[PappyB]

Okay, I've lived in the Bay Area for 12 years and I've never, repeat never, been to Fleet Week.

I don't know why -- though work deadlines that require weekend work always seem to get in the way (Thanks Mr. Murphy.)

I was looking at that same scenario this year, but decided to play "hooky" yesterday and hit the practice show at least. Gorgeous day, though very, very cold -- I was on a jetty (wave break) in front of the marina and it was quite windy at times. This location was sort of far from show center, and the show seems further away from the flight line compared with "land shows". So my lens was really pushed to the limit -- as were my skills, what with all the wind, uneven footing, and jockeying for elbow room when the Blues arrived.

What a scene to see the Blues in though -- simply stunning.

First, the setting:



Cue the Miami Vice theme....








Perhaps my fly-by shot of the day... seriously.

[PappyB]

Okay, now for the "show" -- saw everything on the schedule except for the Snowbirds and Patriots. The Snowbirds may be cancelling due to the crash.... (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/08101...k_crash_update)



What's that.. a bird? A plane? It's Fat Albert!










Now, for the stars of the show....





After seeing the Blues on the heels of the T-birds.... I must say... they kick the Air Force's butt. I love how they do more crosses, like this one, that would have been the shot of the day... had it been in focus. But hey, my timing was good! (I blame the wind.)










The real shot of the day, probably.... LOUD! But not as loud as the twin tail-walk routine that seemed to go right over our heads, (last two shots) where full afterburner was kicked in..... ouch!

[PappyB]

Plenty more shots here for folks that want to see 'em: dabspk : photos : 2008 Fleet Week- powered by SmugMug

Other highlights:







Osprey was cool to see fly but probably was the lamest 120$ million demo (single ship) I've ever seen.... (Okay, so it wasn't really a demo as it's not cleared for those right now I think... but still... two fly-bys and it was gone.)

[STARMAN 352ND]

Great pictures Steve.....I notice that plane #4 was missing from the Blue Angels line-up and #7 is filling in for it..Which they do when a plane has problems.
That Marines C-130 is just awesome... very colorful picture.
Thanks for posting.
JP

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by STARMAN 352ND

Great pictures Steve.....I notice that plane #4 was missing from the Blue Angels line-up and #7 is filling in for it..Which they do when a plane has problems.
That Marines C-130 is just awesome... very colorful picture.
Thanks for posting.
JP

Thanks,

I think that 7 flies the practice routines with an observer, and the pilot for #4 at the stick... (good eye)

[firefighterpilot1]

Nice pics Pappy, you had awesome skies for photography! What lens did you use?

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by firefighterpilot1

Nice pics Pappy, you had awesome skies for photography! What lens did you use?

Would have loved to have a few puffy clouds for backdrops but the wind was coming from the west and really swept the haze out of the area for the day, which was nice.

I use a Sigma 70-300mm APO DG lens for my "long" work.... it' s not very good, particularly at full extension, which is where I was for most of the day yesterday. But for $150, it is a really good value. I'm saving for some better long glass but don't know what to go with, or if I'll ever have the greenlight to pull the trigger

I was surrounded yesterday buy three guys shooting Nikon 200-400 VR lenses... which are about $5K each I believe.

[kingpin]

Awesome pics Pappy!

I think the Blues put on a much better show than the other demo teams. The F/A-18 Hornet is quite the plane.

You dont need no stinking 5K lens your pics look great.

Glen

[flyXwire]

Steve, those are awesome pictures as usual. Thanks for sharing them with us as always.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by kingpin

Awesome pics Pappy!

I think the Blues put on a much better show than the other demo teams. The F/A-18 Hornet is quite the plane.

You dont need no stinking 5K lens your pics look great.

Glen

LOL -- thx Glen. I have no illusions about ever owning a $5K lens (I'm thnking more along the lines of 1/5 of that, which is still plenty.)

I'm okay with my shots at the small sizes you see here -- it's when you view them full size that all the warts come out