This was probably my favorite photo that I entered into the 2008 Yolo County Fair. This one was a sure thing; my golden ticket. This one was definitely going to win me a blue ribbon. It's my best category, after all: "Nature, wild".

Unfortunately, I submitted my entry form at the last minute, late late at night, and my eyes were not lining up the table rows in the class descriptions. I accidentally wrote down the number for the "Abstract" category. It doesn't exactly fit that description, don't you think? Well the judges didn't think so either, so it won nothing. Bummer.

Fortunately, I entered several other photos, and even ended up winning a couple blue ribbons. All in all, I'm pleased with the outcome, and I walked away with my winnings of $12. It cost me about $200 and ten hours to print and frame all these photos. Not a good business model, I suppose. Of course that's not really the point. This was a great excuse for me to get some of my photos framed, something I haven't done in years.

Next year, I'll read the directions a little better, and double-check my entry form.