Whoa, Buddy! I'm on your side, I hope (FA-18 parts my hair)

[DemoTex]

I had hiked along a 6000 foot ridge in the California mountains east of Mt. Whitney today for a photo op or two. Then I heard it coming. The FA-18 popped over the ridge in after-burner, nap-of-the-earth flight. Holy shit! I was awe-struck, and it took me a few seconds to realize that I had a Canon 5D MK2 with a 70-200mm zoom (with auto focus on) in my hand, set up for that ambient light! By that time the fighter jock was gone - long gone. Oh for a head-on or overhead 60* bank photo! I'm sure he/she was rolling in on a target somewhere in the China Lake area. The FA-18 Converter - converts fuel into speed and noise!


The next shot in the sequence shows the twin tails (but I'm not posting that one)

And a few more from today:


I've been trying for this one for a long time. Lines, symmetry, and repetition in the desert


Northern Death Valley sand dunes


More Death Valley sand dunes


What gets me there (and this is not trivial): a 2011 Toyota Tocoma Sport 4-DR long bed. It has and ARE topper with a walk-in back door. It has an ARB bumper with a 7000# Warn winch. It has four new 10-ply (E-Rated) tires on 17" American Racing Mojave wheels. It has a new ARB "Old Man Emu" front/back suspension system with a 2.5" lift (the original tires and suspension system were shot after 22,000 miles - many of which were on incredibly rough roads in the Deschutes National Forest).

[cantbeserious]

1. Number Three Is My Favorite - So Much Depth

eom

[DemoTex]

2. I got shoes full of sand shooting that

I'll post more from the sand dunes tomorrow. That was shot with a Canon 5D MK2 with a 16-35mm f2.8 IS lens (my walk-around lens). But I agree with you on the depth thingy.

mac

[cantbeserious]

9. IMO You Effort Was Worth The Reward - It Has A Very Edward Weston Feel To It - Very Nice

eom

[rocktivity]

3. Wherever he is

Ansel Adams is probably pouting.

No watchtower work this year?


rocktivity

[DemoTex]

5. I spent almost 5.5 months in the fire lookout tower this fire season.

I moved out of the lookout last Saturday. I did not post much because we had far fewer fires this year (but the ones we had were, generally, larger).

[petronius]

7. That's the exact name that came to mind when I saw #3

Absolutely fantastic photos, Demotex!

[bluesbassman]

4. Great shots DemoTex! #3 is inspired. Truly frame worthy!

Thanks a lot for sharing these.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. Not shabby my friend

[BainsBane]

8. Amazing photos

[Hekate]

10. Did you ever publish that coffee table book I told you to make?

You are so incredibly good with your camera wherever you roam, but the fire tower photos are a historical record as well as art.

Okay, TWO coffee table books: fire tower and everything else.

It's good to see your work again -- I'm glad you're still going strong.

Hekate

[ronnie624]

11. Nice.

Three and four are stunning.

I want a truck like that one.

[xxqqqzme]

12. I occasionally

went w/ my dad when he went on his 'rock hunting' treks. Pictures two, three and four remind me of some of the views and treasures you find when out in the desert. A little part of me always feels at home when I'm out on the desert.