Photos

Kayak instructor Vaughn Corum bobs along with some of the 17,000 plastic ducks that were released during the 7th annual KinderMourn Hope Floats Duck Race at the U.S. National Whitewater Center on Sunday afternoon. The event is an annual fundraiser for KinderMourn. The organization sold out of ducks on Friday afternoon. More than 7,000 people attended the event, with net proceeds of $100,000 going to KinderMourn. David T. Foster III - dtfoster@charlotteobserver.com

9/5/11 A heavy rain shower causes pedestrians to seek shelter from their strolls uptown at Trade and Tryon Streets Monday.Jeff Siner - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

(08.05.11) Bill Edwards, who works at the Boxer Building in the 1000 block of W. Morehead, shuffles over a drain the the buildingÕs parking lot hoping to clear debris from the clogged drain. Workers inside the building watch Edwards efforts. A band of heavy showers dumped inches of rain across Charlotte early Friday afternoon. Rain-forced debris clogged storm drains and flooded intersecting side streets in the 1000 block of west Morehead near the Boxer Building. John D. Simmons - jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

(02.09.11) Charlie Walker has walked the uptown beat, especially the square, for 15 years, getting to know the cast of characters, watching Charlotte grow. Now he's retiring... but he can't tear himself completely away. He'll be a reserve officer for CMPD. John D. Simmons - jsimmons@charlotteobserver.com

6/1/2011 Mayonaise, ketchup and mustard shape so much of our summer dishes. But you can have more fun if you make your own. Todd Sumlin - tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

Beth Greene, assistant district attorney, points to her forehead, telling jurors Thursday that was where Charney Watt was shot. Jurors will resume deliberations today in the first-degree murder case against Gary Daniels, Watt's boyfriend. PHOTOS BY Robert Lahser - rlahser@charlotteobserver.com

1/28/2011 Bryan Fischer, 7 reaches to touch the trunk of a circus elephant at Time Warner Cable Arena Friday. Through a collaboration with the Metrolina Association for the Blind, about 10 visually impaired children took part in a special "Touch Tour" following a morning performance at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The circus continues through this weekend at the arena. Todd Sumlin - tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

Derrick Whisel of Pittsburg,PA crawls through the mud pit making his way underneath barbed wire heading to the finish line as he competes in the Warrior Dash Carolinas held at Rural Hill in Harrisburg Sunday.13,500 runners from across the nation to competed in World's Most Extreme and Fun Running Event. Warrior Dash is the ultimate event for thrill-seeking athletes and party-goers. The two day event which started on Saturday and ended on Sunday had 11 intense obstacles over 3.08 miles of extreme terrain, an all day festival with live music, food and beer. Warrior Dash will had participants jumping through fire, crawling through mud pits, climbing over walls,rope ladders and working their way through nine additional grueling obstacles. The first wave of the race started at 10am, followed by waves of 500 racers taking off to battle the course every half hour until the last group at 2:30pm.Robert Lahser - rlahser@charlotteobserver.com

Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin gets wrapped up in mid-air by Charlotte's Joel Przybilla on Monday. Griffin finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Charlotte lost its fifth in a row overall and second straight since Stephen Jackson went out with a strained hamstring. PHOTOS BY David T. Foster III - dtfoster@charlotteobserver.com

5/13/11 Charlotte Checkers (8) Nick Dodge continues to try and slap at the puck after diving to the ice during Game 2 action of the Eastern Conference Finals vs the Binghamton Senators Friday at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC. The Senators defeated the Checkers 3-0. Jeff Siner - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com

8/5/2011 Jason Dickson, with the Charlotte Fire Dept. Swiftwater Rescue Team carries a one year old child as residents are evacuated from apartments on Southwest Blvd. Friday afternoon. Heavy rains swept across the area causing flooding to low-lying areas. Todd Sumlin - tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com

3/12/11 (Center) West Charlotte's (40) Kennedy Meeks is congratulated by his teammates after being named the MVP for the N.C. 4A Championship game Saturday following their victory over Raleigh Millbrook at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. West Charlotte defeated Raleigh Millbrook 78-69. Jeff Siner - jsiner@charlotteobserver.com