SOME OF THE CAPTURES THAT TOOK THOSE AWARDS IN 2018

THESE ARE CAPTURES THAT WERE EITHER EDITORS PICKS, FINALIST, WINNERS OR STAFF FAVORITES IN THE YEAR 2017

CAPTURES THAT RECEIVED AWARDS IN 2016

AWARD WINNING CAPTURES FROM BP IN 2015

Those captures that received the Editors Pick award in 2014

These are the award winning captures of 2013 from BP

These are the entries that were selected in 2012 by the Better Photo Editors as either Editors Pick (1st round), Finalist (2nd round) or winner (last round).

These are the more recent photos that I have uploaded to Better Photo in 2011 that have received the Editors Pick Award

These are photos that I uploaded to BetterPhoto in 2010 and before that were picked by the Editors of BetterPhoto website to receive that award.

FAR is another very active photography site that has very strict review system such that less than 5% are able to achieve the "All Time Best Award" The photography submitted is reviewed by the participating photographers. The photographs in this gallery received that distinguished award. I hope you enjoy my photography. Emile

THESE 13 PHOTO COMPETED IN A F/22 JURIED CONTEST TO BE SHOWN AT THE DEL RIO COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS DURING THE MONTH OF JULY. ALL 13 THAT I SUBMITTED WERE SELECTED BY THE JUDGES.

THE CAPTURES IN THIS GALLERY ARE PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN IN JULY/AUG 2012 AS WE TRAVELED FROM TORONTO, NIAGARA FALLS TO VANCOUVER INCLUDING THE CANADIAN ROCKY MOUNTAINS

THESE ARE SELECTED PHOTOGRAPH THAT I TOOK DURING OUR TRIP TO RUSSIA. WE STARTED IN ST. PETERSBURG, CROSSED LAKE LADOGA, TRAVELED THE SVIR RIVER TO MANDROGY, WENT UP LAKE ONEGA TO KIZHI (NEAR THE ARCTIC CIRCLE, THEN DOWN THE VOLGA -BALTIC WATERWAY TO KUZINO, CROSSED THE RYBINSK RESERVOIR TO YAROSLAVL DOWN THE VOLGA RIVE TO UGLICH AND DOWN THE MOSCOW CANAL TO END IN MOSCOW.

CAPTURED ON TRIP TO VISIT MY SON.

CONSIDERED THE VENICE OF FRANCE.

IMAGES CAPTURED IN MAY 2018 IN PARIS, FRANCE

Del Rio is called the Queen City of the Border and is located on the Texas/Mexican Border 150 miles due west of San Antonio. It is located in Val Verde County and is literally an oasis in the desert. Its main economic driving forces are 1. Border Patrol 2. Laughlin AFB 3. Lake Amistad. It is one of the poorest places in the USA and I have been a physician here since 1990. Its population is 40,000 but it services and area that extends west 250+ miles to El Paso, 150 miles north to San Angelo and 150 miles east to San Antonio. I hope you enjoy the captures of this border town. Emile

Val Verde County is in west Texas and borders Mexico along the Rio Grande. It is the home of the Ancient hunter gathers that lived at the confluence of the Los Tres Rios (Rio Grande, Pecos and Devil's Rivers). They lived in shelters and drew the oldest rock art in the Americas being over 4,000 years old that I will present in other galleries. It is a large county and contains the City of Del Rio (an oasis in the desert due to the constant flow of the San Felipe Springs) as well as Lake Amistad National Recreation Area (Best bass fishing lake in the world) due to a 6 mile dam that contains those three rivers. It is at the junction of the desert, the bush country and the Edward's plateau which gives it a varied topography. Val Verde County is a secret kept from the world by its remoteness in the past and I hope you enjoy the beauty as I see it of this special and fantastic location in the State of Texas. See my other galleries for more pictures of this county. Emile

Lake Amistad National Recreation Area is created by a 6 mile dam that contains the Rio Grande, the Devils and Pecos Rivers and is located in Val Verde County, Texas near Del Rio where I live. It is 80 miles long, has 1000 miles of shore line in both the USA and Mexico, is unspoiled and pristine. It has been voted the best bass fishing lake in the world every year since 2004 and is home to the Bass Masters "Battle on the Border". This lake also contains many shelters of the ancients that contain the oldest rock art in the Americas being over 4,000 years old (see them in their own galleries). I hope you enjoy not only some of the starkness and remoteness of this lake (literally an ocean in the desert) but also it's magnificent beauty as seen through my eyes. Emile

Texas is a big state and larger than many countries and has a wide diversity. Included in this gallery are captures that I think convey that unique diversity, beauty and interest of this vast state that was once it's own republic. A recent survey by Popular Photography listed 6 Texas cities as the most photographically friendly in the top 25 cities of America. Texas is beautiful and we want to keep it that way. Enjoy the uniqueness of Texas as seen through my eyes. Emile

Most of these windmills were in Val Verde but several were taken in surrounding counties in West Texas.

Our planet earth has a wide diversity of wonderful animals that have each adapted to their specific environment. Most I have captured in the wild but some from the San Antonio Zoo. Those from a zoo will be so noted.

Various captures of the different architectural styles around the world.

Avian photography is challenging to get just the right timing and emotion. It requires usually a very fast shutter speed, a sharp eye and always take a bit of luck. I hope you enjoy these photographs. Emile

Black and White or Grayscale was perfected by Ansel Adams using his zone technique. Todays digital world has many ways to convert to black and white and this continues to be a popular medium for presentation of high contrast photographs. Emile

On of the interesting parts of photography is trying to capture an image of the fast moving butterfly. Many individuals set up butterfly gardens to attract them for photography. Most of my images have been captured in the wild but a few have been captured in my yard. Fortunately we are on the monarch migration route and they visit Del Rio most Marchs and Octobers but miss some years. I hope you enjoy this aspect of my photography. Emile

All of the images in this category have been changed from their original format by post processing in either Aperture or CS3 or with use of other plugin or filters. The computer/digital world has opened up this new and ever advancing scope of photography. Digital darkroom has blended the real world and the world of fantasy and has created its own art form not able to be accomplished before. Enjoy my attempt in this artistic endeavor. Emile

Elements of Design include some important aspects of photography skills including light, line, shape, form, color, patterns, texture and perspective in addition to the usual aspects of good photography which have to do with composition, exposure, focus, sharpness & DOF. It usually takes a unique eye, experience and skill to focus on this aspect of photography. I hope you enjoy some of my examples in this direction and discipline.

This category is about the fashion, dress, accessories and total beauty of the model. Many of these captures were taken at the ARC style shows and others on runways. Low lighting, fast action and the various setting all provide challenges in this arena of photography. Enjoy the beauty, Emile.

This is a favorite category for many photographers. There are so many types, colors and forms of flowers that it gives photographers a variety of ways for presentation. Enjoy my collection. Emile

Glamour is about emphasizing the beauty of the human body and as such may contain some nudity. All of which should be done in good taste but may offend some individuals, so if it does please do not visit this category. Emile

Outdoor photography presents the opportunity to photograph some interesting landscapes around the world and near where we live. Enjoy the world through my eyes. Emile

Looking at the close up details of nature and objects provides a different perspective of beauty and forms a category unto its self. These are some of my forays into the world of the minute. Enjoy. Emile

Captures of my pets (cats and dogs)

These are portraits and casual captures I have taken of various friends and people.

This is another style of presentation that give an older antiquity look to images. It is another favorite category for photographers. Enjoy my foray into this style. Emile

Still life captures and Food Art capture

All captures were made in the wild on the Tundra of Hudson Bay, Manitoba at Gordon Point and Cape Churchill in November 2006 from Tundra Buggy "Aurora" with famous photographer Robert Taylor (Royal Canadian Academy of Arts), naturalists Glenn Hopfner and world famous photographers Daniel Cox and Daniel Katz who manned the www.polarbearcam.com. During that 10 plus day living on the tundra experience we witnessed and captured many of the personalities of the polar bear. I hope you enjoy these unique photographs of that experience of a life time. Please help prevent global warming and save the only home for the magnificent Ice Bear. Enjoy the "Polar Bear Dance" Emile

The photographs in this category were all taken near Churchill, Canada on the Hudson Bay in Manitoba at Gordon Point and Cape Churchill. They include our Tundra Buggy Lodge that we moved from place to place during our stay, Artic Fox, Artic Hare and captures of the tundra buggies and the PolarBearCam.com manned by Daniel J. Cox and Daniel Katz both world famous photographers. At times it was 29 degrees below zero and winds to 60 mph creating blizzards. There is an other worldliness to the tundra and I hope you enjoy my representation of its barrenness and beauty. Emile

CAPTURED DURING THE RODEO.

CAPTURES TAKEN DURING THE DEL RIO ROTARY INDEPENDENCE DAY RODEO. INCLUDES WORKERS, KIDS EVENTS, WILD RIDERS, AND ACTION IN MANY OF THE RODEO EVENTS

SELECTED CAPTURES TAKEN DURING 2016 ROTARY INDEPENDENCE DAY RODEO.

THESE ARE CAPTURES THAT CELEBRATE OR WERE TAKEN DURING THE 10TH ANNUAL ROTARY INDEPENDENCE DAY RODEO INCLUDING THE EXHIBITIONS OF EMILE ABBOTT, MD

Images captured during the 2013 Rotary Independence Day Rodeo Event.

Each year the Rotary Club and Lester Meier Rodeo Company put on the Independence Day Rodeo in Del Rio, Texas to help raise money for the Rotary Scholarships and philanthropic endeavors. Each year I have tried to capture the essence of the event and the photographs in this category are from the 2012 Rodeo.

Each Independence Day the Del Rio Rotary sponsors a Rodeo that is the major money maker for our various charity projects that gives back to our community and provides scholarships for graduating seniors to go to college.
It takes a 150% effort from all the Rotary members but is put on in a "Family Friendly" environment with fun for all including the children. We thank Lester Meier Rodeo, our Laughlin AFB, and the US Border Patrol as well as all our sponsors in making this an annual event that gives back to our Community of Del Rio, Texas.

I began capturing images of the Independence Day Rotary Rodeo put on by Lester Meier in 2006. That first year I got stomped on the left leg by the first bucking bronco out the chute and found out they are faster and can be meaner than the bulls. I continued my in the arena captures that year and have been asked back each year since. Many of the captures in this category are included in a Photographic Book I published and can be purchased at blurb.com called appropriately "Independence Day Rotary Rodeo 2008". All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Del Rio Rotary Club Charities. I hope you enjoy the action. Emile

The Independence Day Rotary Rodeo has become the event to be at on July 4th each year and is full of action and family fun. To kick off the action is the most physical of all sports "Bareback Bronco Riding" and I hope these photos of Johnny Bass will demonstrate what is in store for the rest of the night. I hope you enjoy the ride, Emile

Captures taken at the 2012 and 2013 Rotary Independence Day Rodeo of the performance of Escaramuza Primivera, precision side saddle drill team.

Escaramuzas are a team of women that execute daring test and precision maneuvers while riding side saddle. This is a very rich and ongoing tradition of Mexico that has distinctive works of costume. Every aspect of the costume and riding gear is strictly regulated. Each rider must be able to control their horses with great skill and require perfect coordination between all team members usually 8 in number. The women events (a national sport in Mexico) are usually called Charra skirmish and is choreographed with the riding to the music. They often participate in tournaments and must be able to stop their horse on a dime. These young girls are from Del Rio, Texas and Cuidad Acuna, Mexico. This is the first year they have performed at the Independence Day Rotary Rodeo in Del Rio. These captures were taken on Friday July 3rd and more from July 4th will follow soon. I hope you enjoy this colorful performance. Emile

IN LATE MARCH 2016 THE ROCK ART FOUNDATION GOT TO SPEND 4 DAYS AT THE REMOTE NATURE CONSERVANCY AND DOLAN FALLS. A GREAT TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.

All of these captures were taken either in my backyard, office or with in walking distance. This category is to show and demonstrate that you do not have to alway think of going long distances or to exotic places to exercise your creativity or to get good photographs. Think locally, think out side the box and think creative to get excellent photographs. I hope this gallery will stimulate someone. Emile

USAF and the "Thunderbirds" put on an awesome Air Show at Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas in May 2008 called "Thunder over Amistad" . These pictures were taken from the central viewing area when the temperature was 120 degrees on the flight line. I was shooting with Canon 5 D and 20 D bodies and with 70-300 EF IS lens, 24 - 105 EF IS lens and 70-200 EF IS L F/2.4 lens. 20,000 people attended but by 1:00 PM 10,000 had left due to the heat. I remained from 9:00 AM to the end at 4:30 PM and had heat exhaustion in the process, being taken back to my vehicle in the ambulance by EMT's. I hope you enjoy the result of that effort and again what a photographer will do to capture the golden moment or money shot. Emile

Val Verde County in Texas has some of the most extreme jeeping in the United States just ask anyone who has jeeped other places then tried here. This is where I have jeeped with the San Antonio Jeep Exclusive Club many times. This is not for the faint of heart and as far as I know I am the only one injured here. ( I tore up my right knee and thigh. Of course taking pictures to get the "money shot" under a jeep that almost ran over me on an obstacle. It was not during an obstacle climb while I was in the jeep). Most vehicles will suffer damage on these trails and obstacles, so come prepared. You are invited to come along for a ride and enjoy some extreme jeeping safely through your monitor screen and my photography. Emile

Spent a day with Official Photographer of Texas, Wyman Meinzer photographing a day of round-up at the 06 Kokernot Ranch near Ft. Davis in mid September 2011. We got up early before daylight to enjoy the entire cowboy experience. What a day it was and I hope you enjoy some of the captures I made during that experience. If you ever get a chance to photograph with Wyman Meinzer do not miss it. He is a fantastic person and photographer. Emile

The San Antonio Zoo is considered on of the 6 best Zoos in the United States is very family oriented and child friendly. They have had the recent addition of a Black Panther.

We live in one of the most beautiful countries on this earth and during my many travels I try to capture various aspects of that beauty both urban, rural, man made parks, natures natural creations and what strikes my eye. I hope you enjoy some of my travels and the beauty of our precious country. Do not pollute and please keep America free and green. Emile

Captures taken in July 2015 at Georgia Atlanta Aquarium

Captures taken at Zoo Atlanta July 2015

The first humans arrived in the "Los Tres Rios" (Confluence of the Peco, Rio Grande and Devils Rivers) now Val Verde County in 14,000 BC. My work was inspired by my living in this area and wanting to preserve their ancient rock art as well as present it to the world before it is lost forever. We have over 300 shelters in Val Verde County where these Hunters and Gathers lived and left their pictograph rock art. The first art form was the Pecos River Polychrome style pictographs which dates back more than 4,000 years from 2,500 to 1,000 BC followed by the Red Monochrome style and the Red Linear Painting style pictographs in 500 BC. I have in my office a very rare collection of spear points and artifacts that date back to the earliest Clovis and Side-Notched Knife (10,000 BC). I will be presenting the details of the various shelters in their own dedicated galleries and hope you enjoy a journey back in time with the Oldest Pictograph Rock Art in the Americas. Emile Abbott,MD

Panther Cave or shelter is known by archeologist as 41VV83 is located on the US side of the Rio Grande river about 50 miles up river from Diablo East on Lake Amistad near Del Rio, Texas. It is accessible only by boat and is a National protected site. It's ancient pictographs date back more than 4,000 years and are the oldest American continent pictographs. These were done in the Pecos River Polychrome Style using multiple colors. It is named Panther Cave due to 8 or 9 feline pictographs that are located within the shelter including "El Gato Grande" a 9 foot Panther that is its guardian. Emile

This shelter is located in Val Verde Co., Texas on the Nature Conservancy at Dolan Falls on the Devils River. This is a very remote area of steep rough canyon walls that is not for the faint of heart or for those with fear of heights. The footing and stability are issues along with cactus, snakes and many other sticking and stinging issues not to mention 103 degree temp. In the shelter are located pictographs of both the Pecos River Polychrome style dating back 2,500 BC to Red Linear Style. I have not fully studied each of these pictographs but will add commentary to them as I do. Any Rock Art Foundation member on that trip may feel free to help with the interpretation. Very few individuals have visited this rock art shelter of the Ancients of Val Verde. Emile G. Abbott, MD

The Rock Art Foundation conducts only two treks to this place each year as it is on private and remote ranch land. We would have to drive west from Del Rio for 45 minutes into the desert, take a dirt road for 15 miles then do extreme rock crawling in a jeep for 3.8 miles to park and then begin some strenuous hiking. Please review the individual photo and then the slide show. b Emile G. Abbott, MD.

Located in Val Verde County, Texas twenty seven miles down the 4 Wheel dirt Dolon Creek Road is the Devils River State Natural Area. It is protected, requires permission to enter but does have primitive camping. It houses Rock Art Shelter sites that contain pictographs that date back to 2,500 BC or older than 4,000 years. I visited with the Rock Art Foundation in early May 2010 and the photographs are some that were taken at that time. It is a very rough, steep and off canter hike to get to the shelter and not for the faint of heart or unconditioned person. I hope you enjoy the fruits of my effort. Emile

Dolon Creek Road is a 27 mile dirt rough 4 wheel drive road from Loma Alta to the Nature Conservancy and the Devils River Texas State Natural Area. About 18 miles from Loma Alta is the remains of EK Fawcett's home that was destroyed by lightening. The road is rough but provides for stunning views and photographic sites. One is the remains of EK Fawcett's home that is full of history and also provides a great place for photographic workshops. It is not in the Nature Conservancy or the State Natural Area and is open. These are some of the photographs I took along this beautiful rough road that is often impassable if it rains.

The various photographs in this gallery were all taken at Dolan Falls on the Devils River in the Nature Conservancy located in Val Verde County, Texas. These captures were taken at various shutter speed and various angles to give different effects. I have included the Metadata for your review. Your comments are always welcome
Emile G. Abbott, MD

This gallery includes some of the photographs of RAF members that recently attended the Dolan Falls tour.
I will be adding to them as I get to them. I hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did. Rocking with Rocdoc.
Emile Abbott, MD

Fate Bell Anex is a small shelter adjacent to the larger Fate Bell shelter and contains some very interesting and unique pictographs over 4,000 years old. It is the smaller shelter on the right hand side of the photograph and is located in the Seminole Canyon in Val Verde County, Texas.

Fate Bell Shelter known as 41VV74 by archeologist is located in Seminole Canyon in Val Verde Co. Texas and is now in Seminole Canyon Texas State Park. It is open to the public for tour by guides at 10 & 3 most days except Monday & Tuesday weather permitting. It is one of the most studied and well preserved of our over 300 shelters of the Ancients located in Val Verde. Most of the pictographs are of the Pecos River Polychrome Style that dates back to 2,500 BC (that is over 4,000 years old) and they are the oldest known pictographs on the American Continents. I hope you enjoy this journey back in time by the ancient artist that inhabited this "Los Tres Rio" lower pecos desert for over 10,000 years. Emile

Halo Shelter is located on the Rylander ranch in Val Verde County and is named after the halos that appear over several of the shamans. This is the main shaman in this shelter and through new technology using Dstrech in ImageJ program archeologists are now able to see and study pictographs from this and many other shelters in a new light using different color spaces not previously available that lets us now see what the camera and eye could not see before. Using this technology and color spaces we can now show that the red linear style that was thought to have been developed long after the pecos river style which dates back over 4500 years to 2500 BC was in fact used by the same artists that painted the pecos river style. I hope to show this in this gallery. John Harman developed the Dstrech to use in the ImageJ program developed by NIH to enhance CT scans. Dr. Carolyn Boyd of the Shumla School in Val Verde County along with Angel Johnson is also extensively using this technique

These are some captures I took at the Independence Creek Nature Conservancy Oasis Headquarters and some photos of the RAF members when we went to a rock art site close by on a private ranch. The spring is T5 or Caroline Springs and flows about 5,000 gal/min and provides 20%+ to the Independence Creek flow and 40% to the Pecos River. It is a true Oasis in the desert. Enjoy

Lewis canyon located on the lower Pecos River in Val Verde County is the location of the largest collection of Petroglyphs in Texas. It is an anomaly in that it is the only site of Petroglyphs in the Lower Canyonlands of the Pecos. It contains two different styles of glyph the "Discrete Geometric Glyphs" which are over 900 that were well described by Forrest Kirkland in the 1930 and the "Serpemtine Glyphs" which were unearthed in 1991 by the Rock Art Foundation. These are older petroglyph that date to the Archaic age and contain glyphs that are similar to the Red Linear Style of pictographs found on the walls in the Canyon Lands of the lower Pecos. Radiocarbon dating set one at 1280 + - 45 before present (1950).

This shelter is named for the spring which breaks out of the cliff wall about 30 feet before the beginning of the pictographs. This spring has been used my man for over 4,500 year. Most of the pictographs of the earlier Pecos River Style have faded and only few reminents remain above and behind the later styles which include the "Red Monochrome" and the "historic style". The Red monochrome are identified by the long body, prominent penis and round head. The positive handprints are from the Red Monochrome style. The Historic style are more represented by the churches, crosses, friars, and plains indian motifs of buffalo hunts, horse and rider, sun symbol and thunderbirds. I will try to show the Big Picture (panorama from right to left) and then will follow with detailed photos of each of the identifiable pictograph. Many have been shot at by as target practice by the Seminole Scouts who manned this area at Fort Meyers and many of the names scratched and painted are from them.

These captures were taken on December 6th 2009 on one of the Rock Art Foundations two tours each year to this most sacred, spiritual, powerful and beautiful place. It is on private property owned by Jack and Wilmuth Skiles. It is in the National Register of Historic Places. It is the site of the continents oldest known and most southern buffalo jump with the first jump dated to 9,700 BC (11,700 years ago) and a second jump 8,000 years later in 800 BC. Eagles Nest shelter, Kelly Shelter and Kelly Annex Shelter all contain ancient pictographs in the Pecos River Polychrome Style that dates back to 2,500 BC. I hope I have done the beauty and history of this most special place justice with these captures. Emile

I hope you have looked at the Cedar Spring Shelter photos before these. Be sure to view and read each photo then watch the slide show. After leaving the "easier" which is only relative part of the tour we proceeded on a long strenuous journey to Mystic shelter, down a steep canyon wall, long multi-mile rough hike along the Devils River and then up the canyon over large rock and rough terrain. Comment welcome.

These photographs were taken in the Nature Conservancy on the Devils River at various places. The main Rock art shelter 41VV1604 Brazos Fuerte has its own gallery. Also see other galleries that contain photographs of particular places also located in the Nature Conservancy.

I have grouped these shelters together as each has a very unique and individual quality. Pink and Parida Shelters have little in the way of Pictographs but each presents part of what it was like to live 4,000 years ago. Parida Shelter has quite a few middens that were studied in the past and has an interactive path. We encourage take pictures and leave footprints on the trail only. Painted Shelter 41VV78 is one of only two shelters that has the Red Monochrome style pictographs. I have photographs that characterize that style very well. Emile

Yellow Bluff was part of the EK Fawcett and John Finegan Ranch and is at the end of Dolon Creek Road. It is not generally accessible to the public but John Finegan took me as a guest to photograph some rock art paintings there and other near by ranches. This site has a most unusual painting of a buffalo standing and sticking its tongue out at a human figure. There are two other buffalos one above a human figure holding a gun and another with a bird on its head. I have included some photo enhanced with ImageJ and Dstretch. Yellow Bluff stands high above Dolon Creek on one side and Snake Creek Canyon on another.

The White Shaman Shelter is located on private property and overlooks the Pecos River just prior to its confluence with the Rio Grande. It is a difficult hike to get there and tours are only conducted each Saturday at 12:30 weather permitting. This shelter contains both Pecos River Style and Red Linear Style pictograph. The main wall of the White Shaman Shelter may well be the "Rosetta Stone" to our understanding of the pictographs of these Ancients of the lower pecos river area. Dr. Carolyn Boyd founder of the Shumla school has been most active in determining the meaning and understanding of this rock art and its culture.

Captures taken at the 2016 GPM Bull Riding

Trey Benton had three 90 point rides to become the 2013 Winner of the 36th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding.

These captures were taken during the 2012 35th George Paul Memorial Bull Riding Event in Del Rio, Texas

J.W. Harris by riding 2 bulls on Sat night for a score of 181.5 became the 34th GPM champion. He took an additional $5,000 for his high score of that night. Bradley Harris won Sundays round with a score of 179.5 on two bulls and received $5,000 but was 2 points shy of J. W. Harris who took the $10,000 winning check and the prized buckle. Interesting enough J. W. Harris was the PRCA champion for 2008, 2009 and 2010. Enjoy the various captures I took though out both days of this the longest stand alone Bull Ride in the world and second only to the National Finals in prestige

Clint Craig rode all 3 bull for his win. Also see his gallery. These are captures taken during the 33rd GPM Bull Ride.

These are some captures of Clint Craig on his historic 3 rides to the 2010 GPM championship. His first ride was on Smooth Brindle for 87.5 points, second ride on Lounge Lizard for 88.5 points and his last ride on Double Scoop was for 93 point was the high ride and gave him a whopping 269 total points for a $10,000 check and the 2010 George Paul Memorial Championship. Congratulation to Clint Craig.

Captures taken during the 2009 GPM Bull Ride Also see Hugo Pedrero Champion

Hugo Pedrero from Toreon, Mexico became the 2009 32nd George Paul Memorial Champion. This event is second only to the National Championship title and its buckle is the most prized by all bull riders and is named for the only bull rider to ride 79 bulls in a row for the full 8 seconds. Never before and never again is the saying for George Paul from Del Rio, Texas. He was also a World Champion. Hugo was the 2007 Mexico World Bull Riding Champion, the 2008 CBR rookie of the year, won this 2009 GPM championship and completed the year by fulfilling his dream of becoming the 2009 CBR World Championship. He took home a $10,000 check for this Championship. I think these captures of his three winning rides in the 2009 GPM will confirm his skill. I hope you enjoy these. All captures were taken inside the middle of the bull arena and yes I did get hooked by one during that event.
Emile G. Abbott, MD

Copper Kanngiesser wins the 2008 George Paul Memorial Bull Ride with three fantastic 8 second rides. His first on Born to Boogie was for 86.5 points, his second on Dirty Dozen was for 87 points and his third on McCrazy was for an amazing 91 points giving him a total of 264.5 points. The captures in this category are from a book I published for him and the CBR that is available for purchase on the blurb.com website (Cooper Kanngieser GPM 2008 Champion). I hope you enjoy his rides. Emile

George Paul was the only man to ride 79 bulls in a row without being bucked off (Never before and Never again) and he was a world champion. His life was cut short at the age of 23 in a tragic airplane crash in August 1970. The George Paul Memorial Bull Ride in Del Rio, Texas was established in his memory is the longest continuous bull ride and the most prestigious second only to the National Finals. The images in this category were taken from the middle of the bull ride arena and I hope they show some of that action. The champion in 2007 was L.J. Jenkins. Emile

This was the first of many George Paul Memorial Bull Rides that I was privileged to be able to shoot from inside the bull arena. This is not for the faint of heart and is very dangerous and I had a bad knee at the time. The bull fighters (clowns) literally get in harms way and save lives and prevent injury to the bull riders (and me). Robey Condra was the champion in 2006 and this was the last bull ride for famous rodeo clown and bull fighter J. G. Crouch whom the following year I presented his wife with two 11X14 framed collages of his antics and actions during this event. I hope you enjoy the action. Emile

In this gallery are captures that I took at the 2011 Cheyenne Frontier Days that will include most aspects of the event including: The Pancake Breakfast, Rodeo Beauties, The Grand Parade, Views of Cheyenne, The Indian Village, The Wild Horse Gulch and of course the PRCA rodeo and the CBR Bull Rides. It will be a progressive upload so feel free to check back often. Your comments are always welcome. Enjoy the oldest and largest Rodeo Event in America

We stayed in the fantastic American RV Park for 7 days while in Albuquerque. It was one of the nicest RV parks we have stayed in and a definite place for RVer to stay while in this area. Well maintained, friendly and something for every type of RV. These are unsolicited photos that represent this beautiful RV park. Very pet friendly and most RVers we met were staying more than a month but others just overnight. Emile

These are captures that were taken in the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs in late July 2011.

Included are a few selected photographs of the Petroglyphs at the Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque, New Mexico on three of the more popular trails (Mesa Point, Macaw and Cliff base). There are hundreds of different petroglyphs and I picked out the ones I liked the most as I traveled those trails. Enjoy Emile

Ojo Caliente "Hot eye" is a beautiful spa with 10 different pools that have 4 different mineral springs and pools (Iron, Soda, Arsenic and Lithium) as well as a mud pool and private hot springs. It is set along a cliff side has beautiful gardens, historic bath house and hotel. Full spa treatments that can fill days for a total relaxing experience. I hope my photos in this gallery reflect the tranquility and relaxation of this amazing place where we ended our New Mexico adventure. They had a private campground in the woods that we stayed in over night after a day at the spa.

Frances and I took an early predawn Hot Air Balloon flight over Albuquerque on August 3rd with Privateballoonflights and Capt. Bentley at 5:30 AM to get to see the "Aspen Glow" (sunrise over the Sandia Mountains). All but 2 captures were taken by me (the first of us in the basket and one with two partial balloons). They are presented in the order taken. I hope you enjoy the views as much as we did. A highly recommended experience with a great outfit and captain (Privateballoonfights & Captain Bentley).

The second best city in the USA to live is historic as well as artistic. Also check out Canyon Road, Santa Fe Sky, Turquoise Trail and Ojo Caliente galleries for more pictures of the area.

New Mexico state hiway 14 from interstate 40 in Albuquerque to Santa Fe is one of the Scenic By ways and is Historic Turquoise Trail. It lies on the eastern side of the Sandia Mountains and Cerrillos Hills and to the west of the San Pedro and Ortiz Mountains. It has the artistic Historic town of Madrid and the Historic Village of Cerrillos. Along the way is the "Garden of the Gods". Enjoy some of the scenes along the Turquoise Trail.

These photographs were taken while walking through Amsterdam for 3 days in late July 2010. They will show street scenes, typical buildings, architecture, canals, people and other interesting sites I spotted through my eyes and camera.

First we left Amsterdam via the Amsterdam Rijnkanaal to the Rhein and on to Nijmegen while others took a tour of Amsterdam and a road bus to Nijmegen. It was a rainy and dark day but these are some of the scenes along the way including captures taken in Nijmegen.

We traveled from Amsterdam to Bamberg on the Rhine and Main Rivers. At Bamberg we entered the Main-Danube River. The trip began with the Amsterdam canal connecting to the Rhine shortly before Nijmegen our first stop. We continued down the Rhine passing Dusseldorf and stopping in Cologne. Continued down the Rhine to Koblenz where it connects with the Mossel River. At Mainz we entered the Main River passing Frankfurt, Aschaffenburg and stopping in Wurzburg. We went through many locks along the way and at Bamerg we entered the Main Danube Canal that connects the Rhine to the Danube Rivers. I hope you enjoy my trip trough the Netherlands and Germany.

Cologne or (Koln) has the two spires of the "DOM Cathedral" as its major landmark. See the gallery on the Dom for details of that magnificent cathedral.

This large classic Gothic Cathedral is the most recognizable landmark in Cologne and was started in 1248 but not completed until 1880. It soars to the sky, has pointed arches, lots of stain glassed windows, flying buttresses, tracery (stone carvings), crockets (stylized nubs) and gargoyles (used as rain spouts). It contains a golden sarcophagus that is said to contain the bones of the Magi (Three Kings) and a result has mad this Cathedral a major pilgrimage destination since the medieval times.

Gargoyles on this huge Cathedral help identify the style as Gothic. These grotesque stone structures are utilitarian in that they function as rain spouts and divert the water from the cathedral masonry structure.

After stopping in Nijmegen we travel at night to Koblenz the traveled the day down the beautiful Rhine to Rudesteim passing many beautiful and different castles and towns. Enjoy leisure trip.

Regensburg located on the most northern end of the Danube River was first founded and built as a small fort by the Romans in AD90. It thrived during the Medieval times and has a long history. In 13th century it was the capital of Bavaria. The Dom St. Peter's Cathedral was started in 1275 and completed 1634. The famous medieval Stone Bridge "Steinerne Brucke" was built between 1135-1146 across the Danube. Regensburg was spared bombing in WWII and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even the streets are protected by law. Preservation is a passion in this most beautiful and historic Medieval town.

Rothenburg is a medieval walled fortress city that is in Germany and is considered one of the most romantic towns on the "Romantic Road"

Durnstein is considered on of the most romantic town on the seductive Danube River in the Wachau wine valley. It was founded in medieval times and the Kuenringer dynasty had a castle on the high rocks over the town and held King Richard the Lion Hearted in 1192 to 1193 in its rocky fortress. The Habsburgs took over in 1356. The original gothic Monastery of the Order of St Augustine was established in 1410 and dissolved by Emperor Joseph II in 1788. Its tower was reconstructed in the Baroque style with the original blue to indicate the earthly way to heaven. It is now the Durnstein Parish Church. The Wachau valley produces some of the best Austrian Wines but most are consumed in the area and not exported. We visited the famous Alter Kloster Kellar and sampled 4 of the best wines of the Wachau Valley and Durnstein. These captures are just a few of the ones I took during our time there. I hope you enjoy the memories and of course you comments are always welcome. Emile.

The Habsburg ruled from Vienna and the Schonbrunn Palace was their summer residence. The palace was added by Eleonore Gonzoaga, the widow of Ferdinand II in 1638. In 1776 Maria Theresa commissioned the Neptune Fountain as the crowning element of the Great Parteree (Gardens between the Palace and the Fountain). In 1775 she also added the Gloriette Structure to glorify the Habsburg power.

The Borderline Singers from the Texas-Mexican Border town of Del Rio, Texas play Bluegrass, Country, Gospel and various other types of entertaining music. These captures were taken when they were playing at the October 2009 Rotary Picnic in open air. The are Lead singer and banjo Judge Tom Lee, singer and Tub Drum General Gerald Prather, Electric steel and singer Bill Harrison and Guitar and singer Eddie "Huddy" Hudson.

Bo Hutto and the Texas Pride are a Del Rio, Texas Swing Band that opened for 9 time Grammy Award Winning band "Asleep at the Wheel". They have been a long time local favorite and have played at many events and will be opening the Wild Wild West Rodeo Kick Off on July 02,2009 for Gary P Nunn another Texas legend, singer/songwriter.
Lead Singer/ Guitar: Bo Hutto
Harmony: Zek Bradford
Lead Singer/Guitar: Bud Nelson
Fiddle/Guitar: Carl Clout
Piano: David Revis
Drums: Larry Campos
Bass: Mike Young
Steel: Jimmy Miller

Asleep at the Wheel has been reinvented with over 35 members over several decades with Ray Benson at the Lead. They have won over 9 grammies are based in Austin, Texas and continue to play regularly on the road and at home. They recently completed another album with Willie Nelson called "Willie and the Wheel"
They were recently in Del Rio, Texas and I was allowed to take these captures. Emile

Images taken of the models at the 2011 American Red Cross Fashion Show at the San Felipe Country Club. All fashions from Bridal Galleria, All hair styles and make up by Artist Mariela De la Rosa. All photography by Emile G. Abbott, MD

One of the main fund raisers for the local Del Rio Chapter of the American Red Cross is the Annual Fashion and Style Show. This year we had over 40 models with cloths and fashions featured from various local merchants and stores. I hope you enjoy the beautiful models and gorgeous fashions and outfits they paraded in this style show.

All of the captures in this category were taken with Nikonus V film camera and using Ikelite Strobe. All were shot in the manual mode in the 1980's and most in the British Virgin Islands. This is an example of my early work under the sea. Most of my other early works were lost during a flood of 1998 in Del Rio, Texas. Emile

This gallery contains some random captures of many but perhaps not all passengers on the Amsterdam to Budapest Rhine Main Canal Danube Cruise on the Swiss Jewel in late July early August 2010. If you wish me to email you any photo email me the number and I will be glad to do so. I have more that will be uploaded as I have the time so feel free to drop back by again. I will also be uploading captures of our trip by name of location or event in different galleries so feel free to visit those as I get them uploaded. Your comments are always welcome and I hope you enjoy the memories.

These are scenes from the 2012 2nd Annual Ram Country Toyoto BBQ Cook Off

These are captures taken at this event with is the biggest and richest BBQ Cook Off in Texas and the World. Grand Prize was $10,000 and a total of $25,000 was given out in prizes. It is a great event held in Del Rio, Texas and powered by Toyota Tundra.

MY CLASSIC SITE IS DOWN SO UNTIL IT IS BACK UP I WILL ALSO POST TO THIS CATEGORY

Captures that were not included in any other category and represent another look at how I try to remain creative and think out side the box.