Feature Deadline Assignment

Again, my Photo Journalism class had an hour to shoot, edit, print and write a caption.  This time it was supposed to be a feature photo with some sort of connection to the lovely spring weather we've been having. (Yes, I'm being sarcastic about the weather...we are greatly lacking in spring sunshine here in Bellingham).  Here's my shoot.

Eric Guzman tests his new hammock on May 24, 2011 on north campus at Western Washington University.  "Spring is taking its time so might as well go for it and get outside," he says.  He bought the hammock at REI's anniversary sale and wants to use it for camping.  He says, "This rope is supposed to hold 400 lbs."

Deadline Assignment

For this assignment we had about an hour to shoot, edit, print and write a caption for a story about student tuition being raised at Western.  Here's what I got.  

On April 3, 2011 Western Washington University students Dustin Ferguson (left), Adam Garcia (middle) and Ricki Scheneider conduct a chemistry experiment in the Chemistry building on campus.  Western will soon experience budget cuts that will affect students and faculty.  “I think there are a lot of other areas that the state could cut funds,” said Garcia.  “Education and students are the advancement of the future.” 

Patterns of a Forgotten Fall

I found these pictures of Lake Padden hiding on my hard drive.  I miss the sunny days of Fall 2010.  I wish the sun would come back to Bellingham! 

Okay this one isn't Lake Padden...

This was the view from my apartment this last Autumn.  I'm going to miss my apartment and this view. 

Illustration: In Love and Abuse

Mollywood Portraits

 

On April 20, 2011 Betsy Lott holds Chalice, a Moluccan Cockatoo, amidst the screeching noise of other rescued birds at the Mollywood Avian Sanctuary.  Lott began adopting birds with her husband Nate Lott almost 20 years ago.  She now cares for about 350 birds 24 hours a day at her home in Everson.  “I want the birds that could not otherwise find a home,” she said. “I want a place for retired breeders to live out their lives.  I want the sick ones to get the help they need and to return to flight if possible.”  

 Ali Morland holds a Buddy who is recovering from a beak bite from another bird.  Morland lives at Mollywood and helps care for the birds in return for room and board. 

  Lott multi-tasks while spending time with Abraxas (left) and Oglio (right).  “Grandpa here will be 68-years-old on Monday,” Lott says, referring to Oglio.  She says he originally came from the SanDiego Zoo and ended up at Mollywood after developing a heart disease and living in several other homes.  “[Abraxas] is a little thug,” she says.  He is five-years-old and likes to bully the other birds, she says. 

Ricky (left) and Lucy (right) are Muluccan Cockatoos.

Betsy Lott and her husband turned this old milking barn into a home for the birds, she says. 

Features: Kayak Polo

 Rica, a golden lab, waits for her owner, Vanessa Haycock, who plays Kayak Polo at Marine Park on April 26, 2011. Ryan Vasak, a Kayak Polo competitor, says the group started meeting about 20 years ago and he started playing in 1999.  It’s a full boat contact sport, he says.  “We use some glue and butterfly [bandages] every once in a while but nothing too serious,” he says.  “We have an E.R. doctor who plays so no one really has to go to the hospital.” 

 

 

 Meg Noonan and James Swaney pass the Kayak Polo as they return from kayaking near Marine Park.

Microwave Fire at Jimmy's Personal Care

 Members of the Bellingham Fire Department respond to a microwave fire at Jimmy's Personal Care on 11th Street and Harris Avenue around 6:30 p.m. on April 21, 2011. The fire started when an employee microwaved a plastic container. The fire was out when fire fighters arrived.  "I'm slightly traumatized," says Deanna Brown-Cain (425-280-3585).  "I was just getting my legs waxed and then I saw smoke rolling in. I tried to help the girls put out [the fire] by throwing water on it."  

Sports

 

Madison Burke of Lynden Christain High School takes third place in the girls 100-meter hurdles with a time of 18.57 seconds on April 28, 2011 at Bellingham Civic Center.  Bellingham and Meridian high schools also competed at the track meet.  Burke says she also competes in the long jump, triple jump and 4x2 relay.  “[Running] hurdles is my favorite,” she says.  

Nick Zeegers jumps 15 feet 11 inches.  “My last one was better,” he says.  “I just jumped 16.4.”