Judges' choice: A photo of a cow taken by San Carlos resident Pinto Jaxen, 8, earned him the Coady Family Award in the Kids' Best Division. He said he took the photo of cows behind a fence by attracting them with grass so they would walk over to him. He said the cows loved having their photo taken, adding, “You could see the way they smiled.”

Background: Pinto loves going to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where he said he collects rocks, hikes around, climbs rocks and explores caves. He enjoys taking photographs of things like “dead turtles and stuff.”

How he got started: Last year, Pinto's mother showed him how to use a camera, and he took photos of his grandmother's horses.

Comment: “I like having to go to places and take pictures.”

Tip for learning more: Take pictures of things you like, Pinto said.

TODAY'S PICKS

Summer Concert Series: B.B. King, 7:30 p.m., $20 to $166, includes fair admission.

Summer of Sports Exhibit: Referee Day includes a 6 p.m. appearance by mixed-martial-arts pro Jon “War Machine” Koppenhaver.

Highlights: Cavies judging and showmanship, 10 a.m., AgriFair; Dwyn Robbie of the San Diego Rose Society presents “Fragrant Roses,” 2 p.m., Flower Show Stage; country singer Eileen Carey, 9 p.m., Plaza Stage.

FAIR FACTS

Through July 6 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd. Gates are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Admission: adults, $12; seniors 62 and older, $6; children 6 to 12, $6; children 5 and younger, free.

Information: (858) 793-5555; (858) 755-1161; www.sdfair.com/fair.

On-site parking: cars and motorcycles, $9; recreational vehicles, $15; preferred parking, $15; no motor homes.

Off-site parking: free, with shuttles from 9 a.m. to midnight daily. Del Mar Horsepark, 14550 El Camino Real; MiraCosta College San Elijo campus and Torrey Pines High School, weekends and July 4.

Public transportation: hourly buses to and from the Escondido Transit Center. A shuttle between the Solana Beach Train Station and the fair leaves every 25 minutes. Passengers with a Breeze bus or Coaster train ticket receive a $1.75 fair admission discount at the west gate. Information: (760) 966-6500 or www.gonctd.com

NEWSROOM AT THE FAIR

The San Diego Union-Tribune's  Newsroom at the Fair exhibit is in the Paddock Lounge next to Plaza de Mexico, near the Grandstand entrance.

Meet consumer health editor Michele Parente and consumer health reporter Bobbi Ignelzi, 1 to 4 p.m.

Explore the technology that brings you the daily newspaper, Today's Local News,  Enlace,  multimedia site SignOnSanDiego.com and AmplifySD.com, the all-San Diego music online radio station.

Tune to “U-T in the Community” and “Community Spotlight” on SignOn Radio LIVE, hosted by Drew Schlosberg on Tuesdays and Fridays (except July 4).

Online: For fair news and information, go to fair.uniontrib.com