Return to Dover

The 2022 Airshow tour continues with a return to Dover AFB in Delaware.  I was stationed at Dover from 1983 to 1992.  The USAF calculated it at 8 years and 9 months.  It was a great time.  I had the best job I could ever want, that was a flight engineer on a C5 aircraft.  Going to this airshow this past weekend meant a lot to me as my chances to see FRED fly again diminish each day.

The airshow had a very good schedule.  Both the Thunderbirds and Blue Angel Demo teams would be there.  Ear plugs required.  There was a B2 fly-by as well as a C17/C47 Heritage Flight.  (Redemption)

But my goal was to see FRED in the air again, even if for only 15 minutes in an airshow demo. 

I started flying on the "A" models in 1983.  Oh, the book we had to carry.  There were modification to the wings, engines and pylons going on at the time.  And we had to know the flight characteristic limitations for each aircraft.  Life became much 'easier' when the "B" models were delivered starting in 1986.  Modern, for the time, clean and only one set of books.

Aircrew life fit me well.  Every day was different.  Again, best job ever.

When I saw Dover was having a open house (airshow) this year, I elected to to travel east.  I can go to Reno for the Air Races next year.

The weather for the show was HOT.  HOT.  HOT.  After baking in 95 degree air temps for a few hours on Saturday, and probably 120 on the tarmac, we didn't make it for the Sunday show.  We were cooked.  And as it turned out, plan "B" for Sunday turned out OK.

So, going through the photos tonight.  I have 1211 shots for the weekend to go through - should keep me busy for a few days.

C5 Airshow Climbout

NIKON D500 Ver.1.31/Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6

227 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.3, ISO 100

EV 0, Shutter Priority, Size DX

It was a great weekend to get away.  Lots of good photos.  My hit rate was pretty good.  Unfortunately, a lot are duplicates and will find the trash.  And a spoiler alert, the best shot of the weekend turned out to be an Osprey!  A V22 or bird of prey?  That will come later.

Tobico Marsh Cardinals

I usually don't have much luck with small birds.  So far.  Maybe I need a change of location?

While walking the Tobico Marsh, I found my way to an observation tower.  At the top of the tower, there really wasn't much to see.  Except, after about five minutes, the small birds showed up.  Not close enough as in food expectation, but maybe 20 feet?  Maybe 15 feet?  Normal small bird stuff.

The most camera friendly were two Cardinals.  And they didn't move when I did.  I never tried to crowd them, but it has been my experience that most small birds will move when I do.  Usually moving farther away.

But this time, these two stuck around for a few minutes.

Female Cardinal

NIKON D500 Ver.1.31/NIKON 80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

600 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6 ISO 560 (Auto)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Male Cardinal

NIKON D500 Ver.1.31/NIKON 80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

600 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6 ISO 250 (Auto)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Female Cardinal

NIKON D500 Ver.1.31/NIKON 80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

600 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6 ISO 400 (Auto)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Not that I'll ever get a number of the small backyard bird shots, these were fun to be a part of.

Birds from the first Tobico Marsh walk

Yesterday's walk through Tobico Marsh didn't yield any big birds.  No Eagles, young or old.  No Osprey.  But there weren't many people out either, which makes me think I'm early for the big bird season.

That's OK.  I'm getting better at sneaking up on, or having the patience for, smaller flying objects.

At Shiawassee I got to the point where I can spot and Eagle far off.  For a while, I know where they would transit.  For smaller birds, walking through the paths between the roads I could never sneak up on them.  Thus, very few small bird shots.

At Tobico, I had a bit better luck.  Or the smaller birds tolerate the tourists much better.  In each case for the following, I stayed in place for about two to three minutes before the little flying objects returned.

This first shot is far from perfect.  It is about three inches from being the best small bird shot I have.  Anyway, this is more than a miss on the tail end, hah, of the bird in flight.  Truth is, I was focused on the stationary bird and didn't see this until I got home.  I can almost see the stationary bird smile.

Swallow on the Rail

NIKON D500 Ver.1.31/NIKON 80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

600 mm, 1/1000 sec, f/5.6 ISO 800 (Auto)

EV +1, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

This next one was in the same area where the walkway was at the end of the flooded marsh.  About 15 yards off the walkway was a small clump of grass.  And in the grass, a hiding Canadian Goose.  I tried a number of shots, but could never get the eye clear of the grass stalks.  This was as close to framing the eye that I could get.  You would think if I could move the the right just two inches....

Canadian Goose in Hiding

NIKON D500 Ver.1.31/NIKON 80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

600 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6 ISO 640 (Auto)

EV +1, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

This is a Red-bellied Woodpecker.  I've verified it with the Merlin application on my phone.  Merlin never lies.  Anyway, I snuck up on it while it was feeding on the ground.  it was one of those situations where I was looking in the trees and almost stepped....  Well not sure who scared who.  Anyway the bird took to flight.  Only to be caught when I got to the top of the observation deck.

Red-bellied Woodpecker at Home

NIKON D500 Ver.1.31/NIKON 80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

600 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6 ISO 800 (Auto)

EV +1, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Tobico Marsh

I found out about the Tobico Marsh area a few weeks ago from one of my friends in the Camera Club.  The area is about an hour north, so easy drive.  My normal nature area, Shiawassee, is still somewhat closed until June 1.  I've noted, not complained, that the changes made to the area in order to hold more water have moved the a lot of wildlife away from the drive.  Not to say I'm looking for a new place to visit, but I'm looking for a new place to visit.

By description, Tobico fits the need.  Michigan is full of places where the origins are in early lumber acquisition.  The Tobico area is no exception.  The area's history starts with logging interests and selling to private individuals when the land was cleared - and in 1957 the individuals selling this area to the State of Michigan and being re-named the Tobico Marsh State Wildlife Refuge.  The area has been added to with other land purchases over time and is now about 1650 acres.

I see lots of potential for wildlife.  I think the season for a lot of activity is not here yet, as the area was not very busy.  Day was a bit on the cold side.  Sky was Michigan spring FLAT.  But I was there to scout the area and test out the D500 and 80-400 lens combo.  And if I could get a little work in with the D850 and 200-500 combo with a monopod, it would be a good day.

It was a good day.

It was a good day for squirrel and chipmunk photos.  And some small birds.

But along the way to small critters, there were two scenes that caught my attention.

Now I'm not an expert on many things, and what I assume to be Beaver domain markings.  But I think this is one sign.  There were many trees in the marsh that looked like the Beavers started the tree felling - and man finished it.  And there were a lot of trees where man was not needed.

This was the first interesting tree stump that I came across.  I like taking photos of wood where the texture can really be brought out - without heroic post processing efforts.

Beaver Fuel

NIKON D500 Ver.1.31/NIKON 80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

210 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6 ISO 500 (Auto)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

This tree never stood a chance.  You might, rightfully, ask - why are you shooting a still subject at 1/1250?  The answer is I'm working with the lens at what I want to shoot aircraft.  So criticisms of this flaw will fall on deaf ears.

In the marsh area, one of the walkways into the marsh is marked - Closed.  This might be why.

Closed Walkway

NIKON D500 Ver.1.31/NIKON 80.0-400.0 mm f/4.5-5.6

120 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6 ISO 400 (Auto)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

There are better views of the walkways condition, but are all blocked with trees.  Too bad, this walkway is a mess.  And very interesting.  There is an observation tower right next to this where I tried to get a better view from above.  No luck on this subject, but winner shots to come from the top of the tower.

The First KEH Transaction

The Heritage Flight Conundrum led to my first acquisition of a used piece of camera equipment.  Specifically a 80-400 lens.  A new Nikon edition goes for $2300.

The 200-500 is a great lens.  But.  It's 5 pounds to sling around.  It's a bit bulky to handle.  I could have used it in Charleston, only if I could put it down on occasion.  And it might be intimidating to the security folks.  The lens I used on the D500, 70-300 is OK.  Nice and light but I still end up cropping too much.  Could have used just a little extra reach on the C47/C17 Heritage Flight.  

Enter the 80-400.  On the D500, it will give me an effective 600 mm reach.  And it comes in at 3.5 pounds.  After 3 hours in the sun, that 1.5 pound savings will be a lot.

The 200-500 is a fixed f/5.6 where as the 80-400 is a f/4.5-5.6, so no real winners there.

Even though the 200-500 is sold as a hand hold-able lens, my best shots seem to have one common element, a monopod.  The 80-400 is made to be hand hold-able.

I did some research on KEH, mostly through threads on UHH.  No real negative complaints.  And so far I don't have any.  I bought a lens that was graded very highly.  When I looked at it today, no blemishes at all.  I took it out to the Park for a few test shots.  No cracks on an inner lens.  But all my shots were static.  I'll take it out to a nature refuge this weekend.  If I can, I work in on both the D500 and D850.

So far the transaction with KEH was great.  Let's see if the lens can match.

The Heritage Flight Conundrum

My favorite fly-bys at an airshow are the Heritage Flights.  The intent of the Heritage Flight is to present the evolution of military air power by flying today's state-of-the-art fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft.

There are so many levels for these events for me.  As a military aircraft enthusiast, I enjoy the the piston engine versus the jet engine noise.  I enjoy the difference in Engineering and Design.

On the other side, as for photography you have to shoot the lowest speed.  Not so enjoyable.

Usually there is a jet flying with a prop driven aircraft.  But not always.  I have this shot of a E/A18G Growler and an A4 Skyhawk from Wings over Northern Michigan in 2019.

But the majority of the time, I'm looking at 1/200 sec shutter speed or slower to capture what realistically could be a shot of a lifetime.  No pressure.

In Charleston, the Heritage Flight was a C-47 Skytrain and a C-17 Globemaster III.  In previous Heritage Flights, the two aircraft appear in a 'banana pass' in front of the crowd.  In Charleston, they added an overhead pass.  In order to line up for the overhead pass, an interesting formation appeared.  This formation is unscripted.  And a bit far away.  But has to be captured.

On Saturday I shot at 1/1250 sec.  I knew the prop would freeze, but I'd be back on Sunday.  I'd rather have an 80% shot over having nothing.  On Sunday, I shot at 1/200 sec at a long distance.  That shot came out surprising good.  It won't win any prizes and looks OK on a small screen.  It does leave lots of room for improvement - JB Charleston 2024.

Saturday's Shot:

Heritage Flight - C47 and C17

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

450 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 100

EV 0, SHUTTER Priority, Size DX

Sunday's Shot

Heritage Flight - C47 and C17

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

450 mm, 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100

EV +1, SHUTTER Priority, Size DX

In both cases, the more interesting shot was far away.  As the aircraft came nearer, the line up wasn't as interesting to me.  Saturday's shot, with the clouds and the aircraft in different lines is my favorite of the two.  Damn frozen prop.

Blue Angels - From the Walmart Parking Lot

The trip to Charleston for the airshow started as a planned two day photo shoot, just at the show.  Something about the best laid plans?

The two day photo shoot turned into a two and a half day photo shoot.  Saturday and Sunday were givens, but I was able to add Friday afternoon.

The Friday show was for base employees and DOD personnel.  I don't qualify for Friday's on base show - I qualify for general public with admission on Saturday and Sunday.  Fortunately air shows are not an indoor show.

One mile from the approach end of the main runway that will be the show line is a Walmart parking lot.  No charge.  Everyone welcome.  And thus I have the Friday afternoon Walmart Collection.

From the parking lot, I didn't see any of the show.  But to get to the show line - or to exit the show line, this parking lot was in the flight path.  At one end of the parking lot is a gas station with a huge American flag.  Excellent reference point.

As the parking lot was a lot closer to the aircraft than being in the show audience, I could use the D850 and the 70-200 f/2.8 combo.  And not have to crop much.  My favorite combo.  And being is some other place other than show audience, there are some interesting frames.

This first shot is something I don't see a lot of, a jet aircraft framed by trees.  And lots of leaves.  (SC has green leaves now, we're still a few weeks away.)

Blue Angel through the Trees

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20 /NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED

200 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 64

EV +0, Shutter Priority, Size FX

And sometimes you get the shot that just makes you laugh.  Or I was taking a photo of a tree and......

Blue Angel in the trees - miss

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20 /NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED

200 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/3.5, ISO 64

EV +0, Shutter Priority, Size FX

One of the Blue Angel passes is called the Fortis Maneuver.  The pass is two jets with gear and arresting hook extended.  And one of the jets is inverted.  But the act of one jet inverting happens just over the runway.  And where I was, they were just lining up.

Blue Angel Parking Lot Approach

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20 /NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED

200 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.0, ISO 64

EV +0, Shutter Priority, Size FX

And then you get the shot of one of the solos, Blue Angel #5, coming close overhead.

Blue Angel Parking Lot Flyover

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20 /NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED

200 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/4.5, ISO 64

EV +0, Shutter Priority, Size FX

I learned a lot from this trip - one thing was there are more placed to watch an air show than just the show line.  Time to get creative.

Drone in an Open Field

Second spring is here.  First spring was a few weeks ago. The two springs are separated by four inches of snow.

The forecast we upper 60s this morning and maybe a bit breezy.  Too good to pass up.

Today, first flight outside of the back yard.

One of the county parks close by has a large opening with a couple of softball fields on the edges.  Perfect for beginners.  Lots of open field.

For the most part, I stayed between 20 and 30 feet high.

I worked the camera for both single shots and video.  I used the AUTO settings for both.  Baby steps.

In flight, I worked of coordinated turns and an orbit around a central point.  I finished logging an hour in the air.

It was a good day.  The drone and I are developing trust.

STOL - Draco

A friend of mine has told me to never toss away any shots.  I asked, "Even the blurry ones?"  Even the blurry ones.  Well, I have to draw the line somewhere.  But I do get his point.

Who knew that a few shots I had taken in 2019 would come into conversation today?  I posted a few STOL shots on the Ugly Hedgehog last night.  And someone asked, What - no Draco?

As STOL aircraft go, Draco might be the most famous.  In a world where aircraft need to be lighter and more agile, Draco is was beast.

But alas, Draco is no more.  A slight mishap caused by pilot error did it in.  The pilot walked away.  His YouTube is one of the best I've ever seen dealing with decision making in discussing his decision to take off in unsafe conditions.  You can apply his lesson to many walks of life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfctWAoDXvs

I never saw Draco fly - or race.  But the aircraft was on display, static display, at the 2019 National Air Races.  I got a few shots in one morning.

Draco - Full On

NIKON D7200 Ver.1.04/DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G

24 mm, 1/1000 sec, f/11, ISO 360

EV -1, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

Draco - Close Up

NIKON D7200 Ver.1.04/DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G

32 mm, 1/1000 sec, f/8, ISO 180

EV -1, MANUAL Mode, Size DX

I like revisiting some of the older shots.  In 2019, I had the D500 for the action shots, and the D7200 for the close ups.  And who knows what I was thinking then with those crazy, unnecessary ISOs.

This is a journey.

MiG 17

Since Airshows don't come around every weekend, I get to watch the list of scheduled performers grow as the show date gets closer.  And when I get so see something new to me, the days can't pas fast enough.

Going to Charleston, there were two aircraft I have not seen before, a FW-190 and MiG 17.  These were targets for me.  The FW-190 will show up later.

For now the shots of the MiG 17.

I am a big fan of the 1940 to 1945 era aircraft.  It's not that I'm not a big fan of all early fighters, I just don't know that much about them.  And the MiG 17 fits the bill.

The MiG 17 had it's first flight in January of 1950, with general introduction in October of 1952.  That's probably about right for slide rule engineering of the time.  During the years of production, over 10,600 were built.

It's one thing to look at a piston powered fighter and enjoy the engineering.  There is nothing to compare it to today.  As for the jets, we can see the engineering progression.  Although the MiG 17 is a jet, it was designed to chase down subsonic bombers.  As a result, it was not designed for supersonic flight.  It turned out that the jet could fight and did so against US F-4 Phantoms and similar aircraft.  (For the record, I think the F-4 Phantom was the best fighter of the time!)

Anyway, the engineering and design of a Soviet era aircraft is interesting to me.  And after looking at the photos, the one item that caught my interest was the afterburner.  Looks very thin.  My uneducated engine design thoughts are that the fuel is not atomized before entering the burner chamber.  Looks like a dump of a stream of fuel.  In American engines, the fuel is atomized when it enters the afterburner chamber.  Under pressure.  I know this as I worked on J-85 engines - with afterburners.  I remember stuff.

The MiG 17 shots.

MiG 17 On Approach

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

150 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/7.1, ISO 100

EV 0, Shutter Priority, Size DX

MiG 17 in Afterburner

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

330 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/7.1, ISO 100

EV 0, Shutter Priority, Size DX

MiG 17 Tower Fly By

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

450 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 180

EV 0, Shutter Priority, Size DX

MiG 17 Top View

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

450 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100

EV +1, Shutter Priority, Size DX

Hopefully there will be another time with more lens power for closer shots.  But for now, these will do.

Let the Drone games begin

For the last few months I've had my head in the drone games.  Or the personal drone game.

First, there is researching what drone to get.  And then there is the legal aspect to learn.

As to what drone to get, there were a few months of research.  For my purposes, this is an extension camera.  Yes, the flying will be fun, but for now the primary purpose is photography.  The requirements was a one inch sensor with a mechanical aperture.  For the time being, at the entry level I was looking at was the DJI Mavic 3 and the Autel Lite.  Both are new models this year.  Enter YouTube.  Lots of YouTube reviews.  DJI is clearly the biggest elephant in the market.  But the Mavic 3 has two strikes against it.  First, it is roughly $1k more than the Autel.  Second, there is a growing problem with the GPS.  DJI says the problem can be fixed with a software/firmware update but after 90 days of knowing the issue, the resolution is not forthcoming.  I've read other people's thoughts to the issue and if true, the problem will only be resolved with a drone replacement.  A GPS if fundamental to a drone's flight characteristics and if compromised can lead to uncommanded events.  Not going to toy with that at all.

So the Autel it is.

Legally, there is a chance I will use the drone in a commercial venture, ie: going to make money from the photography.  Drones fit two categories, hobby and commercial.  For commercial, I had to pass a FAA knowledge test to get what is commonly referred to as a Part 107 Certificate.  I passed the test in late March.

Today I logged my first hour with the Autel.  It was great.  I just flew it around the house, lots of straight line flights.  No photography.  Just flight drills.  Lots of take offs and landings.

Next stop, a larger field.

Fun first steps.

Viper (F16) into the Smoke

When I go to an airshow, or spend a long weekend at any event, the goal is to come home with one to five really good shots.  The shot that blends artistry and technical elements into the final product that I am really happy with.  There are shots that have the artistry, the so called eye, that I get good feedback on.  To be sure, that's good.  And the good technical shots are the ones I feel good about.

Then there is the very small percentage that punches both elements.  

Technically, this shot is awesome.  I didn't screw it up.  The subject came together, the light was right and the amateur on the small side of the lens didn't act like a rookie.  

To me, this shot was built on the mistakes of the last five years of aviation photography.

One of the acts at the Joint Base Charleston Air Expo was the F-16 Viper Demo Team.  The Viper Demo is one aircraft in the air.  But behind the scenes is always a team.  Backup aircraft, backup pilot.  Support personnel.  With one in the air, there are plenty of hands keeping it aloft.  The Viper Demo Team is the same aircraft as the Thunderbirds - but only one.  Cool paint job.  Great show.

In Charleston, as well as other locations, some shows add a bit of Pyro.  Staged boom-booms.  If you're not looking, you might think it was a compressor stall.  In some cases, maybe just touching Mach 1.

In this case, the pyro boom-boom did its thing.  The winds of the day did not disperse the pyro cloud quickly.

Enter the Viper.

Viper into the Smoke

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

450 mm, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3, ISO 100

EV +2, Shutter Priority, Size FX

This is so cool to me.  The sun on the aircraft with the darkness in the background.  And a little blue sky.  When this is on the monitor, you can see right into the cockpit.  There was some sun reflection that had to be removed from the canopy.  This shot didn't require much editing.

Sometimes, it just works.

Fat Albert - Blue Angels Style

This past weekend's Blue Angels show was the first time I'd seen the Fat Albert act.

The Fat Albert aspect of the Blue Angels has along history.  Shortly after the BA were formed, the need for a support aircraft became apparent to haul the support equipment and personnel from show to show.  Starting in 1970 the platform of choice was a Lockheed Hercules C-130 Transport.  The current aircraft, C-130J, was acquired from the RAF in 2020 to continue the tradition.

Before some shows, Fat Albert does its thing.  

The paint job is just awesome, not to be confused with any other 'skin'.

I like aircraft like the C-130.  Old and still in service.  Most C-130s aren't as colorful as Albert, and don't seek the spotlight but when something has to be there on time, you call a 130.

Photographically - Big, low and slow.  A dream.  But, the prop will limit the speed to 1/100th to 1/200th.  Not that the dream has a nightmare element, but props is props.

Fat Albert - Static Wave

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

450 mm, 1/100 sec, f/10, ISO 100

EV 0, Shutter Priority, Size FX

The flight shots were a bit more difficult.  The sky was heavy overcast.  The max reach on my equipment for the day was 450 mm.  I've been working with Topaz AI GigaPixel when the crops start getting aggressive.

Fat Albert Level Flight

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

450 mm, 1/100 sec, f/16, ISO 100

EV 0, Shutter Priority, Size FX

Fat Albert Left Bank

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

450 mm, 1/200 sec, f/13, ISO 100

EV 0, Shutter Priority, Size FX

The discerning photographer can spot the difference in the props at 1/100th and 1/200th second shutter speed.  (Hit:  For the most part, the rpm of the C-130 engine is constant.)

It was fun to finally see Fat Albert fly.

Getting back to Normal - JB Charleston Air Expo

Joint Base Charleston (SC) held its Air Expo for 2022 last weekend.  I've been looking forward to this for a long time.

This year's lineup was impressive.  Heavy on the military air power stuff and a bit light on the aerobatic stuff.  My kind of show.  The static displays did not disappoint.  The static highlight for me was the C5M.  And for bonus points, the aircraft was out of Dover and flown by the 9th.  My old squadron.  Great to have time to chat with the younger generation.  The Pelican tradition continues.  Would have liked to see it fly, but that was not in the cards this day.  (I'll get to see that in May!)  Other static displays were a C-130 Gunship, F35, F15, KC46, C27.  Flying in the Expo was headlined with the Blue Angels and Fat Albert.  Other flyers of note was a MiG 17, de Havilland Vampire, FW-190 Focke Wulf and the F16 Viper Demo Team.

And more importantly, I was in South Carolina in April.  Deep warmth.

Between the phone and cameras, I took around 1450 photos.  I did use the phone on location more than I had ever done before.  My primary setup was the D500 and 70-300.  So for close up shots,  I used the phone.  I did use the D850 and 70-200/f2.8 for a couple of shots.  More on those later, but that combo produces some very fine shots.  The 200 lens is just too short to be practical at a show for flight photos.  But on Friday, I was able to use it effectively and will post the shots and why I could use that combo in that situation.

Today's goal was to cull all the shots to around 100.  I've gone though about 80%.  The last 20% always takes a few days.

But to get started, air shows always incorporate the National Anthem.  The Anthem may not be the first act, but it will be done.  In this weekend's show, as JBC is home to the C-17 Globemaster III it is only fitting that the flag be delivered out of the back end of one of these aircraft.  The delivery was done by the Black Dagger parachute team.

Black Dagger Entrance

NIKON D500 Ver.1.30/NIKKOR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6E ED VR

105 mm, 1/200 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100

EV +1, Speed Priority, Size DX, ND9

I worked the ND9 filter over the weekend when the sun and aircraft favored it.  I was expecting a C-47 shot right after this, and the ND was part of the set up for the day.

It was a great weekend.  Back in my elements.

Infamy - Thoughts and Shots

It is hard to believe that 80 years ago, the war to end all wars was started.  I was not around, or even thought of, in that era and will not pass judgement on what happened or the response.  If those who were involved can find a way to live with what happened, I can.  It is strange that over the years, our enemies of the time have become our allies today and some of our allies at the time have seen it necessary to part ways with us today.

But what I take away from what I've been told about the time is the term 'greatest generation'.  What a shame it will be when the last are gone - and those with second-hand knowledge pass as well.  The further away we get from the era, the more likely is that history will fade and become blurred.  I think of the scene in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome where Max is 'rescued' by a band of feral kids and they recall what they know of history.  Maybe not be too far from the truth in the future.

I digress.  

I'm also about the air power that evolved during the conflict.  To survive, the process of design, production and creation had to be shortened.  Just about every aircraft had a modification in design in development when it rolled off the assembly line.  I think about all the change control I have in my paying job today.  I often joke about R&D in the field these days.  But in the early 40's, people lost their lives in aircraft crashes because of this accelerated practice.  But airpower was created and used and was a big part of final victory.

Again, I digress.

One of my favorite activities during an airshow is the Heritage Flight.  A Heritage Flight is a formation or two or more aircraft from different generations.  I have posted Heritage photos before:  Wings Over Northern Michigan Thunder Over Michigan (USN) Thunder Over Michigan (AF)  

Any flight formation of WWII aircraft will get my attention.  When I get out to Reno for the races, that seems to be the heart of aircraft restoration operations.  One of the groups that shows up is the Commemorative Air Force, Southern California Wing.  

The aircraft in these shots are a North American PBJ Mitchell, Grumman F6F Hellcat, Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat and a Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero.

Technically, no some of my better shots, but the memory of seeing the aircraft in flight makes the post worthwhile.

Radial piston engines with straight pipes, the sound of Music to me.

Honors to the Greatest Generation.

Chasing the #1225 Again

Not that we're totally back to normal, but the #1225 is running again after taking a year off.  It's a good sign.  From what I can tell about yesterday's morning ride is that there were far fewer cars for passengers that what I've seen before in previous years.  That led to some interesting photo opportunities as the engine and car movement prior to the ride were all on east side of Washington Ave by the train yard.  In the past, there were so many cars to load that the engine would have to stage on the west side of Washington Ave, separated from the passenger cars.  That adds some extra time on the departure end to connect up with the passenger cars.  And if you are a passenger, the engine is not off the railroad crossing signal so while you are in line for the ride, the audible crossing noise is going while you are in line.  Yep, the line goes right by the signal.  

The new positioning of the engine allowed for better photo chances, which was great.  And a bit more quiet.

The train schedule calls for a departure time of 10:00 AM.  In 2019, I took some of my best photos while the train was loading coal and moving around before staging for the days activity.  Looking at the time stamp of the photos, most of the action started at 9:00 AM.  I figured the kit for the day would be the D850 and the 24-70 lens.  And that worked for 90% of the shots.  There was one scenario when I could have used a longer reach, but I can get around that.

The goal was to get anything I didn't have already.  Like blue in the sky where I can.  The sun was out for the most part which presented a large dynamic range from the black of the engine front in the shadow to the white steam and the clouds where they are.  Good demo photos for a  club meeting on how to deal with the situation.

There is what I call the money shot when the engine begins to roll.  Steam everywhere.  There has to be a bit luck with how the steam will frame the rest of the engine from where you stand.  This shot works for me, lots of steam and you can see the engineer looking out of the cab.  Not a big fan of the train year background, but from where I was it could be worse.  At least it is somewhat environment related.

#1225 Moving Forward

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20/NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

38 mm, 1/125 sec, f/6.3, ISO 64

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size FX

The shot is a bit of a reach for a 70 mm lens.  A lot of crop necessary.  Gigapixel.  I was trying to stay away from carrying two camera sets.  This was from my favorite location, but from a different angle.  I wanted to keep the shorter lens for the close up that would happen.  And that backfired on me, because when the close up happened it was all in shadow.  See if I can save it later.  But for now, a classic 'bend' photo.

#1225 On the Bend

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20/NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

70 mm, 1/125 sec, f/6.3, ISO 64

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size FX

And with this final shot, I managed to get in position to get the train and sun in a decent relationship.  Blue sky.  I was as close as I could legally get.  (Yes, there was a county sheriff at the intersection to make sure that the train chasers remained safe.)  I worked on this photo a lot longer than I should have.  There were power lines to remove.  A lot of power lines to remove.  There was a lot of 'learning' going on.

#1225

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20/NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR

70 mm, 1/125 sec, f/6.3, ISO 64

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size FX

It was a good day.  I look for anything that resembles a return to 'normal' as good.  it was fun to watch all the kids and parents going to the cars in their flannel PJs.  And as a rider alumni, good to see they keep the kids and their families segregated from the more senior folks, not in their PJs.

Eastern Screech Owl

Today (Saturday) at the For-Mar Nature Preserve & Arboretum, the Wildlife Recovery Association paid a visit to show off some of their resident birds of prey.  The Nature Preserve often has events for a few hours on the weekends.  Great way to spend a few hours on a Saturday.

The WRA brought in four different owls, two falcons and some other 'peaceful' birds.

Part of the event was reviewing the mission of the WRA, and a bit of history of the birds on show.  The birds that were there would never go back in the wild.  The injuries that brought them to the WRA would never heal sufficiently to allow any chance of survival.  The critters in their care that will be rehabilitated to the wild will never be this close to humans.  Never thought about it before, but makes sense.

Aesthetically speaking, fun to see such magnificent creatures close up.  They catered to the kids a lot, most of the attendees were young accompanied by parents.  The birds were brought out to and through the audience.  Lots of phone close ups.  Great experience for kids.

Photographically speaking, the light was awful.  I'm recently used to wide open skies and subjects relatively far away.  This somewhat bit me as my initial aperture settings introduced a very shallow Depth of Field.  Unfortunately for the first bird to make an appearance, the Eastern Screech Owl, I was shooting f/3.5 for some of the early shots.  Nice bokeh, but something important was always out of focus.  At some point I figured it out.  Like I had to figure out the ISO.  I had a limit set for 200.  That worked for some of the shots outside of the pavilion.  Inside the pavilion, I had to bump that limit to 1000.  To be fair to me though, I figured that out before the birds took the stage.  

This is the first time I've seen owls up this close.  Awesome.

This first shot of the Eastern Screech Owl was making the rounds before the show started.  Always arrive early.  Lesson for life.

Eastern Screech Owl

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20/NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED

185 mm, 1/200 sec, f/3.5, ISO 250 (AUTO)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size FX

At least the eyes are in focus.

This next shot was taken in the pavilion.

Eastern Screech Owl

NIKON D850 Ver.1.20/NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E FL ED

200 mm, 1/125 sec, f/5.0, ISO 640 (AUTO)

EV 0, MANUAL Mode, Size FX

This shot is a prime candidate for a background replacement.  Something for the winter.  The change of aperture yielded an in-focus glove.

Great day.  More photos of adorable critters to follow.