
Babies, crime scenes, rodeos, weddings, landscapes, portraits, skateboarding, a courtroom and a board room … my best photos of 2010 cover a pretty broad spectrum of subject matter. Maybe that’s why it took me until February to get this blog post up. With a reminder that late is better than never, I humbly submit my best work of last year. Enjoy.

Salinas High graduates celebrate at the end of Thursday’s commencement ceremony at the school.


Tyler Smith of Fruita, Colorado, gets kicked by a bull during the bull riding competition at Sunday’s California Rodeo Salinas.

Alisal High graduate David Estrada shows his soccer skills Thursday in the side yard where he first played soccer as a kid, at an apartment complex on Towt Avenue in Salinas. Years ago, the clothesline posts behind him served as a makeshift goal. Thursday, he became a first-round draft pick for Major League Soccer, chosen to play professionally for the Seattle Sounders. Photo taken on 1/14/10 in Salinas. Photo by Scott MacDonald 0114_ESTRADA_1645 Camera data: 1/14/10 at 4:24:19 PM, ISO 100, 1/250 @ f/5.6, WB=Cloudy, 18mm, , Fine, frame 1645.

01-16-2010 — Big Sur, Garrapata State Park

Andrew Nelson

The victim of a shooting Tuesday on Soledad Street in Salinas calls out to friends as emergency workers wheel him to an ambulance, which transported him to a local hospital. The attacker fled on foot after shooting the victim, who is in his early 20s, in the lower leg, according to Sgt. Stanley Cooper of the Salinas Police Department. Cooper said there’s a “high likelihood” that the shooting is gang-related.

Langston Williams III is hugged by his mother, Thaddeus Williams, as he addresses the judge Thursday during his sentencing hearing for the stabbing death of his brother in October 2007. Williams III is expected to receive six months in jail and four years probation.

Members of the Salinas Elks Lodge line up before the presentation of colors Wednesday morning during the grand opening ceremony for the new Walmart store in north Salinas.

Strummer Austin Case, June 24, 2010



Angela & Manuel wedding, June 26, 2010


A suspect looks out from the back of a police cruiser Tuesday on Oregon Street after a shooting in which a child was killed in his home by a stray bullet. Five suspects were taken into custody on Oregon Street.


Spreckels Elementary second graders line up Friday before the annual Halloween parade around the school.

Sonia Jaramillo, principal at Cesar Chavez Elementary, scolds Alisal Union School District board president Jose Casteneda Friday during a press conference called by Casteneda to address the issue of a state-appointed trustee overseeing the district. The board has been in disarray for months; it has laid off principals without approval from the superintendent and replaced the superintendent but kept the former one on the payroll at her previous salary.

Bo Casper of Fort Scott, Kansas, makes the sign of the cross after his ride in the bareback bronc event at Friday’s California Rodeo Salinas.

Toby Inman puts a barrel between himself and a bull during the freestyle bullfight at Sunday’s California Rodeo Salinas.

Armando Frias, 10, left, lets fly at the proprietors of Canales Company, whose business model is to have people pay for the privilege of pelting them with water-soaked bean bags, during Oasis Charter School’s annual “Boxland” Thursday in Salinas. Photo taken on 6/10/10 in Salinas. Photo by Scott MacDonald 0610_BOXLAND_9434 Camera data: 6/10/10 at 10:15:07 AM, ISO 100, 1/1000 @ f/5, WB=Cloudy, 35mm, , Fine, frame 9434.

Jonathan Ngo, 11, of Marina, takes aim before the start of Saturday’s Kiddie Kapers parade in Salinas.


Barrel racer Shannon Shade of Corral de Tierra pictured Thursday with her mare, Saity.






Thomas Bushey of Lincoln — dressed as a woman — gets thrown while competing in the “Wild Ride” event Friday during the Flying U Rodeo at the Monterey County Fair.

Seaside’s David Maposua leads his team through the “Haka” — a traditional Polynesian war dance — before Friday’s game against visiting Atascadero.

Workers harvest produce Nov. 12 on Espinosa Road near Castroville.
Andrew McGovern
Feb. 16, 2011Scott, Awesome work as usual. I always look forward to your updates. Thanks for sharing.