Dustin Johansen, 7, center in black and red stripes, reaches out to touch bubbles along with other children at the end of Diana Vergaray's storytelling show during a Dia de los Ninos (Children's Day) event Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at the Pleasant Grove Public Library.
April was relatively calm, and brought a bit of rain (as April tends to do).
Assignments still came consistently throughout the month, but things weren't as busy as it's been the past few months. Photographing a lot of rainy sporting events has made me a pro of taping a trash bag to a 400mm lens, but otherwise the month has mainly consisted of general daily newspaper assignments. For some reason I felt myself standing back and using my 70-200mm to clean up scenes more than usual, and I'll be working to get back to being closer to subjects on assignments (which is where I feel I work best).
My Monday Close-Up this past month was on the Arrowhead Veterinary Clinic, which cares for large-farm animals. Pictures from that story are the last six images of this blog post, and the written story and photo gallery can be seen here:http://www.provodh.com/ojocq. A quick funny story on how I found the clinic: Back in December, I was driving around the rural area around Payson (which is south of Provo, and much of what's south of Provo is more farm-oriented and rural) in search of some sort of a farm feature. There was a good amount of snow on the ground, and I happened upon a road that came to an end next to the highway. As I came to the end, I turned my car around and my front tires ended up sliding into a snowy ditch. I then walked to the nearest building (which happened to be the clinic) and the doctor there at the time was kind enough to tow me out with his truck. I then kept that clinic as a story idea in the back of my head and put it to use in the spring when they're the most busy. In short, sometimes getting your car stuck can lead to a fun story.
In other news, I turned 24 on the 11th of this month (hurray, haha). I also started to take up mountain biking with Dominic. Ski season is now over, and Dom and I decided we needed a warm-weather hobby. I'm starting to really warm up to outdoorsy stuff (since Utah is loaded with things to do outdoors). I hope that I don't break too many bones trying to "channel the send" (as overly-zealous outdoors people call speeding down a hill in these parts).
Danny, last name withheld, explains his living situation as he prepares to visit a friend in the apartment complex Friday, April 21, 2017 at Brigham Apartments in Provo. On April 10, residents at Brigham Apartments, which is a low-income apartment complex, were given 30 days notice that they must move out indefinitely to make way for renovations in the complex. Danny has been living at Brigham Apartments for four years.
Kaleb Bohn, 12, watches a video on his tablet as his mother Geri comforts him at the Bohn's home Thursday, April 27, 2017 in Eagle Mountain. Kaleb has low-functioning autism, and his mother feels that the 12-year old operates on level of a two-year old.
Spencer Tatton, right, smiles as he prays during the closing prayer beside Casey Swenson at the end of graduation Thursday, April 13, 2017 at ScenicView Academy in Provo. The academy provides career-building skills, education and other advancement opportunities for adults with high-functioning autism.
Nataanr Denny, 12, of Orem, dances along with other dancers in the Grand Entry during the Dancing Strong Youth Powwow on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at Provo High School.
Shauna Taggart hula dances during a book-signing event for author Ken Young on Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at the Pleasant Grove Public Library.
Brigham Young University pitcher Arissa Paulson (10) walks towards the dugout after giving up three runs in the top of the first inning during a game between the Brigham Young University Cougars and the Utah Valley University Wolverines on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Miller Park in Provo.
Maple Mountain coaches tend to outfielder Peyton Pond (10) after he was hit in the head by a pitch as he attempted to bunt the ball during a game between the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles and the Salem Hills Skyhawks on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Maple Mountain High School in Spanish Fork.
Brigham Young University outfielder Brooke Vander Heide (1) grimaces after missing a catch deep in the outfield during a game between the Brigham Young University Cougars and the Utah Valley University Wolverines on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at Miller Park in Provo.
Wasatch players celebrate around midfielder Dax Holmes (19) after he scored a goal during a game between the Wasatch Wasps and the Springville Red Devils on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Springville High School. The goal put the Wasps ahead of the Red Devils 4-0.
Alta catcher Colton Clark, center, acts as if he's a machine gunner as second baseman Jeff Packard, bottom right, and other players play along while the two teams joke around with each other during a rain delay in a game between the Orem Tigers and the Alta Hawks on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Orem High School.
Dr. Mike Walburger grinds down uneven teeth in a horse's mouth Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Arrowhead Veterinary Clinic in Payson. A horse's teeth often can grow unevenly and can cause sores in their mouths if they grow too large.
From right, Emmy Richardson holds down a calf as Ted Ahlin, of Spanish Fork, holds another one of his calves and Mike Walburger rotates the calf's leg to feel out any issues with it Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Arrowhead Veterinary Clinic in Payson.
Nan Johnson works on her computer Monday, March 13, 2017 at Arrowhead Veterinary Clinic in Payson. The building the clinic occupies belongs to the family of the late Lewis Feild, a five-time rodeo world title holder.
Jessica Leany, of Salem, holds the head of Stormy, her quarter horse who is approximately 17-years old, as Mike Walburger tries to diagnosis Stormy's medical issues Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Arrowhead Veterinary Clinic in Payson. Leany and Stormy competed in several 4-H events through the years. Initially due to medical issues, it seemed that Stormy would need to be put down, but Stormy started to improve the next day after some care.
Mike Walburger checks out the teeth of Aero as his owner, Katie Packer, of Provo, watches on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Arrowhead Veterinary Clinic in Payson.
Mike Walburger gathers up chairs as he finishes cleaning up a station he used to test bulls on Thursday, March 23, 2017 at the Arrowhead Veterinary Clinic in Payson.