Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Rice seeds splash in a flooded field as a bi-plane drops seeds on a field April 25, in Biggs, California. The state's rice growers are in the midst of planting nearly 549,000 acres of rice throughout the Sacramento Valley as rice consumers around the world face rice shortages and higher prices.
This looks like an efficient way to plant rice. Go to this story for information on the global food crisis ... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24307912/
Jerome Delay/AP
Hot air balloons participating in the South African balloon championships in Bethehem, South Africa, sail over a set marker on the airstrip Monday April 28, 2008.
What a cool shot. Reminded me of a Pink Floyd album cover.
Suhaib Salem/Reuters
Palestinians bury four children and their mother after Israeli fire hit their house in the northern Gaza Strip April 28, 2008. The Israeli military said an aircraft and a tank unit fired at groups of gunmen that tried to approach troops in the town but no houses were targeted.
There is something very disturbing about this photo. In the west, funerals and burials are formal, antiseptic ceremonies that insulate the mourners from death. These Palestinians use their hands and concrete blocks to bury this family killed by an Israeli shell.
Jason Decrow/AP
A woman reacts to the verdict in the Sean Bell case outside of the Queens County Criminal Courts Building on April 25 in NYC. Three detectives were acquitted of all charges in the 50-shot killing of the unarmed Bell on his wedding day.
After doing several ride-along assignments with cops, I loathe second guessing them. Ive witnessed the pressure, anxiety and fear that goes with their job. However, there are cases that can cause people to question the fairness of our justice system. I thought the Sean Bell supporters in Queens, NY showed remarkable restraint when the verdict was read last Friday. I was watching live footage of the event, and there was a moment when I thought a riot was going to break out. At the end of the day I wondered why the Rodney King case caused a riot, but this one didnt. What do you think?
Jason Reed/Reuters
Tourists take a surfing lesson before they hit the waves off Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii April 22, 2008.
This photo was shot really well. The lighting is nice and the people on the surfboards made me giggle.
Darrin Bush/Las Vegas News Bureau via AP
Miss USA Rachel Smith plays with a dolphin as pageant entrants watch at the Secret Garden & Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage resort in Las Vegas.
When I saw this picture, I immediately thought the photoblog community would enjoy it. I wonder what the dolphin thinks.
Jose Jacome/EPA
People watch a crater which was formed after a landslide in Quito, Ecuador, 01 April 2008. The crater appeared following heavy rain. The hole started at 15 meters wide and has now grown to 60 meters, threatening bridges leading to the Ecuadorean capital.
It's easy to forget about what lies beneath paved roads and manicured landscapes.
Jacqueline Larma/AP
A worker wipes down the podium where Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is expected for her Pennsylvania primary night rally in Philadelphia Tuesday April 22.
It was a good night for Hillary Clinton, but I ask a question of the Democrats who view and contribute to PhotoBlog. Is this continuing Democratic contest setting the party up for failure in November? As Clinton and Obama fight it out, does John McCain look more presidential every day? What do you think?
Viktor Drachev/AFP - Getty Images
Shoe designer of Marko factory Tatyana Manshykh shows a size 62 (63 in European size) pair of men's shoes in the factory in Vitebsk, some 300 kilometers east from Minsk on April 19, 2008. The tallest world living man Ukrainian Leonid Stadnyk, 259 cm, wears such a size.
I couldn't find a conversion chart that went as high as size 63, but I'm guessing that these would be roughly a size 29 if you were to find them in a U.S. store. Having been a basketball manager for a well-known Division I men's team when I was in school, I've seen some huge shoes, but these take the cake.
China Photos/Getty Images
A visitor plays in rising mists at the Wuhan Botanical Garden on April 16, 2008 in Wuhan of Hubei Province, China. The garden was constructed in 1956 for the study of plant resources and holds more than 7500 species of plants.
One of my favorites from the current 'Week in Pictures' slide show. I love the pixie-like figure crossing the bridge in the mist. I'm half expecting to see some hobbits trailing behind.
John Javellana/Reuters
A farmer ties rice stalks together in a mountain rice paddy on the slopes near Banaue city, north of Manila on April 16.
At first glance I thought this farmer had gloves on. John Javellana effectively used composition and shallow depth-of-field to drive home the point of his picture.
Kiyoshi Ota/Reuters
Naoki Yamamoto wears an "aging suit" at the Nissan Technical Centre in Atsugi, west of Tokyo, April 15, 2008. The specialized driver's suit and goggles simulate the bad balance, stiff joints, weaker eyesight and extra five kilograms (11lbs) that may accompany senior citizenry.
Are you kidding me? Does Nissan really need to use an "aging" suit to design cars for senior citizens? Wouldn't their research be more valid if they used a real older person?
Tony Gutierrez/AP
Members of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints talk with reporters at the Yearning for Zion ranch in Eldorado, Texas, Monday April 14, about their 11-day experience in a shelter in San Angelo, Texas.
Every time one of these stories come up I wonder why there are polygamist ranches, polygamist farms, polygamist compounds and polygamist retreats.
Lionel Healing/AFP - Getty Images
People collect water to put out a fire amid twisted debris as shops burn after a plane crash, in Goma, in the east of the Democratic of Congo on April 15. The plane had about 100 people on board. There were six survivors, including the pilot and co-pilot," said an official in the control tower in Kinshasa.
Tragic event, but I really like the way Lionel Healing organized his picture.
Jason Reed/Reuters
President George W. Bush walks as Pope Benedict XVI acknowledges the crowd upon arriving at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington D.C. on April 15.
Interesting shoe choice
Elise Amendola/AP
Trevor Immelman of South Africa reacts after winning the 2008 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Sunday, April 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Were a little thin on people power this week, so I got the all too seldom pleasure of editing our Week in Sports Pictures slide show. Every time I do this edit Im reminded of why I became interested in photography in the first place. Capturing a moment so we can get a good look is what photography does better than any other medium. You can see the rest of the slide show at http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/3784577 .
Mike Blake/Reuters
A restored automobile travels at dusk along California's famous 101 highway near Cardiff, California on April 1.
Sometimes its about what isnt there. My eye and mind immediately began filling in the gaps when I saw this picture.
David Silverman/Getty Images
A chimpanzee relaxes in the shade at the Safari Park as the popular attraction prepares for the upcoming Jewish festival of Pesach (Passover) on April 14, 2008 in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv, Israel.
A colleague of mine showed me this photo and said that he looked exactly like the chimp when he was watching the Masters. It's so amazing how human-like this chimp looks!
Matt York/AP
The sun sets behind fans watching the NASCAR Subway Fresh Fit 500 auto race Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Ariz.
Some of the responses to the picture from the Masters brought the following to mind for me when I ran across this image: For as much as I love horse racing, sports in general and any excuse to tailgate, you'd think I'd get NASCAR, but I just don't. Tell me why you love it, and why I should start watching. Is it the action during the race or the drivers' personalities that sucks you in? Or something else?
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Zoe Uphill practices on the single scull before the start of day three of the Rowing Australia final selection trials held at Sydney International Regatta Centre April 13, 2008 in Sydney, Australia.
I find the simplicity of this image to be very appealing.
Timothy A. Clary/AFP - Getty Images
Tiger Woods of the US hits his tee shot on the 6th hole during the 2nd round of the 2008 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2008 in Augusta, Georgia.
A few things about this picture struck me. First, it's very "where's waldo?". Second, some of those people are putting some real faith in the fact that these guys are pros and can control their shots, and finally, Tiger Woods can draw one heck of a crowd.
Jonathan Ernst/Reuters
A protester holds a sign in the back of the room as U.S. Commander in Iraq General David Petraeus and Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington April 8, 2008.
There is so much going on in this photo but your eye is really drawn to the protestor's mask. I am surprised they allowed that person to stay, the court officer seems to be clueless to what's going on.
David Furst/AFP - Getty Images
US soldiers from Ghostrider Company 3rd Squadron 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment take a rest as they wait for an air-strike they ordered to arrive while hunting for caves and tunnels used by insurgents in Diyala Province, northeast of Baghdad, on March 23, 2008.
The caption says they're waiting for an air strike, and yet they appear relaxed, more like they're waiting for pizza delivery. I suppose any opportunity to rest in that situation is welcome.
Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters
Alain Bernard of France is seen from underwater as he enters the water to beat his own world record in the new time of 47.50 seconds in the men's 100m freestyle finals at the European Swimming Championships in Eindhoven March 22, 2008.
The bubbles resemble a beard.
Oliver Lang/AFP - Getty Images
Polar bear cub Flocke jumps in the water as she is introduced to the public on April 8, 2008 at the zoo in Nuremberg, southern Germany. Four-month old Flocke -- German for snowflake -- has until now been kept behind closed doors at Nuremberg zoo and has been hand-reared by zookeepers because of fears her mother might harm her.
BELLY FLOP!!!! What a sweet photo.
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