Solar Maximum and the Aurora

The CME hit Earth today and the Aurora is splendid tonight. Not since 2002 have I seen the sky light up like this!

Low Light

Free time for photography has been limited this year. Them little babies, kids, work, and everything else seems to suck up the time I have for the photo thing I like to do. I have decided to post a few low light shots from the summer. Some from storms, sunsets, and work.

 Lightning is always hard to capture... many shutter openings and many misses or the wrong direction in bulb!

Protecting our defenders.

A stick, fulcrum, and a quick off camera foot stomp!

Playing with Fire

Work is hot sometimes, and sometimes I get to photograph work. 
The official release:
Firefighting Training at Selfridge

Posted 9/6/2011   Updated 9/7/2011
127th Wing Public Affairs

9/6/2011 - SELFRIDGE AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Mich. -- Training exercises are an essential component of service in the U.S. Air Force. The base fire department at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., conducted a training exercise on Sept. 2, 2011, utilizing an aircraft simulator and a variety of live fire scenarios.

 

The modern day pit fires are not JP-8 (jet fuel) of the days I first learned to fight fire on. Today we use LP gas and electronic controlled ignition, like your stove. Safer, cleaner, and less fun I guess.

A P-19 firetruck engaging with the roof turret.

Sunset and fire.

Snozzel, bumper turret, and roof turrets engage on the fire.

Baltimore Visited

 The International Association of Fire Chief's (IAFC) Hazmat Conference was held last May in Baltimore, MD. I attended the conference for a second time, the first time for me to stay in Baltimore. I am not a big city fan (never will be), but must say Detroit is doing it all wrong!  What a waste of a wonderful waterfront in Detroit. Baltimore was clean, safe, and thriving along the waterfront and many blocks inside in all directions from. I'd say that Baltimore's waterfront should be a goal for Detroit, but what do I know... I'm just a firefighter and photographer and not into urban planning. I'd rather watch the wheat blow in the wind, then fight the potholes, traffic, and mess in and around Detroit to see something there. But if... big if... the D was ever to try and do something with their waterfront, look to Baltimore as an example.

The restaurant below my window had some good food and OK prices... almost every meal in town was no-less than $15.00 and up. The Sheridan Hotel was not the best but made for an OK stay for 5 nights.

Army Golden Knights

It has been a busy couple of months... so for June here are a few images. Army Golden Knights parachute team came in for a VIP jump at Selfridge for something to do with Michigan International Speedway. MIS was there jumping with them as well as some local politicians. All landed safely while we were there.

Special thanks to Mark for letting me borrow some "glass" (Nikon 18-105mm lens) to try on these shots. Nice FOV and image quality.

Work Shots

Dreary weather has kept much of my photography limited this spring. Finally, we had some decent weather for a few hours a day over a two week time and I was able to get a few shots in.

 A-10s breaking off for landing.

 A-10s on the taxiway heading to park.

 View of in the cab of Engine 3. The mirrors are big blind spots in the field of view.

 Engine 3 and Tender 15 with personnel doing drafting training.

 Tender 15 is dumping into the drop tank. Engine 3 has the hard suction hose in the drop tank going into the 6" steamer connection to the pump. A vacuum pump (priming pump) is used to lower the atmospheric pressure inside the pump and draw the water up the hard suction hose into the pump itself. This completes the priming of the pump and allows the water from the drop tank into the pump to use for firefighting purposes.

 Anyone want to swim?