and it made for a much more artistic view of such a dull atmosphere. It was a definitely a happy moment of my day. 

Rain falls for the first time of the year on Thursday, January 19, 2012 in Chico, Calif. Water on the lens creates a watercolor painting feel of a tree at One Mile Recreation Area.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville Mercury-Register Best of 2011

Oroville Fire department fire engineer/fire investigator Marnie Gedney (left) uses her accelerant detection canine Roxy to sniff for any accelerants inside a unit that was destroyed by a fire in the Bunny's Leisure Apartment at 790 Montgomery St. Wednesday, January 19, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A merganser bird takes flight along the Feather River Wednesday, January 5, 2011 in Oroville, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Gymnast Megan Seegart (center) practices on the uneven bars as head coach Shaw Carter (right) looks on as part of the Oroville Gymnastics at the Spring Fling that showcased the Feather River Recreation and Park District’s recently acquired 43,000-square-foot Feather River Recreation and Activity Center, with tours, demonstrations by dance, karate and gym instructors, crafts for kids, a bounce house, face painting, barbecued hot dogs and a bake sale Saturday, April 9, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Two deer leap around the charred ground to escape the area as Cal-Fire Butte County firefighters knock down a small fire that burned an area between Hwy 70 and Table Mt Blvd north of Garden Dr. on Friday, September 2, 2011 in Oroville, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The North's #33 Cameron Nye (right) rushes against the South's #33 Frank Castro (left) in the third quarter of the Lions All-Star football game at Harrison Stadium Saturday, July 30, 2011 in Oroville, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Dew coats the grass and leaves at Riverbend Park Saturday, December 24, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Oroville High students toss their caps as they celebrate their graduation ceremony at Harrison Stadium Thursday, June 9, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Rain pours out from the clouds along Durham-Pentz Rd. during a storm Wednesday, June 1, 2011 in Butte Valley, Calif. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cal Fire - Butte County volunteer firefighter Buzz Landon, hoses down a vehicle fire that broke out after a rollover along Midway near E. Nelson Rd.Thursday, February 3, 2011 in Chico, Calif. CHP reports a solo female driver, Aaron Bowen, 18 of Yuba City, was driving a Ford Bronco southbound on Midway when she veered off the road and overcorrected rolling the vehicle which burst into flames. She escaped with the help of witnesses with minor injuries, mostly cuts and scrapes with complaint of pain. Bowen was transported to Oroville Medical Center. 

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Stars are seen over the Oroville Dam Spillway Thursday, June 9, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Hail Brings Havoc

A quick storm blew through the area dumping quarter size hail and bringing thunder and lightning. I was scrambling to get the lightning unaware of the hail that was falling in an small area just west of where I was. It wasn't until I drove back into town that I saw the amount of hail which had collected in the streets. I documented the effects of the storm, like the damage to schools and businesses. The freak storm was so quick and sudden, yet had such a major impact. There was even hail the next day that hadn't melted.

Lightning strikes and rain falls over north Chico as seen from Upper Park as a thunder and hail storm blew through the area creating havoc and power outages Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kevin Jaradah sweeps the pile of hail that fell in front of his convenient store Spikes Bottleshop as thunder and hail storm blew through the area creating havoc and power outages Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Stephanie Forbis, Ken Forbis, Andshea Ray, and Kyle Forbis (left to right) walk through hail covered ground after getting a dinner from Tacos El Tapatio Express truck at the intersection of E. 1st Ave and Longfellow Ave as a thunder and hail storm blew through the area creating havoc and power outages Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Cars navigate through hail covered streets and light signals power outage at the intersection of E. 1st Ave and Longfellow Ave as a thunder and hail storm blew through the area creating havoc and power outages Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Matt Griffis (right) cleans up the water damage in the library of Marsh Jr. High after a thunder and hail storm blew through the area creating havoc and power outages Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Kevin Jaradah (left) and Mike Jaradah (center) take a order from Sesar Sanchez (right) who bought some Sierra Nevada beers in their convenient store Spikes Bottleshop, which lost power and used cnadles to light the store, taking cash only and using a calculator as a register, as thunder and hail storm blew through the area creating havoc and power outages Wednesday, October 5, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Cloud Rainbow...What Does It Mean?

I noticed in the clouds a while ago, a coloration similar to a rainbow, but wasn't an actually rainbow. It was a little humid that day, and I assume that it is caused by the moisture in the air. I guess I should ask my old physics teacher who took to joyful mystery away from the idea of how rainbows are made, but actually gave me an answer that made me smarter. Either way, it was really interesting to see in the sky.

Higher humidity in the air creates a rainbow in the clouds from the sun Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Higher humidity in the air creates a rainbow in the clouds from the sun Wednesday, April 27, 2011 in Chico Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Soaking Up the Sun at One Mile

It is amazing how just a week ago we were dealing with heavy rain, strong flooding and damaging wind. And now, we are hit with 80 degree temperatures and people flocking to soak up some vitamin C. I went to One Mile yet again, but saw a very different place. People were out enjoying the weather, not hiding from it. I spent my time creating a video of what people were doing down at the popular hot spot.

People take advantage of soaking up some sun at One Mile Recreation Area in Lower Bidwell Park Friday, April 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A group of women dip their feet into Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area in Lower Bidwell Park Friday, April 1, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Playing Through It

Some sports players are tough. They'll play through any condition. I did not expect disc-golf players to be that tough. A weekend storm blew through Oroville bringing high winds and a lot of rain. I figured a disc-golf tournament would be cancelled due to the weather, but they carried on. Half of the course was under water due to flooding, so they naturally just moved to a make-shift course elsewhere. Yeah, don't call them weak. I can't see many other team players playing through the storm.

Disc golf competitor Colin Chambers, of Nevada City (right) takes a putt in the makeshift hole that was reset because of the rain and wind for the third annual Feather River Open disc gold tournament at Riverbend Park, Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Waters rose in the Feather River which flooded the disc golf course area at Riverbend Park, Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Oroville, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Weekend Storm Brings Havoc

Lower Bidwell Park is usually a great place to hike around the numerous trails through thick brush and shaded trees. But with a weekend storm that brought high winds and lots of rain, the trails in Lower Park were left devastated in the storm's path. I walked past a tree of old age that had toppled over into the creek. It was a little sad to see such a huge tree be taken down by Mother Nature. I know that tree won't stand back up and will be sadly missed. The heavy rain waters also turned the trails into rivers. It really was impressive how much damage the storm caused.

A large tree crashed down by heavy winds into Big Chico Creek that flows with high waters in Lower Bidwell Park Area Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Chico, Calif. Heavy rains have increased waterflow in the creeks.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

A large tree is stuck in Big Chico Creek at Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area in Lower Bidwell Park Area Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Chico, Calif. Heavy rains have increased waterflow in the creeks.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Trails are left in ruin with debris from heavy winds and flooding from Big Chico Creek with high waters in Lower Bidwell Park Area Saturday, March 26, 2011 in Chico, Calif. Heavy rains have increased waterflow in the creeks.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Windy Weather Whips Chico

Spring time is usually a short duration here in Chico, but this Spring has pretty much felt like a cold winter. The temperatures have been low and recent storms have caused havoc to the area. It is always interesting that when the storms come, people are told to stay inside, except for me, who is told to go outside and photograph it. It is always important to dress warm and dry weatherproofing not only your gear, but yourself as well.

Chanthavy May, 24 (left) and Zoua Vang, 23 (right) carry umbrellas to deal with the heavy rain waters and stormy wind hit the CSUC campus Thursday, March 24, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The rising river waters of the Sacramento River seen from Irving Finch boat launch as heavy rain and stormy wind hit the area Thursday, March 24, 2011 in Hamilton City, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Bryan Weinmeister, of Chico, takes a look at the rising river waters of the Sacramento River at Irving Finch boat launch as heavy rain and stormy wind hit the area Thursday, March 24, 2011 in Hamilton City, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Danny Marone, of Stott Advertising, (right) looks at their damaged billboard along Mangrove Ave near 7th Ave due to the strong wind and heavy rain that hit the area Thursday, March 24, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Tipped over trash bins near E. 8th Ave and Spruce Ave by heavy rain waters and stormy wind hit the area Thursday, March 24, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Making the Rainy Weather Beautiful

As a photojournalist I am always looking for creative and interesting images. When cold and dreary weather comes, it is hard to find something that packs a bunch. The recent rains have left Chico a gloomy and damaged place. But I chose to focus on the beautiful things.

On her way to grade papers, CSUC English and Business Communication Professor Linda Rogers, carries her rainbow umbrella through the rain in Downtown Friday , March 18, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Jo Lillis (top) watches Big Chico Creek atop the bridge at Sycamore Pool at One Mile Recreation Area Friday , March 18, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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It's Snow! I Mean Hail! I Mean Melted Hail!

Cold Arctic temperatures brought chilly weather recently to Chico. People had been planning for the cold weather coming earlier in the week. While our other photographer headed to Paradise, I stayed in Chico to see if the cold weather would bring the illusive snow flakes. It was funny to see Chicoans' reaction to what fell on the valley floor. I myself had a hard time knowing if what was falling was snow, or hail, or rain.

What looked like hail began collecting on the city streets and people were coming out with smiles on their faces. "It's snowing!" You would hear people saying with excitement. But was it? For Chico it sure felt like it. But for the town of Paradise, it was nothing like it. Paradise saw a huge snowfall come in damaging cars and taking out power. The schools in Paradise closed and people struggled to drive through the terrain.

While here in Chico, people laugh and smiled a the thought of snowfall. It was fun to try to hunt down the snowfall. While I was able to capture the news of the day I don't think I actually photographed any snow.

Callie McMurray, 19, sticks out her tongue to catch soft snow-like hail that fell as people walk by Chico State BMU on the CSUC campus Friday, February 25, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Trevor Thompson, 22, throws snowballs at passing cars made of the soft snow-like hail that fell on the ground near 15th St. and Salem Friday, February 25, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

The car streaks can be seen as the soft snow-like hail fell on the ground near 14th St. and Broadway Friday, February 25, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Snow fell in the Sierra foothills as cars drive along the Skyway as a seen along the Midway near Blossom Lane Friday, February 25, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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Spring Weather Blooms Early

The warm weather hit early and hotter causing blossoms all over the city's trees to bloom. I headed out to find some color and beauty and it was pretty quick and easy. The scene was perfect, I just had to wait for somebody to come into the scene. A bicyclist rode through the trees and I snapped away. The blossoms framed him perfectly. Later I also headed to check out all the almond blossoms that have been turning the almond orchards into a winter wonderland. I got a high vantage point and snapped the blossoms of an orchard.

A bicyclist rides under Purple Leaf Plum trees that bloom early in the warmer weather along Vallombrosa Ave near Mangrove Ave Wednesday, February 23, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

Almond blossoms bloom as seen from the Midway Friday, February 25, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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A Foggy Sunset

While working, I am always on the lookout for something neat or interesting. Sometimes, I am lucky enough to be blessed with something absolutely gorgeous. There was a heavy fog that had rested on the valley floor for a couple of days. Fog as a weather pattern is not that unusual. It doesn't come all the time, but it definitely adds an interesting environment for shooting. After gathering the typical people walking through the fog, I decided to see if I could get above the clouds.





I headed up Hwy 32 toward Forest Ranch, but didn't have to far to rise above the fog. I was able to pull over to this area that overlooked the valley. I was right above the fog that covered end to end. It was quite a sight that I don't think my photos can even describe properly.

I set up three cameras, two that were on time-lapse taking shots about every 5 seconds. I held the third camera in hand shooting both video and stills. The sun began to set as I began to work. It was truly a view that I was powerful. I need to figure out how to build a house at that spot. As the sun set and the moon began to shine brighter, I noticed the stars that began to show. The absolutely clear sky was something that I had not seen for a couple days. Stars filled the sky and the city lights created a glow from below the fog. There was no way to capture it all. I just breathed deeply to enjoy what I could. I did manage to snap a self portrait of me out in the scene.









Fog lies on the valley floor over Chico as seen from Hwy 32 Friday, January 7, 2011 in Chico, Calif.
(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

I later came down the hill and compiled the time-lapse shots into a video. I was surprised how much the "apparent" motionless fog actually moved. It was something you didn't notice as you stood their watching, but over the span of 30 minutes you could see the fog rolling like a river.

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Tell me what you think? What is your favorite?

Email me at propixelographer@gmail.com

From New Moon To No Moon

Stepping outside as it was getting dark I noticed a strange circular shape in the sky. It was a new moon. It looked huge. I tried driving around town to get a better view. I headed up Hwy 32 and saw the thumbnail shape hanging over the foothills. I took out my camera and was only able to capture of couple of shots before the moon tucked behind the mountains. It was too dark to see the ridge line, but as the moon descended into the horizon, the outline of the mountain range appeared silhouetted in front of the moon. It was a great sight to see, and then it was gone.

A new moon phase sets behind the mountain range as seen from Hwy 32 Wednesday, January 5, 2011 in Chico, Calif.

(Jason Halley/Chico Enterprise-Record)

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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)