https://andynelsonphotos.com/ weekly 1.0 https://andynelsonphotos.com/about monthly 0.8 https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/Andy-Afghanistan.jpg https://andynelsonphotos.com/contact monthly 0.8 https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/CSM-BUREAU-SOUTHERN-IRAQ.jpg https://andynelsonphotos.com/people monthly 0.8 https://andynelsonphotos.com/wheeler-county,-oregon---wide-open-spaces-with-no-covid-cases monthly 0.8 https://andynelsonphotos.com/unlocking-climate-secrets-in-vietnam's-ancient-trees monthly 0.8 https://andynelsonphotos.com/home monthly 0.8 https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds15.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir KHENJ, AFGHANISTAN Amirdien prays at the encampment where he lives with his emerald mining partners high above the village of Khenj, Afghanistan. The mines are high in the Hindu Kush mountains making accessability difficult. The ruggedness also makes it easy to control who comes in and foreigners are viewed with suspicion. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds01.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir A boy secures a load of firewood and mining supplies onto a mule to be used by emerald miners high above the village of Khenj, Afghanistan. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds02.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Friday afternoon is a busy time in Khenj, Afghanistan with men greeting each other and talking about the previous weeks' activity. It is also the time when emeralds are compared, bought and sold. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds04.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir A man rests in a tea house before heading up to the mines. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds05.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir A man walks along the lower section of a path leading from Khenj, Afghanistan to the emerald mines high above the village. The mines are located between 7,000 feet and 14,300 feet above sea level. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds06.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Boys lead their mules up steep and snowy slopes from Khenj, Afghanistan to the emerald mines. The boys make the trip up the mountain at least once a week. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds07.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir A man holds his prayer beads as he climbs from Khenj, Afghanistan. The trail up is steep and the pace of the men is relentless. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds09.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Mule and men ascend the steep and snowy slopes from Khenj, Afghanistan to the emerald mines where miners work year round. Geologists believe emeralds are found in Afghanistan only in the Panjshir Valley. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds10.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Mine tailings spill from mines onto snowfields in mountains above Khenj, Afghanistan. Hundreds of men work in emerald mines dotting the mountains. Some believe mineral wealth in Afghanistan can be play a part in the countries new economy. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds11.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir A miner returns to his cave after dumping tailings onto snowfields. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds13.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Mohammad Khodir scans the stone trying to decide where he wants to search for emeralds in a quartz seam . The work in the mines is grueling manual labor with little mechanization of the process. Khodir has had some success, finding an emerald he says was worth several thousand dollars a back in November 2006. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds12.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Mohammad Khodir works a quartz seam in the hope he will find emeralds. The work in the mines is grueling manual labor with little mechanization of the process. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds14.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Mohammad Khodir negotiates the snowfields leading from his emerald mine the encampment where he lives with his mining partners high above the village of Khenj, Afghanistan. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds16.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Mohammad Khodir and his friends enjoy tea before lunch at the encampment where he lives with his mining partners high above the village of Khenj, Afghanistan. Other than finding a big emerald, it are times with friends high in the mountains that he enjoys the most about working in the mines. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds17.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Mohammad Khodir and his friends enjoy tea before lunch at the encampment where he lives with his mining partners high above the village of Khenj, Afghanistan. Other than finding a big emerald, it are times with friends high in the mountains that he enjoys the most about working in the mines. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds18.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Rice is soaked for lunch at the encampment high above the village of Khenj, Afghanistan. Life high in the mountains is basic but the miners try and eat well to give them the energy for the hard labor needed to find emeralds. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds19.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir A Khenj, Afghanistan man inspects an emerald. It seems like everyone in Khenj, Afghanistan has an emerald or pouch containing a stash of emeralds that he has bought or is trying to sell. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds20.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir The emerald mines in the Panjshir Valley have been active for centuries. With relative peace for the first time in nearly 30 years, miners hope their gems can find a broader market. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds21.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir The quest for high quality emeralds has been part of life for the men of Khenj, Afghanistan for centuries. https://cdn.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/emeralds22.jpg Emerald Miners of the Panjshir Money changes hands as men in Khenj, Afghanistand purchase emeralds. Emeralds are important to the economy of Khenj but there is still a dearth of jobs in the area. https://andynelsonphotos.com/sports monthly 0.8 https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_5jo40n_APN_6758.jpg UCLA Oregon Basketball Runners in the 4x400 meter relay take their handoffs during the Division I Men's and Women's Outdoor Track & Field Championships held at Hayward Field on June 9, 2021 in Eugene, Oregon. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_zamke1_NeonSky3.jpg Sabrina Ionescu watches a tribute to Kobe Bryant as fans turn the lights on their phones at Matthew Knight Arena. Sabrina Ionescu watches a tribute to Kobe Bryant as fans turn the lights on their phones at Matthew Knight Arena. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_yq3pjm_sports_slideshow08.jpg Sports | Andy Nelson Photography and Multimedia Photojournalist View Sports by Andy Nelson Photography and Multimedia Photojournalist. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_waqnzr_sports_slideshow17.jpg Michigan's Mason Ferlic nosedives into the water jump during the 3,000 steeplechase on the third day of the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene in 2015. Ferlic was unhurt in the incident. Michigan's Mason Ferlic nosedives into the water jump during the 3,000 steeplechase on the third day of the NCAA Track and Field Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene in 2015. Ferlic was unhurt in the incident. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_capfdb_sports_slideshow58.jpg Kansas' Sharon Lokedi is hugged by New Mexico's Alice Wright after Lokedi's NCAA title win in the 10,000 meters during the second day of the NCAA Track and Field Championship at Hayward Field Thursday, June 7, 2018 in Eugene, Ore. Lokedi broke the NCAA meet record with a time of 32:09.20 while Wright finished fourth in the race. [Andy Nelson/The Register-Guard] - registerguard.com Kansas' Sharon Lokedi is hugged by New Mexico's Alice Wright after Lokedi's NCAA title win in the 10,000 meters during the second day of the NCAA Track and Field Championship at Hayward Field Thursday, June 7, 2018 in Eugene, Ore. Lokedi broke the NCAA meet record with a time of 32:09.20 while Wright finished fourth in the race. [Andy Nelson/The Register-Guard] - registerguard.com https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_vfnt2e_sports_slideshow21.jpg Texas Reese Watson sinks into the landing pit after missing a height in the pole vault during day one of the NCAA Division 1 outdoor men's track and field championship at Hayward Field in Eugene. Watson finished 17th in the event. (Andy Nelson/The Register-Guard) Texas Reese Watson sinks into the landing pit after missing a height in the pole vault during day one of the NCAA Division 1 outdoor men's track and field championship at Hayward Field in Eugene. Watson finished 17th in the event. (Andy Nelson/The Register-Guard) https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_fq5rr4_TRIALS_WEB_01.jpg World Record EUGENE, OREGON Ashton Eaton crosses the finish line setting a world record in the decathlon 100 meters with a time of 10.21. The event was the first of a record-shattering Olympic Trials. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_1t41x9_Portraits5.jpg Sheldon quarterback and multi-sport athlete Justin Herbert, a commit for the University of Oregon football team, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene 2016. Sheldon quarterback and multi-sport athlete Justin Herbert, a commit for the University of Oregon football team, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene 2016. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_kxalaz_sports_slideshow52.jpg Paris Saint-Germain's Serge Aurier, right, gets a shot past Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanovic at 13:51 in the first half to give Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 lead during the International Champions Cup match at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. Paris Saint-Germain's Serge Aurier, right, gets a shot past Inter Milan goalkeeper Samir Handanovic at 13:51 in the first half to give Paris Saint-Germain a 1-0 lead during the International Champions Cup match at Autzen Stadium in Eugene. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_x0xv74_sports_slideshow55.jpg Oregon head coach Casey Martin celebrates with golfer Sulman Raza after Raza made the match winning putt in his semifinal match against Illinois' Charlie Danielson to send the Ducks into the finals of the NCAA men's golf championship at Eugene Country Club in Eugene. Oregon head coach Casey Martin celebrates with golfer Sulman Raza after Raza made the match winning putt in his semifinal match against Illinois' Charlie Danielson to send the Ducks into the finals of the NCAA men's golf championship at Eugene Country Club in Eugene. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_k906sk_sports_slideshow22.jpg Chante Lowe wins the high jump competition at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials at Hayward Field. Chante Lowe wins the high jump competition at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials at Hayward Field. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_ouoxyf_sports_slideshow35.jpg Gonzaga fans celebrate after the Bulldogs won their national semifinal game against South Carolina at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Gonzaga fans celebrate after the Bulldogs won their national semifinal game against South Carolina at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_tkxufy_sports_slideshow49.jpg McKay Sohlberg, center, is given a kiss by her daughters, Ericka Sohlberg, left, and Tatum Sohlberg, right, after she completed the 13.1 mile half-marathon at the Eugene Marathon. The event coincided this year with Mother's Day. McKay Sohlberg, center, is given a kiss by her daughters, Ericka Sohlberg, left, and Tatum Sohlberg, right, after she completed the 13.1 mile half-marathon at the Eugene Marathon. The event coincided this year with Mother's Day. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_v1ra08_sports_slideshow02.jpg The Pick Oregon's Kenny Wheaton returns an interception against Washington in 1994 for a game-winning touchdown starting the Ducks on the path to the 1995 Rose Bowl. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_dtmsae_sports_slideshow03.jpg Sports | Andy Nelson Photography and Multimedia Photojournalist View Sports by Andy Nelson Photography and Multimedia Photojournalist. https://storage.neonsky.app/4bd5ec0c61923/images/2gpi2cbo_jqme49jl_pag71g_final-four-pdf.jpg Sports | Andy Nelson Photography and Multimedia Photojournalist View Sports by Andy Nelson Photography and Multimedia Photojournalist. https://andynelsonphotos.com/ngamba-island-chimpanzee-sanctuary monthly 0.8 https://andynelsonphotos.com/all-that-remains---joplin-panoramics monthly 0.8 https://storage.neonsky.app/2gpi2cbo/images/2gpi2cbo_xh8gukn8_oqvf7j_Closet_Family.jpg Kay and Ed Boyd JOPLIN, MISSOURI Kay and Ed Boyd rode out the tornado in a closet. It is all that remains of their home. "She wanted to get into the bathtub but I said "No, you get in that closet," said Ed Boyd. Five minutes later they had lost everything. https://storage.neonsky.app/2gpi2cbo/images/2gpi2cbo_xh8gukn8_r93big_JoplinPano7L.jpg Hugh Hills JOPLIN, MISSOURI Hugh Hills, 86, lived in his Joplin home since the 1960s. He lost everything in the tornado including a large collection of native american artifacts. https://storage.neonsky.app/2gpi2cbo/images/2gpi2cbo_xh8gukn8_khgrdg_JoplinPano2.jpg Hope Rises JOPLIN, MISSOURI A makeshift cross rises over the remnants of a home. https://storage.neonsky.app/2gpi2cbo/images/2gpi2cbo_xh8gukn8_9yiifd_Mary_Pano.jpg Mary A framed portrait of the Virgin Mary rests on a debris pile in Joplin. https://storage.neonsky.app/2gpi2cbo/images/2gpi2cbo_xh8gukn8_xdkgfc_JoplinPano6.jpg Newlyweds JOPLIN, MISSOURI William Hahn and Jamie Hahn were newlyweds when the Joplin tornado upended their lives, destroying their home. They believe their relationship will be stronger because they must pull together to overcome their losses. https://storage.neonsky.app/2gpi2cbo/images/2gpi2cbo_xh8gukn8_fkz055_JoplinPano5.jpg All That Remains - Joplin Panoramics | Andy Nelson Photography and Multimedia Photojournalist View All That Remains - Joplin Panoramics by Andy Nelson Photography and Multimedia Photojournalist. https://andynelsonphotos.com/the-lonely-run-of-joe-biden monthly 0.8 https://andynelsonphotos.com/thai-protests-and-crackdown monthly 0.8 https://andynelsonphotos.com/bangladesh-levy-builders monthly 0.8 https://andynelsonphotos.com/iraq---in-the-beginning monthly 0.8 https://andynelsonphotos.com/food-insecurity-in-southern-africa monthly 0.8 https://andynelsonphotos.com/kosovo---exodus-and-return monthly 0.8