Best of 2011 -- Feature Photos

And the final entry in my Best of 2011 series. These are my favorite feature/wild art photos from the year. Per usual, no particular order. Enjoy!

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --01/05/11--
Joe Hiryak cleans windows above the second floor of the Fayetteville Public Library on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011. The three-man crew from Fayetteville Window Washing is working on the project which takes about 10-12 days, depending on weather conditions.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --08/31/11--
Jon Cottrell lifts a stencil after painting one of two parking spaces outside Bentonville High School designating them for police parking on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011. Cottell works in the maintenance department for the school's athletic complex.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --08/24/11--
Volunteer Charles Richardson of Fayetteville stains wood framing the Butterfly House at the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks in Fayetteville on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011. The Butterfly House is scheduled to be completed and opened in about two weeks.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --09/14/11--
Justin Loomis of Bushneell, Fla., plays with an Asian elephant while helping set up for the NWA Shrine Circus at Parsons Stadium in Springdale. The two-day event presented by James Cristy Cole Circus out of Mabank, Texas, will have a show tonight at 7:30 along with a special children's performance at 4:30.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --09/30/11--
Center director Tina Batlle hangs streamers from the sign outside the Farmington Senior/Community Center on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. Batlle and Erma Newman, both of Farmington, were helping to "paint the town red" for the annual football game between Farmington and Prairie Grove later in the evening.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --06/17/11--
Susan Hahn (left) of Fayetteville and Haley Callahan, 5, of Fayetteville, look over some of the kittens available at the Fayetteville Animal Shelter on Friday, June 17, 2011. The shelter had about 35 cats available for adoption for Free Cat Friday.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --02/03/11--
University of Arkansas freshmen Amber Cooper (left), 18, and Kristi Smylie, 19, roll into laughter after crashing while sledding down the hill at the corner of Maple Street and Razorback Road on the Fayetteville campus.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --03/23/11--
Sara Carter and her daughter, Alyson, 3, both of Bella Vista make funny faces in a photo booth on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, inside the Jones Center for Families in Springdale. The pair were there for the center's annual Spring Break Week.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --03/28/11--
Casey Adams with Milford Signs in Centerton removes letters from the side of the Old Navy store in the Scottsdale Center in Rogers on Monday, March 28, 2011. The store is moving to a new location in the Pinnacle Hills Promenade also in Rogers.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --10/18/11--
Ethel Gibbs of Bella Vista exercises with about 30 other participants during Silver Sneakers inside Riordan Hall in Bella Vista on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011. The muscular strength and range of movement class is led by Victoria Hodgson on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the center and will soon add a cardio class on Wednesdays.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --10/20/11--
Manuel Hernandez (right), 17, watches as Logan Saoter, 15, misses the bar the pair were supposed to leap for simultaneously from a 29-feet-high platform at the Team Adventure Center ropes course outside the Jones Center for Families in Springdale on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. The pair were part of a group of 21 students from Crossroads Alternative School in Rogers participating in the team-building exercises on the course.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --04/29/11--
Mackenzie Scott, 6, quickly puts on cowboy attire over her clothes during a relay race during the Stick Horse Rodeo at Walker Elementary School in Springdale on Friday, April 29, 2011. The event for Springdale Public Schools first-graders which is usually held at Parsons Stadium was shifted to the individual schools due to inclement weather leading up to the two-day event.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --08/14/11--
Nick Welch-Bolen (left) of Fayetteville tries to defend as Casey Hooper of Fayetteville leaps to make a grab during an ultimate tournament game between "Nick & the Beanstalks" (green) and "Pank" (pink) at Walker Park on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011. The eight-team tournament is the culmination of the eight-week summer league for the Fayetteville Disc Association.

Best of 2011 -- Portraits

These are my favorite portraits that I shot through the year. Still, all are in no particular order. Enjoy.

Chef Miles James at James at the Mill in Johnson for Arkansas Life magazine on June 16, 2011

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --06/21/11--
David Erstine

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --08/06/11--
University of Arkansas defensive captains Jerico Nelson (from left), Jake Bequette and Jerry Franklin

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --10/17/11--
Don Bacigalupi, executive director of Cyrstal Bridges Museum of American Art

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --10/17/11--
Don Bacigalupi, executive director of Cyrstal Bridges Museum of American Art

Unidentified subject for Help-Portrait on Dec. 10, 2011

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --09/16/11--
Joe Giles, president of Bikes, Blues & BBQ

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --09/27/11--
Kathryn Birkhead, director of diversity and inclusion at the Jones Center for Familes

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --06/01/11--
Kris Katrosh, director of the David and Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --06/02/11--
Mike Rush, owner of Rush Running

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --09/11/11--
Dexter (from left) and Genette Howard and Mike and Marcheita Anderson

Farmer Dave Sargent for Arkansas Life magazine on April 29, 2011

Best of 2011 -- Sports Photos

Second in the Best of 2011 entries is my favorite sports photos from the year. Once again, in no particular order.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --05/20/11--
Farmington sophomore Payton Wiedner is tagged out at home by Ashdown sophomore catcher Danielle Winters in the third inning during the 4A state championship at Bogle Park in Fayetteville on Friday, May 20, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --03/26/11--
Mike Anderson speaks during a news conference introducing him as the new men's basketball coach inside Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --10/21/11--
Ozark's Toby Richard tries to stretch the ball into the end zone against Farmington during the second quarter in Farmington on Friday, Oct. 21, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --10/08/11--
Auburn quarterback Kiehl Frazier dives into the end zone for a score during the first quarter against Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --09/03/11--
Arkansas' Joe Adams looks back to Missouri State's Kaleb Mueller while returning a punt for a touchdown during the third quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --07/26/11--
Naturals Salvador Perez (from left) celebrates with Anthony Seratelli and Nick Francis after hitting a grand slam which scored the three plus Wil Myers (not pictured) against Tulsa in the third inning on Tuesday, July 26, 2011, at Arvest Ballpark in Springdale.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --01/25/11--
Arkansas sophomore Marshawn Powell (right) and Auburn junior Kenny Gabriel vie for a rebound during the second half on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2011, inside Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --01/14/11--
Arkansas' Stacy Bartlett competes on the beam against Alabama on Friday, Jan. 14, 2011, inside Barnhill Arena in Fayetteville.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --11/25/11--
Louisiana State fans and players celebrate with Tyrann Mathieu (#7) following his punt return for a touchdown against Arkansas during the second quarter at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --11/25/11--
Louisiana State quarterback Jordan Jefferson celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against Arkansas during the fourth quarter at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La., on Friday, Nov. 25, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --03/06/11--
Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn argues a call with home plate umpire Mike Morris during the eighth inning against Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sunday, March 6, 2011, at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

Best of 2011 -- News Photos

I've decided to break up the traditional "best of " post into different categories this year. And I'm starting with my "Best of 2011 News" post. The entries are in no particular order.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --08/31/11--
Students quickly change classes on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, at Bentonville High School. Bentonville Public Schools held a public forum on Tuesday night to discuss options for overcrowding at the high school.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --11/11/11--
Streamers shoot into the air above the crowd during the grand opening ceremonies for the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art on the Bentonville square on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --05/11/11--
Chancellor David Gearhart (right) claps as His Holiness the Dalai Lama bows during the keynote address inside Bud Walton Arena on the Fayetteville campus of the University of Arkansas on Wednesday, May 11, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --02/11/11--
Pea Ridge firefighter Jim Harmon walks past a structure fire on River Oaks Drive in Bentonville on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. Firefighters on scene could only watch after Bentonville Fire Department Engine 4, got stuck on the hill approaching the home.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --10/27/11--
Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain speaks during the Washington County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner inside the Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --08/15/11--
Roberto Garcia holds onto his son, Gael Garcia, 6, while the pair says their "goodbyes" on Gael's first day of first grade on Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, at Holcomb Elementary School in Fayetteville. Students at many Northwest Arkansas schools returned to classes on Monday to begin the 2011-12 school year.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --12/31/10--
One of two fire trucks sits under the fallen Cincinnati Fire Station on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, in Cincinnati. A tornado ripped through the small community around 6:00 a.m., causing at least three fatalities.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --10/12/11--
Two Men and a Truck employee Dustin Baker helps move furniture into the truck from the home of Dave and Jacki Hudak in east Fayetteville on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --07/27/11--
Spec. Thomas Ohlstrom (left) and PFC Marcos Jimenez tighten the final pieces together on a floating bridge across the Arkansas River at Fort Chaffee on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Army Reserve Soldiers participated in the training exercise, River Assault 2011, to build a functional floating bridge across a 300-meter gap on the river.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --06/03/11--
Black Eyed Peas members will.i.am and Fergie perform on stage during the Wal-Mart Shareholders Meeting inside Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville on Friday, June 3, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --06/03/11--
Wal-Mart president and CEO Mike Duke speaks during the Wal-Mart Shareholders Meeting inside Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville on Friday, June 3, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --06/03/11--
Host Will Smith visits with the audience during the Wal-Mart Shareholders Meeting inside Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville on Friday, June 3, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --04/25/11--
Motorists travel north along Thompson Street near the intersection with Allen Avenue in Springdale on Monday, April 25, 2011.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --05/25/11--
Aiza Zolliecoffer (from front), 13, of Jethro, Jackie Carr, 19, of Jethro, and Savanna Jones, 19, of Etna carry boxes of files from the devastated Lane's Carpets where Jackie and Savanna work on Wednesday, May 25, 2011. A tornado ripped through Franklin County destroying many homes and businesses.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER --08/18/11--
A student walks across Senior Walk on the Fayetteville campus of the University of Arkansas on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011, east of the Old Main entrance as the morning sun pokes through the trees.